Because most philosophies that frown on reproduction don't survive.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Grow Up, Don't Dress Up

Perhaps I'm overly cranky after two weeks which have been busy enough at work that I've been virtually unable to blog, but it strikes me as particularly foolish that a number of people around the office building were so crestfallen at the idea of missing out on a chance to wear their Halloween costumes to work that they decided to dress up on the 30th. Somehow it seems doubly pathetic when this is combined with a fear of actually looking too un-ordinary, and the reveller thus shows up wearing medical scrubs and a stethoscope to your desk job so you can be "in costume" without looking weird.

I was starting to think we had an invasion of doctors and nurses there were so many people in colorful scrubs, until I saw some brave (or foolish -- you pick) soul parading about in black robes, pointed hat, and carrying a broomstick. (Alternatively, maybe that's just the product manager everyone has been calling La Bruja.)

I'm down on moving holidays at the best of times, but a bunch of people in their 30s and 40s being so attached to the idea of wearing costumes to work that they spontaneously move it just strikes me as pathetic.

Growl.

12 comments:

John Farrell said...

You know...I WAS going to wear my Christopher Lee, dripping fangs, Dracula T-shirt to the company party this afternoon.

But now you've completely shamed me out of it.

I wouldn't feel so bad...if you were ten years older than me.

Thanks.

A Fellow Catholic Darwinian said...

"I'm down on moving holidays at the best of times, but a bunch of people in their 30s and 40s being so attached to the idea of wearing costumes to work that they spontaneously move it just strikes me as pathetic."

This resonates with my own set of circumstances that seem so similar to the one described in the entry as regarding Halloween, that it as tragically humerous as it is true.

One often wonders if unsuspecting visitors that incidentally come in during those days of the year don't actually mistake the company they're visiting for some sort of insane asylum given all this!

Darwin said...

Well, if there's actually a company party you're going to, I won't scoff, John. It's that there's no party and it's no even Halloween that has me skeptical here.

Big Tex said...

I came to work dressed in costume. Get this: I came dressed as an electrical engineer.

John Farrell said...

True. (The mail guy just wheeled by my office with a bozo wig on, so your point is taken.)

victor said...

Dressing up is fun!

Catholic Bibliophagist said...

My oddest experience with Halloween costumes in the workplace took place at City of Hope (a cancer treatment center) when my husband was being treated for Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Most of the nurses and all of the staff were wearing costumes, most of which were either cute or amusing. But a woman at one of the reception desks was wearing a black robe, black wings, and a feathery black halo. I think she also had black fingernails. And I thought to myself, "She looks just like the Angel of Death." I don't know what she was thinking (probably not much) but that was NOT a good costume choice for that venue."

Marie said...

I love cranky. . .

What resonated with me was the part about not wanting to look too abnormal. Now, if someone was going to do it up right and came in to work all dudded, that would get my admiration. But, of course, that person would be a total social misfit. What you've got is folks who want to fit in, which means making sure we do the holiday so we don't look like we don't fit in, but making sure we don't do it seriously because then we might not fit in.
So I'm thinking what bugs you is the herd mentality showing itself in something as unessential to herd action as a silly secular holiday.
There, I've out-crankied you, hope you feel better.

CMinor said...

But a woman at one of the reception desks was wearing a black robe, black wings, and a feathery black halo. I think she also had black fingernails. And I thought to myself, "She looks just like the Angel of Death."

Sounds like somebody needs a little visit from the HR department! I wonder how many cancer patients that day had to be reassured that they were still on this side?

Darwin, may I suggest one of those "This is my Halloween Costume" t-shirts?

j. christian said...

I had fun yesterday playing "Halloween costume, or everyday dress?" Seriously: I saw at least four or five people whose clothes were both bizarre and ordinary at the same time. Some cases are expected: the Goths, the young women with diminished standards of modesty, etc. But then there are the hard calls, like the young guy wearing the bright orange, way-too-short hoodie over a multi-pastel plaid shirt. Maybe it was a pop culture reference I missed, or maybe he was just that badly dressed.

Rick Lugari said...

Heh, I saw the scrubs on a few people and thought they were having some sort of Well @ ... thing going on. Doh! Missed the witch, but saw one costume where a particularly bland and wallflowerish looking gal used the opportunity to present herself (and her rack) in an all new light. Chicks are funny creatures.

TS said...

Overheard among the actuaries, "I'm going as an actuary. That'll scare 'em."