rideside.net

Dawn,

I wish that you had caught me perpetuating a stereotype, Dawn, instead of relaying the sad, sad reality of American Society.
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I don't know if you know that it's been my lifelong dream to have a "work costume"/uniform that I could wear to work multiple days per week and still manage to be socially acceptable, leaving my creative clothes purchasing for my free time wear.
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In fact, I think that my favorite work costume was from the time that I worked making tea for the BBC in Plymouth England. Every day they gave me a fresh baggy brown with light blue pinstripe housedress (just below the knee) and an similarly-colored apron to wear. The thing was UGLY, but I LOVED it. I could roll into work after an hour of sleep, look like hell, but still have an acceptable, clean, fresh outfit to wear that I didn't have to decide on. My love for this outfit was so great that I 'acquired' one when I left that job.
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The truth is that the American Women's pants and skirts are not as uniform as mens' pants. Men's pants (almost) always have a pocket in which to put one's phone or wallet. Women's clothes are frequently not made that way. Either they are too tight-fitting, the pockets are too small, or they are completely pocket-less. Women can't rely on having a specific spot to put their wallet, keys, or cell-phone every day.
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Hence the purse.
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Hence the annoying cellphone ring.
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Hence the sad, sorry state of gender roles in the United States-- it's all due to the pants.
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Don't I wish you could be right, Dawn.
(x-posted in my blog)