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Yes. I like t-shirts and jeans and never want to go back to suits and ties but.. When I went to Japan a decade ago, I realized just how informal and slovenly
by nobodyandproud 4y ago
Yes.
I like t-shirts and jeans and never want to go back to suits and ties but..
When I went to Japan a decade ago, I realized just how informal and slovenly American working attire had become.
- cercatrova 4y agoNotice how that's all for show too. Relatedly, Japanese people often don't work harder than Americans, they simply stay at the office longer. I also prefer what lack of formal attire signals: in Japanese workplaces, the more senior, the more respect for their ideas, regardless of whether the idea is actually better. Formal attire legitimizes their seniority but I'd rather have a meritocratic system of vetting ideas, and informality signals that too.
- nobodyandproud 4y agoThis is true. Though I think many imitate regardless of the tribe/workforce/culture in order to fit in. Look at the schools. It’s informal but there are definitely trends and fashions to follow in order to relate. Just a thought, but the change in attire, then, is to create some formal distance between management and direct reports.
- astrange 4y agoJapanese suits/uniforms are often pretty cheap (and look that way) - thus the low end “recruit suit”. They are tailored, but the level of body-fitting they are would be actively unacceptable in the US. By which I mean, everyone would think you’re gay. On the other hand, Japan is the home of expensive high end recreations of American casual clothes - look up Take Ivy, BEAMS, nice selvedge jeans, etc.
- nobodyandproud 4y ago> On the other hand, Japan is the home of expensive high end recreations of American casual clothes - look up Take Ivy, BEAMS, nice selvedge jeans, etc. I remember some acquaintances running a decent side business buying and then selling vintage American clothes back in Japan (shipping or flying back). This was back in the 1990s so I believe it. (it also brought back some fond memories)
- thefringthing 4y agoWhen Japanese enthusiasts scoured American thrift stores for the last remaining stock of vintage American denim, it supposedly constituted the largest ever transfer of clothing from the USA to Japan, exceeding even the postwar used clothing charity drives.
- rayiner 4y agoBut the point is everyone looks like they’re trying to conform to the dress code. Much better than America, where just when you think it’s hit bottom, people plumb the depths further. (Most recently, by way of hair, tattoos, earrings on men, etc.)
- tptacek 4y agoI have rings in both my ears and sleeve tattoos on both arms. What does that say about me?
- mc32 4y agoI think it means you like teasing people.
- onetimeusename 4y agothat you will live a long life and success is ahead
- sprkwd 4y agoMeans you have spent a lot of money on pain.
- tptacek 4y agoThat and the dog from "Duck Hunt".
- rayiner 4y agoI’m sure it’s a Samoan or Celtic ancestry thing.
- namaria 4y agoTwenty years ago those would signal strongly that you don't depend on or respect social conventions. Now, that you have a lot of disposable income.
- 4y ago
- fennecfoxy 4y ago>By which I mean, everyone would think you’re gay. Is this really true, though? Plenty of straight dudes wear tight fitting clothing, especially if they work out. Perhaps it's just a higher ratio of gay guys that work out vs straight guys that work out that's skewed your views.