I just went to a job interview at a college. Suffice it to say, I don't think I'll be taking the job after all. Just not my cup of tea. One thing that particularly annoyed me, however, was the mention of a dress code. Now, I have very sensitive skin and feel unbelievably uncomfortable in button down suits. I especially hate ties; I don't even think I own one. There's even research suggesting that ties can restrict blood flow to the brain enough to impair cognitive function to some degree.

When I walked into the college building, I asked a woman where the interview room was. She initially thought I was a student because I was wearing an ordinary shirt. I wasn't dressed down, but I wasn't in a suit and tie either. After realizing I was here for an actual job interview, she led me to the office of the lady to give the interview. The lady who was giving me the interview apologized, claiming she was supposed to send me a dress code memo, but forgot. She said she wouldn't hold it against me because I didn't know. But during the interview, I was informed by her that the college has a dress code for faculty: men are required to be in suits and ties, because it looks "professional."

The lady giving me the interview was, of course, in what appeared to be a comfy sweater. When I pointed that out, she of course clarified that the code was different for men and for women.

I think dress codes are useless as it is. Within reason, what you wear has no bearing on whether you are capable and competent. However, women have it made. They can show up in a sleeveless or a sweater and a short skirt, and everyone will consider them "dressed up." Men, of course, have no such luxury. They have to wear a suit and a tie, the most uncomfortable goddamn thing to wear in history. What's more, if a man doesn't do this, he's viewed as both incompetent and, I'd wager, unattractive. This is sexism, and I never hear feminists bitching about this one, likely because they just don't give a fuck about problems that they don't have to deal with. Thank god my wife agrees with me on this one, but still, it's the height of hypocrisy to care about equality and have gendered dress codes.