Unusual sighting- etiquette of it?

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

^^^ here

That's not being dramatic. That's my confusion that the mods around here don't shut that kind of thing down. I'm a member of another message board and that kind of language is not allowed. I mistakenly thought most, if not all, message boards were like that. Seems like it would fall under the abusive category to curse at another member like that.

[LadyLonghorn]

Originally Posted by Scandia

Well guess what- I saw the gentleman wearing it today again.

He came to the reference desk asking for directions to a place. He barely spoke English- so we switched to my native language. Due to his accent, I could tell that he was not originally from the USA- this is probably relevant.

I asked him about his hat- if he had a daughter or friend in the GLO. He said the hat had been given to him. He seemed very confused when I asked him about the letters. I told him that they belonged to a sorority called "Upsilon Upsilon" (not its real name, of course). Transaction went well and he was always very polite- but I could tell that he had been given the hat as a clothing donation.

What a great way to snatch away the dignity of an already downtrodden person in the name of petty personal interests. This poor man was given the hat out of kindness and for all you know could be the only one he owns. Thanks to you he gets to be self conscious about wearing it. Since he was polite in what was the undoubtedly uncomfortable situation you placed him in, it's good to see that one person in this "transaction" has an understanding of etiquette. I hope you are proud of yourself.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

What a great way to snatch away the dignity of an already downtrodden person in the name of petty personal interests. This poor man was given the hat out of kindness and for all you know could be the only one he owns. Thanks to you he gets to be self conscious about wearing it. Since he was polite in what was the undoubtedly uncomfortable situation you placed him in, it's good to see that one person in this "transaction" has an understanding of etiquette. I hope you are proud of yourself.

Good grief. Cue the violins.

L-O-L

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Good grief. Cue the violins.

L-O-L

I agree.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

I agree.

Don't get it twisted. You were being dramatic, too. Who nominated you the sorority representation and cursing police?

(Maybe the same people who nominated me the dramatic police )

[Scandia]

I asked in a very polite way after we had talked for a while. I did not criticize him at all for it- just asked about it and told him what it stood for. He was very pleased with all the info I gave him.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Scandia

He was very pleased with all the info I gave him.

I bet you that he didn't care two flying rat's asses what the letters stood for. Seriously LET IT GO!

Originally Posted by Scandia

He was very pleased with all the info I gave him.

Maybe he just had gas.

[Xidelt]

I hope the guy didn't walk away thinking, "Gee, great, now I'm wearing a hat with the name of some girl's club on it."

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

I hope the guy didn't walk away thinking, "Gee, great, now I'm wearing a hat with the name of some girl's club on it."

I hope he did.

[VandalSquirrel]

I guess my only issue is that since you're a public librarian (and regardless of GLO clothing), if he feels uncomfortable because you pointed out he has womens clothing on he may not come back to the library out of shame and he may need the resources a public library has to offer. If he is not a person with English as a first language and different cultural attitudes, that sort of nosiness may actually hinder what you try to accomplish as a librarian. My understanding is that you're supposed to help people, even if you're not a fan of what they want to kn ow or their choice in research, and send them on their merry way with warm librarian fuzzies.

So I guess this can also extend to someone who is questioning their gender, or in the midst of changing their gender, or is transgendered, and if they are coming to a public library with alleged equal access for all, it can be a huge problem. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE judging people (especially those with Goach bags or fugly crocs), but there is a time and place and I really think it goes against librarian ethics to ask him, especially once you realized English was not his first language. Maybe you disagree with say, premarital sex, but if a patron asks you for information, you're supposed to do it without judgment or comment.

Who's the librarian police, Nancy Pearl?

[epchick]

I <3 Tippiechick

[agzg]

The only relevant thing about his not being from the USA is that it makes you look like more of a condescending bitch.

Way to go! You've made the world safe for us greeks to wear our letters without worrying about people wearing items they probably received through charity!

[nittanyalum]

Ok, the last 3 pages have been worth the price of admission. Thanks, folks.

And all I can say is, WOW, if KSUViolet's even in here talking smack, that's sayin' somethin!

(and by the way, keep it up, KSUV, I love that side of you! )

[Xidelt]

Ass kicking from Sen in 3,2,1....