We went to go see

[Drem]

I agree with Maeya. People don't dress up for those events because they're rich or snooty or anything. Plays and symphonies are formal events with a lot of effort being put forth by the performers to make it happen... it's not like going to the theatre and watching The Incredible Hulk... if people don't want to dress up for a formal event then yes, I turn my nose up. Show some respect for the performers

[Narrock]

Well, Brinstar and a couple other people made some good points. However, when I pay a couple hundred bucks for tickets to a semi-formal engagement, and my lady and I dress up for the event I also expect the other patrons to show a little class, and as a couple of you have pointed out... to show some respect for the performers. This is not "elitist." It's merely common sense etiquette. The same thing applies to a formal dinner. If you get all dressed up to go to an expensive classy restaurant for dinner to celebrate something in your life, you shouldn't have to look at some tool at the next table over wearing a baseball cap or jeans. That's how you dress to a sports bar & grill or something. Oh well, some people are just clueless, uncultured and unclassy losers. I'm over it now.

Also... well put, Maeya.

[Menlaan]

I'm somewhat torn on the issue upon reflection. I live in an area where it's acceptable to be casual (i.e. jeans) to very nice restaurants. I really like that, and I don't like going to areas where you have to dress up to go to dinner. That said, when going to see an opera or something, part of the experience is seeing all the people around you who are very dressed up. It's a part of the atmosphere, and that is degraded if some fucknut decides to wear flip-flops.

[Gypsiyee]

I agree with points on both sides; however, dressing up as a respect for the performers != chiding others for not doing the same, and I think that's where the elitism sets in. If you want to dress up out of respect, that's great - I'd do the same thing, I like to dress up and be fancy at any opportunity I have. But I think it's clear that you're not offended by others not dressing up out of anger for the lack of respect for the performers so much as anger that they're ruining your 'formal' experience, and that I don't agree with.

Granted, I'd prefer to dress up for those types of events, and I think other people should, too..but if they don't, and their dress is accepted and there aren't strict rules enough to prevent them from being admitted, then you're probably the one being a snob. I mean there are reasons strict dress codes are put into place at formal affairs, and if people were granted admission inside the theatre, there probably wasn't a strict dress code. If the theatre doesn't mind, why should you?

[Evermore]

Well, Brinstar and a couple other people made some good points. However, when I pay a couple hundred bucks for tickets to a semi-formal engagement, and my lady and I dress up for the event I also expect the other patrons to show a little class, and as a couple of you have pointed out... to show some respect for the performers. This is not "elitist." It's merely common sense etiquette. The same thing applies to a formal dinner. If you get all dressed up to go to an expensive classy restaurant for dinner to celebrate something in your life, you shouldn't have to look at some tool at the next table over wearing a baseball cap or jeans. That's how you dress to a sports bar & grill or something. Oh well, some people are just clueless, uncultured and unclassy losers. I'm over it now.

Also... well put, Maeya.

Why do you let it bother you? Who cares about that tool in the hat?

[Harrison]

I would dress nice to the events too.

I wouldn't put my nose up at anyone "less dressed". That makes you an elitist snobby prick for no valid reason.

[Maeya]

Eh, what can I say? I'm an elitist snobby prick then. I consider dress code an extension of manners & common courtesy, and people disregarding it I would view the same as a person eating with their mouth open at a table, or wiping their hands on their pants or the table cloth.

It's the whole don't-show-up-for-an-interview-dressed-as-a-slob mentality. There's no formal dress code on interviews, and they'll still let you in the door if you're not dressed 'appropriately' (usually), but there is a certain standard to which a person is supposed to conduct themselves. I would also think less of a person not bothering to dress up for a job interview. You could argue that it shouldn't matter what you're dressed like as long as you're there to do the job and do it well, and there might be some truth in that... but you dress up to show respect for your future employer and to show them that the interview mattered enough to you to put the extra effort in. I view this much the same as dressing up for a performance. Snotty though it may make me, I'll keep right on raining judgment upon the heads of the people who don't see this.

[Zanchief]

I'm an elitist snobby prick then. I consider dress code an extension of manners

Manners are also a part of elitism. It's a way to judge people who have a different background then you.

Oh you don't know the secret handshake to get into our club of cool no elbow on the table eating cool guys? Oh I'm sorry you simply can't eat with us. Everyone knows if you're going to eat at a fancy restaurant you have to jiggle the maitre d’s balls then do a hand stand for 2 seconds. If not, or the mocking we shall put forth on you!

It’s all just a way to make other people feel less important for not following a set of rules that are completely meaningless.

[Gypsiyee]

A job interview is a bit different when it comes to allowing them inside, imo. It's also a bit different in that when you're going to a job interview, your intention is to impress; when you go to a show, your intention is to be entertained, it's the performers' job to impress.

Like I said, I'm definitely the type who can recognize that it's a formal affair and to dress nicely, but not everyone feels the same and that's their perogative. It's not a requirement to dress nicely if the ushers don't refuse your entrance, it's just implied that you dress nicely. As noted from other people's posts, the implication is solely based on the customers of the theatre you're attending. If someone was visiting from NY where it's acceptable to be casual, it doesn't make them some classless douche because they assume it's the same in another location. If it was a universal standard, sure, be offended.. but it's not, so why let something so petty ruin your experience?

Now don't get me wrong, as Jonathan can tell you I'm the first one to walk by someone and comment on what I see, it's a rather obnoxious habit of mine - but their appearance doesn't ruin my outing, I just like to make fun of people just as I make fun of myself. But if you actually get upset or offended by it further than just making a passing comment, I think the problem lies within you rather than the actual offender. (by you I'm not talking directly to Maeya, it's a general you)

[Harrison]

There's a certain level of respect everyone should be afforded off the bat.

Clothing you wear in public isn't fucking one of them, end of story. A job interview is NOT the same thing as going out somewhere. At job interviews you should be making an attempt to conduct yourself professionally and appear clean/well groomed and dressed because you're making an impression. That is miles and away different than going somewhere to be entertained.

I hate to agree with Zan but, I do almost entirely. I don't show up to weddings in jeans and a wife beater but, I couldn't possibly give less of a shit what someone thinks of me for what I am wearing, anywhere.

When you boil it all down it's just ridiculous inanity anyways. It's fucking clothes. There are so many other things worth bitching about.

Like, the cunts with cell phones in movie theaters who HAVE to answer their phone and continue to hold a conversation at a normal tone of voice. Or the loud obnoxious "gangsters" who have to yell "AWWWWW SHIT SON!" when something happens.

Protesters who disrupt your day over some bullshit no one cares about, hippies (usually the same twats), lazy coworkers, etc. etc.

[Tikker]

people who over-dress for stuff are worse imo

[araby]

I don't think you should expect anything from people.

[Evermore]

my point was is dress the way you want to and dont let the way some tool is dressed ruin it for you. U wanna wear a suit why not?

[Haylo]

Holy shit I agree with Harrison almost completely. Personally I dress appropriately for situations, and while I may make a comment here and there, I would never presume to look down upon someone because of what they wear to an event. Maybe that's all they had, maybe the tickets were a gift to them and they wanted to enjoy the show but did not have fancy clothes. I usually only care what other people are doing if it effects me. People talking theaters, being loud on the Metro, carrying on like fools while someone is presenting/talking.

[Arlos]

It seems to me we're getting a couple things mixed up here, one being common courtesy and the other being social expectations.

Common courtesy is what covers not being a douche to those around you in public areas, like the cell phones in theaters, etc. These are the kind of activities and behaviors that provide an actual disruption to someone else's experience. Yelling, cell phone usage, being particularly odoriferous so as to prohibit coming within 10 feet of you (I encountered someone like that in a club for a concert once. Place was completely packed to the gills, but there was a constant 10 foot radius of empty floor around this guy, cause if you got any closer, you just wanted to throw up), etc. Clothing choice, however, does not fit into this category, as you simply can choose to not look at them, and if you're paying attention to the performers exclusively anyway, you can't be staring at the "inappropriate" clothing.

Social expectations is another animal entirely. I won't in the least argue that if one is going to something like the San Francisco Symphony, say, that formal attire (at least a suit, or shirt & tie at the lowest) is absolutely expected. The theater, however, is a tricky animal. Some performances would certainly fall into the formal category, but other ones not so much. Take Avenue Q, for example; I certainly can't imagine requiring formal evening wear to go see a performance of puppets swearing and singing about how the internet is for porn. Indeed, the more "family-friendly" a performance, the less likely formality is to be expected, honestly. The other thing to keep in mind is that social expectation has, to some extent, been placed aside in this area (and nearby regions of California, like Sacramento), due to the youth wealth creation generated by the area. There's every chance that the guy showing up to the theater in flip flops is someone like one of the Google or Facebook founders; 24 years old and worth over a billion. So, a greater range of formality in dress is accepted here than might be expected elsewhere.

-Arlos

[Maeya]

Meh, it doesn't ruin my evening, I'm just saying that yes, I will judge someone if I feel they're not dressed appropriately for the evening. It's not the only thing I judge them on, but it definitely will be a factor.

Maybe some of that rubbed off from Ugzug