Reply #115: Men used to wear ties to ballparks

[theboss]

Society as a whole is getting more crass. I'm ready to lose my mind over the way people in my office dress.

There are two main reasons for codes of conduct/dress/civility. First, traditions are how we maintain civil society. They are a connection to our shared past. They are means to civil interaction among people.

Think of the handshake. Why do we do it? Basically, because someone somewhere told us to do it. But it is part of our shared protocol and is the way people begin interactions with one another. It's a key.

Same with dress codes at funerals. Dressing respectfully is a key into the mindset of mourning and a manner of paying respect.

The second reason is that dress dictates behavior. My father has been an elementary principal for 30 years. He always says that the easiest day of the year is picture day. When kids dress up, they behave. Same with adults.