shorts appropriate or not, in Denmark

[lph]

Story that caught my eye today:

a male psychologist (at a hospital?) in Denmark was told by his boss that he could not wear shorts under his white coat at work on hot days, because with the coat buttoned, it could give the impression that he was wearing nothing at all. (Which is kinda funny, actually :D)

He complained to the Danish Board of Equal Treatment, that deals with discrimination complaints, saying that his female colleagues were allowed to wear short skirts that didn't show beneath the coat. His boss maintained that there was a cultural acceptance of short legwear for women that doesn't exist for men.

The Board ruled that this was a subjective opinion, and that not allowing shorts for men was discriminatory in this case. (Denmark is probably considered very liberal both in regards to dress code and equal rights).

I found this pretty interesting. In principle I agree on equal rights of course, but in practice I sure would be surprised if I went to a hospital and was greeted by a male doctor with hairy bare legs... And I've seen plenty of fine-looking male legs :D It just feels much more casual on men, like that boss maintained.

So why are bare female legs more acceptable? Are male legs less attractive, or is it just what we are accustomed to seeing? Is it that many women are used to showing their legs and groom them accordingly while men don't? Or do only women with pretty legs show them off? And how would this boss or this board react if a woman had ignored the usual standards of beauty and shown off pudgy, white, hairy or bruised and ungroomed legs - would anyone have dared to say that they looked unprofessional?

Do any of you work in professions that give clear guidelines to things like this?

[OakLeaf]

It's been a while, but last I worked in an office, bare legs on women weren't acceptable, either. We had to wear hose or slacks. I agree, the expanse of uncovered skin would gross me out in a healthcare setting whether the person was male or female. (And way back in the day when I didn't shave my legs, I was told explicitly that I had to either shave them or wear slacks to work.)

[lph]

I'm not 100 % sure, but I'm guessing bare legs here were considered acceptable on women (under a long coat, mind you), so it's more directly comparable. As I mentioned, Denmark is pretty liberal even among the Scandinavian countries. We don't have much of a tradition for businesswear at all, and casual wear in summer can show a lot of skin without being thought odd.

Interesting that you were told to shave! That's kind of the thing I was wondering about, would one be expressly told to do something like that.

[malkin]

There is a dress code where I work, but it is only randomly enforced. Staff members wear hats, ripped, saggy, or dirty clothes. Pretty much anything goes until a parent complains. Then there will be a memo or a training, but really nothing changes.

More cleavage and bum crack are evident than I believe are appropriate at a school, but it isn't up to me. Legs? Who would notice!

[bmccasland]

I suppose it depends on the local definition of "professional attire." When I lived in hot climates, women didn't have to wear hose, and me could go without suit jacket and tie, in the blistering hot summer months. In cooler climates I think covering up, wearing more layers is the norm. Seems to me that men's shorts don't meet the definition of "professional" attire, unless you're a golf or tennis pro. But it's what's locally professional.

Maybe we should go to Hawaii and take a survey. Want to join me LPH? :D

And frankly, moving back to a colder climate has made me more aware of my skin problems - I have skin that wants to live in a hot humid climate. I've got little pimples / small sores all over my legs, arms, stomach that only clear up if I wear looser fitting clothes - or go bare. I've had this problem so long, that in the summer months I don't bother with worrying what other people think, my legs finally get the opportunity to breathe!

[lph]

You'd be surprised, but both Denmark and Norway can get really hot in summer, just not for very long (blink and you'll miss it). And in an otherwise cool climate we don't have much installed in the way of fans and air conditioning. I've had days at work where I'vd had to think hard over how little clothing I could get away with.

Poor guys who could only take off a jacket and tie... And cleavage and bum crack sound a lot more inappropriate to me than bare arms and legs.

This discussion reminded me of my stint working at a vet laboratory. I had shifts at a cell lab where the temperature was in the 30s C all the time, and the only way I could stand it was by wearing only underwear under my lab coat. Our elderly supervisor was not happy but never said anything, I was young and pretty and enjoyed the looks from my male co-workers :D

ps. I would looooooove to go to hawaii.....

[SadieKate]

What shoes would he wear? Red heels? :p

Frankly, I wouldn't have a problem as long as he was clean and well-groomed.

[malkin]

In Honolulu, attorneys in my brother's office wear aloha shirts unless they are going to court.

My SIL (also an attorney) grew up there went barefoot or in sandals so much as a kid that her toes don't touch each other. Amazing that she can find dress shoes at all!