Oh, no! Mistaken for a security guard!

[JLibourel]

The question comes up sometimes in forumland whether wearing the classic navy blazer, gray slacks and repp tie will cause you to be confused for a security guard. Well, it happened to me this evening as I was leaving work...and I wasn't even wearing a navy blazer! I was wearing my controversial green blazer from W.W. Chan. With it I was wearing gray nailhead wool slacks, a tattersal BD shirt, a brown Charvet tie with narrow red stripes, puffed brown silk square with tan border and pinpoint dots and my brogue suede A-E Hancocks. In all, it didn't strike me as all that security-guardish an ensemble.

Anyway, as I was leaving the building, I was accosted by a young man in gray slacks, rumpled white shirt and a necktie, who asked me, "Do you work here?" "Well, yes," I replied, "How may I assist you?" I think when I faced him full on he realized I was not a security guard and stammered out an apology that he needed access to the upper floors (limited after 6:00 p.m.) and had mistaken me for a guard. I directed him to a proper guard--a petite and pretty lass who looks like an East Indian (but might be a Mexican). If the guards wore green blazers, I could understand his mistake, but they wear all-blue uniforms. It did occur to me afterward that maybe the guy was color-blind.

Anyway, I departed half-mortified, half-amused.

Any thoughts, comments, mockery, ridicule, whatever from fellow forumites would be welcome.

 

[acidboy]

I once wore a suit to an evening play with my wife and an acquaintance of mine who was wearing polo and jeans asked if I was ushering. I just curtly replied no, but looking back I should have said yes and led him to somebody else's seat.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

The question comes up sometimes in forumland whether wearing the classic navy blazer, gray slacks and repp tie will cause you to be confused for a security guard. Well, it happened to me this evening as I was leaving work...and I wasn't even wearing a navy blazer! I was wearing my controversial green blazer from W.W. Chan. With it I was wearing gray nailhead wool slacks, a tattersal BD shirt, a brown Charvet tie with narrow red stripes, puffed brown silk square with tan border and pinpoint dots and my brogue suede A-E Hancocks. In all, it didn't strike me as all that security-guardish an ensemble.

Anyway, as I was leaving the building, I was accosted by a young man in gray slacks, rumpled white shirt and a necktie, who asked me, "Do you work here?" "Well, yes," I replied, "How may I assist you?" I think when I faced him full on he realized I was not a security guard and stammered out an apology that he needed access to the upper floors (limited after 6:00 p.m.) and had mistaken me for a guard. I directed him to a proper guard--a petite and pretty lass who looks like an East Indian (but might be a Mexican). If the guards wore green blazers, I could understand his mistake, but they wear all-blue uniforms. It did occur to me afterward that maybe the guy was color-blind.

Anyway, I departed half-mortified, half-amused.

Any thoughts, comments, mockery, ridicule, whatever from fellow forumites would be welcome.
Were you packing?

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

Any thoughts, comments, mockery, ridicule, whatever from fellow forumites would be welcome.

I didn't think those green jackets traveled outside of Augusta National unless it was with the reigning champion.

 

[binge]

Hole in one off the tee every time.


Of course, once you get the timing down, putting it through the windmill and chomping alligators is pretty easy...

 

[Baron]

I bought a green hopsack blazer at a garage sale recently. I'm not sure what possessed me to do it, but it was only $10 and it fits me perfectly. Kind of a washed out grass green, too - not that bright emerald Masters tone.

 

[pinchi22]

Were you wearing a holster and gun?

 

[lasbar]

Jlibourel , it is quite common nowadays with the more casual office etiquette...
Wearing a jacket is seen as being part of some kind of work requirement or uniform...
If you wear a navy suit with a white shirt ,people will come up asking some kind of questions...
One saturday in Canterbury , a woman asked me where the toilets were...I couldn't be bothered explainig I wasn't working there....I told her they were on the top floor..

 

[Szeph el raton]

Been mistaken for an employee in a men's warehouse. That's what you get for being the only person in the store sporting a pocket square. I wonder if they bought the shirt and tie I suggested.

 

[idfnl]

PICS OR

 

[ManofKent]

I regularly get mistaken for a shop assistant of a lunch time, particularly if I don't take of the horrible lanyard and badge I have to wear at work.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

A while back, I went to Yankee Stadium with a friend who wears a blazer to work and people confused him with an usher which irritated him no end. He got in people's faces over and over but I think it was because he is clueless both about sports and that the ushers wore jackets.

 

[blackbowtie]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

Anyway, as I was leaving the building, I was accosted by a young man in gray slacks, rumpled white shirt and a necktie, who asked me, "Do you work here?" "Well, yes," I replied, "How may I assist you?" I think when I faced him full on he realized I was not a security guard and stammered out an apology that he needed access to the upper floors (limited after 6:00 p.m.) and had mistaken me for a guard. I directed him to a proper guard--a petite and pretty lass who looks like an East Indian (but might be a Mexican). If the guards wore green blazers, I could understand his mistake, but they wear all-blue uniforms. It did occur to me afterward that maybe the guy was color-blind.

My first reaction was that line, "How may I assist you?", may have been the trigger. It does sound like something that shop assistants or security guards would say. There is something servile about "How may I assist you?" that may lead others to conclude that one belongs "to the lower orders", for lack of a better expression.

But then again, maybe I think this way due to my own excessive snobbery and lack of fine manners.

 

[Manton]

It was the nailhead pants. The guy obviously knew that was a suiting, and thought that someone not wearing a proper odd trouser must be a prole.

 

[Tommy Trolley]

Since I've started dressing better on all occasions (thanks to this forum) It's happened to me more frequently, but even before that, it would happen time to time. Certainly your outfit was what the rumpled shirt guy noticed, but if you are like me and have a much more approachable demeanor and stance as a person, that's more likely the reason.

By approachable, I mean you are engaged in your surroundings, notice things, observe and and are otherwise not totally wrapped up in your own little world as most people seem to be. That's how I am, I don't miss a thing because I pay attention and this I believe is what people pick up on. Also if you are a good soul who is willing to be a helpful member of society that radiates to people and you are naturally the one to go to for assistance.

What you wear may just confirm that in some folks minds, but I've been in department stores men's sections wearing shorts and sandals and a casual untucked short sleeve, with a shopping bag, and still had people come up to me and ask questions.

It's more who you are than what you wear, which is a pretty decent motto to live by.