An acquaintance of mine made me think about what is appropriate in the workplace and otherwise. She is a nice girl with set values but upon learning about what I believe she seemed to become very "uneasy". Granted this is far from the first time someone thought me weird and I am quite certain this won't be the last, however, it did make me go deep and analyze. Her "uneasiness" touched some aspects of self that I wasn't in touch with for a while. When growing up, I, like many others, wished to be liked and understood. I tried to fit in and not be different...until I realized that while I still care about others opinions I am happy when I am true to myself.
I rebel against people that take themselves too seriously. I always admired those intelligent, successful people that make fun of themselves and treat others with the same respect that they would treat people of a "higher caliber". Humility is a must in my world, for anyone who puts themselves on a pedestal doesn't understand life well. I also believe that we get lost often worrying about things that are unimportant in the grand scheme of life. Work is just work, most of us do it for money and then get out so we can enjoy the remaining hours doing something that makes us happy. I am of course speaking generally and realize there are those that truly love what they do at work and feel a great sense of accomplishment.
As to what is appropriate and not I know we all differ. Not only do we differ in opinion but our appropriateness factor (AF) changes depending on circumstance. For example, seeing someone in a bathing suit during winter is "weird" whereas during the summer we think it is perfectly acceptable and do it ourselves. Likewise, when someone wears clown's hair during Halloween at work people laugh but if a person does the same on any other day we don't accept it. That's where my AF differs greatly. Of course I do own the clown hair and put in on at work periodically. I put it on when I feel the mood of the team is "heavy" and I do so to cheer them up and to put a smile on their face. I believe it whisks them away if for a moment from the drudgery of work and hopefully allows them to recalibrate. I also put it on when I feel myself getting too serious because wearing clown's hair I cannot, in all honesty, continue to take myself seriously. Thus it relaxes and grounds me. I am tempted to wear it in front of those "bosses" that view themselves as holy (so far I haven't due to probable firing.) And I would be remissed if I don't mention that I put in on because I love being the center of attention :) which brings me to a grown man wearing a diaper....
I am not addressing those moments when unfortunately grownups have to wear diapers for medical reasons. I am talking about a grown man (me) wearing one with a Binky and a bib. A friend of mine long ago said that it would be hilarious to teach a class wearing nothing but a diaper and see the reaction of the people. I whole heartily agree. I must admit I haven't done it yet but maybe will one day. That would be a great test to see if people truly judge the book by its cover and if they can look past the "stupidity" and learn from a capable instructor. The psychologist in me is foaming at the mouth for this opportunity.
Getting back to the story... when I mentioned this to my acquaintance and added that I crashed my wife's baby shower with 3 other guys all wearing diapers and signing songs she visibly thought of me as the village idiot. So far my attempts to explain have gone in vain and she probably doesn't want to talk to me ever again, which is fine and is well within her rights. In my opinion however, I believe what is appropriate is all relative. I also believe that a grown man who takes his responsibilities but not himself seriously is perfectly appropriate.
