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Original poster

Unnecessary comment about my outfit from male member of staff at the school - your thoughts?

279 replies

TwatAtSchool91 · 02/08/2026 21:49

I live a stones throw from a secondary school which I have to pass daily on our school run.

A male member of staff stands outside in the morning greeting the kids.

A few months ago he made a comment to me as I walked past him. It was a stupid remark, nothing vulgar or massively offensive, but it has bothered me to the extent I'm now self conscious about what I'm wearing whenever I have to go past him.

The comment he made was "morning Blade" in a mocking tone, both infront of the secondary school kids and my own.

(for reference I was wearing a belted leather trench coat and some black riding style boots)

It wasn't a friendly jibe, he was being a twat. I wouldn't give it much thought if he were a random in the street but he's stood there representing the school 😐

Would you have raised it with the school or not? Do you think it was inappropriate?

OP posts:
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CedarFlag · 03/08/2026 11:18

Sereine · 03/08/2026 08:54

Men fairly regularly take the piss out of each other for what they're wearing.

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To complete Strangers? How often do you see this stuff? When did you last see a man shout out to another man, ‘come on love cheer up; it might never happen’?

Cherrysoup · 03/08/2026 11:16

NeverDropYourMooncup · 03/08/2026 11:02

Six boys were named Blade in 2011. Which gets them right to being a teenager entering their secondary school in 2026.

🤦🏼‍♀️

Just looked up Khaleesi, there were lots of Games of Thrones reels on Insta yesterday. 560 girls named this in 2018. Brilliant!

Cherrysoup · 03/08/2026 11:14

montysmaw · 02/08/2026 23:21

It's not funny.
You are entitled to walk down a street without a random bloke commenting on your clothing, insultingly , creepily, admiringly, "funnily" or otherwise. It's patronising and belittling.

Would he have been as smart mouthed ( or "funny"🙄) to a burly bloke passing on the street?

Why can men not just let you go about your day?

It's too late now. But that's his one strike. If he makes any further comment, rip him a new one.

I have to agree. I was thinking about this yesterday, how it’s usually men who make unpleasant comments, whereas women are far more likely to give compliments. If I see someone who looks fabulous, I tell them. I know they don’t need my validation, but I love randomers telling me I look great. Had a lady tell me how fabulous I looked a while back, made my day!

Saying that, I almost think I’d be flattered to be called Blade-stylish and cool, but the teacher was a bit of an idiot to make a comment to a passer-by. Good morning would have been more appropriate.

MimiEva · 03/08/2026 11:06

He didn’t know you have no sense of humour. You’re the issue, op, not him.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 03/08/2026 11:02

Six boys were named Blade in 2011. Which gets them right to being a teenager entering their secondary school in 2026.

spokenorchid · 03/08/2026 10:57

CedarFlag · 03/08/2026 06:39

Unless you were walking along and looking at him as he said it, which would be weird, you can’t be sure those words came from his mouth.

🙄🙄🙄

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Do you have something you want to say, or are you just playing with emojis?

morecakeneverstop · 03/08/2026 10:53

His comment has a "negging" tang to it. Make a note of it. If it happens again, raise it with the school.

"It wasn't a friendly jibe, he was being a twat." Trust your instinct.

dogsmaid · 03/08/2026 10:43

@Sereine it was critiquing though, a critique doesn’t have to be negative does it? And again it’s still not normal to critique strangers outfits as they walk past you.

dogsmaid · 03/08/2026 10:41

Aberdyfi · 03/08/2026 08:58

Don’t move to Ireland, you wouldn’t last five minutes.

The banter is completely different in Ireland though

Tunnocks34 · 03/08/2026 10:38

It’s a bit late now and honestly the school won’t do anything with it other than probably have a mild conversation with the staff member.

Tontostitis · 03/08/2026 10:35

Dontlletmedownbruce · 03/08/2026 09:32

It would annoy me too, it is funny but it's not fair to make someone feel self conscious. I had a pink leather jacket once and a few people made comments about Grease or Pink Ladies. I didn't like it and stopped wearing it.

Again all about you and the way you've taken it if I had to think that the jacket I would a expect people to reference Grease and b be really pleased because it would be echoing and nostalgic of something that I love.

Tontostitis · 03/08/2026 10:34

Well this is all about perception isn't it I would have found that funny quick and acknowledging a shared love of something.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 03/08/2026 09:35

Sereine · 03/08/2026 08:54

Men fairly regularly take the piss out of each other for what they're wearing.

Show quote history

Yeah I would agree with this. 'I can't wear that, the lads will rip the piss all night' is a legitimate reason for a man to make a fashion choice. 'I can't wear that, women will silently judge me' is more likely the female equivalent.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 03/08/2026 09:32

It would annoy me too, it is funny but it's not fair to make someone feel self conscious. I had a pink leather jacket once and a few people made comments about Grease or Pink Ladies. I didn't like it and stopped wearing it.

UnemployedNotRetired · 03/08/2026 09:26

blade
neo
herr flick

Think you did OK, if a comparison is being made.

Floratheexplorer57 · 03/08/2026 09:24

He should not have mocked a fellow teacher in front of pupils but definitely do not raise this with anyone - you'll come off as being over sensitive and lacking in humour. Just have a couple of one liners ready to go should he repeat the comment when you next wear the outfit.

MarilynMerlot · 03/08/2026 09:20

I wear a very similar get up in the winter and am fully aware I look like a matrix/Allo allo reject and embrace it 😂 I’d have had a banter with him personally. Even if it was a ‘power play’, owning your sense of style shows people they can’t get a rise. No one who actually feels confident in how they look would be stewing on this months later.

LuckyHazelFox · 03/08/2026 09:19

Ladyfromthehill · 03/08/2026 08:59

It's got nothing to do with being a wowan. People being hysterical and making everything about sex and gender are doing us no favours.

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That's why we won't move on. Some want progression at a disproportionate rate.

HowardTJMoon · 03/08/2026 09:13

Sereine · 03/08/2026 08:54

Men fairly regularly take the piss out of each other for what they're wearing.

Show quote history

Yup. The first time I had cause to wear my brand new and pristine high-vis jacket and hard hat near a construction site I heard a shout of "It's alright lads, Bob the Builder's here".

Linenspots · 03/08/2026 09:01

I actually think you're being more insulting to him by referring to him as a twat, and assigning your username to reflect that.

Ladyfromthehill · 03/08/2026 08:59

CedarFlag · 03/08/2026 07:58

What a depressing read this thread is. We have a long way to go before making things better for the new generations of women.

It's got nothing to do with being a wowan. People being hysterical and making everything about sex and gender are doing us no favours.

Aberdyfi · 03/08/2026 08:58

Don’t move to Ireland, you wouldn’t last five minutes.

Sereine · 03/08/2026 08:54

CedarFlag · 03/08/2026 07:21

How often do men say this stuff to other men on the street?

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Men fairly regularly take the piss out of each other for what they're wearing.

Sereine · 03/08/2026 08:52

dogsmaid · 02/08/2026 22:36

It’s not normal to critique a strangers outfit/look to their face though!

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It wasn't critiquing, though. It was simply commenting. Many might take it as a compliment.

InterestedDad37 · 03/08/2026 08:49

I occasionally get called Dennis the Menace when wearing one of my favourite t-shirts. I really don't mind 🙂

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