Not to want to take an Orange Person with me to a business meeting?

[Hopefullyrecovering]

The business is professional services. We went out to a client and the graduate in our team came with me. She was bright orange. Literally bright orange. I could see the client visibly wondering whether or not the orange would rub off onto him during the handshake. It looked grotesque and thoroughly unprofessional. There was an accompanying issue of shedloads of make-up. Which was similarly unprofessional This girl does not need it. She is perfectly nice-looking (I believe although there was so much orange, and fake lashes etc that it is difficult to tell)

So, AIBU? And if IANBU, how on earth am I going to raise this issue?

I wasn't dissing pink hair by the way! I just had it on the brain as a couple of my friends have dyed theirs pink and I'm because I definitely wouldn't get away with it at work!

Do you have a contractual dress code? My company do - When they offered me the job i had very long bubblegum pink hair, I was told that this would have to be dyed to a natural colour before I started working for them, I liked the hair, I also hate wearing tights - my contract states that all hair must look natural and all employees must wear tights with skirts (if skirts instead of trousers) at all times. My mothers company is more corparate, they state suits, collars and ties at all times (tie not necessary for females unless they wish to), natural hair and make up only. If your's don't specify I don't think you have any right to say a thing!

I thought that this was going to be about orange the mobile phone company!!

I am giggling at the very thought of someone turning up to my office with pink hair. It would induce collective apoplexy, heart attacks and strokes. Someone would almost certainly call the police and ask for the undesirable to be removed.

Come and visit my offices CaptainHetty. I want to see the reaction :)

I remember a trainee here with a dress issue (very garish /unusual etc) - and i think it was presented to her that we appreciated that it was her choice etc but that the issue she faced was being identified on the basis of her clothes - eg she was the girl who wears the stupid dresses rather than the girl who knows her stuff and it distracted from her ability was this the result she wanted. Seemed to work - pretty conservative place

There are some environments where orange fake tan is inappropriate (or will at least harm your promotional opportunities). I would say that to her - that a client commented on it - and that you are very impressed by her but that it could affect her career.

I have several piercings but I take (most of them) out when I go to client meetings.

I don't think you'd be unreasonable to mention it to her. To me, it would come under the heading of acceptable dress code.

You wouldn't expect pink hair or mini skirts / low cut tips in a client facing professional role, so make up that makes her look like she's off out clubbing is similarly unacceptable.

I work for a funeral director. I wear different clothes to work than I would at home, not because I'd be any less good at my job, but because part of my job is putting people at their ease and not making my appearance an issue which it would be if I didn't keep to what's expected . And my employers weren't being reactionary when they told me what was expected, they were helping me.
As someone said above, of course people can dress however they want, but there might be consequences they wouldn't like. It's helpful to explain that so they can make an informed choice.

I'd hate to be responsible for a heart attack epidemic in your office, Hopefullyrecovering , and I fear the hair combined with my piercings may well kill some of them off.

Hopeful - can I come and work for you? I am having withdrawal symptoms... Ah. The day the temp came in wearing her biker leathers. She strode through the office (she was tall and slim). I thought I was going to have to call an ambulance!

Eldritch, that document's hilarious! Looks like it was translated by an iphone on acid

I must check whether my nicky is billowing and my buttons are open door while seated.

I'm with elastamum. If I was that girl then I might not like to hear it but I'd take it as constructive criticism if I thought that someone was saying it for the right reasons.

Ah it may be my stupidity, or I may be realistic. She's within her rights to hand out fake tan if she gets her own company. I assume if it was needed I'd follow the instructions and end up with something that looked like a tan rather than looking like I'd spent the morning rolling around in cheesy crisps.

I'm not against fake tan, I had one once, it was cold and I think it looked okay. I am the whitest person in the world, eczema up my arms and know that fake tan and foundation can cover a multitude of insecurities.

I will assume things about her level of intelligence and whether I'd want her to work for me from the inability to follow the fake tan instructions and appropriately assess her level of success. :o

Ah yes, we had one like that. Friday was fake tan day. You used to be able to tell which loo she'd used by the orange bum cheek prints she left behind,

captain ( SOOOOOOO Off Topic! Is it you I remember had a pet skunk!?)

I once had to write a dress code policy for a professional services firm. Like it or not if you are in the business of meeting clients you expect your staff to project the image that the firm wants to. That stops short of sexism/racism etc but if you are trying to persuade a client that they should lobby European parliament to change the law with regards to phthalates in childrens toys (for example) you need to project an image that fits in with the point you are trying to make.

Of course some people won't be influenced by how you look but most will.

Mind you it never occurred to me to put in a "no orange skin" section of the policy. Maybe you can suggest some kind of paint chart approach with acceptable vs non acceptable colours?

If she's a recent graduate she probably only does two looks, no make up and jeans and night club. Professionally smart will be totally alien.

Gentle guidance may be necessary. However, if you are inclined to think of her as a young um or a pretty young thing, getting someone nearer her age to do it might be better.

I woud suggest any colour of skin which does not appear naturally in nature is a nono.

I got a few bollockings about my dress when I was a young un

tell her, she needs to know

Debeez No skunk here, although the way my boyfriend smells some days you could be forgiven for thinking there was one in the house...

YANBU. Her line manager needs to have a word. poor love she probably thinks she looks ream.

I think you have to speak to her about this but very, very gently.

I had a friend who was a secondary teacher. She could not find a full time job, and was doing supply work.

She had orange (fake tan) skin. Long black hair. Lots of very black make up. She wore high heals, knee length deep cut summery dresses to work and job interviews. I used to envy her very shapely figure and size 32d chest.

She could not understand why should could not find a permanent job.

Its it coz I is orange?

Arr debeez Your thinking about me and my lovely pet skunk!