How Do I Handle Halloween at the Firm?
October 29, 2008 by Sweet Hot Counsel
Q: I think I know the answer to this already, but I just want to confirm: It would be a bad idea to wear some sort of low-key Halloween costume on Friday, correct? Our firm has sent out an email “encouraging” everyone to “get into” the spirit of the day because there’s supposed to be a group of kids from some charity group making the rounds of the office on Friday for trick or treating. I’m assuming I should just dress normal, close my door and not draw any attention to myself. I highly doubt the partners will be wearing costumes. Or am I missing something?
A: I think you may be, um, missing the point. Well, first, let me take a step back and confirm for you that yes, it would indeed be a bad idea to wear some sort of low-key costume to the firm on Halloween, unless you have your heart set on making an ass of yourself. Maybe throw on an orange tie or socks if you’re a guy, or an orange camisole or jewelry if you’re a woman, but other than that, no, you should definitely not show up to work wearing, say, a full-body rabbit costume.
Why, though, would you think you’d even need to? By “encouraging” you to “get into” the spirit of the day, it looks like your firm was basically telling you, “Look, we have a bunch of underprivileged, costumed kids coming into the office on Friday, amped up and looking for candy, so go buy a couple of bags of mini-Snickers, smile and try to act human for three minutes…or if you’d rather be a douche and ignore the kids, just leave your door closed.” That’s it. Nothing there indicates to me that a cadre of partners are going to descend on the firm on Friday dressed up like the cast of Heroes. Or that you should plan to, either.
So, if you really don’t want to draw attention to yourself, just buy some candy, show up to work on Friday dressed like yourself and be a good sport when the trick-or-treaters stop by. Doesn’t seem that painful, does it? Or am I missing something?
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This is not a dumb question. My firm had a Halloween party last year and a new female partner came dressed up as Vampira. We never really thought of her as hot before, but you should see how different she is looked at today. 2 other paralegals came as dominatrixes. Wow! We can’t wait for this Friday.
We now appreciate these women at an entirely different level. We have no objection if the partner reuses the same dress as she wore last year. The paralegals have been popular all year!
One other point. Not every lawyer can pull this off. If you are a mess, don’t think that you will all of a sudden become hot just by wearing a low cut outfit. Remember, ladies, a pig with lipstick….is still a pig!
“Mr. Nerlman”, you’re an ass.
I think you could probably bring one of those masks shown in the picture and leave it in your desk..should others be in costume, great…if not, no one needs to know you brought it. Thats how I would roll.
I agree it’s not a great idea to dress provocatively, even if it is titillating to Mr. Nerlman and the Southern Lawyer. Our role should at all times remain professional, not sexy at work.
Ah, the joys of practicing in Nevada, where, this year at least, Nevada Day (Oct. 31) is celebrated on its actual date. Because the office is closed, we need not consider whether to dress up or not.
While I applaud the apparent fun loving nature of Mr. Nerlman’s offices, where entering into the spirit of things is apparently encouraged, I cannot think it a wise decision to dress provacatively. And in this, I can readily say it applies to both genders. I would definitely raise my brows at a male attorney who dressed as, say, an Olympic swimmer, or in some other revealing way.
Personally, I suggest one of two costimes: serial killer or were wolf. The former looks like everyone else all the time; the latter does when there is no full moon. The moon is not full this Halloween.
Really, “Mr. Nerlman”? This question has absolutely nothing to do with sex or dressing provocatively.
No to costumes. Yes to candy. No one will think you’re an ass if you’re nice enough to go buy some candy to give out. (Unless you get that cheap-ass generic wrapped hard candy. Don’t do that. Go high end, maybe Cadbury, bit-o-honeys, etc.)
I agree with El. It pays to be nice to people who come trick or treating; not closing your door. You can buy a bunch of mini Hershey’s with Almonds or mini Mounds bars for less than $5 at the CVS. If you don’t give them away, you can always eat them yourself over the next couple of months.
We are not celebrating Haloween at our firm. Things are not festive as we support a number of I-Banks. I do think it’s a good idea to be civil; and to spend time @ home when the kids come trick-or-treating.
I recommend that we all spend more time at home with the family in these dire economic times, and less time being so self-centered.
I dunno about Nerlman’s paranatrixes and vampartners. If paralegals pull a stunt like that at my office, they better be damn good at their jobs or I will be looking for a reason to get rid of them. Not a lot you can do about the partner. I’ve never cared for people who mess around at work. It makes me ask “what trailor park do you hail from where you can’t find dateable material through your non-work contacts?” What these girls did sounds like advertising to me. I don’t like it.
I see the criticism about being provocative at work, but wow - you really can’t decide this one for yourself?
Maybe you could be a sheep for Halloween?
….but only if other people are dressing up.
Great party–I went home alone though; the dominatrixes went home together (can you imagine) and the partner has a boyfriend.
You see, Nerlman, what comes around goes around. You go to the party looking for sex and you wind up with nothing. You should just have gone to the party to enjoy a little break from work, instead of trying to score with paralegals. Women do not find such an attitude attractive.