Was My Boss Rude??

[Sharnita]

So are some people thinking wearing make-up makes one more professional than not wearing make-up? This seems absurd. Do we expect the "professional" men to have on make-up at work as well?

[LadyJaneinMD]

She was definitely rude.   You were on your time, and if you wanted to give your skin a rest from artificial gunk, why not?
Personally, I don't wear makeup at all.  Ever.  Not anymore.  My skin is better off without it. One of these days I'm going to go through my closet and throw it all away.

[Oxymoroness]

So are some people thinking wearing make-up makes one more professional than not wearing make-up? This seems absurd. Do we expect the "professional" men to have on make-up at work as well?

Why do I suddenly have visions of glam-rockers working retail? 

[MineralDiva]

I was not moping. I was simply stating a fact! I was out with my family anyway and would not have been available to work, even if they had wanted me to! We just happened to be in the area and I told DH that I needed to stop in for my check.

<<<<What offened me by her comment was that she looked at me like I was just so ugly without makeup. BTW, Pottery Barn Kids sells bedding, bedroom furniture, toys and occaisonal furniture for children. So, yes, I do have to dress nicely (professional dress), but I always feel like make-up is optional! I have one assistant manager who never wears make up and her dress could not be described as professional. Maybe only business casual. But that is not my place to say anything about it.>>>>

I understand.  I probably didn't type that part quite as well as I could have.  Believe me, it's not like I've never gone into a work environment, on my day off, looking like it was my day off.  (And I've gotten similar comments from folks who usually see me "cleaned up and presentable.")

Should she have gone on and on about it?  No.  That was snipey and rude.  As long as 'you're" comfortable with how you look, just consider the source and let it roll off.  You handled it well.

Though I do love some of the comments about responding, "in your case that would be reasonable," or "in your case, I can see why!"   

Especially when I'm in production on a show, I've been known to be a little more "casual" around the office, than usual.  Particularly if rehearsals are immediately after work, I wear a dressier version of "rehearsal blacks" to the office. Back in October, it looked like I was going to a funeral, on a daily basis.  But there wasn't time to go home and change.

During the first day of the Esperanza Fire, I actually came to the office, straight from a dress-rehearsal, to man the phones into the evening...in full costume and make-up, as Professor Van Helsing.   

This precipitated more than a few "cracks" from my boss and others, about my new "uniform."  But...not only did they all come to see the show, my boss even helped work the theatre box office for us.  NOW he understands.  Doesn't stop the teasing, but as long as it's good-natured, I can be equally so.

[Evil Duckie]

Yes she was rude. You were picking up your check not coming in for work.

I can see where she would make that comment if she was an older woman. Many older women were taught that a lady never appears in public without full makeup on. All the older women in my family are like this. It drives them crazy to see me head out the door without makeup on.

The other comment I get is why don't I go an get a tan I would look healthier. I am very fair and don't tan.

[LadyJaneinMD]

Yes she was rude. You were picking up your check not coming in for work.

I can see where she would make that comment if she was an older woman. Many older women were taught that a lady never appears in public without full makeup on. All the older women in my family are like this. It drives them crazy to see me head out the door without makeup on.

The other comment I get is why don't I go an get a tan I would look healthier. I am very fair and don't tan.

Okay, I can understand that.  It is true that many older women wouldn't even go outside to get the pape without putting their faces on.  My mother used to be like that. 

As for the tan, I haven't tanned since I was 13.  Tanning dries my skin out so much that my face literally cracks and bleeds when I smile.  I avoid tanning like the plague.  Just tell everyone that we're bringing back the "peaches and cream" complexion.  (well, on me it's more like fishbelly white).

[RandomAngel]

I hardly think that refusing to be seen without makeup qualifies one to be judgmental of others' choices.

I rarely wear anything but blush (for me it makes the difference between looking happy & healthy, and looking like I've been dead for a week), and I've worked in retail, as well as any number of professional settings.  There are plenty of ways to come across as "professional."

Anyway.

One day a while back I went home sick about halfway through the workday, and decided to cut through High-End Department Store to get out of the cold for a few minutes.  One of those cosmetics pushers jumped into my path and started obsessing about some bronzer thingy--"perfect for those days when you have to rush out of the house with no makeup on--" and gestures at me to indicate "like today, honey."

I KNEW I looked rotten--I was sick!--and I knew it was his job (more or less), but I have STILL never forgiven him...because making comments like that is JUST THAT RUDE.