Channeling My Inner Linda Richman
Welcome to Wine Tawk. I'm your host, Jennifer. On this episode, we'll talk about wine, doors, and dress codes, you know, no big whoop, just wine tawk.
This is a picture taken of the door of The Wine Loft in Mobile. Listed are very specific exclusions of allowable clothing items and accessories.
In case you are unable to read the guidelines clearly on the picture, here is what it says:
No Athletic Pants, Shirts or Shoes
No Hats
No Bluetooth Devices
No Excessive Jewelry
No Baggy Clothing
No T-shirt
No Muscle Shirt
No Ripped, Torn, or Frayed Clothing
Business Casual or Business Attire is Suggested
I have some thoughts and opinions about their rules. Please discuss your thoughts in the comments section and I'll tell you my opinion tomorrow.
Tawk amongst yourselves....
Labels:
Huh?,
Life in LA,
Pictures
54 People are even more brilliant:
My thoughts....
I'm always looking for superficial rules to break. Especially rules of the Snobby kind.
Let's bust up in there together wearing hats, frayed jeans, and a bluetooth.
Just to see what they'd say.
If I weren't so broke, I'd totally be suggesting a BOOBs field trip!
It occurs to me that they may be trying to exclude black people. Do they also insist that you address the server as ma'am?
hmmmm, well you and i both have frayed jeans, so guess we're out!!!
why would a business be so exclusionary??
i think they could save the sign cost and just put "must be rich to enter"
but i agree w/ the above commenter,and i thought the no blacks allowed days were OVER.
although, here, they could also say no whitetrash allowed either.
they won't get sued b/c of the "according to alcohol laws, we have the right to refuse service"
they have found their loophole!
that's verrrry interesting. thanks for sharing!
Not very inviting, huh? I wouldn't go in.
The one rule I agree with is the "No Bluetooth" rule. I see people -- usually middle aged men -- sitting at dinner with their families all the time with those things in their ears. Not only is it tacky, it's down right rude to sit through dinner with a phone to your ear, even if it's hands free.
They certainly aren't looking for a lot of business around here, are they? They definitely sound snobbish, which makes me anti-Wine Loft. On the other hand, I've noticed that a lot of times signs like this turn up for a reason, so who's to say they haven't had problems with losing their primary clientele because of these types of things?
They could at least get the grammar right and add an "S" to "T-shirt" and "muscle shirt."
I love "wine tawk."
Their rules make me feel like not going in. It makes me feel unwelcome, and dictated to by someone who should be glad of my business.
Wow... I guess I won't be going there. That's definitely a snobbish place. I wonder how many people go in without reading the door, since so many today DON'T read the "fine" print or any print. ...AND how many actually get kicked out!
Oh my stars! :-)
The sad thing is, they're still in business. Which must mean there are enough elitist, snobby, fence-poles-up-their-asses kind of people there to buy their damn wine. Wouldn't you love to rent the store next door and sell wine and invite the scum of the earth there for wine tastings? And it would be even better if you made way more money at it than they do! Thanks for sharing. It certainly puts things into perspective!
Okay-
I'm going to disagree with almost everyone so far. I think it's fine and would probably go there. I like that they're telling me what to wear - that way I don't have to think about it and then feel out of place if I guess wrong. A new restaurant opened up by us and had a similiar sign on the door. It's "in" the mall, but can also be accessed when the mall is closed. I think the sign is preventing, um, high school kids who just want somewhere to hang out. And honestly, when I'm looking for somewhere to go with my hubby the last thing I want is to sit next to a table of high school kids. Not that I myself wasn't ever one of them, but it's nice to know there's a place we can go that does have standards.
There are plenty of places that require a jacket or have some other dress code.
agreed: seems to be anti-black "thug"-types....and K-Fed.
...because, i bet if little old white me went in there wearing 10 diamond rings & large hoop earrings, they wouldn't say anything about my "excessive" jewelry. [which is a bullsh*t subjective rule]
Are you at my mother's house? This sounds like my rules from high school? Except there was NO vino around. Humm!
Oh. Muh. Gawd. That is hilarious and offensive at the same time.
I think I'd be okay with it if they had left out the excessive jewelry, baggy clothing and the suggested attire guidelines. But then I'm getting into the majority of the guidelines. They maybe should have just said "Dress Code Strictly Enforced," and enumerated further inside the establishment.
I agree that they seem to be trying to exclude African-Americans. I think some of the attire they are referring to can actually look quite nice when done up for a night out -- not just the day look.
Brand new sneakers, clean, pressed jeans and t-shirt with jewelry and a hat is not MY look, but it looks VERY good on some men. I doubt they would be coming to a wine bar looking for trouble, just a nice night out with their lady.
Ay caramba.
I don't have a problem with the business attire part but who decides what excessive jewlery is? And how baggy is too baggy? I can't wear my bonnet or a hat that matches my outfit perfectly? Can I wear a white old navy t shirt underneath my cardigan? And I'm guessing my addidas sandals are OUT!
I'm mixed on this...it seems like they're playing into stereotypes and excluding certain people that would dress a certain way but it also is clear that they are a private establishment and reserve the right to do just this.
I'm troubled, is it the "no excessive jewelry" rule that is making some of you view the sign as "racist" or excluding blacks?
My reason for asking is because it seems racist to me to automatically jump to the conclusion that only black people wear excessive jewelry and baggy clothing so the sign was therefore aimed at black people.
Every race is guilty of breaking those restrictions and not EVERYTHING is about race. My other question is that if you saw this same sign in lets say New York (being more culturally diverse than the deep South) would you still think they were trying to restrict blacks?
It doesn't seem too unreasonable to me although I'm not into upscale places. My third question is that they typically expect the same dress code at church so does that mean churches are trying to exclude black people as well?
When you work at a business with a similar dress code does that mean the business is trying to avoid hiring black people? I could go on all day here but I just thought some of those comments accusing the sign of "racism" were actually very subtle form of racism in itself. Think about it.
P.S. I'm black :)
No baggy clothing and no bluetooth devices? I'd be SHUNNED.
Well I guess I can mark that place off my list. I wear too much jewerly. I live in yoga pants and t-shirts. All my jeans are frayed on the edges because I am 5 ft tall and I can not find jeans that fit me properly. I guess it is McDonald's and Boone's Farm in a paperbag for me.
this is what i think:
if they want to be that specific, they can give me a wardrobe allowance. i mean, do they actually *want* business? some of these things are common sense...but i mean, no t-shirts?
i do like the bit about excessive jewelry LOL
Were I actually to sort through all of my Target crappy Mommy gear to find something that would get me in to said place, would I actually enjoy being in there with the other patrons?? I think they'd be uber snotty. Thank you, no.
I was out on the first rule....
What if your business is prostitution? You could be following the last rule, all the while, simultaneously breaking some of the others.
This is all too confusing.
I don't see "no nudity" anywhere. Let's give that a whirl and see if it flies!
Jane, Pinks & Blues
I worked at a club here for nearly two years. The club had a dress code similar to that...but there was nothing about bluetooth devices or T-shirts.
And "business casual or business attire" was NOT suggested.
I wonder how much jewelry counts as "excessive"...
Althought they have a lot of rules, they are not very specific about some. Like "no excessive jewellry" or "no baggy clothing". Seems to me like they are leaving those fairly wide open so they have the authority to turn away anyone they want. You can't define excessive jewellry or baggy clothing. What if you were wearing a lovely lace shawl draped ever so demurely around your shoulders - that could be deemed "baggy"....
uh oh! I only own t-shirts.
No wine for you!!
I must live with my head in a cloud where everything is rainbows and puppy dogs because it didn't even occur to me upon first reading, I didn't even consider that they were targeting blacks. And even re-reading it twice, I still don't see it.
It seems to me they are trying to keep out "riff raff" and maintain a specific sort of clientele. That being said, I'm going out on a limb here and saying that I don't have an issue with this. As long as they are not targeting one skin color, creed, or culture, I am fine with an establishment having a dress code, even if it is ridiculous.
AND, I also think that even though it is snobby, I also don't see how hard it would be for the average person to walk in there (if they wanted to) with clothing they already had. It's not black tie - just business/professional.
So, I'm torn. I love getting dressed up and going to fancy places and think that an establishment CAN decide who they allow in (as long as it's not racial, cultural, etc.), BUT, like Anglo said, once in, would I even enjoy the company of those inside? Probably not.
It just seems really excessive, like they're going out of their way to be snobby. I like the idea of a nice place you can go and not feel out of place by being a little dressed up. If the sign simply said, "Business Casual dress code strictly enforced," I wouldn't think twice. But listing all of the specifics (like we're too stupid to figure out business attire) just makes you feel like a child. NOT the kind of place I'd want to frequent.
Also, cue me singing "Signs," you know, "long-haired freaky-people need not apply" ?
I'm not seeing it as racist at all. I see it as targeting a specific clientele and trying to maintain a more upscale atmosphere. However, even my business casual stuff includes tshirts and things I'd consider "baggy". I think it would have been more appropriate just to state business casual or business attire is suggested. Listing all the "don'ts" is quite a turn off for me. I wouldn't want to walk in to a place where I'd feel scrutinized if I'm just out to have a good time with hubby.
I don't have a problem with the sign. The "NO" section is subjective, but most people know what business casual is. It's a private establishment, so they should be able to set the standards, and the patrons can choose to go or not.
That being said, I would never go into such a snooty place, and would consider it my sacred duty to hang out in front of their store with my kids in our WalMart attire. And maybe three bouncy balls.
Do those types of attire really detract from the experience of enjoying wine? (Well, I could see how the Bluetooth devices would, but technically they aren't a type of dress...)
I wonder how often they're going to have to add to that list. How do they feel about full-body tats? Unusual piercings? Belly shirts? Micro minis?
I'm (somewhat guiltily) admitting that I am somewhat conflicted over the Wine Loft....
On the one hand, I totally agree with everyone that the posting on the door makes it look fairly snobby. Not to mention that if I take a look down at my current attire, I know that if I came within a square mile of that place that they would probably lock the doors.
But...
I'm looking somewhat like I don't own a shower or anything that isn't three sizes to big because I am at home. If I wanted to go out for a nice evening of wine and grown up-ness, then I think I might like to be at a place where the people around me were also having a nice evening of grown up-ness.
And I think that if that is the type of place they want to have, they are just as well off warning people before they walk in the door - because nothing would get them bad press faster than asking everyone who walked in breaking their dress code to leave...
I'm with Miss in wondering what qualifies as 'excessive'?
well the Queen of England is excluded too ... what witht that NO Hat rule and she can't possibly remove her jewelry.
The only women who wear 'Hats' when 'wineing & dining out' are usually well to do.
I had a good giggle at Jane from Pinks& Blues
Since all of my jeans are frayed (I'm short so the cuffs drag on the ground all the time) and I am sometimes even known to wear t-shirts to (gasp!) church, they would not want my business. Which really, I'm okay with. I don't want theirs either!
Oh, and Jane from Pinks and Blues, you're awesome!
"No T-shirt" - but are multiple t-shirts okay? You know, the layered look?
ummm....i don't think i would be allowed in there! wtf???
the way i see it, it seems pretty strict...almost like only a certain class is desired, not someone who can't afford "business attire" just to go to the Wine Loft.
judging them solely by their dress code, it doesn't seem like the kind of place i'd like to patronize anyway...man, it sounds dull!
It says business Casual is suggested but doesn't say "no shirt, no service"
Obviously I'd have to go naked. I mean, *I* only wear that other crap. So neked it is!
Holy crap. I love the NO MUSCLE SHIRT. That cracked me up. And the frayed clothing one. What about my designer jeans that I bougth frayed? :)
LOL!
- Audrey
anonymous: it seems to me to be geared toward an anti-thug theme. Given the fact that it is in the South, I took it a step further to interpret as being "anti-black" b/c of it's location & the history of the region. I'm not saying that I am right in my assumptions. I am not saying that all black people dress according to that description. I'm not saying that the discrimination that I believe is going on is just.
Oh, and PS: I'm white.
...if that matters to you.
Oh, and anonymous: where does one end & the other begin w/ regard to racism & cultural sensitivity?
do they get any business? sounds very fancy.
Hmmm, I am torn. Part of me thinks it's cool to have a place that spells out it's rules and it trying to make it a nice establishment... for example, our fave restaurant in the whole world says "no cell phones please" at the bottom of it's menu. As much as I lurve my iPhone, it's a pleasure to not to be surrounded by beeps and clicks and the blue glow while we are eating for once in our lives.
However, that list, poorly articulated and fugily (is that even a word? well, it is now!) displayed on their window just makes the place look trashy.
I'm trying to think of any recent days when I might qualify to get in...
...nope, can't think of any...
I was going to be all original and suggest that it looks like they are looking for nude diners, but someone else already beat me to it.
Wow....
I wouldn't get in strictly on the no t-shirt thing..
Good thing I don't like wine!
Setting aside all of the racist overtones, I would be a wreck going in to this place so, no, I'm not going in there at all. I've no problem with dress codes when they are reasonable but this? This is way across the reasonable line.
Don't they know that frayed sweatpants, baggy t-shirts and hella jewelry are all the rage with wealthy wine connoisseurs?
I guess me and my t-shirts are not going there. I don't think I have anything that might be considered business attire. I can't believe that a place could be so expensive that they can afford to turn away regular people. There's my tawk!!!
I don't really see where people were coming up with "trying to exclude blacks". I know more blacks that would fit this dress code than I do whites. All this sign tells me is that it is an upscale place and you won't find any Boones Farm in there.
.... and they still have customers? Nobody has picketed them? Or is this their ticket to fame?
Tanya
Seriously? To drink wine?
As if.
Bummer. I guess that means I can't bring my posse there to guzzle some Thunderbird!
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