Good morning everyone, and welcome back to the Reliable Source weekly live discussion.
Still shaking off your inauguration hangover? We still have no more clarity on the Beyonce lip-sync controversy — though she did get some happy news from trademark officials. And what was the deal with the protester in the tree?
But moving along, the Alfalfa Club celebrated 100 years of merry elitism.
Nancy Brinker revealed why gay rights is a cause close to the family.
And Barney Frank took a new job in a Broadway musical.
Plus: Emanuel Brothers mania! And D.C.’s new most expensive home. Shakira had a baby, Fred Smoot is getting divorced, and so is future Sen. Ashley Judd; Meadow Soprano is marrying a Nats minor-leaguer, and Chris Brown is in trouble again.
Other topics on our radar: Michelle Williams is not doing a good job lying about a Destiny's Child reunion . . . Patty Stonesifer, a charity titan, picks a small D.C. nonprofit for her next move. . . We've got a new Racing President! . . . And, whoa, Manti Te'o, still. . .
Congrats to Jim Nabors!!
Amy Argetsinger :
Yes, indeed, breaking news: Jim Nabors -- best remembered as Gomer Pyle -- at the age of 82 has married his longtime companion.
– January 30, 2013 12:03 PM
Am pumped for an Entourage movie
Amy Argetsinger :
Really? I am so not. I can understand getting sucked into an episode on TV. I cannot imagine paying $10 to sit in a theater for two hours. You know, they'll have to come up with a plot. And I think having a plot would pretty much ruin the whole Entourage concept.
– January 30, 2013 12:04 PM
There was a picture of Kathryn Ruemmler in a White House photo wearing a knee high, high heel boot. My company stated this is a nono dress code. Advice?
Amy Argetsinger :
Go find a new job. Your company sounds miserable.
– January 30, 2013 12:05 PM
You go girls!
Amy Argetsinger :
Hmmm, that sounds like an unreasonably high number. I'm sure I wouldn't want that many chatters.
– January 30, 2013 12:06 PM
Should we count on Chris Brown getting into fights over parking spots all time
Roxanne Roberts :
We can count on Chris -- the same way we count on Lindsay --to walk around the world believing that the rules that apply to other people do not apply to them, and that they lack the maturity and disipline to see things in any other way. So, yeah, more bad in the future.
– January 30, 2013 12:07 PM
I suppose it says something about my income that I've lived in DC for 15 years and have never heard of Kent.
Amy Argetsinger :
Believe me, I had never heard of that neighborhood either until I started this job. So embarrassing to think that at one time I would have referred to it as Palisades or Foxhall and I would have been so terribly incorrect.
– January 30, 2013 12:08 PM
I don't even want to know where that person works. In this day and age women from every walk of life wear them (even the Duchess of Cambridge!).
Roxanne Roberts :
As long as she doesn't carry a whip, I don't understand the fuss.
– January 30, 2013 12:10 PM
Is the real reason that she will not be appearing on DWTS, have more to do with staying sober during competition?
Amy Argetsinger :
(I think this is my cue to dream up some more DWTS fan fiction for you.)
No, the real reason Lindsay Lohan will not be appearing on DWTS is because. . . she developed amnesia. . . after getting mauled by a tiger. . . while working as an undercover double agent in North Korea!
Am I trying too hard here? Help me out! It is very hard to get into this topic.
– January 30, 2013 12:13 PM
GOLLLLLLLYYYYY !
Amy Argetsinger :
– January 30, 2013 12:13 PM
I do not understand why he merits media attention or, frankly, why he's not in jail. There are plenty of other talented musicians who don't beat women.
Roxanne Roberts :
My guess: Young Talent + Bad Boy + Famous Girlfriend + Shocking Incident + No Real Punishment. Everyone is waiting to see if/when the other shoe drops and he gets in serious trouble -- or if he grows up and stops being a spoiled brat.
– January 30, 2013 12:14 PM
Maybe I'm misremembering, but didn't both the First Lady and Mrs. Biden wear knee-high high heel boots at the Inauguration?
Where does that woman work, an Abbey?
How is Barbara Walters doing? I heard she has chicken pox. Hope she recovers quickly; it's not a good illness to get as an adult.
Roxanne Roberts :
She's home now, so it should be a matter of time before she's back on the air. BaWa is tough --- and I can't imagine her retiring.
– January 30, 2013 12:15 PM
She's gonna need her TV dad when she tries to deal with her crazy father-in-law. I would get an ironclad prenup.
Amy Argetsinger :
It does seem like a complicated family. Though in fairness, this doesn't seem like a worse idea than her first marriage, at 22, to her agent. And look at that Cutter Dykstra! Cute, no?
– January 30, 2013 12:16 PM
Is Ms. Ruemmler (sp?) single?
Amy Argetsinger :
I do not know the answer to that. Though the public record will show that she wore spectactular pink stilettos to court while prosecuting Enron's Ken Lay.
– January 30, 2013 12:18 PM
It's not Condi's black stiletto boots. I woudl've worn brown tights though. (See image here)
Amy Argetsinger :
Oh, are those the boots the original chatter was talking about? Those are below-the-knee. Nice boots. Not even particularly edgy.
– January 30, 2013 12:20 PM
My agency banned cleavage and low plungling neckline. Even short shirts. but high heels are ok......
Roxanne Roberts :
I assume grown-ups understand what is appropriate for a professional workplace and what's over the line -- or learn quickly enough. Any place that "bans cleavage" seems a little TOO interested in the subject -- how much skin is too much or what makes a skirt too short? Do they pull out the ruler like Catholic nuns? The whole thing smacks of sexism -- and I don't say that often. I wonder if the list of banned items for men is as long?
– January 30, 2013 12:21 PM
Talk about sour grapes.
Amy Argetsinger :
Why, I don't know why you'd think that.
– January 30, 2013 12:21 PM
Who's gonna break the news to poor Lou-Ann Poovie? And is it just me, or is the pace of public declarations acclerating?
Amy Argetsinger :
Well, there was a big backlog of same-sex couples who are only now able to tie the knot -- so a lot of weddings happening all at once. The New York Times warned last spring that many are already suffering from gay wedding fatigue.
– January 30, 2013 12:24 PM
A high-end law firm, I'd guess.
Roxanne Roberts :
Maybe -- but I trust ambitious female lawyers to decode the accepted dress code without banning items, and to wear boots and still practice law. Some of this is pragmatic; much of it is just silly.
– January 30, 2013 12:24 PM
Who was Jaime's first husband? Too lazy to look up wikipedia
Amy Argetsinger :
A. J. DiScala. Her agent. That's why she was listed in the credits of The Sopranos for a while as Jamie-Lynn DiScala. It lasted about two years.
– January 30, 2013 12:24 PM
Who is Ms. Ruemmler? Have I been under a rock somewhere?
Also, my husband likes the knee-high boots with a knee-length skirt look. I hate it. It looks sloppy.
Amy Argetsinger :
She's a lawyer who is the current White House counsel.
Now, are you talking about over-the-knee boots? Or just-under-the-knee boots? I.e., a bit of flesh showing, or not at all? You should go with whatever looks best on you and makes you feel the most comfortable.
– January 30, 2013 12:27 PM
Tends to be a bad omen when actresses change their names on marriage. Look at Joanne Woodward, who was never ever listed as Joanne Newman.
Amy Argetsinger :
It took me years to stop saying "Farrah Fawcett-Majors." But I never really got the hang of "Courteney Cox Arquette" anyway.
– January 30, 2013 12:28 PM
I worked for a company once that sent out a 6-paragraph memo about appropriate dress for the Holiday party. The mistake was that it went out the day of the party. Many of the admins and younger employees had to be sent home before the party to change or put on longer skirts or cover their cleavage. I left that job soon after for reasons unrelated to the party or the memo.
Roxanne Roberts :
What would the office party be without some gorgeous, slight-clueless young thing, with too much cleavage? She either learned better as she got older or smarter -- or started her own company and told the old bosses to stick it. Really, this is so 1980's.
– January 30, 2013 12:28 PM
After taking some deer antler spray, I am.
Amy Argetsinger :
– January 30, 2013 12:30 PM
I'm sure if men wore muscle shirts to work at a place where cleavage was banned, they'd hear about it. But they don't tend to wear revealing clothes at such places. And don't say "then you shouldn't be looking." It's extremely distracting to see an insufficiently supported bosom bouncing in my face as I try to arrange a loan (and I'm a straight woman).
Roxanne Roberts :
There are all sorts of annoying distractions in the workplace. While I think a smart woman with serious career ambitions doesn't dress in highly distracting ways, I'm against micro-managing wardrobes. The wisdom of dressing well and appropriately is pretty self-evident. I'd rather have a smart co-worker in a low-cut top than an idiot in a turtleneck.
– January 30, 2013 12:33 PM
What is your take on the essays and articles about the demise of this late great? Are reports of her death premature?
Amy Argetsinger :
You mean her political career or her broadcasting career? I would wager that her moment has passed as a potential contender for elected office. My theory is that she'd be a bigger force today if she had stayed on as Alaska governor and had not been tapped as the VP nominee. As for broadcasting/punditry/organizing -- who knows. A few years in the wilderness can be good for someone preparing a second act. (Sarah Palin parts ways with Fox News)
– January 30, 2013 12:34 PM
Who can possibly, in this day and age, go on a reality TV show and then complain that they couldn't beileve they were selectively edited??? Give me a break!
Amy Argetsinger :
Ha, yes, thanks for reminding me of that story. Thirteen years into the reality television revolution, its stars have really learned nothing -- except that you're here for the wrong reasons and they're not here to make friends. 'The Sisterhood' is more religious entertainment than reality TV
– January 30, 2013 12:36 PM
You asked, "I wonder if the list of banned items for men is as long?" I would say probably not, but not because of sexism, but simply because men have many fewer choices in their clothing than women do. You basically just have to ban shorts, flip-flops, and tank tops for guys.
Roxanne Roberts :
Okay, then ban shorts, flip-flops and tank tops for everyone, and leave the women alone about the rest.
– January 30, 2013 12:36 PM
MADE MY WEEK!!!
Amy Argetsinger :
– January 30, 2013 12:37 PM
Apparently Eddie Money is so hard up for (guess what - money) that he has to do a stupid Geico ad.
Amy Argetsinger :
Hey, the guy is touring constantly. If you can get yourself to Lancaster, Pa., tomorrow night, you can see him on a double bill with Starship.
– January 30, 2013 12:38 PM
1. You'd be surprised.
2. You can practice law while wearing boots. The question is what kind of law.
Roxanne Roberts :
Sorry, but this boot thing is ridiculous. Why not ban heels over a certain height?
– January 30, 2013 12:38 PM
Have you seen his photo? Spitting image! (And, I just wanted a reason to pause from this monster spread sheet to think about LL).
Amy Argetsinger :
Some quick googling proved to me you are right: LL Cool J's son does look like him. But take our word for it. It's really not worth the hassle of watching this video.
– January 30, 2013 12:40 PM
When I worked at a law firm, we had a very clear written dress code, banning corduroy, leather, bustiers, etc. there was more, but those were the things we focused on, as so many of us were planning on corduroy pants and leather bustiers for the office. That said, the firm is the only place I've worked that had a written dress code.
Roxanne Roberts :
We have the start of a book here, chatters.
– January 30, 2013 12:40 PM
That place still exists? Why would anyone eat there?
It is so very sad DC will be losing Frank. He's such an entertainment asset.
"What would the office party be without some gorgeous, slight-clueless young thing, with too much cleavage?"
It would be a party where the employer doesn't have to worry about "hostile work environment" lawsuits. Face it, dress codes are solely for the benefit of the employer and are part of its risk management strategy. They demonstrate that the employer tried to create a professional work environment.
Roxanne Roberts :
That was, alas, a joke. The great thing about all these dresscode rules is that they've completely prevented workplace harassment or employees hooking up. Thank God we don't have to worry about that anymore.
– January 30, 2013 12:43 PM
Oh, my. Erm. What were we talking about again? Whew.
Amy Argetsinger :
Wait, what did I miss in the other thread? You see, I envy you chatters. I can't follow along on what you and Rox are talking about while I'm also answering questions. You could be talking about me for all I know. Or, more likely: Sietsema. You're always talking about Sietsema.
– January 30, 2013 12:43 PM
sounds like the kind of thing you buy in a Hong Kong pharmacy
Amy Argetsinger :
"Hong Kong pharmacy" sounds almost as bad a euphemism for. . . something or another as "deer antler extract."
– January 30, 2013 12:44 PM
Granted, but that wasn't my point.
Roxanne Roberts :
Boobs vs. boobs. I'll take the real ones any day of the week.
– January 30, 2013 12:44 PM
My wife's 40s and 50s friends like cleavage. make them look sexy. I started to do more sit-ups to the perfect abs.
Oh, European women don't show cleavage. too much sex, I guess.
Amy Argetsinger :
Sophia Loren is hurt you forgot about her.
– January 30, 2013 12:45 PM
I not too long ago worked in a K Street office where women were told to dress professionally, but men were banned from wearing shirts that were any color other than white!
Amy Argetsinger :
Really? K Street -- such a strange place.
– January 30, 2013 12:46 PM
There was a woman (close to Hillary Clinton) who told Monica Lewinsky to cover up and dress less. Isn't feminism about choice (dress low or dress up)???
Roxanne Roberts :
It is --with the cultural rules and risks that comes with those choices. Every workplace and profession has a culture and (usually unspoken) dress code. Employees ignore those at their professional peril. If a woman wants to wear anything that strikes her fancy, she needs to own her own business or find a profession where it simply doesn't matter to her bosses.
– January 30, 2013 12:48 PM
He's in town to perform at the Shakespeare Theatre. Any good scoop? Is he reliving his West Wing days by visiting politico bars?
Amy Argetsinger :
Good scoop about Richard Schiff? Well, we'll certainly let you know. (He's appearing in Eugene O'Neill's "Hughie," starting tomorrow.)
– January 30, 2013 12:49 PM
I work for one of the top three law firms in DC. Half of the female lawyers dressed very sexy. Even the married female partners. And they get clients.....
Paralegals coming from the Ivy League dressed like they are on campus.
Roxanne Roberts :
I assume one advantage of being a partner is that you get to help shape the dress code.
– January 30, 2013 12:50 PM
So what is the official prediction for Groundhogs Day?
Roxanne Roberts :
The Bill Murray movie with play....over and over?
– January 30, 2013 12:50 PM
It's that knit schmatta Ms. Ruemmler is wearing in the photo. I can't believe the White House is as cold and drafty as my office.
Amy Argetsinger :
For a lot of people, the White House is an office building, after all. She probably wasn't expecting to be photographed.
– January 30, 2013 12:50 PM
Isnt he the son of Lenny Dykstra and is he in prison?
Amy Argetsinger :
Yes, he is Lenny Dykstra's son, and though the elder Dykstra was sentenced last month, I don't know off the top of my head if he's in custody or out pending appeal or what.
– January 30, 2013 12:51 PM
can be a problem, but the bigger problem in my NY law firm back in the day was just how TIGHT the clothing was. It's hard to legislate that.
Roxanne Roberts :
Exactly. The whole issue is arbritary and impossible to enforce.
– January 30, 2013 12:51 PM
I was intern coordinator at a think tank in DC, and our dress code for the interns had obviously been written by some older, conservative men. I don't remember all of it, but there were parts about appropriate types of jackets for men and no outlandish colored hair for men or women. I always thought the funniest (saddest) part was where it said women could only have one earring per ear - because two earrings in an ear obviously would lead to anarchy! I axed all those requirements and just put "professional dress" one year when revamping the guidelines, both because I violated them (with my crazy two ear piercings) and because even with those guidelines some interns couldn't dress appropriately! And the moral of the story is - the old, conservative men who wrote the dress code never noticed or cared about my change.
Amy Argetsinger :
That's great, thanks for sharing.
– January 30, 2013 12:52 PM
That's because they don't wear disco clothes to the office. I'm a woman, but stilletos (we didn't call them f-me shoes for nothing), minis, bandage dresses and decoulletage are inappropriate for the office. Except Hefner Publishing.
Roxanne Roberts :
Again, depends on the office. I tend to agree with you, but still find myself torn about written dress codes.
– January 30, 2013 12:53 PM
What's wrong with corduroy?
Roxanne Roberts :
I was thinking the same thing! Guess khakis are out, too?
– January 30, 2013 12:55 PM
What will happen now that they have left CNN? Have they worked on a real election campaign lately?
Amy Argetsinger :
They'll probably do punditry for someone else. They spend a lot of their time in New Orleans these days, I believe. Here's Lisa's story on the turnover at CNN.
– January 30, 2013 12:55 PM
Or get promotions she doesn't deserve.
Roxanne Roberts :
That happens even when there's no cleavage. Life is not fair.
– January 30, 2013 12:55 PM
Speaking of, what is up with Courteney Cox's face? I checked out a couple of Cougartown episodes last week, and I had trouble watching but couldn't look away! Her skin looks like a cross between Joan Rivers, a corpse, and Jocelyn Wildenstein. I just hate when these beautiful women muck up their faces because their agents tell them to or they think their fans will reject them. She looks a heck of a lot worse now than she would have with a few wrinkles...
Amy Argetsinger :
Oh, now, she doesn't quite look like that. I do feel bad for actresses and other women in the public eye, especially great beauties. Their looks are so hyper-scrutinized, and while many of them are doing unnecessary and/or unpleasant things to their faces, you know that if they just let themselves age normally, everyone would be snarking about how they're letting themselves go. It is VERY unusual to see a normal face in Hollywood.
– January 30, 2013 12:57 PM
I saw an ad on the bus the other day for "Hollywood Husbands. . .The Fakest Reality Show Ever"--and I didn't even know "fakest" was a word
Amy Argetsinger :
I prefer "fakey-est," but whatever.
– January 30, 2013 12:58 PM
Have we officially hit the 16th minute of this story
Respectfully, I think you are missing the point. Of course dress codes don't prevent hooking up or harassment, they simply protect the employer from being liable for not doing enough to stop problematic behavior. It's purely a liability issue.
Roxanne Roberts :
I don't think so. That suggests that bad behavior in the workplace is a result of how women dress -- and therefore the women should be controlled. Do I think it's professional to have breasts spilling over the desk? No, but I resent the notion that the best way to prevent bad behavior is cover up the women.
– January 30, 2013 12:59 PM
So sad that Ashley Judd is separating. So where does the line start?
Amy Argetsinger :
We'll have to tell her what a great dating town Washington is.
– January 30, 2013 1:00 PM
Always glad to see Amy on Howie Kurtz's show
Amy Argetsinger :
– January 30, 2013 1:00 PM
Did anyone find out who makes them? They were so pretty and I generally think feathers are kind of gross.
Amy Argetsinger :
Sorry, no intel on Ashley's shoes.
– January 30, 2013 1:01 PM
When it rains, it pours! He gets arrested, pees on himself and gets a divorce. What a rough month.
Roxanne, Roxanne, Roxanne. You are a worldly woman and a woman of the world. Yet you seem so naive on this point. Come by my workplace - populated with chronological adults - and some of the attire would cause your eyes to be on stalks. People can be clueless about this stuff. Clueless. And it's very uncomfortable for managers to coach them on attire. Plus in DC it's dangerous because of the Human Rights Law that bans discrimination based on personal appearance.
Roxanne Roberts :
You may be right --- but while does the burden always seem to fall on the women? Aren't there bigger fish to fry?
– January 30, 2013 1:01 PM
JoAnna Garcia Swisher took her husband's name, but he is arguably more famous than she. Two who took and kept their husbands' names (although not the husbands eventually) were Susan Sarandon (I don't know her maiden name) and #99 Barbara (Hall) Feldon, a fellow Carnegie Mellon University graduate. Also Nancy Kovack Mehta, wife of Zubin Mehta, took his name; she was most famous as Medea in Jason & the Argonauts.
Amy Argetsinger :
Oh, well played. You do know your stuff. Catholic University's own Susan Sarandon was born Susan Tomalin before she married Chris Sarandon and jacked his name and totally eclipsed his career.
– January 30, 2013 1:02 PM
I would like to see men sent home for wearing un-ironed shirts. For some reason, I rarely see women looking wrinkly--even young interns--but a surprising amount of men, well into their 30s show up regularly looking like they just rolled out of bed. Run a comb through that hair too, wouldja?
Amy Argetsinger :
Yeah! Ashley Judd, see what you have to look forward to here?
– January 30, 2013 1:03 PM
Eddie Money will be playing the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, PA (home of the Amish Mafia). Ironically AMT is one of the few theaters Jim Nabors appears at anymore. Word is he likes to shop at our outlets.
P.S. You can see Lancaster's own Taylor Kinney (Lady Gaga's beau) in Feb. issue of Vogue.
Amy Argetsinger :
Good to hear from our Lancaster correspondent again.
– January 30, 2013 1:03 PM
Well, they could require everybody to wear business suits with long trousers and flat shoes. That would solve the problem of sexism. Men have a far narrower choice of dress under traditional dress codes. It's not like women are supposed to cover up their breasts while the guys are wearing shirts unbuttoned to the waist.
Roxanne Roberts :
You joke, but that's the ultimate solution to unequal dress codes.
– January 30, 2013 1:03 PM
is this some kind of short form poem? this is amazing in that the words make sense and you get the idea, but if you take a step back, it doesn't make any sense.
Amy Argetsinger :
I know! It's like T.S. Eliot joined our chat.
– January 30, 2013 1:04 PM
At a previous job, I worked with a man with a well known fetish for women's shoes - to the point that I was taken aside and warned about it before we started our first project together. You know how some men look at your chest instead of your face when they talk to you? This guy stared at your feet.
You'd better believe any bad news about a project was delivered by me in a pair of knee high, high heeled black boots. It's been a couple of years, but I still think of him whenever I buy work shoes.
What made all this particularly weird is that we worked at a shipyard - 90% of employees were wearing steel toed work boots.
Roxanne Roberts :
– January 30, 2013 1:04 PM
I worked at a place where I swear the women who wore low-cut shirts, the highest heels and sexy dresses seemed to get ahead more. I always felt like a churchgirl when I worked there.
Amy Argetsinger :
– January 30, 2013 1:04 PM
ElectIVE office, electIVE office!
Amy Argetsinger :
– January 30, 2013 1:05 PM
sweesh! sweesh! sweesh! sweesh! sweesh! sweesh! sweesh! sweesh!
Roxanne Roberts :
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! While we're at it, let's ban potato chips from the vending machines.
– January 30, 2013 1:05 PM
Dress code: Jammies, fuzzy slippers, no makeup. Life is good.
Roxanne Roberts :
– January 30, 2013 1:05 PM
I guess she will be lip syncing the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Amy Argetsinger :
Lip-syncing at the Super Bowl? Why I never heard of such a thing.
– January 30, 2013 1:05 PM
I like it when the women at my work tell me which tie color is better matching with my cloths. I make notes.
Amy Argetsinger :
Someone else might share those notes with HR -- but I think your attitude is a good one.
– January 30, 2013 1:06 PM
No scoop about him directly but his wife, Sheila Kelly (if they're still married, anyway) was on the RHOBH the other night teaching Brandi Glanville how to pole dance. Ah, Hollywood!
Amy Argetsinger :
I keep forgetting that they're married! But yes, they are, still.
– January 30, 2013 1:07 PM
Off hand, can you think of any older actresses who did not get "work" done on their faces? Helen Mirren? Maggie Smith?
Amy Argetsinger :
Oh, this would be a good question for earlier in a chat. I'm pretty sure Melissa Leo has been keeping it real.
– January 30, 2013 1:08 PM
Not if you choose to break the rules. Feminism means being professional, not ignoring rules and using feminism as your excuse. Put on your big girl panties.
Roxanne Roberts :
Which gets us to a more important question: Is it legal for a private company can set any rules they wish? Including dress? Even if it targets women employees unfairly? If so, than the only choice is whether to work for the company -- or not.
– January 30, 2013 1:09 PM
Years ago when I was a paralegal assisting at a criminal trial, several jurors approached me during a break to complain about the unprofessional hairstyle of our female trial attorney. We lost that case and I actually think her hair might have had something do to with it. Crazy but true.
Amy Argetsinger :
Oh, well, I can see how that would be. Gotta be careful with juries.
– January 30, 2013 1:09 PM
Why would we lie to the poor girl? She just had her heart broken!
Amy Argetsinger :
This is also a topic for earlier in a chat -- but I'd argue that Washington is far, far better place than most. Arguably better than L.A.
– January 30, 2013 1:10 PM
Would the problem be solved if we all wore Mao suits to work? I'm sure that the Chinese will be happy to make them for us.
Roxanne Roberts :
Won't help those trade inbalances.
– January 30, 2013 1:10 PM
How were the Inauguration Balls? Besides Amy's high praise of Cheez Its being served
Are not just about liability, they're about client perception of the business. For big law firms, accounting firms, consulting firms, etc. if everyone was wearing jeans and flipflops and a client visited, they'd be afraid the client would balk at paying the $500+/hour rates because the people who are going to do the work don't look very professional. I worked at a big consulting firm for years that wouldn't let women wear open toed shoes but said nothing about cleavage. Didn't make sense to me - now that I own my own business, I wear open toed shoes every day from April through October.
Roxanne Roberts :
– January 30, 2013 1:12 PM
I'm the one that often complains about having to wear pantyhose in the office. We can't wear jeans but I sneak by and wear cords. No one notices. Also, black jeans can by black twill pants. Ha!
Roxanne Roberts :
– January 30, 2013 1:13 PM
No, it suggests someone will use that as an excuse.
Roxanne Roberts :
That's all it is: An excuse. People are responsible for their own actions.
– January 30, 2013 1:14 PM
I agree with the poster. Back in the day, DC had lousy food and that place was servicable, but now that DC has so much to offer, it seems so... tired. I got dragged there for a dinner meeting a year ago or so, and sitting in the bar waiting, it was all people who were still holding on to their Dreams of the 90s.
Amy Argetsinger :
Dreams of the '90s. Sigh.
– January 30, 2013 1:14 PM
Don't you mean trade-in balances?
Roxanne Roberts :
One day I'm going to learn to type.
– January 30, 2013 1:15 PM
I work at home, too, but I have to be dressed with shoes on. Otherwise I sit on the couch and read and nothing gets edited.
As for actresses keeping it real, I don't think Helen Hunt has had any work done. She looks beautiful...
Amy Argetsinger :
I think Helen Hunt is absolutely beautiful, for the most part in a very natural way -- but her ultra-smooth forehead (not to mention her bikini area, ahem) was one of the things in "The Sessions" that was not true to to the 1980s setting. And I'm afraid that at the SAGs she looked like she had gone in for a booster shot or three.
– January 30, 2013 1:20 PM
BS metor off the scale! Jurors can't talk to counsel during a trial!!!
Amy Argetsinger :
Well done, Encylopedia Brown.
– January 30, 2013 1:20 PM
... by the Puppy Bowl photos. Why doesn't one of you cover the event next year and get us a report? Also true, cats and hedgehogs love each other - at least ours did. Cats love the hedgehogs on their backs while they sleep!
Roxanne Roberts :
I've haven't dared open those galleries -- or I'll spend all day staring at puppy cuteness. Really.
Chatters, many thanks for the lively chat. As I said, we've got the start of a best-selling fashion-advice book here. So send your tips, sightings (extra points for a lawyer in a leather bustier) and ideas to reliablesource@washpost.com. Stay dry, stay warm and join us next week.
– January 30, 2013 1:21 PM
