Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Dressing Up

I must have been doing something right in my previous office after all. Well, at least in the eyes of my clients cos a lot more of them are calling me up and asking me to do work for them which is really a great thing for me :D 

Most of them know that I'm no longer with the old company and when they do call that company and find out that I'm no longer there, instead of asking my old company to do their work, they instead call me and say they'll support me in the new company. Im shocked but totally pleased :D

Right now, I have three clients that have called me up to handle their work and one possible new client who was told to contact me for some advertising work from another client. We're going to be so booked with work after the Chinese New Year holidays that my boss is getting a little worried ... LOL!

To be honest, I'm a little touched by all this. I guess going out of my way to help them out in their times of need, all those countless hours of rushing work out for them no matter how last minute it might have been did help in a way. It's good to know they appreciate all that work I've done and still remember me rather than the company I worked for when they need work done.

Well, at least I know we won't be sitting idly on our butts when we reopen for business after the long CNY break :D So it'll be a good time for me to really rest cos I foresee a busy time after the break.

Anyways, that really wasn't what I wanted to talk about. A Sunday or two ago, my younger boy came back from Sunday school and said to both wifey and me:

'Next week, I have to comb my hair down flat and wear long pants and shoes and socks for Sunday school classes cos the priest said so.'

I wasn't too pleased with that statement. What's with rules and regulations? My younger boy is a little bit like me when it comes to dressing. He's much more comfortable in sandals and bermudas and round necked t-shirts. And now, he's going to have to dress up for Sunday school.

I have no issues with people wanting to dress up for Sunday school and all that. Fine and dandy. But why make it ruling and force a dress code? And there was even an issue with hairstyles. Apparently all the kids have to comb their hair down flat and no spiky hairs allowed!  What's with that?

Didn't Jesus have long hair and wore sandals? I think it's a little ridiculous to force rules upon people. I'm not against rules and regulations, mind you but I think this is slightly over the top. So, it's safe to say that if I attended mass in my bermudas, t-shirt and sandals, I'm also going to be kicked out from the house of god?

Does that mean that Jesus only welcomes people who are neatly dressed? Does that mean people who wear shorts, sandals and have spiky hair are not good people? Look at our neatly suited politicians. And you know they ain't no saints!

While I can understand the reason (more or less) of this clothes and hair ruling, I for one don't think that the way we dress defines our faith. So what if my son wants to go to Sunday school with his bermudas, t-shirt and sandals and unkempt spiky hair. Will that make him a lesser person? Will that erode his faith in god? 

Besides, most of the kids who attend Sunday school are dressed very casually with almost half of them in shorts and sandals. And they're comfortable in it. And they're all still dressed decently even though they're in shorts and sandals. Why force all of them to dress up? I believe when you force people to do things they don't like too much, they end up being rebellious. The more you tell me I can't do something, the more I'll want to do it. It's human nature.

The Catholic church these days, no, let me rephrase that, the people that run the Catholic churches these days sometimes really disappoint me a lot. Now, Im not a really good Catholic and I know I have sins that will guarantee me one of the lowest levels in hell one day but I do know when to pray and who to pray to irrespective of the way I behave, dress or even comb my hair.

So, my dear Parish priest, if you do happen to stumble across my post, please do consider what I just wrote and let the kids dress any which way they want. As long as they're dressed decently, I think Jesus wouldn't mind. He's more than happy to see the kids even coming to Sunday school.
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50 comments:

  1. You're right. As long as they dressed decently. Its acts like these make the catholics jump ship to protestantism.

    The Catholic church needs an overhaul to keep up with the times.

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  2. OMG, I dislike ppl telling me wut to wear too XD

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  3. hmmm... no comment :) macam macam nowadays i tell you...

    But to me as long as you come with good intention and heart.. i think thats what most important kan? NOt your baju and all...

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  4. Happy Wednesday! Bloghoppin' here... Hey, I have an interesting tutorial for you that I have written myself. It is about adding Adsense on your Single Post in XML template. I hope you'll like it! God Bless you!

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  5. I liked it when you said,"Didn't Jesus have long hair and wore sandals?"

    But you have a really good point when you asked if Jesus only welcomed people who were neatly dressed.

    You should ask that to the priest and see what he says about that! :D

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  6. I think a uniform and neat dressing at school is acceptable and understandable. School is where you are disciplined and educated. But church? It's the house of God! As you say, does Jesus really care if your hair is spiked? I don't think so. He cares about what's in your heart, not whats on your head!

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  7. PS Well done with your clients returning to you. It's good to know you were appreciated and remembered!

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  8. Glad that your clients are sticking with you... Yes, it's about the people we deal with and not the company. I once helped my ex-boss to purchase a BMW and the sales staff was unbelievable.. She doesn't answer phone calls, only sms and that too only the ones she chose to answer! Half the time I don't know what's happening. She only became like this after the sales was signed. Ahhh... now that I got that out, am happy camper :-)

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  9. Nick, If your clients are sticking with you is because you're an excellent professional.

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  10. Good to know that your ex-clients are coming back to you. Must be feeling really good, yes?

    I also don't like dress code and rules that are rigid and too strict. As long as the children wear decently, I don't see what's the problem. Sometimes I think they just purposely create this type of strict rules just to be seen as prim and proper.

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  11. I used to be a catholic until I became involved in Zen at age 13 (which horrified my parents). Before age 13, I went to church in a dirty white robe and wore sandals like Jesus. The priest scowled at me in his $500.00 designer shoes and went home to his multi-million dollar home. His idea of Christianity was being rich and living a life of abundance hahaha!

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  12. Great with your work!

    Also I agree with you about dressing for church.

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  13. Alamak... I also have a hard time wearing clothes that I'm not comfortable in. I don't think my GM is very happy with my dressing either cos she pernah send me to a Grooming Professional! Hahahaha

    That's what happens when you're so used to wearing t-shirts and jeans that even when you try to dress up you still look very casual.

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  14. Btw, I have found an even better replacement for JC!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahahahahaha

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  15. Wow!!! At least your old clients have their trust in you..!! You must be a very good workers in the old company..
    As for you son..hmmm!! kinda weird for such instruction..! What clothing has to do with the learning during sunday school??

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  16. I am loving the GOOD NEWS about your clients following you to your new job. Thats terrific.

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  17. Gallivanter - You're right on that point. The things are, they might just not be much Catholics left in this world!

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  18. Maslight - I dislike people telling me to do anything. Period!

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  19. Emelda - Exactly! It's not what you wear that determines your faith. It's what you feel inside.

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  20. Hapi - Oh, you again ... LOL! Well, 'hapi' Wednesday to you then ... hehehe ...

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  21. Perky - Well, if he comes up with any more rules, I would really go and speak with him. As long as we're all decently dressed, I think that should suffice ...

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  22. The World According To Me - I agree with you, for school, then I've no issues. But I think it's a little too way over the top for Sunday school. Maybe he should suggest uniforms for Sunday school! God Forbid!

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  23. Sting - Well, most people are just nice to you before the sale, after that, they're just not too bothered. I believe that sometimes you have to take care of your clients need all the time or they'll just look for someone new. Glad you got that out of your system :D

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  24. Cidao - Not excellent professional, more like the only one who is crazy enough to take on last minute jobs for them! LOL!

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  25. Foongpc - It is a good feeling. At least I knew I was doing something right :D

    I agree, as long as everyone is decently dressed, I don't see a problem. Being too strict will only make people mare rebellious ...

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  26. Bobby - Good to see you here :D

    Sadly, a lot of people associate richness as a sign of ones importance in life!

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  27. Angela - Thanks :D Good to know Im not alone in thinking this way ...

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  28. Rozella - She sent you to a grooming class? LOL!

    But yeah, I believe we should dress to feel comfortable, as long as it's decent. Even to this day, I use jeans to work most days ...

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  29. The World According To Me - I'm quite excited and touched that they have that much faith in my abilities ... hehehe ...

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  30. Kadus Mama - I'm quite surprised really but I'm not complaining. More business for us ... hehehe ...

    That's exactly my point. What has clothes got to do with anything?

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  31. Ppl should not be judged on the way they dress-up, its what's in our heart that counts..:)

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  32. I totally agree with you. So what if people are poor and they can only afford old torn t-shirts and shorts, are they suppose to be shun out of church? God would embrace anyone with a good heart, not anyone who can afford suits and hair gels. Seriously some people who runs the religious matters these days can be so terpesong. I'm just as disappointed as you are

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  33. You had done a great job at your previous company and made alot of clients very happy. That's why they're looking you up now. Isn't this great!

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  34. Allow me to play the devil's advocate. :)

    Perhaps the priest was less than tactful when he suggested the dress code. But I do see a possible reason to it. Many people have no big problems about a certain dress code when we go to certain places: say your workplace. You can't be showing up at work with just your singlet and slippers, even if it is the most comfortable thing in the world. Neither can you go into a club and be dressed only in shorts and slippers. I'm sure you'll be quickly shown the exit if you did try to do so.

    So here's my point. If we have no problems following such an imposition at these places, why not the church. I mean, I agree that more than anything else, God is more concerned with the heart of the person, but lest we forget, God is worthy of reverence and respect as well. And dressing your best for church is one way of showing that inner value outwardly.

    Those are just my thoughts. Of course, anyone's free to disagree with me. :)

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  35. Oh, I forgot to add.

    We all appreciate good service when we receive it. So, there's no reason for people not to follow you!

    Hope you'll be swarming with projects! LOL!

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  36. Good for you, it feels great to be appreciated!

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  37. Mama Mia - I have to agree with you 100% on that one. That's my believe too. It's not how you dress that determines your faith, its what's inside that matters.

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  38. Samantha - Terpesong is putting it mildly. I seriously think they've lost the entire plot! I think god will accept you no matter how you dress ...

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  39. BT - It is a great feeling :D I never knew that all the hard work I did for them was actually appreciated.

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  40. Perry - A different point of view :D I see where you're going but it's just children we're talking about here. And Sunday school. It's already great that these kids actually attend Sunday school. And to put a set of rules pertaining to dress codes might just turn them off. I think as long as they're decently dressed and their hearts are sincere, that's all that matters.

    I agree with you when it comes to dressing up for work. We wouldn't turn up for work in singlets and sandals cos we, as adults and we know when and where we should dress up. It's not like a rule or something, it's just common sense that we have to look decent for work.

    I think we should give the kids a break and let them worship god in Sunday school in a more comfortable environment. After all, we don't want them thinking god is so strict, right?

    But thanks for your thoughts. It does hold merit as well. I just think it is absolutely ridiculous a ruling, that's all :D

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  41. Perry - I hope more will join me in my new company. That would be awesome :D

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  42. Marzie - Oh it feels super good to know I've been doing something right for my clients ... hehehe ...

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  43. Congratulations on having your old clients follow you. That speaks very highly of the regard you must have been held in and well deserved too I might add.

    As for the Sunday School thing I agree with you. I think it's wonderful that kids even go to Sunday School. To impose too many rules on them will make them feel like they're in regular school and it might make it less enjoyable for them. I wonder if there will be a big drop out rate.

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  44. Romany Angel - Thank you. I'm honored that they even followed me over :D

    That's exactly my point too. It's great that the kids even attend Sunday school. Why the rules? I say let the kids wear what they want (within reason that is)!

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  45. I see where Perry is coming from and I do agree about the respect and reverence to God and your place of worship, whatever they may be.

    However, as long as the children are dressed respectfully, then I guess no issue should be taken with that. I hardly see round neck t-shirts or spiky hair as disrespectful. But then again, the elders always have a problem with following the younger trend.

    Sunday school or whatever religious teaching classes should be more fun to make more youths involved and not look at religion as boring and something that only old hokeys are involved in.

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  46. Shemah - I do agree with Perry too but to a certain extent. But we're talking about kids here and Sunday school really isn't on their list of want to go places. And imposing dress rules are going to turn them even further away.

    And you're absolutely right in saying that classes should be made more fun to attend. After all, why does it have to be so serious when it comes to God, I'm sure God has a a sense of humor too :D

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