Dress Code

I spent last week at the Greenbrier Symposium for Professional Food Writers. I learned many interesting and important things there (including the fact that I have a lot to learn about blogging.)

I realized before I set out that I'd need to dress better than I usually do. (These days my idea of dressing well is wearing clothes that aren't covered with food stains.) I did a bit of shopping and felt somewhat prepared.

The first night there was a reception in the main dining room. I wore a pair of clean Carhartts and a presentable blouse. Virtually all of the other women wore dresses and the men wore jackets and ties. At first I felt embarassed but then I figured that I am who I am, and if I let myself feel uncomfortable I would only make the situation worse.

Nonetheless, I wanted to apologize to the event's director. When we spoke on the last day she told me that there is, in fact, a dress code in the main dining room but the hotel staff looks the other way for the food writers because years ago Julia Child showed up in pants and things didn't go well when they tried to eject her. I can just imagine the indignation in her soprano lilt. "Do you know who I am?"

I was in good company.