Thorny ethical issue: Do clothes really make the man? - Page 4

#61 11.12.2010, 11:54

	Quote:	economisto
	Out of interest: why do SBB workers qualify for discounts? Do they need caffeine more than the average person? Do they earn less?

Reciprocal deals between related companies and organisations aren't unusual. I used to get discounts all over the place when I worked for Birmingham City Council, and when I worked for a department store in Wolverhampton, if I recall correctly.

Perhaps people who work for the cafe get some kind of discount on their season tickets in return, or something.

It's worth noting, if I haven't already, that the cafe is actually inside the station building, which probably has a lot to do with it.

Chuff · #62 11.12.2010, 12:08

This is just a completely random theoretical question DB but im interested to know the extent of what you would consider an "acceptable" trade-off for 45 chuffs. Would you have bought and worn the jacket if it had SVP logos (or something other you potentially didn't agree with) sewn into it... or is there a line you'd draw for a jacket, no matter how much cheaper it was than one you'd normally buy in a shop?

#63 11.12.2010, 12:15

	Quote:	Chuff
	This is just a completely random theoretical question DB but im interested to know the extent of what you would consider an "acceptable" trade-off for 45 chuffs. Would you have bought and worn the jacket if it had SVP logos (or something other you potentially didn't agree with) sewn into it... or is there a line you'd draw for a jacket, no matter how much cheaper it was than one you'd normally buy in a shop?

That's a good question.

I would be reluctant to wear any item of clothing with any kind of political, religious or similar insignia. The SBB, on the other hand, is a big enough and benign enough organisation that the little label over the pocket didn't bother me so much. It'll be interesting, though, to see what kind of reception a bright reflective jacket will receive in a city pub in Birmingham on New Year's Eve, where people will have no idea what the badge means. As it was, we brought a moment of worried silence to a restaurant yesterday evening when we walked in together - and that was in Zurich!

It is worth observing that, were I to accidentally purchase an item bearing the logo of some loathsome political organisation, my wife is pretty handy with a needle, thread and scissors.

Chuff · #64 11.12.2010, 12:18

In that case I suggest your dear wife whip out the tools and change your logo on the jackets to "DBB" (Dougals Bundesbahne) and then if anyone complains about and potential impersonation issues, just show them the label and plead your innocence.

miniMia · #65 11.12.2010, 18:53

	Quote:
	Reciprocal deals between related companies and organisations aren't unusual. I used to get discounts all over the place when I worked for Birmingham City Council, and when I worked for a department store in Wolverhampton, if I recall correctly.

Aha. So really it's just you. People look at you & think you need a discount. Maybe you should reconsider shopping for clothes at the broki....

rrs · #66 21.12.2010, 16:46

	Quote:
	So there I was at 7:20 this morning, trying to buy a coffee at the same place. The girl behind the counter asks if I'm with the SBB. I reply that I'm not, that the jacket came from a Brockihaus. She chuckles and rings up the discount anyway. It would seem that honesty is very easily confused with lighthearted banter at that time of the morning. I tried, though. I tried.

Perhaps you could donate the difference as a tip, or to the less unfortunate.

Chuff · #67 21.12.2010, 18:13

	Quote:	rrs
	Perhaps you could donate the difference as a tip, or to the less unfortunate.

Well I think either way if you (as in, one) wear the jacket, with the nice "SBB" tag on it, you know you're going to be mistaken for an employee. The whole "ethics" point is moot as long as you keep wearing it in full knowledge of what that will entail. If you tell people you're not SBB, while wearing an official SBB jacket, they're either not going to believe you, or just think it's all a bit odd. It's a bit like going out in a Postmans uniform and then shrugging helplessly and saying: "How do I know, im not a postman" when someone asks you if you have any mail for them today.

dodgyken · #68 22.12.2010, 15:52

As far as I am concerned, that jacket is wasted on you, until that is, we see a 20min article of some drunk auslander stealing the 2027 from Zurich HB to Chur - for a bit of a joyride.

MS Train Simulator for real men!!!

RobM · #69 31.12.2010, 14:59

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

Chuff · #70 31.12.2010, 15:15

	Quote:	RobM
	Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

I think naked women have been influencing society for centuries.

KeinFranzösisch · #71 31.12.2010, 15:45

	Quote:
	I would like you to imagine, for a moment, that you are a cheapskate foreigner who likes a bargain when he can get one. Imagine that a little birdie (to whom drinks are still owed ) told you that brand new Goretex jackets were to be had for less than 50 CHF from a reputable source, the only problem being that said jackets are bright orange, with natty silver reflective strips, and are clearly marked with the logo of a well-loved national institution. Imagine, further, that you purchased one of these jackets and immediately found, to your amusement, that wherever you went you were mistaken for a representative of the aforementioned well-loved national institution: tram doors opened for you, cars stopped at crossings for you, requests for information directed at you... that kind of thing. In these circumstances, if you found that you were given - without asking - an employees' discount when purchasing coffee and/or other items, would you admit that you weren't actually an employee of the aforementioned well-loved national institution at all? Would you go for honesty and the irritation and embarassment that might follow, or would you keep your mouth shut and accept the favour with good grace? In a nutshell: Good manners or a clear conscience?

You paid 50CHF for the jacket. So take the favors as the jacket paying for itself. It's not your fault that the jacket was offered for sale in that style and fashion. So why feel shameful about being mistook?

MusicChick · #72 31.12.2010, 16:27

I hope EFers are wearing some funky costumes today...I am trying to persuade others to join me, but only the 4yr old seems to understand

#73 31.12.2010, 20:59

	Quote:	MusicChick
	I hope EFers are wearing some funky costumes today...

I've been out killing cattle-thieves today, and haven't had time to change for dinner - does a kilt count as "funky"?

MusicChick · #74 31.12.2010, 22:10

	Quote:	weejeem
	I've been out killing cattle-thieves today, and haven't had time to change for dinner - does a kilt count as "funky"?

Have you also been killing carps bare handed?

Kilt's alrite. It's wool, so it got to be. Although, I bet it gets a bit felted in certain areas...

american lockpicker · #75 02.01.2011, 08:22

Once I was at the mall and I was wearing an old work shirt and I ordered a sandwich and the cashier asked if I was an employee at the mall(I go there often so I guess she recognised my face) as they get a discount on food I said sure and got 10% off. Now everytime I go there I make sure to ask for employee discount.

aliona_kuz · #76 05.01.2011, 18:58

Not the way you look, but the way you feel

omtatsat · #77 06.01.2011, 11:08

no the man makes the clothes

marton · #78 06.01.2011, 13:30

	Quote:	omtatsat
	no the man makes the clothes

My mother made mine