Lately, we have been getting a flurry of news where people have been turned away from police stations, hospitals, and government offices for dressing inappropriately. What is dressing inappropriately? Before we answer that, let's look at some of the dress codes imposed.
Yet, we have also read instances when ladies who dress appropriately has also been turned away.
A cousin who rushed to a religious department after a domestic abuse incident was ridiculed and chased away for not wearing appropriately. Her faced was bruised and she hoped for a sympathetic ear. Instead, the lady at the office glared at her and chased her away.
This happened years ago, yet nothing much has changed. People are also turned away from a police station. People do not go to police stations voluntarily; we do not arrange for excursions to police stations either. Therefore, when people go to a police station normally it will be an emergency. Turning people away just does not make sense. It is not appropriate to turn people away on account of their dressing especially when it could be a real emergency or an upsetting moment. In moments of upset people tend not to think rationally, and thinking how one is dressed may slip one's mind.
For example, if for example a person arrives at a police station dishevelled and mentally upset, seeking solace and a sympathetic ear. Instead of getting that, they get an earful and were turned away. In the process that person then decides to harm themself. Are the police or the police station willing to accept responsibility?
At the same time too, Malaysians lately have been laxed where dressing is concerned. They consider dressing to wash their cars appropriate in every situation. Yet, they are willing to change to expensive outfits to ride a bicycle or fancy motorcycles. And let's not talk about the outfit worn to go to the gym. Therefore, sometimes Malaysians do need to be educated and taught a lesson. But it needs to be in the right situation and police stations and Emergency Areas at hospitals may not be the right places to enforce dress codes. Even in hospitals, when people are distraught the last, they will think would be, whether I am dressed appropriately. Did I brush my hair?
They should be subtle in how they enforce the dress code, for example, if you want to be respected, you should accord respect. Respect is mutual. Dressing inappropriately or sloppily shows disrespect to the person or to the host.
The problem we have is the arbitrary enforcement of the dress code. Normally enforced by the first person at the door or the gate i.e. the security guards.
This article was from 2015. Deja vu eh?
This was from 2022.
This is from the last few days.
This is dressing inappropriately.
So, what do you all think? Give your comments.
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