36 - Sunday. September 6, 1987 - North Shore News Lifestyles A _ DRESS CODE FOR CABBIES? Sloppiness unwarranted SHE MAY not be able to find @ taxi, but Miss Manners could spot the oncoming cab drivers a mile away. As soon as there was talk of a dress code in the front seat, they would arrive protesting. Miss Manners, who cherishes the notion of being occasionally unpredictable, is not) lacking in sympathy for the cause of freedom among taxi drivers. There is a spirit of romance about the job, which is traditionally associated with independence, not only in working conditions but in attitude. One can, after all, also aspire to make a living driving a car by secking employment as a private driver. (The word “chauffeur.” miss manners by Judith Martin ee ie | like the word “‘limousine’' to des- ignate a long, black car, never passes Miss Manners’ lips.) Uniforms are standard in that job, along with regular wages and hours (although scheduling is often abused by employers who expect a driver’s shift to cover both their own workday and their social evening hours), Cab drivers, by contrast, are supposed to be free spirits, trading some of those advantages for the flexibility to regulate their own lives, perhaps in connection with other jobs or interests. Shouldn't they also be allowed to escape the trivial conventions that are associated with more routine jobs? It was in this uncharacteristically wavering frame of mind that Miss Manners braced for the expected arguments from cab drivers against authorities in several cities, where prohibitions are being discussed or enacted against drivers wearing tank tops, bathing suits, cut-off jeans, sandals or other such ultra- casual attire. Customer complaints are cited, along with the idea that cab drivers should convey more of an impression of professionalism. As she expected, the reply was a complaint about other types of transgressions on the part of pas- sengers, Passengers in taxis are often un- pleasant, sometimes drunk, usually stingy with tips, and occasionally MODERATE LOW BOUNCE FITNESS Mon., Wed., Fri. 6:30-7:30 p.m. St. Catherine's Church 1058 Ridgewood Drive North Vancouver Starts Sept. 14th DROP IN or CALL HEATHER 988-6229 GIVE US A TRY FIRST CLASS FREE!! sneaky enough to get off sithout paying. Their actions can threaien everything from the upholstery to the very life of the driver. Almost any taxi driver can produce sup- porting anecdotes of outrageous behavior. But this happens to be irrelevant to the issue of dress standards. As always when people have their manners questioned, they attempt to turn the argument to the more serious one of moral behavior, Even Miss Manners does not quarrel with the judgment (bat the passengers’ behavioral probiems are more serious. But citing them does not do anything toward resolving problems of superficial behavior. That is because superficial mat- ters count, too, in their own way. In spite of general acknowlede- ment that it is what's in the heart that matters, Miss Manners has a desk ful of letters from people who claim to have been driven crazy by the gum-chewing, knuckle-crack- ing or humming of their relatives, friends and colleagues, with a speetah section devoted te mail complaining of the personal hyviene standards of others, And tor all their indiznant denials, people are constantly in- terpreting one another's clothing, not only for financial status, but as symbols of allegiance to or de- fiance of prevailing conventional standards. If someone showed up at your wedding in a jogging suit, or at your informal supper dressed fit to Kill, you would not be likely ro count itas merely the exercise of freedom of choice, with no slight intended toward your expectations. Cab drivers themselves are always using appearance to judge who is likely to be law-abiding, generous and/or going to the air- port, Miss Manners has not forgotven her initial tolerance in this case. She does not expect taxi drivers to wear business suits. She has no ob- jection to the comfort and infor- matity of open shirts and slacks. But clothes that are, or that closely resemble, beachwear or underwear do not belong on city streets, even inside taxi cabs. That's not independence; it's a blatant disregard for the surroun- dings and prevailing conditions. acuums are on sale till. Sept.’ 15/87. ~ FAMILY LAW and DIVORCE MEDIATION LAW OFFICFS 7 > Douglas Chalke 980-4855 »: 683-5096 VANCOUVER BACH CHILDREN’S CHORUS ae North Shore Training Choir S yok Br | Ages 8/9 PE an Auditions 738-8593 WEST VAN OTTERS SWIM CLUB The West Vancouver Otters Swim Club is a com- petitive swim club offering instruction and train- ing for novice to national level swimmers (ages7-25). In a club atmosphere of camaraderie and fun the program provides the opportunity for each swimmer to develop to his potential. This fall again promises to be an exciting time under the leadership of our Head Coach, Richard Gate, who has previously worked with Canada’s top ranked national coaches and clubs. Club registration will be on Sept 10, 6-8 p.m. at the Wan. Rec Centre. The Otters offer the first two weeks Free for new swimmers to “tryout” our program. Enquiries shouid be directed to: Sharon Creed Sandy Cullen 926-8037 926-4340 » West Van Otters FALL FASHION SHOW FOR WOMEN ON THE GO. DATE: TIME: PLACE: 6:30 P.M. VIVA LAN TO ATTEND THIS SPECIAL EVENING WITH GUEST SPEAKER PAMELA MARTIN OF BCTV’S NEWSHOUR. ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL DINNER PREPARED BY THE CHEFS AT VIVA FOLLOWED BY OUR FALL COLLECTIONS FEATURING: MR. JAX, ALAIN THOMAS, AFFIRMATIVE AND JACDALE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1987 1255 W. PENDER ST., VAN. COST: CALL: COMPLIMENT 150 WEST 15TH STREET, NORTH VANCOUVER MG PROFESSIONAL IMAGES INC. ° a $30.00 (DINNER & SHOW) 988-2096 FOR TICKETS FASHIONS 988-2096 MORRISON-GREY enterpnse