Anyone Not Dress For Formal?

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by disneydebk
I agreed that you shouldn't wear jeans, shorts, etc. in the dining rooms, and we had no problem with the way we were neatly dressed. We looked fine in our "place".

The previous poster stated it was disrespectful to not find alternative dining if you weren't "formally" dressed. When Disney chooses to run the AP show on formal night, then there is no other alternative to see it another night.

The previous poster also had an extreme example, with people next to him showing up in shorts and making fun of those that dressed...so I understand completely his sense of not following the request equalling disrespect, and apparently you agree by commenting about no jeans and such, which is why your words came across as a tad harsh. There's a middle ground when it comes to dressing up, and I took offense at your implication that anyone who DOES want to dress up is either homebound or putting on airs, the same way anyone would if I said that those people that DON'T dress completely are "rednecks" - it simply is NOT true. That's all I was trying to say, wasn't trying to start a flame war or anything, just pointing out the "broad brush" that you painted some people with.

 

[dheller97]

Hear, Hear, The4OfUs, I agree with you 100%

Dean

 

[disneydebk]

But it was OK for the other poster to label those of us not dressing formally as disrespectful, and that we should eat elsewhere....

Guess I inferred I was a redneck...

 

[The4OfUs]

I guess I read it differently, when I read that this poster encountered the ultimate in "disrespectful co-cruisers"... I didn't see any slight in that post once I took that into account, which is why your comment took me by surprise. Sorry I said anything, as you apparently feel your comment was justified.

 

[disneydebk]

This is definitely one subject in which the only agreement will be that there are disagreements!

Have fun on your western cruise. That is the one we did last month.

 

[jrabbit]

Paraphrase: If you don't dress "formally" on formal/semi-formal nights go somewhere else to eat

OK, the options are: plutos and pinnochios (swimming suit at a minimum and serve your self). And there is room service - limited menu for those of us not in Cat 3+ and if we could afford a cat 3 room we probably would bring formal clothes.

That leaves topsiders. Have actually heard good things about dinners there. Maybe the "formal people" all could go to topsiders for dinner and leave those of us who choose not to bring an extra suitcase per person for formal clothes to the regular dinning rooms where we can enjoy each others company and our regular servers.

Remember that no matter where you are on the clothes chain you will be offending someone unless you are in the Tux catagory.
the Tuxes look down on the suits
the Suits look down on the the sport coats
the Sport Coats look down on the dress shirts and ties
the Dress Shirts and Ties look down on the on the dress shirts
the Dress Shirts look down on the polo shirts
the Polo Shirts look down on the tee shirts
the Tee Shirts look down on the shorts
the Shorts look down on the swimming suits

We all have a line and reasons for it. Mine is that shorts are not ok for dinner (having cruised in August however makes me question that - can't find the air conditioning fast enough). Tee shirts are not ok either (including Disney ones).

Slacks and a polo shirt should be the minimum dress standard for any rotational dinner and for dinner at Palo. If we ever have dinner at Palo I would feel comfortable in a dress shirt and slacks. Probably never will because we enjoy our rotational dinning so much (good food, good service and new friends !!)

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by jrabbit
That leaves topsiders. Have actually heard good things about dinners there. Maybe the "formal people" all could go to topsiders for dinner and leave those of us who choose not to bring an extra suitcase per person for formal clothes to the regular dinning rooms where we can enjoy each others company and our regular servers.

Ah, but then why would the cruise ship request certain attire on certain nights?

Remember that no matter where you are on the clothes chain you will be offending someone unless you are in the Tux catagory.
the Tuxes look down on the suits
the Suits look down on the the sport coats
the Sport Coats look down on the dress shirts and ties
the Dress Shirts and Ties look down on the on the dress shirts
the Dress Shirts look down on the polo shirts
the Polo Shirts look down on the tee shirts
the Tee Shirts look down on the shorts
the Shorts look down on the swimming suits

Hah! Very good point!! *grin* And then there's the categories that look down on those "above" them in your list...

We all have a line and reasons for it. Mine is that shorts are not ok for dinner (having cruised in August however makes me question that - can't find the air conditioning fast enough). Tee shirts are not ok either (including Disney ones).

Slacks and a polo shirt should be the minimum dress standard for any rotational dinner and for dinner at Palo. If we ever have dinner at Palo I would feel comfortable in a dress shirt and slacks. Probably never will because we enjoy our rotational dinning so much (good food, good service and new friends !!)

Now see, that works! I'm taking the "Formal night = nice wedding attire, semi-formal night = Sunday best, other nights = business casual" approach, and I'm excited for it. In our case, for DH, that means formal and semiformal nights will be the same nice suit, and the other nights will be khaki/polo/button down shirts, and goodness knows what we'll manage to force DS to wear if he chooses to accompany us...and if he doesn't want to dress up, he can eat at the clubs, that's what I love about this! Options abound...

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by jrabbit
Maybe the "formal people" all could go to topsiders for dinner and leave those of us who choose not to bring an extra suitcase per person for formal clothes to the regular dinning rooms where we can enjoy each others company and our regular servers.

But that doesn't quite seem to make sense, does it? Why would Disney "suggest" that those who wish to dress in formal attire go to their regular rotation restaurants and those who "want something more casual" go to Topsiders?

The "attire" thread always seems to pop up ever so often on the Dis Boards. Maybe we all just like to argue! (Or, let's re-phrase it as "share our opinion." Sounds much better!)

Anyway, I think people who want to dress "formal" should enjoy their meals in the rotation. Those who wish to dress "less-formal" should enjoy their meal in the more casual locations. Perhaps that's why DCL offers the two choices!

I would have to agree 100% with the poster who suggested that American society often views things as "what's the most we can get away with doing?" Sure, DCL isn't going to throw you out or deny you entrance for not wearing the "suggested attire" but does that really matter? They're kindly asking (that's the same as suggesting, non?) that you dress for the event. Just as many people and places do. That means you'll need to pack and put on a nice outfit for two hours out of a week vacation but is that a huge deal? Perhaps Alex's post, a while back, cleared some of this up for us. He said he witnessed a guest being turned away from Palo for not following the suggested dress. This surely demonstrates that Disney would like individuals to follow their suggested attire. Perhaps Disney is suggesting that ones "rights" ends where it begins to infringe on the "rights" of the other guests.

I do dress for formal nights. In fact, I purchased the only suit I've ever owned for my first seven-day cruise on DCL. Do I enjoy wearing it? Yeah, it's cool to dress up for a couple of hours on two nights on the cruise. It makes it that much more fun. Do those individuals who are not dressed up around me ruin my time? Not in the least. They're the ones that are missing out. Do I look down on them? No, but all "behavior is an outward expression of an individual." I don't think anyone would argue otherwise.

Just my crazy opinion!

 

[disneydebk]

LOL, jrabbit!

I love your DCL food chain.

ThreeCircles, I also love the adage "All behavior is an outward expression of an individual."

I guess that means I am a sweetie for not refusing a small child the opportunity to see the AP show on the only night offered even though he and his dad were wearing only dress slacks and Polo shirts on formal night.

 

[sandygirl]

Hi! Just wanted to check in. I'm not sure if I was unclear, if I was, I apologize. Certainly did not intend to resurrect the "dress debate".

My question was: For those who chose to not participate in the formal evening activities (didn't dress formally, didn't attend assigned rotation, didn't go to the atrium for photos, etc) but maybe ate in the stateroom or Topsiders, etc, and enjoyed the shows or just relaxed on deck...did you regret it later? Did you feel you missed something special? I realize any answer will be the posters opinion. That is ok with me.

We could let this thread die a peaceful death if you want. If not, maybe someone can answer my question.

 

[louv2001]

Slightly off topic.....but...

We were lucky to have "Lumiere's" for our formal night and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. DH wore a suit and I wore a dress (something appropriate for dress in a nice office) as I don't own anything 'formal' and wasn't about to buy something to wear once on a cruise....but that said....

I would have felt very odd if DH was in a tux and I was in my best formal wear and then had to sit on the less than spotless vinyl kitchen chairs at AP??!! Formal wear usually entails a formal dining room doesn't it? I don't wear diamonds to McD's ! know what I mean?? Lol

 

[disneydebk]

Hi, Sandygirl!

Sorry we hijacked your post......

I can't answer about formal night, but there were a few other nights we opted to eat in the cabin and it was very relaxing. Kind of like the fun of "breakfast in bed", but in your cabin.

If you still want a nice portrait done, you could always dress less formally for that and have it taken on one of the other nights besides formal night. Then you could just go do what you want to do to enjoy yourself.

 

[trishy]

Remember that no matter where you are on the clothes chain you will be offending someone unless you are in the Tux catagory.
the Tuxes look down on the suits
the Suits look down on the the sport coats
the Sport Coats look down on the dress shirts and ties
the Dress Shirts and Ties look down on the on the dress shirts
the Dress Shirts look down on the polo shirts
the Polo Shirts look down on the tee shirts
the Tee Shirts look down on the shorts
the Shorts look down on the swimming suits

So who do the swim suits look down on...

Thanks so much for a good laugh.

 

[Hercules10]

Originally posted by trishy
So who do the swim suits look down on

Eeeeer....maybe the folks on Orient Beach??

I'm a beer-guzzling, pick-up driving Texas red-neck (and proud of it) who went to the formal in slacks and a button down shirt. And I plan on doing it again this trip.

 

[PinClubs]

Sorry Sandygirl but we didn step out of any of the social events.

Formal Night:

I am happy for those who like to dress like they are going to Cinderella's ball, but for some there appears to be an additional side benefit of looking down their noses at those who don't dress up.

Sorry....I couldn't help myself....I didn't think there was enough fuel on the fire.

Jeff

 

[Cruisin]

My mother always told me it was impolite to stare.

So when I go to dinner I pay attention to what is happening on my own plate and at my own table. The other tables around me tend to "disappear".

If you want to wear your tux to dinner or your birthday suit, does not matter to me!!!!! cause either way it won't take away from my enjoyment of my dinner.

Maybe more people need to pay attention to what is going on at their own tables and let all of those other folks just "disappear"

 

[mickeymom30]

I truly feel it is up to the individual if they want to get dressed up or not. My husband as well is not thrilled about getting a suit on while on vacation. But my dd's 4 and 6 love getting their princess dresses on! We will all wear what we want and go as a family. It is your vacation your dh should be comfortable and go casual if he chooses. Have a great time that is all that matters.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Just to pipe in here, I'm not from Texas, but I drink my beer, drive my Pick up, watch Nascar Races (Daytona here we come!!!), muck stalls, etc, etc, (but I do wear my diamonds to McDonalds, even Hooters somtimes, can't beat the cold bear and wings!!!) But - On formal night, I will be in a dress/gown, DH and Son will be in Tuxes and DD will be in a dress. If I can afford this cruise, I can spend a little more and dress as they request! It realy isn't much more baggage, and since yuo rotate, you can wear somethng more than once. This adds to the whole cruise experience. If I didn't dress for the occasion, I would go elsewhere more appropriate. Kind of like going to a Black Tie event and not wearing Black Tie! Other than the formal and semi-formal, DH will be in dockers and a polo.

 

[PinClubs]

Originally posted by Cruisin'Kroezes
My mother always told me it was impolite to stare.

So when I go to dinner I pay attention to what is happening on my own plate and at my own table. The other tables around me tend to "disappear".

If you want to wear your tux to dinner or your birthday suit, does not matter to me!!!!! cause either way it won't take away from my enjoyment of my dinner.

Maybe more people need to pay attention to what is going on at their own tables and let all of those other folks just "disappear"

Wow! We need to keep this quote and use it every time a "Formal Attire" thread is started.

Man wouldn't life be grand if people would follow the above. I couldn't agree more with your post. Thank you!!

Jeff

 

[Cruisin]

You are welcome PinClubs.