Because of the nature of my work, I'm usually either in the field or working from home. While at home I only interact via Skype and email with the outside world, so for the most part I keep it, let's say, business casual, with emphasis on the casual. In an unusual turn of events I was asked to support some work at UN HQ. I am happy to report that I was able to locate a pretty decent black suit at the bottom of the closet. My 7 year old's son response to seeing me come down for breakfast in a full suit -as opposed to jamies- was priceless:
son (with bewildered expression)
- why are you wearing that?
me
-remember I told you I would be working in an office this week, like daddy?
sister, (on natural speed, as usual)
-yes! remember? she is going to the office, like daddy. Coming home late, like daddy
son (still unconvinced)
- but do you have to wear that?
me
- yes, when you go to the office you have to wear a suit
sister (bouncing madly around in the background)
-yes, like dadee, like dadee
son (still clearly bewildered)
- even if you are a GIRL?!
And that's when it hit me. He had taken our style choices (suit vs pjs) as linked to our genders as opposed to our work environments.