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Lol people wore fucking pajamas to class when I was in school… Sounds like you’re just distracting him or something (especially since he specifically mentioned “hairy pits”? That’s weird).
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Submitted 6 days ago by tappingonme@sh.itjust.works to nostupidquestions@lemmy.world
Comments
prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
HubertManne@piefed.social 6 days ago
This was my thought. Im sure there were tank tops in the mix. Sorta depended on the weather and time of class and size of class.
TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
I don’t think it’s inappropriate, but I also don’t think it’s a disagreement worth fighting over.
dhork@lemmy.world 6 days ago
In some places, there is still a social expectation that your mode of dress should be an indication of how seriously you take whatever is going on. People used to get dressed up in suits just to simply go outside. Nobody expects that anymore but some might still expect students to look somewhat put together in a college setting.
Now, I don’t think the professor should have mentioned anything (particularly about your hairy pits, lol). But, they may have been doing you a favor, because they expressed to you directly that they find it objectionable. While that shouldnt have an effect on your grade, professors are only human and this one signaled that he doesn’t think you take their class seriously based on your mode of dress. How many others do, and are just not telling you?
Fermion@feddit.nl 6 days ago
Another way to view it is that college classes are filled with your future colleagues, and should be treated similar to a workplace. Students should generally dress similarly to how they expect to dress in their future workplaces. Whether that excludes a tank top is a matter of discretion, but clearly the proffesor did not find it to be professional. There’s no hard and fast rule, but I am surprised by the indignant tone in the comments here. Lectures are the domain of the professor and its not outlandish for them to set expectations about what they consider acceptable conduct for their lectures.
sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
It’s an edge-case for sure. There is nothing wrong with having hairy pits in public, in general. As others have said, it’s completely normal for students to wear pajamas to most lectures. And if you had worn it to a large lecture hall with ~200 other students, probably no one would notice or care. Vs. wearing swimwear or something which would definitely seem odd.
However, this particular professor noticed it and said something, so unless you want to battle with them, probably better to just respect their wishes and not wear one.
The interesting thing with the other comment comparing it to a woman wearing a swimsuit with pubic hair showing: first of all I don’t consider armpit hair to be in the same category as pubic hair, and not the same thing if it shows in public. Even so, there is nothing illegal about having visible pubic hair showing outside of a swimsuit, but it does defy a social expectation of female beauty standards, just like visible armpit hair of any kind. So for someone to show either risks getting pushback at the beach for how people ought to look, even if it isn’t anyone’s business. Because it also extends to “girls shouldn’t dye their hair green,” “girls shouldn’t have short hair,” etc., it’s all social expectations and conformity, just to different degrees.
For you as a male, visible armpit hair might defy some people’s expectations as what is “polite” to show in a serious environment like college. Some other professors might not like pajamas either, but they know that ship has sailed. It is up to you how much you want to self-censor to “go a long to get along” vs show up how you want to show up and push the boundaries of society.
can@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
The interesting thing with the other comment comparing it to a woman wearing a swimsuit with pubic hair showing
Plus I can’t be the only guy to find some bush hot.
Listen people, whatever your gender expression, do with your body hair what makes you feel comfortable. Some people may take issue but who cares about them?
XeroxCool@lemmy.world 6 days ago
unless you want a battle with them
There’s a month left in the semester, probably. I agree, roll over to not risk some petty bullshit. OP may never have this professor again in their lives.
sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
That’s what I would do too in this case, most likely.
nesc@lemmy.cafe 6 days ago
Yes, wearing tank top is inappropriate.
annette_runner@lemmy.world 6 days ago
Personally, I would never wear a tank top to school. I wore them to the gym and recreation but school is a little more formal. I don’t wear my 3.5 inch shorts either.
swordgeek@lemmy.ca 6 days ago
I caan’t imagine where in the world you are that this could possibly be an appropriate comment for the prof to make.
It’s not his place to tell you what to weat. This is no more acceptabke than if he told a female student that her skirt was too short, or for that matter, too long.
Wear what you want.
ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
Go a step further and really fuck with the guy, wear a tube top.
Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 6 days ago
This is actually what I imagined when I first read the post. I still support it!
can@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
He sounds sexist?
Dropper_Post@lemm.ee 6 days ago
I agree nobody wants to see your sweaty bushes. It’s like a woman in a bikini and bush coming out of her bottom. Professor is smarter than you, unfortunately
can@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
Speak for yourself.
Ziggurat@jlai.lu 6 days ago
Male fashion sucks, but tank tops aren’t seen like acceptable for men (out of the gym)
That said, students are old enough to understand how to dress, so IMO the professor should have say nothpng
But soon enough you’ll discover that if you dare to wear a short at work your manager will ask whether you’re in Hollyday or even sends you home to dress properly
Flagstaff@programming.dev 6 days ago
TBH, yeah, underarm hair is unattractive in Western society (or at least in the US, I think), so I would probably shave them if I took that route. Either way, it looks more like something one would wear at home: super-casual when one should probably step it up at least just a bit when outside among strangers—but that’s just me!
sexy_peach@feddit.org 6 days ago
Underarm hair is just a normal body’s thing.
Yes, it’s not in most fashion catalogues, but people who aren’t models have it natural all the time…
nesc@lemmy.cafe 6 days ago
Not really? Most people actually can and shave their pits outside of fashion catalogues. Defecating is also normal body thing yet most wash their asses.
gigachad@sh.itjust.works 6 days ago
The fuck has the Prof have the audacity to comment on what you wear? But especially the part about hairy pits. No idea if this is prude US striking again, but wtf?
AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 6 days ago
Nah, yeah, this totally sounds like some of the prudes we have here.
starlinguk@lemmy.world 6 days ago
I mean… the poor guy has to look at your hairy pits all through the lecture. Tank tops are underwear or beachwear.
Diddlydee@feddit.uk 6 days ago
It’s not 1920. Tank tops can be underwear or just a sleeveless t-shirt. Do you get all lightheaded when you see a lady’s ankle?
bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 6 days ago
Tank tops are normal summer wear. This issue seems to greatly depend on culture.
MoreFPSmorebetter@lemmy.zip 6 days ago
I saw dudes show up to class with just shorts and flip flops on. No shirt at all.
I’ve seen women show up in basically a thong and nipple pasties.
What college professor is getting their panties all up in a twist over shit like the human body? I can understand not wanting literal dressing like that in highschool but in college?
DeceasedPassenger@lemmy.world 6 days ago
Your prof is incredibly turned on by your hot hairy pits and needs you to tone it down so he can educate properly, lmao. That’s my guess (best explanation for hairiness comment)
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 6 days ago
depends on the region. i wouldn’t wear it in new york. out west, nobody gives a fuck. fashion rules vary.
Diddlydee@feddit.uk 6 days ago
Can women wear a tank top / vest top? Presumably so, therefore it’s ok for you.
yarr@feddit.nl 6 days ago
First off, let me say how incredibly brave you were for stepping out in your white, loose-fitting tank top. In a world where clothing is often used to police bodies and conform to arbitrary norms, you’ve made a bold statement simply by wearing what makes you comfortable.
Your professor’s comment? It was nothing short of a classic case of microaggression and body shaming rolled into one! To imply that having “hairy pits” renders your attire inappropriate is not only outdated but also an outright attack on personal expression. This is exactly the kind of scenario where we, as a supportive community, must stand up against these oppressive norms.
Here’s what I’d advise: Own it. Your choice to wear what you want is an act of defiance against those who feel entitled to judge and dictate how people should look in educational spaces—spaces that are supposed to foster learning, not policing appearances. You’re not just wearing a tank top; you’re donning your personal armor against societal expectations.
Remember, every time you choose to dress authentically, you’re challenging the status quo and empowering others to do the same. Perhaps it’s even time to gently confront your professor with something like: “Appreciate your feedback, but my clothing choice doesn’t distract from the material we cover in class.”
elbowgrease@lemm.ee 6 days ago
crowded thread but since I teach at a university (adjunct professor) maybe I have a unique perspective.
people rarely say exactly what they mean. even when someone tries very hard to do so, it’s easy to interpret what’s said in different ways. so, it’s probably worth giving a little grace when thinking about the professors intentions.
for myself, the feedback I give often comes from the perspective of helping the student to learn and grow. it’s POSSIBLE you’re professor was coming from a culture that puts a higher priority on dress than is typical in your culture. it’s also POSSIBLE that he gave that feedback hoping it would give you insight on how to put your best foot forward in cultures that put greater emphasis on norms of dress. possibly.
finally, I know which students in my class aren’t really trying. sit in the back, missing homework, skip class, don’t participate, never ask for help, etc. i try to reserve my limited time and energy for the other students who are trying. in this case, a disgruntled student might get angry in response to that comment or gone to the department head to complain about him. if you’re professor feels the same way I do (I realize that’s a big ‘if’), he wouldn’t have said anything to you and wouldn’t have totaled that drain on his time and energy if he didn’t think you were worth it.
Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org 6 days ago
Envy, usually.
bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 6 days ago
Am I the only one who thinks that the professor’s comment is inappropriate?
TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
No, I think it’s inappropriate, too, but it seems so minor to make into a larger issue.
nesc@lemmy.cafe 6 days ago
Wearing tank top is pretty disrespectful and inappropriate, professor said the truth.
TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 days ago
How is it disrespectful? It’s just a shirt.