Wearing a Star Trek uni vs. sports jersey

[Nerys Ghemor]

The most I've ever considered wearing in public, though I've only done it when I've been attending a con, would be my Cardassian Union pin. I suspect it would be one of those things that only fans would recognize but others would think was just a neat, decorative piece of jewelery. I have actually had people who didn't know Trek, at the con (general sci-fi con) assume it was just "innocent" Art Deco piece. So that I might actually think about.

As for T-shirts and stuff like that for any franchise, I think people consider that merchandising rather than a costume. I may not like what you're advertising on your shirt, but it's perfectly normal to wear it (as long as there's not vulgar language on it, which I think is inconsiderate of young children if you're not in an 18+ venue).

But costumes...no. That would be as stupid as one of those sports fans that paints their face and chest doing that as everyday wear. Just wearing a sports jersey--just the jersey--that falls in the "merchandising" category.

 

[Alex1939]

But costumes...no. That would be as stupid as one of those sports fans that paints their face and chest doing that as everyday wear. Just wearing a sports jersey--just the jersey--that falls in the "merchandising" category.

You fall into the "non-crazy" category.


I agree, wearing a jersey is like someone wearing a star trek t-shirt in public. Wearing a starfleet uni is totally different.

But as you can see, 30% of posters here feel wearing a starfleet uniform to go out for dinner/beer is the same as wearing a sports jersey in the same setting.

 

[plynch]

Oh good, another "wearing Trek shirts/unis" thread. Has anyone dissed "Commander" Barbara Adams without really knowing her yet? I read only the first page and that's enough.

It's weird that people who frequent a Star Trek bbs are so sensitive about being thought of as weird. Methinks y'all doth protest too much.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Are we weird? Of course we're weird. Eccentricity is a positive, I believe, despite the social pressure otherwise. But there's a difference between having unusual tastes and blurring the line between fantasy and reality. That goes beyond eccentricity and begins to border on pathology. (Though whether it actually does cross that line is a determination to be left to a PROFESSIONAL.)

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

People who wear Trek gear out and about don't need a "pass" from you or anyone else to do so.

Oh but you do. And because of your attitude you don't get one!



I always new this message board was about 36% crazies. Thanks to those that honestly identified themselves.

So it's "crazy" not to care what other people think about how I dress in my own time?

We are talking about clothing here, clothing that doesn't breach any nudity codes or threaten anyone in any way. Clothing a person wears for their own enjoyment in their own free time. The only reason clothing is not more diverse is because most of us dress in a way to get positive or at least neutral feedback from the majority of people who will see us. However there are still plenty of people out there who wear stuff, including costumes, because they like it. And, despite this thread, there are plenty of people out there who enjoy people being different even if they don't care to dress in a way that stands out themselves.

 

[bgrummer]

wearing a Star Trek uniform in public and making people call you Lt. Commander Bob is not the same thing as wearing a sports jersey or apparel in public. who ever said that?

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I have a sweatshirt that indicates I am a member of the first Starfleet Academy class ever and I wear it in public. I would not wear a Star Fleet uniform though.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Has anyone dissed "Commander" Barbara Adams without really knowing her yet?

I think we've been over that already.

If she just wore the uniform to conventions and stuff, that would be one thing. That's normal. But she wears it ALL.THE.TIME. She even wears it to WORK, and makes her employees call her Commander (Even though she never served in the Navy, that I'm aware of, so she is not entitled to be called that). Does that sound normal to you?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

It doesn't matter how many times it's pointed out that her employers call her that, seemingly with affection, people keep repeating the meme that she is the boss and makes those under her use that title. I'd be very surprised if you haven't read that in these threads MLB yourself. But of course it's all about making her seem as offensive as possible.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ EmployERS? I thought she ran her own business...?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Nope, she worked in a business, the people she worked with seemed to all like her, they thought she was eccentric but nice.

One person in Trekkies (I'm reading the cached script so it's unclear who is saying this) says about Barbara:

"I used to read about her in the newspaper, and I saw her,and I got her
autograph. Basically, the philosophy behind Star Trek that she is so,
um, promoting... is the philosophy behind an honest juror.
That's what you need on a jury is an open-minded person.
Based on the ideals of Star Trek, yeah, I think she'd be an asset.
This is what she wants to do. This is America.
I mean, we should be able to do what we want to do.
You know, look how we want to look, say what we want to say.
I think she's a pretty neat lady to have the guts to, um,
kind of be herself, even on an important thing
like being a juror. You can put on a uniform for football
year-round, nobody cares. Basketball year-round,
nobody cares.Put on a Star Trek uniform, people get a case of the
giggles."


Then you have one of the people she works with who says:

Man:
"Bobby is a little bit eccentric, but it's a good quality
kind of eccentricity. The customers do think it's
a little bit strange sometimes, but they get a kick out of it.
Everyone's got their quirks, and we just
work around and with those. When I first came into the shop,
I was going around meeting everyone
and getting names, and I got to Bobby, and they said,
"This is the commander."

They they talk to a woman she works with:

"When she first came to work here and I called her "girlfriend,"
she made some comment that she didn't really like that,
and I said, "What would you prefer I call you?"

Barbara:
"I said, "My rank is commander. I'm a lieutenant commander."
She said, "Oh! Commander. That's what I'll call you."

Woman:
"When I asked her why, she started telling me all about this
Star Trek that she was into big time, and she was commander
of some spaceship here locally."

Earlier on the show it talks about the "spaceship" being a charity Trek
fandom group. A lot of Trek groups do fundraising for charities as
a part of their activities, this one just happens to be named after
a ship (not uncommon).



Anyway MLB you kind of surprise me rushing to say she is not normal.
I seem to recall you posting that you wear sports emblazoned clothes
every single day, because you like to. I even remember saying something
positive to you about this in some makeover thread where someone was
negative about it.

Barbara Adams is no doubt a bit eccentric. Is this a negative thing
worthy of being labeled "crazy"? I don't think so. The world is big
enough for people to dress differently than what the majority expects.

 

[exalted one]

And if you can't tell the difference between a TV show and sports and think wearing a jersey or startrek uniform is equivalent then please vote!

*waves* Excuse me. The utter majority of sports fans watch their sports in TV, and it's been like that for last thirty years. Do you realize that sports are just another TV show these days, complete with overpaid actors and predetermined outcome? Sport itself doesn't matter anymore, it's all about the "stars." It matters about as much as Star Trek does.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I seem to recall you posting that you wear sports emblazoned clothes
every single day, because you like to.

True, but even though I am currently wearing a Mets shirt with the number 8 on it, I would not expect anyone to call me Gary Carter.

And like I said, there's a difference between wearing just a jacket, shirt or jersey with team stylings, and a complete *uniform*. Wearing team shirts, jackets, etc. is fairly common. Lots of people do that. But if I went out in public with a complete baseball uniform on, including catcher's gear, what would you expect people to think?

But you're right, Ms. Adams isn't hurting anyone, and so I'll back off on that one.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I seem to recall you posting that you wear sports emblazoned clothes
every single day, because you like to.

True, but even though I am currently wearing a Mets shirt with the number 8 on it, I would not expect anyone to call me Gary Carter.

And like I said, there's a difference between wearing just a jacket, shirt or jersey with team stylings, and a complete *uniform*. Wearing team shirts, jackets, etc. is fairly common. Lots of people do that. But if I went out in public with a complete baseball uniform on, including catcher's gear, what would you expect people to think?

But you're right, Ms. Adams isn't hurting anyone, and so I'll back off on that one.

Obviously there are degrees of eccentricity. You might not want to label yourself with that word but wearing sports gear every single day has an eccentric element to it. Now in MY book that makes a person interesting. For other people, it's a turn off or seen as over the top. I can think of a lot of people I see around who have something trademark about what they wear, one dude has been wearing a top hat for the 15+ years I've seen him out and about whether with jeans or some faded thrift store suit. Barbara is more akin to another guy I know who is in his 80's and dresses in full swami/wizard regalia and has been 24/7 for at least 30 years. You can hear him coming a mile away because of all the bells and jewelry he wears, he is hugely colorful. Everyone loves this guy in my area because he's a huge character and I'd imagine that is where Barbara is at now in her workplace and town, especially after Trekkies.

To me this is all good stuff, IDIC and all that. We are all unique individuals, some of us show that on the outside by their clothing choices. Barbara likes to be called "commander", the wizard dude changed his name to something in sanskrit decades ago that has an honorific in it and everyone calls him that. These people are just a part of the rich tapestry of life.

 

[Alex1939]

*waves* Excuse me. The utter majority of sports fans watch their sports in TV, and it's been like that for last thirty years. Do you realize that sports are just another TV show these days, complete with overpaid actors and predetermined outcome? Sport itself doesn't matter anymore, it's all about the "stars." It matters about as much as Star Trek does.

HAHAHA, no.

When I can go visit the actual bridge of the Enterprise and actually talk to Captain Kirk I will agree with you.


Teacake, you have a nice outlook on life.

 

[Sector 7]

Wearing a trek uniform would be equal to wearing a full football uniform(helmet and all).

Now, wearing a trek shirt that looked very similar to a uniform top along with more standard clothes could be pretty cool.

This.

OK I've seen this brought up too many times. I make this poll so I can identify the crazies.

I wonder who's really the 'crazies', those who disagree with a very biased poll or the one creating such a biased poll?!

 

[Alex1939]

I wonder who's really the 'crazies', those who disagree with a very biased poll or the one creating such a biased poll?!

I'm going to have to vote those that can't tell the difference between a fictional tv show and real life sporting events.

 

[barnaclelapse]

I think there's a time and place for everything. Wearing your jersey to the game? Go for it. Want to dress up as your favorite character for a convention or party? Doesn't bother me.

Doing either of those things when you're, say, at a wedding? Maybe not.