Happy birthday, sarameg!!!

I somehow feel vindicated that ita's job doesn't think sleeveless is work-appropriate. And Lord & Taylor is generally my source for dresses with sleeves. They have lots!

Thanks for the link, Sail. I ended up going with the straight knee length skirt. Damn, I'm gonna miss the short ones and the boots alternate Fridays.

I don't particularly think of sleeveless as a work issue, but that might be Jamaica talking. They did also bust leggings, which unsuprises me totally, and capris, which surprises me a bit, although I'd never wear them.

Athletic shoes are also off the list. And they called out flip flops. I wonder who they were busting there...apart from the guy a cube over with the Jayne hat.

Happy birthday, sara!

OK- I need debunking help. My cowworker thinks that Newsweek published an article stating that Obama is Muslim and leaves the White House every Friday for prayer services, and this is why he won't help Isreal. Googling Obama muslim mostly gets me debunking things, but from several years ago. WTF is she talking about. I actually came out and said "He is Christian, I think you are being brainwashed" and she was adament that it was all over the news and common knowledge.

WTF is she talking about?

WTF is she talking about?

I think that the burden of proof is on her for this one.

I need etiquette help. We've just received an invitation to G's cousin's wedding, and we'll actually be in the States when it's on, and are thus expected to go. Which is great and all, but it sounds reeeeeally fancy, and I can do British/Irish fancy but I have no idea about American fancy.

It's going to be somewhere on the Cape, and there's a welcome bonfire, then the next day a wedding reception followed by a beach blessing followed by a cocktail party followed by dinner followed by an after party. there is a family brunch the next day.

It says 'black tie optional' which I know at the very least means I need to be fancy and wear heels, but heels on a beach?

I was thinking something along the lines of this maybe [link]

But I don't know the rules at American weddings. Are black and white off limits? What sort of gift is appropriate? Argh! I don't want to ruin someone's wedding with a hideous cultural faux pas.

Are black and white off limits? What sort of gift is appropriate?

White is generally off limits. The old-fashioned rule is that you don't wear black to a wedding, but that one seems to be fading a bit. For the gift, ask if they've got a registry.

I think that the burden of proof is on her for this one.

I'm with Jars. A quick jaunt through Google shows nothing but Newsweek articles patiently repeating over and over again that Obama is Christian, not Muslim (usually adding, "Not that there'd be anything wrong with it if he were Muslim; it's just that he isn't"), and I found one article from during the primaries about what a solid and consistent supporter of Israel he'd been during his time in the Senate and how every pro-Israel group in the US thought he was pure awesomecakes. Your coworker's common knowledge doesn't seem to be either.

Jars, pretty dress, but if you go for that you'd probably need a colorful scarf or shoes or both -- white is definitely frowned on at USian weddings, and the frowniness has slopped over to anything too close to white. OTOH, if the bride is one of those rare awesome people who's decided to get married in red or something and has announced it beforehand, then you can probably wear whatever the hell you want (except red).

WTF is she talking about?

I think that the burden of proof is on her for this one.

I thought maybe there was some new crazy muslim story, but I just looked all through Newsweek, and except for some blogs, they are pretty much debunking. She is terrified, though, and told me that the underlying premise in all wars is religion (I said it was power) and that Hitler and Mussolini started wars because of religion and wanting to get rid of the churches, and she thinks Obama is going to do the same.

The reason this bothers me is that she is a smart woman and a kind woman and a person with a strong sense of ethics, and a pretty much average lower middle class American, and if they are all being brainwashed, we are never going to get anywhere in this country, and that is scary to me.

For the gift, ask if they've got a registry.

Aha! Good plan. I'll ask my MIL next time G calls home.

Jars, pretty dress, but if you go for that you'd probably need a colorful scarf or shoes or both -- white is definitely frowned on at USian weddings, and the frowniness has slopped over to anything too close to white.

Hmm, thanks. Maybe I'll try and find something with a brighter colour or a floral print or something.

Sophia, do you have the kind of relationship with her where you can just bluntly say to her what you just said to us? "I think you're a smart, kind and ethical person, and it bothers me that I can show you the Newsweek website and you can still believe what you've been told and disbelieve your own eyes and ears and brain. How can I have more faith in your wisdom than you do?"