this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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Malicious Compliance

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Not my own story, but my original retelling of a public one.

Back in the summer of 2017, Devon (in the UK) was suffering from a heat wave. The boys suffered the unbearable heat in trousers. Girls were luckier - skirts were part of the school uniform.

One boy, Ryan, asked his teacher for an exception due to the heat, but was told that all clothes worn must be a part of the approved school uniform, without exception. Another boy who asked was given a sarcastic reply: "Well, you can wear a skirt if you like."

Cue malicious compliance.

The next day, Ryan came to school in his uniform. Every item he wore was on the approved list - including his official school skirt.

Pretty soon, nearly all the lads were wearing skirts.

A few days later, after the worst of the heat wave was over, the headteacher announced that shorts would be allowed as part of the official school uniform starting the next school year.

TL;DR: School won't allow boys to wear shorts in extreme summer heat because it's not on the approved uniform list but sarcastically points out that they can wear skirts. Boys wear said skirts. School gives in and adds shorts to the list.

Original articles:

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/22/teenage-boys-wear-skirts-to-school-protest-no-shorts-uniform-policy

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/23/exeter-schools-uniform-resolve-melts-after-boys-skirt-protest

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[–] [email protected] 56 points 1 year ago (2 children)

School uniforms are a terrible concept in every way.

[–] Tesco 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

When I was at school the uniform was just a basic pull over jumper, polo shirt and skirt/trousers. They were pretty effective at getting you caught if you decided to bunk off, like I did during PE and RE.

The uniform kids have to wear these days, which is basically a full on suit looks so uncomfortable, especially in the summer.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I'm from NI where all the schools have uniforms. Shirt, tie, trousers, wool blazer generally although some are nylon blazers. It's not too bad if you take your blazer off when its warm and I did like not having to think about clothes.

Also blazers are amazing for pockets.