The tyranny of Stampede - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

HelloHockeyFans · 07-09-2007, 08:29 AM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../lifeWork/home

For the 10 days of Stampede, the offices of downtown Calgary fall largely silent as Wrangler-wearing business folk roam from pancake breakfast to liquid lunch, from evening tent party to shooter bar. They trade in neckties for bolo ties, Gucci shoes for cowboy boots and cufflinks for pearl snaps.

But for some, these expressions of civic pride have become more like civic duty. Working past noon is tantamount to treason. Co-workers operate like fashion police, ridiculing anyone without denim.

Last year managers at her store took up the Stampede banner and asked every employee to don western gear. "It wasn't like they would tell you that you'd be fired if you didn't wear it, but it is enforced," Ms. Irwin says. "Management comes around and says, 'Where's your spurs?' They don't want to be labelled as the one store in the city that doesn't participate."

I moved away from Calgary before I started working, so I don't know if this article has a point or not.

How many people here feel the proverbial noose tighten from management come Stampede week to be a little more western than they're completely comfortable with?

ricosuave · 07-09-2007, 08:34 AM

I don't get any significant pressure to gear up for Stampede, but on a slightly different topic, I go to great lengths to avoid all things to do with it. Can't stand it any more, never cared much for the rodeo, or overpriced carnival rides and food, not a gambler, and trying to find parking downtown and in the area of the grounds this time of year is a chore.

I'm glad that some people like it, and its good for the economy, but its not my thing at all.

Of course when I mention this to other red-blooded Calgarians, THATS when I get the disdain and pressure: "why not? you have to go! its so much fun!" etc.

Ugh.

Caged Great · 07-09-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I don't get any significant pressure to gear up for Stampede, but on a slightly different topic, I go to great lengths to avoid all things to do with it. Can't stand it any more, never cared much for the rodeo, or overpriced carnival rides and food, not a gambler, and trying to find parking downtown and in the area of the grounds this time of year is a chore.

I'm glad that some people like it, and its good for the economy, but its not my thing at all.

Of course when I mention this to other red-blooded Calgarians, THATS when I get the disdain and pressure: "why not? you have to go! its so much fun!" etc.

Ugh.

I agree fully.

habernac · 07-09-2007, 08:40 AM

It's a good excuse to not wear dress pants to work, doesn't bother me. If they want me to dress up as Wyatt Earp, I really wouldn't care too much.

worth · 07-09-2007, 08:41 AM

I don't work downtown so I have no pressure on me for anything to do with stampede.

Stampede kind of bugs me though knowing some people downtown are taking a 10 day vacation of lunches and pancake breakfasts while the rest of the city works.

I'm a red blooded Calgarian and I was at cowboys on Sat, but I don't even know if i'll do the grounds this year.

habernac · 07-09-2007, 08:45 AM

as for the "no working downtown thing" I wish. We do get out to the odd breakfast, but we're all expected to do our regular workload as well.

ken0042 · 07-09-2007, 08:48 AM

The article is a bit of a hyperbole, but I know people who do that exact thing. In fact I was offered a parking spot by somebody who isn't planning on driving any day this week.

I also have my breakfasts and lunches planned out. I've got every day planned out for breakfats, and all but two lunches.

Bobblehead · 07-09-2007, 08:51 AM

It's the one week a year I am allowed to wear jeans to work.

Cowboy89 · 07-09-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

99% of people don't go out everyday, simply because you would reject your liver if you did. The majority will go out for 1 afternoon. A few extra people will go two times and a smaller percentage will go more than that. Service company sales guys will go out the most but they do that all year long so it isn't really a huge change there since that is their job.

Do you get peeved that on any given day there are millions and millions of people not working. I don't understand that, it has nothing to do with you.

Great post Fotze! On my way to rejecting my liver. Out at noon today. Yahoo!!

Muta · 07-09-2007, 08:59 AM

I work downtown and there's no pressure in my office.

Hell, I'm sure my management team would love for people to dress normally and do away with the cowboy gear. Hell, if they had it their way, people would be wearing suits right now. Hell, I kinda wish I was wearing a suit right now.

And companies actually get off at noon during stampede break? Which companies are these? And better yet, how do I get a job there? I'm not allowed a single minute off for the Stampede without clocking it as 'vacation'.

TurnedTheCorner · 07-09-2007, 09:02 AM

I may wear the full suit and tie ensemble to work on Friday as I forgo our group's annual Stampede event. Just to be a dick.

Yeah, the "no-work" thing is greatly exaggerated in my experience, too.

mykalberta · 07-09-2007, 09:18 AM

I work in IT and wear jeans about 3/5 days per week.

No one is forced at my office to go Stampeding with the exception of the company BBQ where we all have to wear hats.

MYK

Cowperson · 07-09-2007, 09:23 AM

I don't mind wearing jeans to work.

I haven't been to a Stampede Breakfast in years . . . . but might go to one tomorrow for a business reason. Not too interested in parties.

I was in the half-marathon yesterday and ran through the Stampede grounds . . . . . that might be as close as I get to the midway this year.

Other than that, I kind of tune out the Stampede. I might go to a small town to a rodeo for the heck of it sometime in the summer but I ain't gonna get squeezed into those tiny grandstand seats in Calgary on a hot day for any reason.

Cowperson

CaptainCrunch · 07-09-2007, 09:27 AM

Being in an outwords facing role, I get a lot of invites that I'm expected to appear at, I do know that actual closed business drops this week and for the most part next week. Its also impossible to get anything but voicemail this week.

So you go out, do your networking, and build stuff up for later on in the summer.

I try to avoid wearing jeans because I don't think they look professional, but I don't wear a suit either.

worth · 07-09-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

99% of people don't go out everyday, simply because you would reject your liver if you did. The majority will go out for 1 afternoon. A few extra people will go two times and a smaller percentage will go more than that. Service company sales guys will go out the most but they do that all year long so it isn't really a huge change there since that is their job.

Do you get peeved that on any given day there are millions and millions of people not working. I don't understand that, it has nothing to do with you.

no, i enjoy my job...i just want some pancakes.

Burninator · 07-09-2007, 09:32 AM

Not really pressure in my office. However they did buy everyone in the office a pink shirt for the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. And everyone wore them last Friday. I don't think anyone felt "pressured" to wear them. In fact everyone was pretty excited about it. Plus you would probably look like a total a-hole if you felt it was above you to wear pink despite it being for a good cause. Other than that we only get a couple wearing cowboy gear, I just wear my jeans and my closest looking cowboy gear. I say only a couple because most of my office is people from out of town or country, so they are not as up on the western thing as everyone else.

I don't really get any time off for the Stampede either. However my office does seem a little more relaxed than other weeks. The higher-ups seem to disappear a little more than usual during Stampede, but that's about it.

soulchoice · 07-09-2007, 09:33 AM

Never had pressure from my work. However even if i did, there is no way I would ever dress in a western/cowboy style, no matter who pressured me. Just not my thing, nor do i have any interest in it at all.

skins · 07-09-2007, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowperson

I might go to a small town to a rodeo for the heck of it sometime in the summer but I ain't gonna get squeezed into those tiny grandstand seats in Calgary on a hot day for any reason.

FYI

High River puts on a great rodeo every year. Unfortunately you missed it this time (it's usually a week or two before Stampede). It's part of the pro rodeo tour so it's the same caliber of bull riders/steer wrestlers/whatever. they have chucks too, and the whole thing is way cheaper than Stampede.

ken0042 · 07-09-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

No you don't they are usually terrible.

Yep, Fotze is all about the sausage!

Cowperson · 07-09-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skins

FYI

High River puts on a great rodeo every year. Unfortunately you missed it this time (it's usually a week or two before Stampede). It's part of the pro rodeo tour so it's the same caliber of bull riders/steer wrestlers/whatever. they have chucks too, and the whole thing is way cheaper than Stampede.

Oh, I didn't miss it . . . . . agree, nice rodeo/chucks to go to. I might take in some action at Drumheller later on. Some of the action in High River this year:

Cowperson