Too black for club lounge ?
Aug 7, 2013, 4:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: SPG Platinum, AA Ex Plat
Posts: 262
Too black for club lounge ?
I don't travel for business so almost 100% of my travel is exclusively leisure. I have been able to attain SPG Platinum on my own dime but more and more I notice that I get looks and like earlier today in Sheraton CDG there was a guy that was visibly disturbed by my presence in the club lounge. A little background, I'm in my early 30's ( look like im in my early 20's) and from ethnic decent and like to dress in casual hip hop style wear (t shirt, jeans and a hat etc) but nothing outrageous or disrespectful to others such as sagging pants. I used to try to dress to blend in especially when traveling business or first class etc but decided a year back that I have just as much rights as anyone else to dress as I please but as stated above since I have done that I have noticed such negative looks especially in spg club lounges, exclusively by middle aged white men. The jerk today couldn't even bring himself to great me as I tried to diffuse the tension by giving him a friendly nod hello. I guess this post is just to remind folks to be civil and refrain from judging someone because they may have a hat turned backwards.
Aug 7, 2013, 4:28 pm
#2
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,040
Was the person a hotel employee? If so, and you believe you were "dissed" you are within your rights to complain to management. If it was just another guest, no one is required to be friendly.
I do have to say though that I do believe how we present ourselves has a major impact on how we are sometimes seen by others. Personally, I might consider a t-shirt and hat inappropriate for a lounge; depending on what was written on them. We all have to take some responsibility. But in the end, you have just as much right to that lounge as anyone.
I do have to say though that I do believe how we present ourselves has a major impact on how we are sometimes seen by others. Personally, I might consider a t-shirt and hat inappropriate for a lounge; depending on what was written on them. We all have to take some responsibility. But in the end, you have just as much right to that lounge as anyone.
Aug 7, 2013, 4:46 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ヒルトン大阪
Programs: ゴールデングローブ
Posts: 1,982
Hip Hop style in a club lounge and you are surprised that you get "negative looks"? Well, there are such things as "etiquette". Follow them and you won't get bad vibes around you!
That has nothing to do with SPG lounges, and it has even less to do with your skin color. It's simply seen as disrespectful behavior from your side by other guests. That's why they looked at you. And rest assured you would also get unwelcoming looks from my side if you show up in bath robe, sport dress, hip hop style etc in a club lounge! I am thankful that there is a dress code in Japanese five star hotels. People who are not properly dressed don't get access to the club lounge!
Aug 7, 2013, 6:04 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2007
Location: CA & TPE
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hertz Plat, Centurion, too many airlines
Posts: 618
if he is wearing baggy pants, who the hell cares? so long as i am not seeing your underwear, he should be free to dress as he sees fit in the lounge. i see middle-aged white guys coming into the lounge dripping sweat after coming straight from the gym; i also see middle-aged white moms stuffed into their teenager's juicy couture sweatsuits, and wearing spaghetti strap tanks that look like they came from baby gap- both images are far more offensive than a black guy wearing a XXL sweatshirt and hat. If you are polite and have your pants pulled up, I have no problem with you.
Aug 7, 2013, 6:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Taipei/Tampa.
Programs: CX DM, Marriott Plat, SPG lifetime, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 161
Proper "etiquette" by the way he dresses? What does that have to do with anything? He can be in sandals and shorts- what does that have to do with the other guy?
You keep on giving unwelcoming looks and you get head smacked in some places... maybe not Japan so you should just stay there.
You keep on giving unwelcoming looks and you get head smacked in some places... maybe not Japan so you should just stay there.
Hip Hop style in a club lounge and you are surprised that you get "negative looks"? Well, there are such things as "etiquette". Follow them and you won't get bad vibes around you!
That has nothing to do with SPG lounges, and it has even less to do with your skin color. It's simply seen as disrespectful behavior from your side by other guests. That's why they looked at you. And rest assured you would also get unwelcoming looks from my side if you show up in bath robe, sport dress, hip hop style etc in a club lounge! I am thankful that there is a dress code in Japanese five star hotels. People who are not properly dressed don't get access to the club lounge!
That has nothing to do with SPG lounges, and it has even less to do with your skin color. It's simply seen as disrespectful behavior from your side by other guests. That's why they looked at you. And rest assured you would also get unwelcoming looks from my side if you show up in bath robe, sport dress, hip hop style etc in a club lounge! I am thankful that there is a dress code in Japanese five star hotels. People who are not properly dressed don't get access to the club lounge!
Aug 7, 2013, 7:05 pm
#6
Used to be RichardKopf
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: SPG LTP/IHG Pl/Hilton D/Shang-Taj D/VA Plat/QFClub/Hertz Pres/Avis Pres
Posts: 932
Proper "etiquette" by the way he dresses? What does that have to do with anything? He can be in sandals and shorts- what does that have to do with the other guy?
You keep on giving unwelcoming looks and you get head smacked in some places... maybe not Japan so you should just stay there.
You keep on giving unwelcoming looks and you get head smacked in some places... maybe not Japan so you should just stay there.
We weren't there. I have my own concept of appropriate and inappropriate, as we all do. Sometimes actions, dress, posture (slouching back with legs spread wide) , etc, give off a certain vibe. sometimes it's just someone dressing the way they like. Most people who say they dress for themselves (I am included in this) are lying to themselves. They're dressing to be noticed. Some will approve and some will not. You chose your dress, so deal with it.
I am a fashion risk taker but when a friend wanted to walk into a hotel wearing a cap that said " F$%K the police", I refused to go with him. It was inappropriate and asking for a problem. We are all entitled to do as we please, but the businesses we frequent are also entitled to ask you to change before entering.
Once, in first class, I travelled with a famous band. Their tour manager was in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals, which he flipped off, and started to pick dirt from his toenails. White, black, or green, he was out of order. The more fanciful, multi-ethnic bandmembers (Black Eyed Peas) looked a lot funkier, but were impeccably behaved. The manager was a classless, tasteless scumbag (IMO). He has proven this with well documented actions, in public.
Again, I wasn't there and can't speak to the OP's dress or the reactions he perceived, but I feel both sides have some responsibility. If you dress in a way that provokes, you should expect reaction, and if you are sensitive to others' appearance, chill a little.
On the other hand, I'm all for banning people who smell because they don't care, smoke in a public place, those who are loud and spoil my quiet enjoyment, including parents with screaming children in a club lounge, etc, etc etc. Everyone is prejudiced - I am prejudiced towards the inconsiderate. They may have legal rights to be pests, but it won't change my mind, or make me hold my tongue, so maybe I welcome a bit of smacking from them - at least it will get them removed.
Last edited by BonViveur; Aug 7, 2013 at 7:29 pm
Aug 7, 2013, 7:12 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,389
Aug 7, 2013, 7:12 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DFW
Programs: Marriott (Titanium); National (Exec); Hilton (Gold)
Posts: 175
Headsmacking may occur in some unsavoury places, but if it did, in a hotel lounge, I would expect to see the smacker imprisoned.
We weren't there. I have my own concept of appropriate and inappropriate, as we all do. Sometimes actions, dress, posture (slouching back with legs spread wide) , etc, give off a certain vibe. sometimes it's just someone dressing the way they like. Most people who say they dress for themselves (I am included in this) are lying to themselves. They're dressing to be noticed. Some will approve and some will not. You chose your dress, so deal with it.
I am a fashion risk taker but when a friend wanted to walk into a hotel wearing a cap that said " F$%K the police", I refused to go with him. It was inappropriate and asking for a problem. We are all entitled to do as we please, but the businesses we frequent are also entitled to ask you to change before entering.
Once, in first class, I travelled with a famous band. Their tour manager was in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals, which he flipped off, and started to pick dirt from his toenails. White, black, or green, he was out of order. The more fanciful, multi-ethnic bandmembers (Black Eyed Peas) looked a lot funkier, but were impeccably behaved. The manager was a classless, tasteless scumbag (IMO). He has proven this with well documented actions, in public.
Again, I wasn't there and can't speak to the OP's dress or the reactions he perceived, but I feel both sides have some responsibility. If you dress in a way that provokes, you should expect reaction, and if you are sensitive to others' appearance, chill a little.
We weren't there. I have my own concept of appropriate and inappropriate, as we all do. Sometimes actions, dress, posture (slouching back with legs spread wide) , etc, give off a certain vibe. sometimes it's just someone dressing the way they like. Most people who say they dress for themselves (I am included in this) are lying to themselves. They're dressing to be noticed. Some will approve and some will not. You chose your dress, so deal with it.
I am a fashion risk taker but when a friend wanted to walk into a hotel wearing a cap that said " F$%K the police", I refused to go with him. It was inappropriate and asking for a problem. We are all entitled to do as we please, but the businesses we frequent are also entitled to ask you to change before entering.
Once, in first class, I travelled with a famous band. Their tour manager was in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals, which he flipped off, and started to pick dirt from his toenails. White, black, or green, he was out of order. The more fanciful, multi-ethnic bandmembers (Black Eyed Peas) looked a lot funkier, but were impeccably behaved. The manager was a classless, tasteless scumbag (IMO). He has proven this with well documented actions, in public.
Again, I wasn't there and can't speak to the OP's dress or the reactions he perceived, but I feel both sides have some responsibility. If you dress in a way that provokes, you should expect reaction, and if you are sensitive to others' appearance, chill a little.
Aug 7, 2013, 7:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Taipei/Tampa.
Programs: CX DM, Marriott Plat, SPG lifetime, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 161
^^^
Headsmacking may occur in some unsavoury places, but if it did, in a hotel lounge, I would expect to see the smacker imprisoned.
We weren't there. I have my own concept of appropriate and inappropriate, as we all do. Sometimes actions, dress, posture (slouching back with legs spread wide) , etc, give off a certain vibe. sometimes it's just someone dressing the way they like. Most people who say they dress for themselves (I am included in this) are lying to themselves. They're dressing to be noticed. Some will approve and some will not. You chose your dress, so deal with it.
I am a fashion risk taker but when a friend wanted to walk into a hotel wearing a cap that said " F$%K the police", I refused to go with him. It was inappropriate and asking for a problem. We are all entitled to do as we please, but the businesses we frequent are also entitled to ask you to change before entering.
Once, in first class, I travelled with a famous band. Their tour manager was in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals, which he flipped off, and started to pick dirt from his toenails. White, black, or green, he was out of order. The more fanciful, multi-ethnic bandmembers (Black Eyed Peas) looked a lot funkier, but were impeccably behaved. The manager was a classless, tasteless scumbag (IMO). He has proven this with well documented actions, in public.
Again, I wasn't there and can't speak to the OP's dress or the reactions he perceived, but I feel both sides have some responsibility. If you dress in a way that provokes, you should expect reaction, and if you are sensitive to others' appearance, chill a little.
We weren't there. I have my own concept of appropriate and inappropriate, as we all do. Sometimes actions, dress, posture (slouching back with legs spread wide) , etc, give off a certain vibe. sometimes it's just someone dressing the way they like. Most people who say they dress for themselves (I am included in this) are lying to themselves. They're dressing to be noticed. Some will approve and some will not. You chose your dress, so deal with it.
I am a fashion risk taker but when a friend wanted to walk into a hotel wearing a cap that said " F$%K the police", I refused to go with him. It was inappropriate and asking for a problem. We are all entitled to do as we please, but the businesses we frequent are also entitled to ask you to change before entering.
Once, in first class, I travelled with a famous band. Their tour manager was in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals, which he flipped off, and started to pick dirt from his toenails. White, black, or green, he was out of order. The more fanciful, multi-ethnic bandmembers (Black Eyed Peas) looked a lot funkier, but were impeccably behaved. The manager was a classless, tasteless scumbag (IMO). He has proven this with well documented actions, in public.
Again, I wasn't there and can't speak to the OP's dress or the reactions he perceived, but I feel both sides have some responsibility. If you dress in a way that provokes, you should expect reaction, and if you are sensitive to others' appearance, chill a little.
Aug 7, 2013, 7:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: York, PA
Programs: MRSPG LT Tit, HH Diamond, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 1,737
if he is wearing baggy pants, who the hell cares? so long as i am not seeing your underwear, he should be free to dress as he sees fit in the lounge. i see middle-aged white guys coming into the lounge dripping sweat after coming straight from the gym; i also see middle-aged white moms stuffed into their teenager's juicy couture sweatsuits, and wearing spaghetti strap tanks that look like they came from baby gap- both images are far more offensive than a black guy wearing a XXL sweatshirt and hat. If you are polite and have your pants pulled up, I have no problem with you.
Aug 7, 2013, 7:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 102
OP F that guy and F anyone who thinks etiquette requires proper attire. It is not the 1950s. Etiquette these days only requires acting in a certain way. Just keep on rocking the hip hop gear, but make sure you keep giving the guy the friendly head nod.
Wouldn't be awesome if TallestHotelInJapan was that guy in the lounge
Wouldn't be awesome if TallestHotelInJapan was that guy in the lounge
Aug 7, 2013, 7:28 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 62
I don't travel for business so almost 100% of my travel is exclusively leisure. I have been able to attain SPG Platinum on my own dime but more and more I notice that I get looks and like earlier today in Sheraton CDG there was a guy that was visibly disturbed by my presence in the club lounge. A little background, I'm in my early 30's ( look like im in my early 20's) and from ethnic decent and like to dress in casual hip hop style wear (t shirt, jeans and a hat etc) but nothing outrageous or disrespectful to others such as sagging pants. I used to try to dress to blend in especially when traveling business or first class etc but decided a year back that I have just as much rights as anyone else to dress as I please but as stated above since I have done that I have noticed such negative looks especially in spg club lounges, exclusively by middle aged white men. The jerk today couldn't even bring himself to great me as I tried to diffuse the tension by giving him a friendly nod hello. I guess this post is just to remind folks to be civil and refrain from judging someone because they may have a hat turned backwards.
Aug 7, 2013, 8:29 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
I don't travel for business so almost 100% of my travel is exclusively leisure. I have been able to attain SPG Platinum on my own dime but more and more I notice that I get looks and like earlier today in Sheraton CDG there was a guy that was visibly disturbed by my presence in the club lounge. A little background, I'm in my early 30's ( look like im in my early 20's) and from ethnic decent and like to dress in casual hip hop style wear (t shirt, jeans and a hat etc) but nothing outrageous or disrespectful to others such as sagging pants. I used to try to dress to blend in especially when traveling business or first class etc but decided a year back that I have just as much rights as anyone else to dress as I please but as stated above since I have done that I have noticed such negative looks especially in spg club lounges, exclusively by middle aged white men. The jerk today couldn't even bring himself to great me as I tried to diffuse the tension by giving him a friendly nod hello. I guess this post is just to remind folks to be civil and refrain from judging someone because they may have a hat turned backwards.
Aug 7, 2013, 8:43 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AS,UA
Posts: 595
Your in Europe of course your going to get looks. I mean in Spain, Italy and other European countries its becoming common for Soccer fans to throw banana peels at opposing African players
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=130886&page=1
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=130886&page=1