So yesterday I was on the 6:30 AM flight from San Diego to San Francisco for a business trip. It was Southwest airlines, so I got my window seat, and the other two seats next to me filled up.

I noticed the young man next to me, in a suit, kept squirming, adjusting his tie and jacket, and seemed really uncomfortable -- like it was the first time he'd ever worn a suit. He also kept open a portfolio he had, where I spotted a resume.

So I asked him, "Going on a job interview, huh?"
He was surprised, but affirmed he was. "How did you know?" he asked.
"Well, you look like you've never worn a suit before, and are very uncomfortable in it. And you keep checking your resume, and acting very nervous," I said.

He was a senior at UCSD, graduating this spring in economics, and going to interview for a financial consulting firm. He admitted he was nervous. And he never wore suits. We talked a bit, I reminded him to relax and be himself, gave him a couple of interview tips, etc. We landed, he thanked me, I wished him good luck, and he hurried off the plane.

All this time the woman in the aisle seat had been casting curious looks at us, but remained silent. When the young man hurried off, she said to me, "My son won't have that problem."
"What problem?" I asked her.
"Being uncomfortable in a suit. He's worn suits since before he was a teenager, and he'll wear one every day for a couple of years soon, before he goes on such an interview."
"You're mormon," I said.
"Yes!" she replied enthusiastically.
"Yeah, I did a mormon mission. The suits were uncomfortable, but the garments were worse. Sure glad I don't have to wear them anymore since I left the cult," I said.

Seriously dirty look.

I smiled.

She hurried off ;)

Yeah, because interviewing for your future career and landing a good job is really just all about the suit. Good for her son, he's got it made!

Yeah, then there's that BYU degree he'll have to explain...:)

Jonny the Smoke Wrote:
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> ...really just all about the suit.

And the secret handshake.

And the magic underwear.

Ah, isn't it lovely to encounter the smug superiority of a mo in the wild? They cannot resist pointing out to anyone around them that they are better, smarter and, doggone it, holier than all of us unwashed sinners.

SMH

You're encounter with the mormon is the perfect example of a mic' drop.

"Sure glad I don't have to wear them anymore since I left the cult--I'm out." Thud!

Honestly, I've never seen a Mormon missionary that looks all that comfortable in a shirt, tie, and/or suit. I guess it's the age. They'll grow into it.

Someone's going to be part of a FPL at F&T meeting this week...:D

Bravo, ificouldhietokolob!

"My son won't have that problem."
Ugh. the arrogance always turned me off, even before I left the church.

"My son won't have that problem." What a condescending ass she was! She should have said, "I admire these young people finding there way in life. You were a good guy to reassure him." Seriously, how hard is it not to be a jerk.

Knowing you Hie, I'd imagine that young man greatly appreciated your support and reassuring words!

I was never uncomfortable in a suit. By the time I went on my mission, I was used to wearing one on Sundays anyway. It's like the mormon male uniform. So when I went on job interviews later in life, putting on a suit and tie wasn't any different from what I was used to.

But what a price to pay. Two years of free labor, ten percent of my income before and afterward, psychological trauma to deal with after leaving, loss of friends and some critical life experiences missed, all in exchange for being taught how to tie a tie at a young age.

The consolation: I haven't wore a suit and tie for several years now.

Went into town late for smokes one night and saw one of the HP's in dad's quorum checkin' out the porn at the convenience store...with a prominent bump in his slacks...until he saw me, turned beet red and scurried out of the store like a scared cat. It was a delicious moment.

RB