I Am Furious!

[TradMom]

+Praised be Jesus Christ!
+St.Joseph, pray for us!

Dear Phatmassers,

I have never done this before, so forgive my passion (and fury!). Saturday night, a client of my husband's invited us to dinner. He is a well respected businessman, so I have no idea what he was thinking. He brought us to a restaurant in Hollywood and there - before my very eyes - the entire waitstaff (as far as I could tell) was dressed in Catholic school uniforms (with VERY short skirts).

My husband and I were flabbergasted. The wife of the business associate was embarrassed, knowing we are practicing Catholics, with two daughters as nuns. We left, but not before I asked to speak to the manager. I was told he "was too busy."

The skirts' on the girls were very short - to the extreme, the shirts (well, I don't need to go into details) but there was NO MISTAKING that they were mocking a Catholic school uniform, and there was no mistaking the fact that they were sexualizing these young women (and obviously the girls who DO attend Catholic schools). The fact that the only females who would actually wear Catholic school uniforms are young UNDERAGE women doesn't seem to be an issue to any of the customers there. In my opinion, this kind of thing openly encourages the premature sexualization (activity, etc) of young women, and of course condones and encourages ephebophilia, mixed in the "Catholic school girl" fetish. Amongst other things too vile to mention here.

I am quite willing to believe that I am overly sensitive to this issue, as I take my Faith very seriously and I attempt to do all I can to raise good children. (Boys and girls) In full disclosure, I also realize that as the mother of nuns, I am also too aware of the sexualized stereotypes perverts have created with women religious AND of course teenagers in their uniforms!. The more I thought of this, the more angry I became. I also considered the fact that this is one more example of "open season" on Catholics! I don't think there is any other religion that is subject to such obvious, offensive persection as we are.

Obviously, I will be contacting as many people as possible, to explain my issues and beg that this tawdry exploitation of young women be stopped immediately. In retrospect, I believe the client felt we would like it because we are obviously Irish (at least one of us is!) and good-naturedly thought it would be fun. His judgment was terrible, and luckily, his wife agreed with my husband and me.

My "Lenten project" today will be to contact as many people as possible in the hopes they will join me in writing (at least a post card!) to this place. I thought I would start with Phatmass. I believe that all members here will agree with me. Of course we understand that young women need to work, but since a requirement of their job is wear a completely offensive uniform (and God help us - some of them might not realize how completely offensive it is!) I am praying that if enough of us write, we will see some results. I just want to make clear that I don't anyone (except the pervert who came up with this idea!) to lose their job. I know it is difficult out there.

I know we have many non-Catholics on this forum, but I believe our non-Catholic friends share a respect of our Faith and hold their own belief system dearly - and understand the need to be respectful and not place any religion in a position of mockery or the fodder for sexualization!

I am just going to put it out there and and BEG all of our Phatmassers to drop this place a note. (Or anyone else you can think of - please alert me if you can think of some other resources. I will contact the Catholic League next! Any other forums I can contact!?) I don't even want to think of what kind of foolery this place will engage in come St. Patrick's Day - right around the corner!

[size="3"]Dillon's Irish Pub & Grill
6263 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 315-9744
Founder: Omar Moss[/size]

I am going to thank ALL of you in advance. God bless your sincere devotion to our Faith and since I have seen so many of stand up for the Faith in so many ways, I have perfect confidence you will take this cause into your hearts. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to write a letter or a postcard, please keep this intention in your Lenten prayers. My daughters are not allowed mail during Lent, but their Mother Prioress/Mother Abbess (respectively) have already been sent an emergency SOS prayer intention!

I have entrusted this cause to St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of the Universal Church, who most certainly will pull through for us.

God bless my dear Phatmassers! Knowing I could post here first thing Monday morning was the one thing that calmed me down (that - and of course - prayer!).

Pax,
TradMom

[homeschoolmom]

Is this the place? http://www.dillonsirishpub.com/ There's an online contact, too.

What were the male employees wearing? Just as a point of interest... I'll bet it was normal clothing. I hate places like that.

[add]

you (anyone) can send a review to: http://www.zagat.com/Verticals/PropertyDetails.aspx?VID=8&R=146962 ([url="http://www.zagat.com/Verticals/PropertyDetails.aspx?VID=8&R=146962"]My link[/url]) or directly at http://www.dillonsirishpub.com/
five thumbs down

[Lil Red]

+JMJ+
use parts of their about me page against them. http://www.dillonsirishpub.com/about-us/
[quote]We are dedicated to providing a home for the entire community, locals and tourist alike.[/quote]

[quote]Every customer who comes through our doors will leave impressed by Dillon's and excited to come back.[/quote]

[quote]That said, we fully understand the importance of keeping our neighborhood safe and we plan to enforce that by maintaining an on-going respected establishment and a professional security presence.[/quote]

[quote]We will create a restaurant that is comprehensive and exceptional in its attention to detail of operation and provide all whom work within our company a cooperative and rewarding environment, in turn encouraging long term growth and pride.[/quote]

[Hilde]

Tacky. Totally inappropriate.

[loveletslive]

i don't think you should take it so personally... :\ that's just how pop culture is.

[Varg]

How could you tell they were Catholic school uniforms, did they have crosses on them or something?

[Totus Tuus]

There is a very popular British restaurant in a very posh area of my city at which the waitstaff wear the same outfits. I think it is a trend in British pub-style restaurants these days. I find it tacky, and I probably won't go there again, but I wouldn't be so furious about it.

[CatherineM]

Doesn't matter what kind of school uniform it might have been, it was still sexualizing underage girls and not appropriate for a family restaurant. Sounds like it was basically a Hooters. Hopefully people will vote with their wallets in addition to contacting the restaurant.

[brightsadness]

Wrote on letterhead from work. Indicated concern about offending corporate clients. Hope it helps.

Anya

[Dave]

While you're at it, you ought to contact the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights -- www.catholicleague.com . Dressing like slutty "Catholic schoolgirls" is anti-Catholic, pure and simple.

[Varg]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' date='01 March 2010 - 03:38 PM' timestamp='1267475894' post='2064880']
There is a very popular British restaurant in a very posh area of my city at which the waitstaff wear the same outfits. I think it is a trend in British pub-style restaurants these days. I find it tacky, and I probably won't go there again, but I wouldn't be so furious about it.
[/quote]
Just to let you know, this sort of thing doesn't hapeen in [i]actual[/i] British pubs.

*Shudders at the thought of a hairy male bartender with no teeth in a skimpy skirt*

[TradMom]

+Praised be Jesus Christ!

Thanks so much Phatmassers!

To answer a few questions....

I didn't see any male employees - that's not to say there aren't any, I just didn't see them. And yes, from what I understand about "Hooters" - I think this might be the idea.

No, I didn't see any "Crosses or Catholic Symbols" on the uniforms, but there was absolutely NO DOUBT to any even the most casual viewer - they were dressed as "Catholic school girls."

I do take it personally. Women are objectified a daily basis and in our society, it is a constant battle. I am trying to raise strong, independent, faithful women who respect their bodies, their culture and Faith. I realize that there are people who have sexual fantasies, fetishes, etc., about young people (and considering the climate in our Church regarding sex abuse - this does not seem like a good time - as if there ever were a good time!) to promote this. As I said before, ONLY underage "girls" would wear this kind of a uniform. I do not appreciate a restaurant catering to the sick fantasies of people - and at its worst - frankly, they promote it. I DO take it personally.

Finally, a part of my fury does come from the fact that it is totally acceptable (even funny to some) that Catholics can be bashed, made fun of, mocked, etc., with no - or very little - consequence. It is very difficult for me to think of ANY other religion that is so casually mocked and ridiculed - and when we show our disgust, righteous anger or sensitivity - we are told to get over it, it's not that big of a deal, etc. Television shows do it (Larry David's HBO show is a great example) and I do not believe - for one second - that if a Catholic were to do to other religions what we experience on a daily basis, we would be supported for our sense of humour and sense of fun.

As a woman of Faith, attempting my best to raise good, solid Catholics - attempting to keep them safe (my boys AND girls) - this does anger me. I believe when we stop paying attention to these things - little as they may seem to some of us- they become more and more acceptable - and less and less important.

I am deeply sorry if my fury is bothersome to some of you - but I hope you can stand back and think about this through the eyes of a caretaker (I'm even sure you need to be a woman or a mother to see the problems with this.)

For those of you with the resources, support and prayers - God bless you!

Pax,
TradMom

[Varg]

But how can you be so sure that they were Catholic schoolgirls?

Edited March 1, 2010 by Varg

[AccountDeleted]

Living in a country (Australia) where all of the schoolgirls wear uniforms, I wonder if indeed they were particularly being Catholic or just being schoolgirls in uniform. The point is still the same of course, as you said, they are still promoting an attraction for underage girls, so I do understand your concern.

That being said, I hope you can find it in your heart to realize that not everyone was blessed to be raised in the faith, and some of this stuff that happens out in the world is not meant as an evil (although it is), but as a vain attempt to be funny or to be commercially enticing.

The reason I say this, is not to change your opinion, which I agree with completely, but to perhaps cool some of your anger and convert it into compassion for those who have not been blessed with what you have, faith in God and a desire to please him, and a strong moral compass. Please hear me, I am not excusing what has been done, but I am saying that it isn't necessarily done out of malice, but more out of ignorance. When Jesus said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." I think He was speaking for all of the things that we humans do out of ignorance as well.

This restaurant owner needs our prayers most especially, that he might have some kind of an ah-ha moment to realize that what he is doing is not really as funny or entertaining as he thinks it is, and that he needs to rethink his whole 'theme'. He sees a commercial need to draw people into his restaurant, and your rage might just do that if enough publicity is generated to the general public, who love a good 'sex' scandal, especially anything relating to the Church. I just say, walk softly here in your very righteous anger, and carry a big stick (prayer).

They are wrong, you are right. Now also be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove.

Edited March 1, 2010 by nunsense