Dignity has place on Halloween

Dan Faas, you’re not in the spirit of Halloween.

I’m glad another guy finally admits to feeling this same way. There are plenty of beautiful girls on this campus and there is no reason they need to sacrifice dignity to get noticed by a guy like me. You can have fun without selling yourself as a piece of meat!

Good letter Dan. Sadly, i dont think a lot of people will get it but thanks for sending the truth out there.

Bravo!

Thank you Dan. It’s encouraging to hear this from a guy!

There are so many guys who feel this way, and I’m one of them. Thanks for writing Dan!

While this might be a valiant argument in principle, either the tone or just the fact that it’s written by a man smacks of a slightly misogynistic view that women should hide their sexuality. This probably isn’t the intent, but any “uplifting” argument that women shouldn’t feel the need to dress “slutty” that includes a warning of “being taken advantage of by some drunken idiot at a party or bar” but doesn’t include the sentiment that this worry is 10x more deplorable than a overly sexy costume borders on victim-blaming and plays into the rape culture that pervades every college campus.

Annnnnnnd That didnt take long.

Thanks “Troubled” for letting us know that “just the fact that (this article) is written by a man” makes it “misogynistic”. [In case people dont know the definition of that is: a hatred of women, as a sexually defined group]

Really, you found this to exemplify hatred towards women? Where exactly? Please, i’d love to hear this reasoning.

What exactly is it you want, men to treat women like objects, or men to do the exact opposite of objectify women, to esteem their dignity and humanity?

This whole article reaks of benevolent sexism. I agree with “Troubled”. Why not write about the bigger issue here; a letter to the MEN of MSU informing them of the importance of treating women with respect regardless of what they are wearing—on Halloween or any day of the year. I especially do not like when you say that “Starbucks Girl” was “too pretty to parade [her] body around on a cold October night just for attention.” I’m not even sure what this really means…that attractive women are free from the need to exploit themselves but less attractive women should hike up their skirts and plunge their necklines?

reeeeeeally likes what Troubled had to say.

Halloween is one of the only excuses I ever get to dress in a show-stopping costume without getting as many “what a ho” glances at a party. Please don’t condescend and “tsk tsk” me!

What I am wearing as a Halloween costume does NOT have anything at ALL to do with what happens to me at a party…
…OR THE LEVEL OF DIGNITY WITH WHICH I AM TREATED.

Please. Starbucks Girl saying she was planning on “slutting it up” seems to go a little deeper than her choice of Halloween attire.

We’ll wear whatever we want. Please, try to keep your hands to yourself!

Nice job. I admire your sentiment a LOT…a lot of girls need to hear it. They probably won’t care or listen but as a woman, I appreciate this being said by a guy. Som thank you!!

Nice job. I admire your sentiment a LOT…a lot of girls need to hear it. They probably won’t care or listen but as a woman, I appreciate this being said by a guy. So, thank you!!

This is what we call ‘white knighting’. Guess what, the girls want to dress sexy and be looked at. That’s why they do it.

Fighting for their ‘virtue’ is demeaning to them and suggests that they’re incapable of acting virtuous on their own.

Troubled, it is far from misogynistic or sexist to suggest that a woman should “hide” her sexuality. In former days, this was called modesty and its purpose was to protect women from being used as objects of pleasure while positively affirming their dignity as women. Furthermore, the suggestion that a woman is more susceptible to sexual assault due to immodest dress is hardly victim-blaming.

Dan, I certainly hope you ignore the people who disagree with your article.

“This whole article reaks of benevolent sexism.” – GIVE ME A BREAK. Seriously, stop being ridiculous people, this article clearly shows that Dan has the utmost respect for women.

Of course most feminists are always unhappy with the little press coverage their cause gets. Take what you can get. This guy wrote a relative article that speaks to college students on an important topic.

“Halloween is one of the only excuses I ever get to dress in a show-stopping costume without getting as many “what a ho” glances at a party. Please don’t condescend and “tsk tsk” me!”

Feminist FAIL

@ FAIL

Thanks for not mistaking me as a feminist!

I’m an educated, grown woman who likes to dress show-stoppingly once in a while. I can’t wear my “Princess Peach” costume at work, can I? How about at college? How about at a family reunion? Oh, wait, Halloween is ACCEPTING of that kind of thing.

At a normal college or work party (not the super Greek beer fests you probably have in mind) people wear jeans and tees.

You people are all rediculous…If a woman wants an excuse to dress provocativly, she is well within her rights to take it, she dosent need an excuse really. A persons style of dress never indicates their personal worth either. Starbucks girl is also well within her rights to not be critisized for her costume of choice, or style of everyday dress, “slutty” or not.
As a man, I find sexy dressing women attractive…I also find intellegence, wit, tattoos, and glasses attractive; amongst many other things.

So let’s think about this. Dan, as a friend, I know that you definitely have good intentions for writing this article. I understand that you’re trying to help women by telling them that they’re worth more than how they look and dress.

However, you’re missing out on the bigger picture. “Feminist” had it right when she said that you should have written an article addressed to men on campus instead.

My freshman year of college, I dressed up as a Tiger’s player. I thought I had on a pretty decent outfit until I started seeing what other girls on my floor were wearing. Let’s just say, my ‘innocent’ upbringing had not prepared me for the suggestive outfits. But to fit in and go along with what now seemed like the “spirit of Halloween”, I wore a short jean skirt and unbuttoned the top two buttons of my Tiger’s jersey.

Thanks Dan, this needed to be said. I pray that the woman of East Lansing will listen and protect themselves.

etakhael, it is not an either/or question, “either women dress modestly or men respect their dignity.” Yes, an article that challenges men to respect women’s dignity is neccessary (in fact, Dan WROTE just such an article), but that does not preclude the need for an article that challenges women to dress and behave in a manner that reflects their dignity. And, despite what anyone says, behavior and manner of dress DOES make a difference in how women are treated. To suggest that women should be able to dress and act in a manner that is beneath their dignity and should expect to be treated differently is a recipe for DISASTER. Do not fall prey to this sophistry.

“ realize that I might not have changed your mind. But I also hope that after Halloween you realize that you are beautiful the other 364 days of the year, and you don’t need to show off your body simply to get noticed. I hope you know that you, like every single woman on this campus, are worthy of respect and deserve to be treated like a lady. If nothing else, know that.”

I love how somehow this article, with the quote above being the theme running throughout, has caused people to get really upset. His kindness is apparently an insult.

My thoughts exactly. More guys should think/act like this. The “Slut Rule” is obnoxious.

dan i think this is wonderful!! good job.

young women are worth so much more than what they show on halloween.

thanks dan!

Sursum Corda: “Troubled, it is far from misogynistic or sexist to suggest that a woman should “hide” her sexuality. In former days, this was called modesty and its purpose was to protect women from being used as objects of pleasure while positively affirming their dignity as women. Furthermore, the suggestion that a woman is more susceptible to sexual assault due to immodest dress is hardly victim-blaming.

Who wants to throw on some non-provocative costumes and go to my church’s “Hell House” this Holloween? It’ll be super duper fun!

But really though… This article comes off pretty self-righteous. Let the ladies wear what they want.

Obligatory religious tie-in.

2008 grad, in what way, precisely, does modesty or “rules that apply to women for their protection” misogynistic? As I’m sure you know, “misogynistic” means woman-hating. Why would one who hates women be concerned with their protection? Modesty neither assumes the alleged stupidity of women or their dependence on men. It is not man’s invention ordered toward the supression of women. It is, rather, ordered toward the full freedom and dignity of woman.
I agree with your statement about the psychology of sexual assault, but let us not presume therefore that modesty has nothing to do with how women are treated. This attitude is naive and ultimately endangers women.

Just because a girl dresses “sluttily” during Halloween does not mean that she acts sluttily.

Can’t a girl choose to dress provocatively, simply because they enjoy the confidence and compliments they receive from their outfit?

Does it always have to be assumed that if a girl is dressing sluttily, that they are asking for guys to take advantage of them?

Get real now, people.

I hope the starbuck girl will not get mad! BTW, this is a very way to initiate the chase of pretty girl!

Sursum Corda wrote: “To suggest that women should be able to dress and act in a manner that is beneath their dignity and should expect to be treated differently is a recipe for DISASTER.”

The only way for this to be a disaster is for a significant number of men to believe that certain types of dress give them permission to sexually harass or assault women they would otherwise not harass or assault.

The behavior of the men who adjust their moral standards based on what women are wearing is the core problem. Rapists who only attack scantily clad women are still rapists.

I am totally against his opinion; I like seeing girls in hot dress or no dress, which can ignite my passion and inspire my genius. Go naked, ladies!

“What red-blooded male doesn’t enjoy seeing seeing young women parade around half-naked…” Just curious — what color blood do gay men have?

Thanks Dan!! I never took offense to the slutty halloween costumes when I was in school. Now I have a daughter of my own and would be so sad if she chose to go out looking like some of the girls that I have seen. I hope that when she is old enough, she will make the choice to respect herself.

Actually, misogyny is the “hatred, dislike or mistrust of women.” I would say making special rules and laws for women would equate to not trusting women to take care of themselves, wouldn’t you?

And it would be pretty naive to believe that there are young women at MSU, or any other campus in the US who doesn’t know that simply walking with a vagina makes you vulnerable to rape.

I go to Espresso, but I think I might start going to Starbucks now.

dan, totally agree.

Feminists, don’t call for men to treat you as equals. Aim higher! Men should treat you better than themselves.

Confused Feminists, consider your real intention for your dress. You may have good cultural reasons, but don’t make your worth depend on how many dudes give you attention. If you didn’t “Slut it up” would your night be less fun? why? think about it (or just feel offended instead)

feel free to hate on his ideas… but at least check your motives and think about it

Uh, no one ever mentioned special rules or laws on women. Dan’s article was about making a better personal choice. Obviously you can make any choice you want but that doesn’t mean one isn’t better than another.

So, to answer your question, no, i dont think that telling us we’re much more valuable than what our sad culture tells us we are.

What if he wrote an article and replaced outfit with Anorexia (another symptom how women feel the need to objectify ourselves) and said that wasn’t in women’s best interest. Would you still have a problem? I mean, after all, he’s telling us women how to live our lives. I want to shed a few pounds that way so screw you! The misogyny!

In essence, you’re telling me that I should dress modestly so that boys respect me. Throughout this entire article not only are you condescending, but you also assume that I care what boys think of me. Funny things is whether or not the boys of MSU treat me like a lady, there are plenty of other men who will. I will not cover up my body because I am proud of it. Some girls flaunt their body some girls don’t; it’s a personal decision.

You should write an article addressed to men about their expectations of women and problems respecting women’s bodies. That may get to the true deeper issues touched on here.

seriously, halloween is the holiday that glorifies legalized rape. think about it—drunk sluts in “easy access” clothing and predatory rapists that can wear masks as they look for the “rape-bait”! halloween ROCKS! rape city for all those drunk slutty MSU co-eds!

I think its far more sexy to see an attractive girl in somesort of a costume that reveals nothing, rather than a chick in a “slutty” costume. the slutty costumes, while great at exposing your beautiful and sexy bodies…also expose something else… the mental issues you prolly have. Whether its your low self esteem/worth, attention whore syndrome, the need to be desired and wanted, etc.. whatever…. its like, get over yourself.

That Guy wrote: “You may have good cultural reasons, but don’t make your worth depend on how many dudes give you attention.”

This is your projection on not just one women but many woman based on nothing more than their clothing.

Women who always dress modestly can make their worth depend on how many dudes give them appropriate attention. If they believe that the way men treat them is an accurate measure of their worth they are just as mistaken as women who dress sexy for men’s approval.

2008 grad, let me be absolutely clear on this. Neither I nor any other person is blaming victims of rape. In fact, it was the feminist, not Mr. Faas or myself who brought up rape in the first place. This is because radical feminism is reducable to “All men hate women and want to either rape them or force them into subserviance or both, therefore any evidence to the contrary must either be false or indirectly confirm the assumption.” This is precisely what has happened in this conversation.

Steve, your assumption that a slutty costume equals the wearer having mental issues or any type of syndrome has no basis in fact.

Girls and women dress in many different ways for many different reasons. This is also true for boys and men.

If taking actions to attract attention is pathological then it is just as pathological when a guy lets girls or women admire his finely tuned abs or when he shows off any of his possessions to impress girls or women.

Dan, I thouroughly appreciate you trying to reach out to this “starbucks girl”. I don’t think your words are wrong, condescending, or have lack of halloween spirit. I wish young women would realize that they don’t need to reveal their body and that when they do that, they are sending the wrong message. So thank you for your encouraging words to every lady…it shows there are gentlemen out there who really care about women and their well being :o)

Girls should worry about dressing in a way that makes themselves feel comfortable. How can a girl be confident if she focuses on making herself fit into each and every boy’s definition of attractive?

I think guys are attractive based off of personality, intelligence, sense of humor, and physical appearance.

I don’t judge a guy based off of how “cool” his costume is because I don’t care what he wears.

I respect myself and in my mind my costumes are edgy, not slutty. Maybe my costumes fall into your definition of revealing. So be it. It doesn’t change the fact that I respect myself enough to be my own person.

College girls are the worst.

Dan, i couldn’t agree more. I think it’s time that people understand the problems our society is facing. It’s funny how we point fingers at other countries and say women are “oppressed” or whatever, but in reality, we here are equally oppressed in a different way. We have to dress “sexy” or slutty to fit in, to show that we EXIST. otherwise, we’re thrown into a corner and never looked twice at, further ruining our chances at finding someone. And in the case of halloween, another user had it right – there are so many ways to be proper yet classy without looking like a piece of meat!

Sursum Corda,

While I appreciate whole-heartedly your intent of upholding the dignity of women I fear that you miss where Dan Faas DOES indeed bring up sexual assault (but, not rape) specifically when he states that this woman was “too pretty” to be taken advantage of. What does being “taken advantage of” entail? I’d assume that if something happened to me that I didn’t want to be a part of that it would inevitably be some form of sexual assault (whether or not I was under the influence of alcohol).

Also, I believe you have the definition of radical feminism confused with something else.

True story. I agree women should wear what they want to wear, but YOU KNOW YOU CAN’T. Guys WILL AND DO rape when you dress like a whore. It’s sad but we all know it happens. That’s probably why he put this out there for WOMEN. He IS guy and he knows how guys think. DUH. Most women who do dress like this you usually hear 95% of the time whining because someone hit on them or said something to them they didn’t like. No guy should take advantage of any female for dressing like a slut, but they DO… so ladies suck up the truth and get the hell over it

Amanda wrote: “Guys WILL AND DO rape when you dress like a whore.”

If those guys are your friends, your classmate or your coworkers then you don’t want to be around them even if you don’t dress like a whore. Men who can find one reason to rape can find other excuses.

Guys WILL AND DO rape when you are a child under the age of 12 (15%).

The truth is that no matter how female victims can be described, positively or negatively, guys WILL AND DO rape them.

This is yet another great article, Dan. I love your work. You’ll go far someday.

As a side note, I’m tired so women justifying they’re provocative clothing as some sort of form of self-expression or expression of freedom. It’s a shameless plug for attention. Wearing next to no clothes on a cold night is not done because it’s comfortable or someone feels pretty in it. And if it is, then society is a fault. I find someone equally as attractive if they’re wearing sweats and their hairs in a ponytail, then a shanky pirate outfit.

Good job. You’re going to go far with thought provoking writing, saying the unpopular thing no less!

I liked this article. I think the comments shared show how different one article can appear to so many.

Dan, I hope you do call that Starbucks girl.

Also,on a completely different issue thanks for the heads up.

A quick note:

First, I’m glad you wrote this article. I’ve been annoyed with the slutty costumes/girls for years now.

Second, as a woman, I understand the desire to show off your sexy side- and there’s nothing wrong with that. But there’s sexy, and then there’s slutty. There’s a line, and every year, countless costumes cross it, and I really can’t respect the girls that choose to go out like that. You’re cold, you’re uncomfortable, and probably making adjustments to your hemline or bustline every few minutes for a little extra attention that isn’t the sort of attention anyone really wants.

Dan- while i understand your point..why not take a look at your own sex. Men wear riduculously stupid costumes with overtly sexual tones and your not calling them out. Example: Various costumes which have some humurous object right near the genitals in a way to make people look there

And hey what about an article for the freshman during welcome week too

You’re college girls. It’s Halloween.

Do your job and look good for me.

Booooorrriiing. Yet another white boy who thinks his patronizing, victim-blaming sexism is interesting and something intelligent adults want to hear.

Stale, flaccid, boring tripe.

It is one day a year where it is socially acceptable for any girl, or GUY, to dress like a slut.

Every girl wants to live this out, just once a year, let them have it! This is a day where they can dress in short skirts, and push up bras and not be labeled a slut.

Have you been out on halloween? Plenty of shirtless guys too

Point being, no one is forcing this on them, if they didn’t want to do it, they wouldn’t. Let the ladies, and us men, have their one day!

“This is a day where they can dress in short skirts, and push up bras and not be labeled a slut.”

Really? What would you “label” this costume as? “Self-sufficient Independent Woman?” “Confident College Student?” “Positive Female Self-Image?”

Don’t delude yourself. Women who dress this way know that they are dressing up slutty, drawing attention to their bodies and not their minds.

Zeke, I would label it as a halloween costume. Period…… If it was a random Tuesday at class, maybe a little skanky.

Let everyone wear what they want, that is why they are called costumes and not everyday apparel

Bravo.

Zeke, “Basically, they’re taunting men with their sexuality.”? Oh, boy, this lame excuse should have been retired decades ago.

If you oppose the current trend in Halloween costumes for girls and women, complain to the retailers and the companies which market these offensive costumes. Picket in front of the stores. As Dan wrote:

“I know it’s not easy for women like you to find costumes that consist of more than one square foot of fabric.

i’ve read all the comments—and,it is time to state the OBVIOUS…
women who dress “slutty” on Halloween WANT TO BE RAPED!!

plain and simple…

(***also, if those same “sluttily-dressed” girls get drunk and trashed—they WANT TO BE GANG-RAPED!)

plain and simple…

“You’re college girls. It’s Halloween.

Do your job and look good for me.”

RRRACK

not sure if anyone else has this, I think it’s pretty ironic myself. I have an ad on the side of my screen for halloweenexpress.com. It also says “ be anything you want to be” and has a hot girl in a pirate costume hahahaahah

Awesome product placement!

I wouldn’t mind seeing SNews Dan in a gladiator costume.

I find it far more annoying when girls cover up.

You’re a college girl. You really don’t have much value to the world right now. Look good for the men that will support you someday when that degree in psychology fails to land a job.

always consider the source: “my link”: http://www.lifeteen.com/default.aspx?PageID=RTHOME

Thank you, Dan, for this. I always enjoy your articles and often agree with your words.

We, as females, do love to feel attractive. Different things make different people feel this way, and who are we to judge? BUT…what kind of man are you asking to attract when dressing in a provocative manner? Perhaps girls are looking for fun, and nothing serious, but to me, why would you ask for the attention of a man who is only interested in putting his hands on your body and ignoring every other aspect of what makes you YOU? Are the men you’re trying to attract really the men you want to end up with?

I know what I wrote and yes I know there are other reasons why some guys do what they do rather females dress like a slut or not, but dressing with respect is just another way to be safe. Have you never been in a bar before, are you gonna sit here and tell me girls who dress like that get hit on LESS than girls that aren’t dressed like that?? I’m a female, and I know how girls think and are.

Seems everyone is taking this way to seriously.

However the part about “…and far too pretty to risk being taken advantage of by some drunken idiot at a party or bar.” suggests she is incapable of ensuring that she is not taken advantage of, that it is somehow out of her control and she would just be a helpless victim.

“Let everyone wear what they want, that is why they are called costumes and not everyday apparel.”

Your naivety is amazing here. You bring up every day apparel, which highlights the point: you dress according to where you are going to be. You wear business clothes to work because you want to look professional. You wear workout clothes to the gym because you expect to sweat and be mobile.

I think it’s important to point out that Dan isn’t arguing for a law that restricts the rights of women to dress in sexy Halloween costumes.

He’s speaking to the social pressure that exists to push women to wear revealing costumes, which I certainly have felt on many a Halloween night in East Lansing.

Ideally, women should not feel too much social pressure to wear overly revealing clothes or overly modest clothing.

What business of yours is it what some girl you don’t know decides to wear?

And why was this not an open letter to the men on campus who are apparently planning to get drunk at these parties and RAPE their fellow classmates? Why aren’t we condemning that behavior instead of blaming women for potentially being the victim of a crime?

And it’s times like these when I am soo glad I’m graduating in May. These victim blaming articles that are all over the state news make me absolutely ashamed to be a spartan.

Thank you very much Dan.I hope you are happily married to a woman that deserves you and shares your beliefs. I wish I met European men like you before. I had a hard time finding a husband because the only men I met with the values above happened to be Indian and due to my family and physical preferances I prefer European. But luckily I found an Armenian-Sicilian man who belives in dignity, pride, honour, respect,etc so I am happy. Took online dating to do so though.

“And why was this not an open letter to the men on campus who are apparently planning to get drunk at these parties and RAPE their fellow classmates? Why aren’t we condemning that behavior instead of blaming women for potentially being the victim of a crime?”

Sigh. Nice attempt to hijack a thread about class and dignity into claims that the author condones rape.

Darko— just want you to know I’m praying for you. I’m sure that’s the last thing you want to hear, but deal. Girls aren’t looking to impress guys like you. Grow up a little. Thanks for your opinions, Dan. It’s encouraging to hear.

Zeke wrote: “If they want to be looked at as more than just a sex object, it’s a good idea to dress the part. Men are animals like other animals, and the desire to procreate … If it could, assault against women would have ended a long time ago.”

This theory is contradicted by extensive research on sexual assault and it is contradicted by research on the behavior of animals.

I think we’re looking at this the wrong way, people.

I think the men need to slut it up and show more skin. Even the playing field. You can’t judge someone elses character if you don’t have any dignity yourself. Problem solved.

Nicely written, Dan. It is illogical for women to be surprised by a lack of respect from men when they lack respect for themselves. Guys will behave as much of gentlemen as women require of them. Us women need to demand more of ourselves and of the men in our lives. Men need to do the same for themselves and the women in theirs. Girls be ladies; boys become men by honoring women and treating them more than objects.

Seriously Dude??!! Lighten up a little bit, it’s a holiday. This is the one day out of the year that young ladies get to act out their fantasies by dressing provocatively and engaging in unhealthy amounts of binge drinking with their admiring male counterparts. I for one, am not going to lose any sleep over it.

Franny Glass wrote: “Guys will behave as much of gentlemen as women require of them.”

So what you’re saying is all guys are sluts at heart and those who don’t behave like sluts are only doing so because women are blocking them from expressing their inner slutitude.

In response to Abyss2hope, that is not at all the point I was trying to get across. What I meant that the guys that treat women poorly, like Tucker Max in “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell”, get away with it only because of ridiculous stereotypes perpetuating the image that all guys are sex-crazed assholes that don’t know the meaning of respect or restraint. I know too many genuinely good guys to expect that behavior of men as a whole. If we expected more from everyone (both men and women, if you bothered to read the rest of my comment), the people that don’t respect others will have no room to operate.

Franny, I did read your whole original comment and nothing in it contradicted the statement where you put the responsibility for men’s behavior onto women.

Maybe you’ve heard that statement so often that you didn’t think about all of it’s implications.

If men are respectful then they will respect all girls and women — even those who don’t respect themselves. Men who don’t respect all girls and women, including all those who don’t respect themselves, are not respectful or respectable men.

You know abyss, that sword cuts both ways. If you replaced the genders in your last sentence above i highly doubt you’d follow your own advice. All of your posts really seem to indicate a large lack of respect for the male gender in its entirety.

The group of men and women that are respectful to absolutely everyone, regardless of situation, are obviously not the target audience for this piece. I am curious as to whether anyone can be considered truly respectable according to your standards. No one is perfect but everyone should attempt to behave in the way that he or she is best able to encourage an environment of mutual respect.

WHY do ‘feminists’ feel empowered by dressing so scantily?? I wish girls had the self confidence to respect themselves. Why not pursue a career in a male dominated field?? Or get a superior education? WHY OH WHY do women sell themselves so short (no pun intended). If my daughter felt like she had to wear nothing to get a man’s attention (hello, it just takes a LOOK at a guy to get him riled up), I would put my daughter in counseling. SO SADDD!!!!

Interesting wrote: “If you replaced the genders in your last sentence above i highly doubt you’d follow your own advice. All of your posts really seem to indicate a large lack of respect for the male gender in its entirety.”

In it’s entirety? Interesting choice of words. So if I don’t respect the man who shoots up a mall, I disrespect men?

There is a difference in respectful treatment of all people and admiration for all people.

Franny wrote: “The group of men and women that are respectful to absolutely everyone, regardless of situation, are obviously not the target audience for this piece.”

The problem with this is that Dan made the assumption that Starbucks Girl is not respectful on the basis of nothing more than a snippet of conversation and her clothing choice for 1 holiday which he conflated with her not respecting herself. That’s stereotyping and it feeds the disrespectful attitudes toward many girls and women which too often leads to disrespectful actions from harassment to the crime of rape.

Darko and Zack,

Like Carly, I am praying for you.

To Franny Glass,

Thank you for your words. I could not agree more.

To everyone,

“A different meaning has to be understood.” – Siddhattha Gotama

“Espresso Girl” lost all credibility when she cited a fat guy who preaches self-discipline.

As if Buddhism has ANYTHING to do with this. Could there BE a more desperate attempt to sound intelligent than quoting Buddah? Pathetic.

Espresso Girl is pretty awesome.

I think the column and (some)of the responses are all as right as they are wrong. Dressing provocatively can be an empowering declaration – for men and women – but only if you understand that not all will welcome it or find it sexy or respect you for it. Men are more than one- dimensional and hey – women are too. I for one respect Dan for giving his opinion which flies in the face of conventional wisdom about male impulse, but I also understand why women might take issue with his sentiments.

Now, if we could only get those derned altar boys to stop wearing provocative little vestments during Sunday Mass. You know, the little sluts only do it to lead us into temptation.

“On the other hand, if Starbuck Girl wants to dress slutty – she should go for it – just don’t be offended if others are unimpressed.”

Obviously, some pervert was titillated by a mere conversation on which he eavesdropped. Can’t imagine what this idiot would have done if he had actually seen her dressed “slutty.” Of course, whatever his actions would have been, would really have been her fault.

“What red-blooded male doesn’t enjoy seeing seeing young women parade around half-naked…” Just curious — what color blood do gay men have?

Lavender, DUH….

WELL SAID! As an Alum, I look back and suddenly the “slutty costumes” aren’t so sexy anymore… Just tasteless! Glad you wrote this! Hopefully it can change the mind of at least one girl!!!

Think of it this way: If I had NO SELF WORTH, NO RESPECT FOR MYSELF, and wanted to be OBJECTIFIED by every male walking around, you would dress permiscuously. It’s a catch 22. I don’t want attention scream the women, but at the same time, they are wearing less clothing then they would to their parents house. It just shows the degration of our current youth. I salute you sir, for having the tanacity to write this column. I would say that you are succesful if one women decides to NOT slut it up this year.

The funniest part is the girls that dress up the most skanky are doing the walk of shame the next morning in a torn, ripped, and otherwised dishevled costume from the night previous. Just wait, it’s as sure and the sunrise.

Thanks so much for writing this!
It’s good to know that there are some guys left on this campus (and on this planet, for that matter) with morals, who care about their female counterparts for more than their bodies!

“TROUBLED” “FEMINIST” and “ANOTHER STARBUCKS GIRL” your morons! dressing slutty = dressing slutty. your not enlightened or independent, your just SLUTTY! The girl I had the biggest crush on when i was at State was this girl who was beautiful, but didnt dress slutty.

Hey “some girls are dumb,” I was just reading and laughing aloud because you graduated from college(which means at least 16 years of schooling) and still do not know the difference between your and you are…..as in you are or you’re a dumbass

i agree all women have the right to dress “slutty”—anytime (not just Halloween). as long as they don’t cry “RAPE”! when they wake up the next day in a heap of blood, puke, cum, piss and shit—i say more power to them.

I have to agree with Dan on one thing only; there’s a place for dignity on Halloween. However this has little to do with what people wear and a lot with how people act. If people quit going out on Halloween or every other State event like it were their first beer than people would respect each other no matter how good, bad, slutty, or reserved that person looked. Let’s not forget that it’s Halloween not a job interview. The whole point is to look like something you’re not otherwise people may not know you’re participating. Priest dress up as Satan and goody two shoes dress up as sluts. While Sluts just dress up. Remember dudes, respect your B’s and wear your C’s!

Dear Dan,
Don’t worry. I am dressing up as a slutty WWF wrestler, that way, if anyone tries to violate me, I can just beat them up. I would however like to send out a little encouragement to all of MSU men out there,,,, It’s alright, you don’t have to wear something that draws attention to how proud you are of you penis, or something hyper masculine that you get to pair a weapon with just for us ladies to notice you. I can’t wait for Halloween!!

I think some of you are failing to take this article in the spirit it was meant. Two years ago on Halloween I stood in line behind a woman wearing a bra and a miniskirt. She didn’t even bother to have ears on, or wings (not that that would have made it much better). It’s one thing to wear a sexy looking costume, it’s another to just wear your underwear and call it good. Yes, women can wear what they want.

Whatever, she will “slut it up” anyway nobody will convince her otherwise.

Shallow people usually have better stuff in life than they deserve.

JANUS you are a genious! It all comes down to respecting your "B's" and making sure someone is wearing thier "C's" lol and having some fun. Well Said Janus

“while sluts will just dress up” haha so true

Dan Faas.. you are gorgeous. Hit me up.

My boyfriend, Charles, showed me this article after I decided to hang up the slutty costumes 3 years ago. Last year I was a nerd…a really dorky one and this year I was a “killer” bee. I know that probably sounds dumb to most of you, but I had a lot of fun. A girl friend of mine told me I looked ridiculous and needed to slut it up. I was just going to a house party with close friends while she was going out to Montrose with other girls in their…costumes.

Halloween… the perfect day to dress like a slut and not get judged.

At least she could have worn a bikini top… a bra? really?

http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/sunshineyday/bra.jpg

Since I can’t beat ‘em, I’ll join ‘em, and wear a nice slutty outfit next year that’ll make Borat’s beachwear look conservative.