Not my own story, but my original retelling of a public one.

Back in the summer of 2017, Devon (in the UK) was suffering from a heat wave. The boys suffered the unbearable heat in trousers. Girls were luckier - skirts were part of the school uniform.

One boy, Ryan, asked his teacher for an exception due to the heat, but was told that all clothes worn must be a part of the approved school uniform, without exception. Another boy who asked was given a sarcastic reply: “Well, you can wear a skirt if you like.”

Cue malicious compliance.

The next day, Ryan came to school in his uniform. Every item he wore was on the approved list - including his official school skirt.

Pretty soon, nearly all the lads were wearing skirts.

A few days later, after the worst of the heat wave was over, the headteacher announced that shorts would be allowed as part of the official school uniform starting the next school year.

TL;DR: School won’t allow boys to wear shorts in extreme summer heat because it’s not on the approved uniform list but sarcastically points out that they can wear skirts. Boys wear said skirts. School gives in and adds shorts to the list.

Original articles:

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/22/teenage-boys-wear-skirts-to-school-protest-no-shorts-uniform-policy

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jun/23/exeter-schools-uniform-resolve-melts-after-boys-skirt-protest

    • @Tesco
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      141 year ago

      When I was at school the uniform was just a basic pull over jumper, polo shirt and skirt/trousers. They were pretty effective at getting you caught if you decided to bunk off, like I did during PE and RE.

      The uniform kids have to wear these days, which is basically a full on suit looks so uncomfortable, especially in the summer.

      • Eavolution
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        61 year ago

        I’m from NI where all the schools have uniforms. Shirt, tie, trousers, wool blazer generally although some are nylon blazers. It’s not too bad if you take your blazer off when its warm and I did like not having to think about clothes.

        Also blazers are amazing for pockets.

  • @Bearbie
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    241 year ago

    Maybe I should try this with my work… Hospital office setting. No scrubs, just casual office wear. But women can wear dresses and skirts… I’m stuck wearing khaki pants. It suuucks.

    • @TurboDiesel
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      1 year ago

      Buy a kilt; it’s like a skirt, but with pockets!

      • @[email protected]
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        41 year ago

        Are you thinking of a utili-kilt? I don’t think traditional kilts have pockets; that’s what the sporran is for.

  • Hell yeah…I’ve been dying to wear shorts at work. I could provide numerous examples of Fire Departments that wear shorts…but, nope…EMS peeps are stuck in pants. BS!

    • @[email protected]
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      141 year ago

      Personally, when I’m doing direct patient care, I want as much of me covered as I can tolerate. Like, yes, it sucks horrendously doing CPR in full isolation gear, but I’d rather have that than have fluids touch my skin anywhere.

      • Fine for you. Doesn’t bother me. Very easy to wash off your knees if some how you kneel in fluids. But, if you control your scene well enough, that shouldn’t be an issue.

        • @[email protected]
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          61 year ago

          Most of my time as an EMT was as an ER tech in a peds hospital and kiddos are astonishingly good at getting all kinds of fluids all over the place.

  • @dystopM
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    131 year ago

    I remember reading about this! Good retelling!

  • @Audbol
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    121 year ago

    That’s a prime example, well done!

  • I Cast Fist
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    91 year ago

    I hope the boys also upped their fake scottish accents to further make the point

  • @TIEPilot
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    61 year ago

    The Scots had it right all along…

  • @uis
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    English
    11 year ago

    Scotland forever