Keepin' 'em guessing, and the inevitable question of etiquette

[featherynscale]

Conversation of the day at the office:

EVIL VP (to Friendly Sales Guy): I'll just have [Shortened form of my name] take care of that for you.
EVIL VP shuts his door.
FSG (to me): You know, I think, until you tell me otherwise, I think I'll stick with [Full version of my name, which I, of course, prefer].
ME: I appreciate that. I really prefer [Full version]. At least, until I have my operations. Then, I'll thank you to call me Mike.
FSG stares.
ME: Or, you know, until I change my last name to something with more than one syllable. Then you can call me [Short Form]. Or Mike. Either one.
FSG stares.
ME: I just need to decide on the new last name. I've been thinking about Von Doom. But I think that's taken already.
And then, more staring. It must be Monday, because the sense of humor has gone steadily downhill since about 1:00.

Anyway, I also need an etiquette check, if you all would be so kind. I've been thinking about what to do for my birthday party, which is coming up here. Masked orgies were suggested, but I really think that's impractical until we finish remodeling the basement. Last year, I had a Boys in Eyeliner party, but that's sort of discriminatory, which is not cool. I still want boys in eyeliner though, I just want everybody to have a chance to dress up. So I was thinking about having some sort of gender-bending costume party, and ask everyone to come as some gender orientation other than the one they usually project. Could be drag, could be androgyne, could be just a different take on things, girls who are normally butch coming in frilly prom dresses, that sort of thing. I think this would be fun. However, I am aware that most people in the world probably don't think of gender as something you play with (either because That Sort Of Thing Is Unnatural or because Gender Struggles Are Serious Business And Don't You Dare Mock My Pain). So, do you think this would be offensive?

Comments

[beccak1961.livejournal.com]

There are friends I have that would think it very cool, and those who wouldn't think it was cool at all. I think the offensiveness (sp?) scale really depends on who you're asking and how well you know them. I'd totally stick on a fake beard, stick a sock in my pants, and have a great time... but it really depends on who you want to invite.

[fionnabhar.livejournal.com]

Go study your math.

[beccak1961.livejournal.com]

My living room is clean.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Hey now. No persecution in the comments thread. She knows she's supposed to be studying. :)

[fionnabhar.livejournal.com]

Just practicing.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Good times. Since I don't know you all that well yet, I really appreciate your opinion -- when you hang out with the same crowd all the time, you get to know their expectations and issues, but you can start to forget that there might be norms other than yours, you know?

I'll post more specific detail as I think of it...

[beccak1961.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I am occasionally reminded what I find funny, others do not, or what I find inoffensive, others do not.