General Discussion

In the 1990s, I was a more or less prominent software reviewer for one of the two main PC-oriented magazines. I was in NYC to attend PC Expo, one of the larger computer trade shows in the country - slightly smaller than COMDEX. As always, I had an invitation to Microsoft's press party, which was held at the famous Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center. Microsoft and I had an uneasy relationship, since I frequently reviewed Microsoft Word and the rest of the Office Suite. At the time, my review and the one in the other main computer magazine were reasonably important to Microsoft.

So, I showed up at the Rainbow Room elevator with about half a dozen other journalists. I was in my personal uniform of the time, blue jeans, Nike shoes, a nice button-down shirt and tie, and a wool tweed sports coat. A couple of the other writers were in what was basically the same outfit. We walked up to the elevator.

At the elevator, the Rainbow Room bouncer was there. "No blue jeans in the Rainbow Room," he said as I approached the elevator. I was not aware of the Rainbow Room's famous dress code until that moment. I'm not a New Yorker, nor am I someone who visits such establishments. I was surprised.

"Are you sure?" I asked. "No blue jeans in the Rainbow Room," the guy repeated.

I said, "It's a private party hosted by Microsoft. Maybe you want to call up and check on your rule. I have this invitation," as I showed it to him.

"No blue jeans in the Rainbow Room!"

"Please call upstairs. Give them my name."

The call was made. The elevator door was opened. We all went up to the Rainbow Room, jeans and all.

I'm not a fan of dress codes. Never have been. I don't like them one bit.