I have an RRSP that is housed over at CIBC Wood Gundy. I don’t have much contact with CIBC Wood Gundy, other than the automated monthly exchange of money and statements. And once in a blue moon I call my broker guy or he calls me and we review my ‘portfolio,’ such as it is.
Every now and then they invite me to something, usually a lecture by some financial expert, but I never go because their events never sound all that interesting.
Until a few weeks ago. They sent me an invitation to an Around the World Wine Tasting Christmas celebration, put on by Groovy Grapes.
Groovy, I thought, that’s right up my alley. And I RSVP’d.
A few days later an email arrived saying there would be a financial expert from Sprott “on hand” at the wine tasting event to answer questions about world economies or some such thing.
Okay, I thought, that’s cool.
A few days later they emailed me the dress code:
“Members shall conform to appropriate standards of attire at all times. Lounge suit or jacket and tie at all times for male members. Skirt, blouse, jacket, pantsuit, and afternoon dress for female members. Military dress shall be in conformity with the standard generally applicable to male and female members of the Armed Forces. Jackets and tailored shirts (collar and sleeves) are required but no ties, in the Lester B. Pearson Room and ClubRoom until 5 p.m. every day; and on Friday all over the Club until 5 p.m. (jackets must be worn at all times).”
Well, the dress code was a deal-breaker. I don’t mind getting dressed up for weddings or funerals, out of respect for the people involved, but I’ll be damned if I’ll get dressed up out of respect for money. And nobody’s going to tell me what to wear to drink wine. To quote Andrea SK, “It’s. Fucking. Wine. Relax y’all.”
So I emailed my broker guy and said “Greg, that dress code is not my style, so I won’t be attending after all. If you ever have a wine tasting event in a more down-to-earth venue, please let me know.”
And he emailed me back and said simply, “Sorry to hear. Next time hopefully.”
I don’t know what I was expecting, but that response just made me feel contemptuous. Maybe I thought he’d say “Oh don’t worry about the dress code, just come and have a good time.”
Bottom line – I will not be dressing up and drinking my way around the world tomorrow evening. And I’m pissed off about it.
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Well put Zoom! You did the right thing. I don’t know why people get so uppity about wine, but it drives me nuts. I’d like to hold a white trash wine and cheese one day just to fuck with people.
Ick. Maybe you should host a wine tasting where the dress code is jeans and slippers, and invite your RRSP guy.
Let me guess – The Rideau Club!
You are kinder than I am – I would have mentioned that as a result of this I am now considering a change of residence for my portfolio. The older I get the crankier I get – you may have noticed
But Zoom:
At all times, everywhere: the dress code only applies to “members”
Unless you wanted to wear miitary dress which would have to be “in conformity with the standard generally applicable to male and female members of the Armed Forces” (I’m not sure how a person complies with this.)
And if you arrive after 5pm on a Tuesday, no general dress code applies to non-members.
I’m with gramps. switch brokers.
lissa’s idea is not bad either
I’ve never understood the dress up policy for drinking wine either. Usually by the fourth glass I’m on the floor, laughing hysterically. In no way would I wear my fancy clothes* to a drinking event.
*I don’t have fancy clothes.
Zoom,crash it!!!!!!
I’m glad we’re all on the same page here.
Andrea and Lissa – White trash wine & cheese with slippers and jeans – I’m IN!
David B – You got it – it’s the Rideau Club.
David S – I read the dress code several times and thought they’d be smart to hire someone to edit their stupid dress code. When you deconstruct it as written, it says exactly what you said.
Gramps and Nursemyra – I’m not pissed off enough to go through the hassle and expense of selling the contents of my portfolio and starting over somewhere else. (Although, now that I think about it – maybe I can just move it without selling and paying commissions?) (If so, can anybody recommend a good down-to-earth broker?)
Greecolander – I know, it’s crazy to wear your finest finery for anything involving alcohol. Or food. Or sex.
Hey Stuart, nice of you to pop in in all the way from the River Kwai. Happy Birthday! (And yeah, you’re absolutely right, I should have put on my overalls and gum rubbers and crashed their snobby party.)
Problem is, if you do decide to move your money, they grab a percentage, which is a pain. And the Rideau Club…well, they are indeed rigid on the dress code. I guess the bank thinks this will impress people and make them invest more? Nahhh, you didn’t want to go anyway. Buy a bottle and have a winefest at home. More fun that at the rundown, tired looking, pompous Rideau.
au contraire zoom. one should always wear their finest finery for sex
I don’t want my collection of corsets to languish in a drawer
I want to get an invite like that. Show up with a nice dress-code-compliant outfit, then go into the washroom and change into something totally absurd. Let me know of any other “almost” public events at the Rideau Club. Of course, I wouldn’t have the guts to do it unless someone else joined in the fun.
Cheers,
TW