Wearing university apparel implies official institutional affiliation to observers
the verdict
CONTESTED PARTIAL
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
1 source for · 1 against
AS REPORTEDno primary record reached; this is what the reporting says
Available discussions indicate that while some observers may interpret university apparel as a sign of support or affiliation, others note that tourists and visitors frequently wear such items without any institutional connection.
# Is it significantly inappropriate to wear clothes bearing the name of University X, when working as an official employee at University Y?
Tags: outward-appearance
- Score: 18
- Views: 5678
- Answers: 5
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: Rebecca J. Stones (10201 rep)
- Asked: 2016-01-14
- Site: academia
## Question
I have a hoodie with Dalhousie University written on it (where I used to work), but I now work at Nankai University.
Question: Is it significantly inappropriate to wear clothes bearing the name of University X, when working as an official employee at University Y?
I'm thinking I'm overthinking this, and it's a case of "no one cares". Or, if someone does care, it would only be a momentary blip. But I'm not 100% certain.
## Answers
### Answer by Anonymous Mathematician (score: 20 [ACCEPTED])
There are definitely cases in which it would stand out as strange or inappropriate. You should be careful in cases of a rivalry, since that may be viewed as a significant statement even if you meant nothing by it. (I'm thinking of Harvard vs. Yale or Illinois vs. Iowa. Athletic rivalries are particularly troublesome, since students may consider the clothing a sign of active support
# Does wearing a university t-shirt imply that the wearer is affiliated with the university?
Tags: ethics, etiquette, university, outward-appearance
- Score: 41
- Views: 37632
- Answers: 10
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: Leo (1775 rep)
- Asked: 2015-03-10
- Edited: 2015-03-11
- Site: academia
## Question
My friend studies at a very prominent university and has invited me to visit her. Coming across the university shop, I was considering buying one of the t-shirts with the university logo.
I am possibly over-thinking this, but the following scenario popped up in my head: What if, while wearing it, I am approached by a person who thinks I went to the university, and who'd ask me what my major was, etc. And when I'd say that I wasn't affiliated with the school, wouldn't it look like I'm taking a credit for what I haven't done?
Does wearing a university t-shirt imply that the person wearing it was/is somehow affiliated with the university?
## Answers
### Answer by StrongBad (score: 72 [ACCEPTED])
No. Many of the top universities are tourist attractions and it is not uncommon to see tourists wandering around campus taking photos and eventually buying paraphernalia. While in the U