“Business casual” dress code has been interpreted in as many ways as there are people.

How would you handle disagreeing with your workplace’s oppressive code? One guy recently shared a hilarious anecdote of how his uncle found a loophole in his job’s rules.

Here’s what happened.

You said ‘Wear a tie’ not ‘Wear a nice tie.’

My kinfolk are in East Kentucky. Hillbilly folks.

My dad’s generation were the barefoot and wild children folks talk about from “Night Comes to the Cumberlands.”

That’s a deep cut reference.

Out there, a suit and tie is rarely worn, and many don’t bother even owning one from Goodwill.

We’re simple folks, but we got a spiteful streak.

And we certainly know how to improvise.

My uncle got a job with the USPS in Florida and was internally promoted to manager.

After that, he had to dress up.

Class distinction, public respectability, all that jazz.

Having to dress up is the worst part of a promotion.

He asked for specifics and was told he had to wear a tie.

Guess they thought the rest of the suit would follow.

Cue malicious compliance.

My uncle made a lifelong hobby of collecting the most singularly ugly ties known to mankind.

He wore ties so loud it could give a sober person a hangover.

Orange and red and yellow patterns that screamed to the eye. Tie dye. Tie prints that looked like spilled paint cans.

This man had an eye!

Two particular favorites:

He owns a wooden tie. It’s literally made of wood slats hinged together, so one could roll it up at the neck and let it drop with a clack-clack-clack into place.

Remember the 3D image craze of the 90s? He bought several in that style.

Another just said “**** YOU” in the pattern.

Unfortunately, the fallout was minimal.

USPS doesn’t change much.

Only in terms of how much funding they get.

As I hear it, the dress code changed to “business casual” with informal rules about being a little nicer dressed than subordinates.

But I also hear that a few other casual folks who rankle under the rules have hit my uncle up for ties now that he’s retired.

And he certainly inspired me – I’m looking at buying a chainmail tie one of these days to wear while I teach.

What a positive legacy to leave behind. Let’s see if the Reddit community agrees.

Most jumped at the opportunity to share their own experience.

And shared a laugh about how stiff management can be.

Others commended the original poster.

Some wanted to steal their catch phrases.

And one person offered sound advice.

Always dress for the job you do, or don’t, want!

If you liked that post, check out this post about a rude customer who got exactly what they wanted in their pizza.