Drew Holton
New Member
Given the sorry state of most of the competitors’ hygiene and overall attire in this game, I believe it is necessary to institute a dress code for all premier events in the future. The new dress code could be rolled out with the recently announced and equally necessary foreign card policy at the start of the 2009-2010 Trading Card Game season. This would give ample time for everyone to update their shabby wardrobe and catch up with the latest Hollywood fashion trends. Although, the need for such a measure should be quite obvious to most of the knowledgeable competitors that frequent this glorious website, I know some of you have been living under a Snorlax, so I will lay the entire case out.
Pokémon is a serious game that should be treated as such by the people that play it. Too many people blow off the finer details that are necessary for success by not taking this game serious enough. You would not show up to a job without first carrying out all the proper steps. Some of the more important steps include, but are not limited to: Showering, wearing deodorant, brushing your teeth, shaving for males (and some females), putting on clean clothes and putting on appropriate clothes. By waking up with a ten minute cushion on your Mapquest directions and throwing on whatever decent smelling clothes that were laying on the floor, you are disgracing the game. Sure, that shirt might smell alright, but you, undeodorized and unshowered, smell like the backend of a Skuntank. By the end of the day, everyone that comes into contact with you is worse off as a result. By finally instituting a dress code, Pokémon would be taken more seriously, and it is my belief that other good hygiene practices would arise as a result. Not only that, but Pokémon would be on the cutting edge of Trading Card Game innovation, as to my knowledge, no other card game has a dress code policy in effect. For once, Pokémon could be a leader that other card games can look up to and follow.
Not only would the dress code raise the overall level of hygiene in Pokémon, but it would stop the rise of gang activity that has threatened the game recently. Players showing up in gang shirts for notorious groups such as “Lafonte” and “Team Underground” are a looming threat to any respectable player. Furthermore, the gangs have started to incorporate other inappropriate attire into their wardrobes as seen recently by “Team Underground’s” liberal use of hideous bandannas. United crews strike fear into any free agent players at events and helps explain for the general domination displayed by the gangs. No rational individual can perform well when they face unmerciful retaliation at the hands of the gangs. Unfortunately, those individuals that do stand up against the gangs and achieve under pressure are ultimately sucked up by the gangs themselves in the end, or face a life of constant humiliation. One needs to look no further than the sad case of former World Champion Jeremy Maron. The young man lived the dream of a Pokémon Master for several years before he was cracked and broken by team humiliation tactics. Today you can find poor Jeremy bagging groceries at an Arizona Krogers humming along to the Pokémon theme song. The more recent issue of gang violence has plagued many a venue where the two rivals happen to cross paths. This unnecessary bloodshed needs to come to an end if players are going to survive long into their Master’s careers. By causing these posses to conform to a dress code, we are eliminating outward gang ties and alleviating the minds of the many good natured Pokémon players. No longer will players have to live in fear of gang strong arm tactics.
Now, after laying out the reasons a dress code is necessary, I will explain the details of it. First off, jeans and t-shirts would be banned in favor of the more professional slacks, button up shirt and tie for all events. Furthermore, matching dress shoes and a belt would also be included in the dress code. For the ladies, a nice dress or blouse is appropriate. At larger events, such as Nationals and Worlds, a full suit would be the standard for all males. For countries with different formal attire standards, Pokémon USA will arrange for a group trip to J.C. Penney’s before Worlds so that everyone can conform to the same dress code. This will further eliminate group identities which could be mistaken as gang affiliations by some participants. I hope that Pokémon Organized Play will take this request as seriously as I do and I look forward to seeing everyone in their professional attire next season.
Pokémon is a serious game that should be treated as such by the people that play it. Too many people blow off the finer details that are necessary for success by not taking this game serious enough. You would not show up to a job without first carrying out all the proper steps. Some of the more important steps include, but are not limited to: Showering, wearing deodorant, brushing your teeth, shaving for males (and some females), putting on clean clothes and putting on appropriate clothes. By waking up with a ten minute cushion on your Mapquest directions and throwing on whatever decent smelling clothes that were laying on the floor, you are disgracing the game. Sure, that shirt might smell alright, but you, undeodorized and unshowered, smell like the backend of a Skuntank. By the end of the day, everyone that comes into contact with you is worse off as a result. By finally instituting a dress code, Pokémon would be taken more seriously, and it is my belief that other good hygiene practices would arise as a result. Not only that, but Pokémon would be on the cutting edge of Trading Card Game innovation, as to my knowledge, no other card game has a dress code policy in effect. For once, Pokémon could be a leader that other card games can look up to and follow.
Not only would the dress code raise the overall level of hygiene in Pokémon, but it would stop the rise of gang activity that has threatened the game recently. Players showing up in gang shirts for notorious groups such as “Lafonte” and “Team Underground” are a looming threat to any respectable player. Furthermore, the gangs have started to incorporate other inappropriate attire into their wardrobes as seen recently by “Team Underground’s” liberal use of hideous bandannas. United crews strike fear into any free agent players at events and helps explain for the general domination displayed by the gangs. No rational individual can perform well when they face unmerciful retaliation at the hands of the gangs. Unfortunately, those individuals that do stand up against the gangs and achieve under pressure are ultimately sucked up by the gangs themselves in the end, or face a life of constant humiliation. One needs to look no further than the sad case of former World Champion Jeremy Maron. The young man lived the dream of a Pokémon Master for several years before he was cracked and broken by team humiliation tactics. Today you can find poor Jeremy bagging groceries at an Arizona Krogers humming along to the Pokémon theme song. The more recent issue of gang violence has plagued many a venue where the two rivals happen to cross paths. This unnecessary bloodshed needs to come to an end if players are going to survive long into their Master’s careers. By causing these posses to conform to a dress code, we are eliminating outward gang ties and alleviating the minds of the many good natured Pokémon players. No longer will players have to live in fear of gang strong arm tactics.
Now, after laying out the reasons a dress code is necessary, I will explain the details of it. First off, jeans and t-shirts would be banned in favor of the more professional slacks, button up shirt and tie for all events. Furthermore, matching dress shoes and a belt would also be included in the dress code. For the ladies, a nice dress or blouse is appropriate. At larger events, such as Nationals and Worlds, a full suit would be the standard for all males. For countries with different formal attire standards, Pokémon USA will arrange for a group trip to J.C. Penney’s before Worlds so that everyone can conform to the same dress code. This will further eliminate group identities which could be mistaken as gang affiliations by some participants. I hope that Pokémon Organized Play will take this request as seriously as I do and I look forward to seeing everyone in their professional attire next season.
Last edited:
