I really enjoyed watching today’s Inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C. I get too used to seeing pomp and circumstance in the British/Canadian tradition and its quite different to see the American Way. I really liked the voiceover introductions, I kept waiting for his deep baritone to exclaim “Leeeetttttts get ready to Ruuummmmble!”
It certainly was a well dressed crowd save for one common piece of corporate schwag. Americans call it the “Knit Winter Hat” but in Canada we call it the “Toque.” Among the dignitaries at today’s inauguration the toque emblazoned with “OBAMA” looked out of place. Most of men were wearing suits and wool coats while the ladies had dresses and overcoats on. Tasteful hats included Wool Poorboys and Bowler hats (actor Danny Aiello looked great in his).
I saw a few knit toques with the Seal of the President of the United States and those looked quite good since the officious looking seal matched the event. But I saw many people sporting an ugly cheap knit toque with “OBAMA” on the brim. Aretha Franklin’s husband (?) was one of the most noticeable. Hey, this isn’t a political rally is it? The guy won. There was not turning back as CNN reminded us at 12.00.01 that he became the 44th U.S. President regardless of the ceremony.
Although I love my business and love designing and supplying corporate schwag I’ve always contended that there are a few places where it just doesn’t work. This morning I witnessed a perfect example.