A handwritten notice displayed outside a UCO Bank branch in West Bengal has gone viral on social media. The notice asked customers not to visit the bank wearing half-pants or nighties. It has sparked both laughter and a debate about appropriate dress at banks.
The notice was put up at the Chak Barbaria branch of UCO Bank in North 24 Parganas district. It was written in Bengali and read, “Don’t come here wearing half-pant and nightie.”
A customer and Instagram vlogger named Indrani shared a video of the notice online. The video quickly went viral and received hundreds of comments.
If such notice has been put by Bank, then the situation might be serious. People might be visiting Bank wearing inappropriate clothes and thus, bank might have been forced to issue such notice.
Banks are public places where people visit for important financial work. Just like government offices, schools, and courts, banks are expected to maintain a professional atmosphere. Wearing clean and decent clothes helps maintain discipline and shows respect for other customers as well as bank employees.
There is no nationwide dress code for bank customers in India. However, many people believe that visitors should wear proper and appropriate clothing while visiting public offices. The viral notice has started a discussion on whether people should follow basic dress etiquette when visiting banks and other public institutions.
Social media users had mixed reactions. Some found the notice amusing, while others supported the bank’s decision. One user joked, “I suppose wearing a lungi to the bank is allowed then.”
Another user wrote, “What’s the problem with half-pants? I go everywhere in half-pants. Now I can’t go to the bank wearing them?”
A third user commented that in many villages, people often visit banks wearing very casual clothes, sometimes even without a shirt, with only a towel around their neck. However, many people supported the bank’s notice.
One user said that other UCO Bank branches do not display such notices. According to the user, the staff at this branch may have been forced to put up the notice because of repeated issues with customers’ attire.
Another user wrote, “The bank did the right thing. Half-pants and nighties are not appropriate clothes to wear to a bank.”
A similar incident took place in 2023 at Himsagar Apartment in Greater Noida’s Phi-2 area. The residents’ welfare association (RWA) issued a notice asking residents not to walk around the housing society wearing lungis and nighties, describing them as home wear.
The notice advised residents to dress appropriately while using the common areas of the society. It also requested them not to wear lungis or nighties outside their flats.
