Public Servant Barbie

I got this forward today from a colleague of mine... even though it's specific to OZ/Canberra, there are definitely parallels to the Atlanta...

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Public Servant Barbie

The Public Servant Barbie hits the shelves in the Capital every February in force, typically imported from other capital cities. PS Barbie initially comes attired in a snappy pant/suit number with strappy shoes and a vibrant can-do attitude. Shoppers are advised to get in early for a PS Barbie, however, as stock becomes hard to find and quality rapidly deteriorates. Previously enthusiastic well-dressed Barbies decline to a state of apathetic submission as the PS culture and Canberra winter takes hold, enforcing a regiment of sub-standard dress and gradual abandonment of any hope PS Barbie had of "making a difference". A typical PS Barbie conversation is likely to include expressions of frustration at the Canberra social scene and the reasons there are no good Ken dolls in Canberra. Unaccustomed shoppers may find the barrage of acronyms and PS "in-jokes" incomprehensible.

Finding a PS Barbie can be difficult at times owing to a combination of sick day, coffee break and "flex" related absences. Shoppers are best advised to try OPH of a Friday afternoon where PS Barbies congregate with the new PS Ken model. Ken comes attired in your choice of Treasury suit and tie or DAFF shorts, sandals and socks.

Casual Friday attire and Department logo coloured lanyard and security pass sold separately. PS Barbie will be more expensive on 1 July under the PS Barbie Certified Agreement, regardless of the performance of your doll, whether it turns up or does anything at all.

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Explanations for a few things:
OPH is the Old Parliament House - which is quite the scene on friday nights. It's mostly public servants (as is most of Canberra), mingling with $7 cocktails (usually they are $15), beer and wine. People are definitely dressed up for this - public servants outside of public health seem to actually have a sense of fashion and can actually be quite trendy. I"ve gone once so far and definitely had to think about what to wear so I"d feel comfortable!

Certified Agreements are the contracts under which all public servants work. They are re-negotiated regularly and are differnet for each Department. Our Department's CA is currently being negotiated, deadline is July.

DAFF is the Department of Forest and Fisheries - the hippies.

I'd be interested to see what they'd dress PS Barbie in - especially since winter is coming and I'm going to need tips - I"ve been in summer mode for almost the last year!