Some companies purposely have a laid-back culture. Not a 'bro' culture, but a friendly, social one - that includes jabbing and jiving.

I love those beanbag-chair, not corp environments. Not everything that isn't corporate is 'unprofessional'. Wearing trainers to work was unprofessional, until it became established; now tech CEOs compete on who has the most expensive sneakers.

> If HR was involved, it's because someone was out of line or just doesn't understand how adults manage boundaries, in which case he should be warned and, if the case merits, punished.

I assume you mean the person who said it? It's also possible the person who reported it doesn't know how to manage relationships, or had some other motive in reporting this to HR - you can speculate either way.

I dunno maybe I'm crazy but "jabbing and jiving" is the last thing I ever want at work.

Directness, professionalism and - yes! - impersonal conversation - is what I would generally prefer.

And as for competitive dressing. Bring back uniforms is all I can say to that.

Edit: grammar

The great thing is that there is more than one company, so people can choose their preferred environment. I suspect there are still many businesses were uniforms are the norm, so you can apply to one of those. You can wear your uniform, but you don't have to make all companies uniform.

Do you love your cubicle, worker 000843874?