Model Behavior?

Is there anyone more ridiculous than Michael Jeffries, the 68-year-old glass-closeted CEO of troubled Abercrombie & Fitch? Not only does he vote Republican, and sport unfortunate plastic surgery, but, according to a recent story, he submits the staff on A&F's corporate jet to a 40-page instruction manual that includes such gems as wearing black gloves when holding silverware, white gloves to lay the table, and boxer briefs at all time. That, and a "spritz" of the retailer's perfume.

This strange behavior isn't entirely new. Years ago Benoit Denizet-Lewis reported these details in a story for Salon: "Examples of his strange behavior abound. According to Business Week, at A&F headquarters Jeffries always goes through revolving doors twice, never passes employees on stairwells, parks his Porsche every day at the same angle in the parking lot (keys between the seats, doors unlocked), and has a pair of 'lucky shoes' he wears when reading financial reports."

But nothing can be worse than the news that flight crew have to endure Phil Collins's "Take Me Home," which Jeffries insists be played on homeward-bound flights. Talk about degrading.

(source: Bloomberg)