Feeling Awkward

Hi

I draped it in south Indian way only, and I never wear saree in Sri Lankan traditional way. Generally not every Sri Lankan prefers traditional way to work, although some do wear it neatly.

And I had pinned it exactly the way you suggested. In fact, this was the 3rd consecutive day with saree for me. So, I've learned each day and finally draped it very comfortably. It was a cotton saree too, from India.
I usually wear cotton sarees for any professional events like this one.

That's why I was kind of shocked to hear about the discomforts he noticed from me. No one has ever told me or alerted me like this before. I hardly noticed him or his staring during the conference.

 

Here in Sri Lanka as well, the only acceptable office attire for the Government staff is saree. Because it is the formally accepted traditional dress.
As for others, who work in the private, MNC or international organizations, there is no such strict dress code. You can chose any decent office/professional attire.
However, we get respect or at least recognized as a professional when we drape a saree. It is the mindset of the people.
Any professional dressing is fine when we are together with like minded professionals. But in general, the public recognize you as a professional when you reach them with a saree only.
No matter how neat or rich you are in other cloths.

Again, the only answer to such discrimination is culture or tradition. I fail to understand, why men are not part of this culture.
Their formal attire is no different from the British formal suits. Despite of the hot sunny weather, they used to wear the tie and shoes here.

PS:
Saree is not that revealing or not that much of a difficult job if you master at it.
My sister is a Govt officer and she could wear a saree in 2 mins. She neatly wears it and casually walks, jumps and even runs with no signs of discomfort.
She is absolutely fine with this attire and feels great about the professional look that it brings.
In fact, she uses less pins and less complications while draping a saree. But it takes some practice to master in it.

For me, it is all fine if I could use as much as pins to make it comfortably covered. But it would get tough to walk fast or bend. That's why I do the adjustments every now and then unknowingly.
But if you wear it casually, it would allow you to be yourself.