Leave us Alone!!
As one of the instructors who falls into the "overinflated ego-self absorbed-sad git" camp can I point out in my defence that I am compelled to wear stripes by my employer who also incidentally pays me at least minimum wage salary each month come wind,rain or shine. If I do not wear them I can be sent home for the day and lose a day's holiday, consistent breach of contract can result in dismissal. So, given today's employment climate, I'll keep wearing mine when flying my C152 if you don't mind.
On a slightly different note said employer also insists that our white airline style shirts are adorned with our name, position and 2 huge gold wings around their logo, which restricts after work hours pub antics somewhat, as well as destroying the veil of anonymity when chatting up members of the opposite sex (errr also in the pub generally).