<p>Nothing directly. You did suggest that I pulled my ideas out of my … We are certainly different in that I would not make that type of statement to anyone, let alone someone I’ve never met. </p>
<p>I don’t own any $10K jewelry or a $5K purse, and I’ve never taken a stretch limo to the grocery store. The only thing I disapprove of is sloppy sweats and pajamas in public, but somehow that got me villified into some sort of monster by you.</p>
<p>Also, I never said your attire conveys disrespect to me. I didn’t even discuss it. I don’t wear shorts much anymore, but I used to wear shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops to the beach all the time.</p>
<p>I believe that was when you suggested that I advocated the banning of nice clothes. Perhaps that idea came out of thin air, because I never even broached the subject.</p>
<p>Why do you not own and wear these items that some might regard as frivolous and merely a status symbol to make themselves feel better? Are they unnecessary? Over the top? Frivolous? As I stated, there are those that find such items necessary, and may even feel superior to those (you and me) that do not share their values. Limo to, I don’t know, anywhere? I cannot fathom spending the money, but since they do exist, somebody does. My point is, to you I am a slob because I do not care to dress up to go outside the house, but these people may very well view you in the same light because you do not share their taste for excess. And I find both views petty and condescending.</p>
<p>Bay, do you fish much?</p>
<p>“Also, I never said your attire conveys disrespect to me.”</p>
<p>You inferred that you dressed in a manner to show respect to those around you. I took this as an inference that I do not, therefore I would show disrespect.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t bother to worry as much as you about other people’s opinions of my attire. I try to look good, I try to dress appropriately for my day, and I never wear sloppy sweats and pajamas in public.</p>
<p>cromette,
I know what you are saying, but I couldn’t let those comments go!</p>
<p>“Well, I don’t bother to worry as much as you about other people’s opinions of my attire.”</p>
<p>I think that is a great thing, Bay. Peoples’ opinions about others’ methods of dress is inconsequential. I really don’t know why folks would even bother talking about such a thing.</p>
<p>" I have been discussing the personal choice that people have to go out in public in whatever they please, and poking a little fun at people that feel compelled to get dressed up to go to the post office and the grocery store.
"</p>
<p>Except no one is talking about getting “dressed up” as if one were going to a wedding. Our proverbial nice jeans, sweater and flats aren’t “dressed up.” Unless one is a complete slob raised in a barn. And we aren’t talking about expensive or designer things, either. We are talking about polished personal style, not diamonds, furs and Prada to go to the grocery store.</p>
<p>“I’m 60 years old. I’ve earned a PhD and worked as a psychologist. I’ve served on our town’s school board, the planning commission, non-profit boards, etc. and I’m not mature unless I dress a certain way?” </p>
<p>As a psychologist, when patients / clients came to see you, did you wear sweats? Why or why not?</p>
<p>That is what is frustrating about this thread. People DO have thoughts about other peoples’ clothing; it is crazy to think no one ever notices what people wear. Some people hate that thought and try to stamp it out as though it is a terrible, judgmental, superficial thing. But it isn’t; body adornment is not just functional, it can be a form of art. Whether people like it or not is their opinion, and every opinion is valid.</p>
<p>I met a CCer last year when on a business trip, as I was visiting her city. She came to my hotel and met me for a drink in the lobby. I freshened up, had makeup on, and wore nice pants and a nice top, not whatever-sweats-i-was-hanging-around-my-hotel-in. That’s what people DO. I wasn’t raised in a barn, and I was plenty comfortable.</p>
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<p>Saw my childhood pediatrician in sweats a few times and never held it against him. All I cared about was whether he was a good doctor with a friendly demeanor as a child patient. </p>
<p>As for Profs, saw several who dressed worse than sweats. </p>
<p>Never bothered me because my main concern was whether he/she was a good professor who taught the material well, was helpful in clarifying points, intellectually stimulating, and otherwise not a crappy Prof.</p>
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<p>Nice value judgment proving the point of those who feel those who place a premium on dressing formally/appearances are judgmental. Interesting…</p>
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<p>That is true for some. However, not everyone feels that way, agrees a given style of dress has artistic merit, or cares about that particular form of artistic expression. </p>
<p>In fact, there are folks who aren’t interested in/disdain art as popularly defined. Quite a few of them attended my high school for better or worse.</p>
<p>Do you draw the line anywhere, cobrat? If your pediatrician and profs had showed up wearing thong underwear and nothing else, would that have mattered to you? How about if they were completely nude except for a fig leaf?</p>
<p>Most people (maybe not you, cobrat) have a minimum standard of proper decorum. It won’t be the same for everyone. I draw the line at sloppy sweats and pajamas. While I know you don’t agree, I know lots of people do agree with me that those attire would not be appropriate for a pediatrician or prof.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, have you been traumatized by barn-dwellers in your younger life? You seem to carry a lot of resentment towards people raised in barns.</p>
<p>Bay, I will agree in your wisdom that everybody has their own “line” or minimum standard. I would only ask that people not judge me or treat me differently if I choose to dress below their personal minimum standard.</p>
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<p>They will, though. But if you don’t care how they feel about your clothing, what difference does it make?</p>
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<p>The line depends on place. If in public areas or places which don’t require dress codes, whatever doesn’t violate public nudity laws…which both your examples would have in many places I’ve lived/visited. </p>
<p>Moreover, dressing in thongs/fig leaf would be bad on the pediatrician’s part due to it posing a possible health hazard and thus, violating health laws and the pediatrician’s hippocratic oath.</p>
<p>It is clear that some of you are hurt by sloppy sweats and pajamas, but going back to the original post, are you offended by neat sweats/warm up pants on a college campus or on someone who is running errands?</p>
<p>cobrat,
You finally made me laugh.</p>