We've become a nation of slobs

      Recently, one of the school districts here in my hometown of Houston implemented a dress code.  But not for the kids - rather, for their PARENTS.  It seemed that some kids' parents were coming to their kids' school for teacher conferences and such, but were showing up in such things as pajamas, ratty cutoffs, flip-flops, swimsuits, hair curlers, and other deplorable modes of dress.  There followed a huge public outcry as folks screamed that this sort of action by the school will only discourage parents from being involved in their kids' education.  (I'll have more commentary on the school's policy later.)

     The sad part is:  this has become the norm.  We have turned into a society of slobs.  These days, out in public, one is surrounded by people who clearly spent zero effort making themselves presentable before they headed out the door.  (Google up "people of Walmart" for some really shocking human trash!)

      I get pretty disgusted at some the attire I see.  I was at a restaurant not long ago.  No it wasn't MacDonald's, nor a fancy restaurant, but just a middle-class "casual dining" place.  Anyway, I counted at least a dozen guys in my immediate vicinity all wearing baseball caps and/or tank tops.  Geez, dudes, how hard is it to remove a cap just for the time it takes to eat lunch - at an indoor restaurant? 

      My wife and I do volunteer ushering at a theatre downtown where they do live musicals.  As ushers, we have a strict dress code of black pants and jacket, white shirt, and black bowtie.  Most of the theatre's patrons wear nice clothes, but … occasionally someone shows up in shorts, t-shirt, caps, and flip-flops.  As volunteer ushers, we must treat ALL patrons with respect and dignity.  But oh how I would love to walk up to one of these goofballs and tell them to please go change.  Musical theatre, after all, is SPECIAL; it's not the same as going to a ball game or the rodeo.  Most likely, their reply would be something along the lines of:  Dude, this is me, this is what I wear, so just deal with it, Ok?  I would reply that, well, perhaps musical theatre is not for you, and in a big city like Houston, I'm sure you can find another entertainment option that better fits your lifestyle.

cast of Downton Abbey

      At the opposite extreme, check out the TV series "Downton Abbey".  It takes place in England from about 1914 to about 1926, at the estate of an ultra-wealthy, cream-of-the-crop aristocratic family.  Here, they put on their dressed-to-kill tuxedos and evening gowns just to eat dinner - at home.  Ditto for the servants who wait on them hand and foot.  Wait, it gets worse:  When the men go HUNTING or FISHING, they are dressed up in fancy duds also, complete with starched shirts, neckties, cufflinks, and the works!

      Watch any movie depicting life in America before about, oh, 1965 or so.  What do they wear?  The men ONLY wear suits, and the women ONLY wear dresses, even when at home, watching TV or eating dinner or reading the paper or putting the kids to bed.

Zuckerberg

     How did we evolve into a society where everybody is so slothful?  One finger of blame is pointed at the high-tech industry.  The poster child for casual attire is Marc Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, and one of the richest guys in the world.  I suppose one could say that casual attire didn't hurt his business one smidgeon.  But still … he IS a role model.

      Like it or not, we tend to behave how we look.  If we look like slobs, we tend to act like slobs.  If we look smart and professional, we tend to act smart and professional.  Ask any teacher who has worked in a school where uniforms are required by students.  Pretty much without exception, they will tell you that, although the policy was controversial and tough to implement, uniformed kids tend to be better behaved.

      No, I am not saying we should go back to that age when getting caught out of your tuxedo was grounds for public castigation and permanent exile.  I have no intention of donning a necktie to eat dinner or go fishing.  But somewhere between these two extremes would be nice.

      Now back to the problem of parents showing up at school looking like they just rolled out of bed or just finished mowing the lawn, whatever.  I would love to sit down and say to them:  "You have been accused of showing up at your kids' school inappropriately dressed.  What say you?"

     Next I would ask:  "If the school implemented a policy that forbade you to step foot in here unless you first went and changed clothes, what would you do?"   Their answer should be interesting.