It’s nice we live in a free country, isn’t it? You can shop where you want, buy and wear what you want, and do almost anything so long as it’s legal.
I’ve heard visitors / newcomers from other countries say they are appalled at how North Americans go out in public: in jeans or shorts for all occasions; T-shirts too small or too big, ripped or dirty; scuffed and / or filthy, grimy shoes or flip-flops, beat up and grubby running shoes etc.
If you’re at home in the backyard cooking, cleaning, painting, cutting the grass—go for it. I don’t disagree with what you choose to wear or how you wear it. You’re the king of your castle.
Is it too much to ask a little care about your appearance in the grocery store, pharmacy, coffee shop and so on?
Should I be waiting for the light to change, please do not pass me on your bike with your pants half off. Male or female, this picture of you crouched over the handlebars isn’t attractive.
I don’t want to trip over you when you bend down to reach for the spaghetti sauce in the grocery store. That exclamation point down the back of your pants is not my idea of a room with a view.
As well, when I am in the pharmacy looking at vitamins, I have no interest in an introduction to your butt cheeks.
Worst of all, when I’m enjoying myself in a coffee shop, I never want to drop my face in shock when you flash your fat, hairy behind a foot-and-a-half from my face and I faint from shock. On the banquette. Ugh. Someone, half-dressed like you probably sat in the very spot my nose almost nuzzled.
I don’t know you and most of the other patrons don’t either. Please be kind to strangers and don’t flash that thing at me in public? Can you not feel a breeze? Don’t you care how you look? Consider your hygiene as well as that of others.
On the other hand, if you are still within a block of over-the-hill, and have a nice tight…like you know—plumbers, contractors, firemen—the calendar types…
Nope. Forget it. Don’t show off what your pants are supposed to cover when you’re out and about in town.
Then again, what goes on behind closed doors, but that’s another story.
May 10, 2013 at 8:32 pm
I am so opposed to seeing people’s butts. I really am. So I fully agree with this. 🙂
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Not a person’s best side, to my way of thinking, but then what do I know?
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 6:24 pm
I am pretty sure most of us know enough to know about butts. 😉
LikeLike
May 10, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Well said. Thank you!
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:33 pm
At least I got that off my chest, but those who should don’t hear this.
LikeLike
May 10, 2013 at 10:04 pm
I’m not in favor of flashing butt cracks either. What next?
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Exactly. Is a thrill involved? What about a breeze as a hint? Ick.
LikeLike
May 10, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Maybe that’s why tramp stamps went out of vogue – thank goodness!
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:31 pm
I haven’t heard of tramp stamps. What are they?
LikeLike
May 15, 2013 at 7:06 am
That’s what “they” are calling those little tattoos people got on their lower backs that you can see when they bend down.
LikeLike
May 10, 2013 at 10:59 pm
I’m with you on this. I don’t like big bellies hanging over a belt and below the shirt either.
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Patricia, don’t get me started on the big bellies too . . .
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 at 2:56 am
I don’t like too much exposed flesh either and just at work this week a guy was knelt beside with his back to me and not only was that ‘exclamation point’ flashing but also the elastic of his underpants which was printed in red with ‘Wild Beast’ all around it!
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Ick. What’s the message here? We’ve become so casual, showing more flesh doesn’t matter anymore?
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 at 3:21 am
I so agree! It was a fashion a few years ago for ladies (and maybe “ladies” isn’t the right word!) to have the top of their thongs showing over the top of their jeans at the back – why?! Who found that attractive? I have nothing against people making the most of their assets through their choice of clothing but there really is a right and a wrong way to do that. But there is no right way to show a butt crack in public!
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Yes, I remember the thong-fad. Nothing pretty about that either except the exclamation came in different colours. This conversation is cracking me up. Oops. Sorry…
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 at 8:05 am
And it’s SO UNCOMFORTABLE! Spare yourself, as well as us!
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:26 pm
You’d think when that much skin is exposed, a breeze can be felt?
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:30 pm
I have one pair of pants that I mistakenly thought would not creep (the perfect word) down too much in the back when I sat. So I can confirm that the breeze is felt!
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 at 8:44 am
No butts about it, totally agree with you. Australians suffer from the same affliction.
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I’m surprised butts aren’t only showing up in North America. Sheesh, Jay, it must be the cut of the pants because I’ve seen this waaaaaaaaaay too much.
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Funny! I am in complete agreement this ‘fashion’ statement must end.
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm
It’s enough to make my coffee lose it’s charm, Valentine.
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 6:46 am
Well done at make your point through humor. While in Europe in recent years, their dress is noteworthy!
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:14 pm
You are so right about Europeans taking more care in their appearance and dress! North American’s have become way too casual.
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 8:34 am
there’s no context in which I’d want to look down a man’s crack. He could be Brad Pitt for all I care, that’s just not a good angle. men may feel differently, though.
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Ditto. Are these people exhibitionists or just plain stupid?
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Plumber’s crack – not all it’s cracked up to be 😉
And I’ve yet to see a good looking plumber that might make me WANT to see said piece!!
Then again, if not for badly dressed Americans in Walmart, the rest of the world would not have half as much fun as they currently do 🙂
LikeLike
May 12, 2013 at 4:22 pm
I knooooooow. I hate it too! We must be the best presentation of ourselves out in public, if possible. Happy mother’s day!
LikeLike
June 3, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Wow. I don’t have little kiddies and I’m so late responding. Thanks, Jells. Ew, eh?
LikeLike
May 13, 2013 at 2:29 pm
What really irks me are teenage girls coming to church in short shorts. C’mon! How disrespectful! There are a lot of no-class bipeds out there who really need to be locked in a closet.
Love your blog!
LikeLike
May 17, 2013 at 10:09 am
Thanks for your comment. I agree the world is becoming way too r-e-l-a-x-e-d.
LikeLike
May 15, 2013 at 5:05 am
We have them over here in the UK as well, Tess. The thing is, they always appear to be illuminated in some way… and magnified!
LikeLike
May 16, 2013 at 12:49 am
Ah….the wonders of the plumbers crack. 🙂
LikeLike
May 19, 2013 at 1:04 am
Well said. There’s a fine line between personal freedoms and indecency and there are some things that should only be behind doors.
LikeLike
May 19, 2013 at 8:35 am
A—m–e-n!
LikeLike
May 24, 2013 at 8:52 pm
We’re becoming wayyyyyyyyyy too informal.
LikeLike
May 25, 2013 at 4:54 am
That’s probably true. It’s interesting since I live in Korea now, where levels of formality are ingrained in the language. They think it’s crazy that I would call my boss by his first name in America.
LikeLike
May 31, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Yes, they are a very proper people, something we no longer remember how to do.
LikeLike