The deterioration of American society

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by 33girl
However, when it comes to cellphones going off in the movies or theater, it's past a point of whether it is "classy" or not. Their thoughtlessness is interfering with my ability to enjoy something that I looked forward to and paid good money (usually quite a bit of it) to enjoy. I feel the same about the people with screaming children who won't leave the theater or restaurant to get the kid to a chilled out state.

I guess I've just mastered the art of ignoring someone and tuning them out.

I didn't say it wasn't rude.

Rudey, I'm glad to know that I am not the only GC snob.

[Cluey]

I guess I should clarify what I meant...

I don't mean that dressing up means you are better than someone else. I just wish people would dress appropriately and act politely.

Maybe I am asking for too much?

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
I guess I've just mastered the art of ignoring someone and tuning them out.

That's definately me.

I couldn't care less if someone doesn't dress up at certain places, leave early, etc...as long as they aren't with me somewhere important making me look bad.

Live and let live.

[DeltaSigStan]

Originally posted by Cluey
I guess I should clarify what I meant...

I don't mean that dressing up means you are better than someone else. I just wish people would dress appropriately and act politely.

Maybe I am asking for too much?

In 2003? You bet you are.

I've actually done the opposite. I've started wearing nice dress shirts and slacks, but nothing too fancy. I'm pretty much over the baggy clothing phase unless I'm just hanging out at home.

But, if you want to wear what you want, it doesn't bother me any....

[OUlioness01]

this cell phone discussion reminds me of a completely true story.

i was in a musical when I was 16, called Li'l Abner (based on the comic strip). one of the characters, General Bullmoose did a rant about how the world wasn't the same as it used to be...called "Progress is the Root of All Evil". During a part of this song he lists the various modern evils, and we had adjusted it to fit into the year 2000. While in the middle of the song on of the last nights of the show, a cell phone rang in the middle of the otherwise quiet audience. it kept ringing and ringing. the ower dind't turn it off. then it rang again. while the phone was ringin it came to the part where Bullmoose listed off vaious evils of modern society, and in a loud ringing voice he yedlled "cell phones". i had never heard an audience cheer or laugh like that in the middle of the song (keep in mind that many of the audience members saw the show more than once during the 2 week run and knew that was a new addition to the song). i will never forget that moment.

end of story. my point is that you should always turn your cell phone off, or at least your ringer...you may end up being embarassed in front of over 200 strangers.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by Rudey
Yes and I look at people who wear cheap $500 suits and girls who shop at Ann Taylor and think they're dressing up as a bunch of lower class blue collar types/

To look down on people like this is ridiculous. Honestly, if you think dressing up shows respect, then you're plain old ridiculous.

-Rudey
--Let's all talk about how going to Outback is a black tie affair now.

Rudey, you rock. The older I get, the less I give a shit about how anyone is dressed because crap like that just doesn't matter. I have clients who come to court with their pants hanging off their asses and their underwear sticking out, and they are usually the most polite, respectful people I encounter. I would never judge someone by clothing.

[MareImbrium]

Originally posted by Cluey
I thank my lucky stars every night that I went to college where manners were cherished. We still wore white gloves twice a year and have guidelines for appropriate dress. It also wasn't that long ago that Saturday night dinner was formal. I only wish they hadn't changed that...

Which school was this? I always thought it'd be interesting to have a class that teaches basic table manners during formal dinners and things of that sort. Plus it'd be fun to have formal dinners every once in a while just for an excuse to dress up in your best. I want to live a life of luxury one day...the kind I see in movies where everyone dresses up for a glamarous party filled with delicious hors d'ouvres (spell check!) and men in tuxes (drool).

Onto other things on this post...cell phones...ahh the evil of cell phones. Yes it's one of my peeves too when you know for sure that someone's cell phone, PDA, pager will go off during a movie, concert, theater, etc. no matter how many times it's emphasized to turn all electronic equipment off or on silent. When I'm out with someone or a group of people, I usually put my phone on silent unless I have to have it on audible if I'm the only contact so they can find the group.

My mom STILL does the whole makeup thing before she has to go out even if it is to go to the store. One day we had a doctor's appointment and I asked her, "We're only going to the doctor's, why are you putting on makeup??" She just said it was natural for her to do so.

I always look at how others treat other people because that shows a lot of their character to how they'll treat you.

[lifesaver]

I can remember (barely) when people dressed up to fly.

I just hate to feel underdressed. If I am going to the theater or any type of live performance in a theater or concert hall you dress for it. Not necessarily all black tie, but for instance to a theater to see a commedian, at least wear non denim pants. Denim might be ok for a matinee, but even then its shakey. Khakis for the matinee and slacks for the evening shows. ESPECIALLY if you are on a date. Weither it be with your wife or girlfriend, it shows you respect THEM enough to see it as a special nite/event.

Thrillhouse, I understand some people like to avoid traffic (who doesnt), and I am not raising a stink here, just actually trying to understand that school of thought, BUT doesnt it make a little more sense to park strategically, at a better lot/garage or take a farther spot or even use the vallet to ease egress? I dont like traffic, but If I got the time to go to a show or something I can spare an extra 20 in traffic. I am not a surgeon and I dont have anyone waiting on me to plant a new kidney in someone. I am willing to bet most peeps leaving early dont have to either. The 30 mins extra? Yeah, its not gonna bankrupt you to pay the sitter an extra 10 dollars.

[AOII_LB93]

I understand where some of you are coming from with the whole not judging people by what they wear thing, but it happens. I'm a teacher, if I dress in jeans and a t-shirt how can I truly expect the parents of my students and my students themselves, as well as the administration of the place where I work to respect me as a professional?

With so many people nowadays complaining that they don't get treated like a "professional" (whatever that may mean to each person) but yet they dress like utter slobs at the workplace, what do they expect? There is a time and place for everything.

I was shocked last night, as my family and I went out for a very nice dinner for my Grandmother's 94th( ) birthday, and on the website of this restaurant chain (but classy-Ruth's Chris) they post a sort of dresscode and yet people were showing up there in clothing that was truly inappropriate. When the dress requirements state "Semi-casual to Formal", does semi casual mean leave the house looking like you rolled out of bed? Or for women or girls to wear pants cut so low you can almost get a dose of TWO cracks? (And I am serious here, I'm not referring to cleavage.)

Quite honestly, I don't think that because I think that people should dress nicely means that they respect me, it meas that they respect themselves enough not to look like a slob. If that makes me, in the words of Rudey, "plain old ridiculous" then fine. I'd rather be plain old ridiculous even if it is considered old fashioned.

*edited for typos*

[AchtungBaby80]

Originally posted by AOII_LB93
Quite honestly, I don't think that because I think that people should dress nicely means that they respect me, it meas that they respect themselves enough not to look like a slob. If that makes me, in the words of Rudey, "plain old ridiculous" then fine. I'd rather be plain old ridiculous even if it is considered old fashioned.

Oh, yes. I agree. And what about these people who wear jeans to church? They can give me the "Well, God doesn't care what you look like as long as you're there" all they want, but I still say anybody ought to show some respect and at least wear slacks.

[smiley21]

Originally posted by AchtungBaby80
Oh, yes. I agree. And what about these people who wear jeans to church? They can give me the "Well, God doesn't care what you look like as long as you're there" all they want, but I still say anybody ought to show some respect and at least wear slacks.

there are girls at my church who wear little lace tank tops and mini skirts. darn ol abercrombie and fitch model wannabes

[33girl]

Originally posted by AOII_LB93
I understand where some of you are coming from with the whole not judging people by what they wear thing, but it happens. I'm a teacher, if I dress in jeans and a t-shirt how can I truly expect the parents of my students and my students themselves, as well as the administration of the place where I work to respect me as a professional?

With so many people nowadays complaining that they don't get treated like a "professional" (whatever that may mean to each person) but yet they dress like utter slobs at the workplace, what do they expect? There is a time and place for everything.

I was shocked last night, as my family and I went out for a very nice dinner for my Grandmother's 94th( ) birthday, and on the website of this restaurant chain (but classy-Ruth's Chris) they post a sort of dresscode and yet people were showing up there in clothing that was truly inappropriate. When the dress requirements state "Semi-casual to Formal", does semi casual mean leave the house looking like you rolled out of bed? Or for women or girls to wear pants cut so low you can almost get a dose of TWO cracks? (And I am serious here, I'm not referring to cleavage.)

Quite honestly, I don't think that because I think that people should dress nicely means that they respect me, it meas that they respect themselves enough not to look like a slob. If that makes me, in the words of Rudey, "plain old ridiculous" then fine. I'd rather be plain old ridiculous even if it is considered old fashioned.

*edited for typos*

I totally agree with this whole post....

and don't even get me STARTED on what some of these little tarts are wearing to church nowadays. although in a way, I guess it's no worse than when this one girl (who had previously been hidden under a choir robe) wore an EXTREMELY tight fitting sweater dress and showed off her new twins. "Hello, I'm Jessie and these are my breasts!"

[DeltAlum]

Unless I'm changing the oil in a car, I like to slightly overdress for pretty much every occassion.

I think that shows some respect for everyone around you.

As for cell phones -- I wish someone would "uninvent" them. We got along very well for a long time without them, and probably still would. They are the source of an awful lot of disruption.

[sigmagrrl]

I personally LOVE getting dressed up...now that I can fit into clothes that are pretty...

But, I will say this. When I was a kid, and even now, I go to church on either Saturday or Sunday night. These are the "informal" masses...I get to wear sweats, jeans, hell, even jammas...

Personally, I don't THINK God minds what I wear, I THINK he'd be glad I just showed up! My faith has nothing to do with my outfit...

[tnxbutterfly]

Originally posted by AchtungBaby80
Oh, yes. I agree. And what about these people who wear jeans to church? They can give me the "Well, God doesn't care what you look like as long as you're there" all they want, but I still say anybody ought to show some respect and at least wear slacks.

I'm glad you brought this point up. I go to a very nice Episcopal Church and I'm just suprised every Sunday when I see people show up in jeans and shorts. I admit that I've been short of slacking off with my church attire It still bothers me that people can't at least put on a pair of khakis. I know it's hot in Texas right now,but that's no excuse