Thursday, January 10, 2019

How Did America Become a Nation of Slobs?

What does our own sloppy dress tell us about ourselves? Are we too pressed for time to dress a little up rather than way down? Are we rebelling against the idea of beauty and culture? Or are we just too lazy to pull on a pair of slacks instead of wearing the sweats we slept in? I have no idea. Recently I was watching Casablanca with two of my granddaughters. One of them suddenly turned to me and said, “Why was everyone so dressed up back then?”

“People used to dress that way. They did every day. We just don’t do it anymore.”

“You do,” my granddaughter said.

I burst out laughing. My granddaughter gave me a puzzled look, then returned to the movie.

Oscar Wilde once said, “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” No one would ever consider me overdressed—or overeducated, for that matter—but if I am now regarded as well-dressed, a man representing haute couture, then I can draw only one conclusion. (Read more.)
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5 comments:

Susan, TOF said...

I *so* agree!

Speaking for myself, when I take more care with my dress, brush and arrange my hair carefully, choose something besides tennis shoes for my feet, and put on earrings and a little makeup, I seem to stand a little straighter and smile a little more often. It really improves confidence as well. Why save all your pretty and "special" clothes to wear only once or twice per year, when you can do it more often - especially to church? Why not take the same care for God as we would for a celebrity?

God bless and protect all here - Susan, OFS

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, dressing nicely shows respect for the people around you.

Unknown said...

It could do with a lack of self esteem. I noticed in my teens i didnt care for myself as my self esteem was in the toilet. As I grew older i realized why grooming is important.

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, when we lack self-respect and self-discipline we tend to get sloppy on many levels, both interiorly and exteriorly.

julygirl said...

I have come to the conclusion that the lazy and sloppy gene is predominant in our makeup.