"Dressing down a culture"

**kiltedrennie** · 22nd May 13, 10:48 AM

I think the one thing we can all agree on is that kilts are "kool" as Father Bill put it!

**Father Bill** · 22nd May 13, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by aonghas

I like you also Father Bill

but it was probably not me there, maybe I will have the honour one day.

You're on!

**TheOfficialBren** · 22nd May 13, 12:56 PM

This is a jolly good thread!

I hope that Dr Who echoes Father Bill.

**sailortats** · 22nd May 13, 05:22 PM

All this talk of culture and counter-culture reminded me of this pic from a Canadian newspaper a year or two ago. Note the smile on the Duchess's face, it's as genuine as you get.

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**adempsey10** · 22nd May 13, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by sailortats

All this talk of culture and counter-culture reminded me of this pic from a Canadian newspaper a year or two ago. Note the smile on the Duchess's face, it's as genuine as you get.

Awesome. Love it.

**Flavia** · 23rd May 13, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Nathan, I recognize, and am familiar with the rules of dress and mourning for Jews - my family are Jews (surprise for a priest - slightly weirder story than your average conversion too!)

"Only in America!" You are not alone; our family is the opposite :-)

And, possibly for this forum,

, but did anyone besides me notice that the article was geared directly at women?? As if men weren't also getting just as overly casual! Very pleased to see that this forum didn't go that route!

**tundramanq** · 23rd May 13, 11:04 AM

flavia. We Know which side our bread is buttered on....
Have been thinking back and really don't see too much difference in smart vs. slob dress. Excluding the kiddies fashion statements, I remember people in public dressed well and not so well for "the venue" for my last 60 years.

**Alan H** · 23rd May 13, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by JohntheBiker

Getting used to it is not a problem. Accepting that it represents progress is a different matter.

Often dressing appropriately for a given function or activity is about self-respect and good manners. I would argue that there are more folks today that don't have much of either. Either they haven't been taught or they don't care.

At work, I dress like a professional. When I'm on the Harley, I look like a biker. Highland formal is formal. At home it is mostly jeans and a T-shirt. The kit is always clean and cared for and I don't wear a hat indoors. Self-respect and good manners.

All that is completely fine and it sounds like you are comfortable in your own skin. Two thumbs up!

The problem would lie not within you, then, but rather if you were to say that those who didn't do as you do must therefore have no self-respect and have bad manners.... and therefore, of course are BAD PEOPLE. ---which I'm not accusing you of doing, of course, but "if........"

**cryptoman** · 28th August 13, 12:32 PM

Slovenliness is bad manners in any context, public or private. It disrespects any context into which it is introduced and disrespects all others upon whom it is thrust. I also believe this extends from manner of attire to manner of speech.

Picking on people for the way they dress is the peak of bad manners as long as hygiene is applied. The same applies to hairsplitting. Expressing respect by the way you dress? It is the 21th century, bro.

**Nathan** · 28th August 13, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by cryptoman

Picking on people for the way they dress is the peak of bad manners as long as hygiene is applied. The same applies to hairsplitting. Expressing respect by the way you dress? It is the 21th century, bro.

Citing the date isn't an argument. In my view, dressing appropriately for a given venue or event shows respect for your hosts/employer/ etc...

If you fail to dress appropriately for the occasion, you will rarely be called out on it because of the manners of others. This should not erroneously be construed as a tacit approval of one's choice of attire.

I say appropriately because indeed, one can also over dress, thereby making one's fellows feel self-conscious for no good reason or simply appearing pretentious or clueless.

If the context calls for radical self-expression or totally casual attire, go for it. If you feel like wearing shorts and a tank top to a wedding that calls for a suit, that's disrespectful.

Context is key. Caring about getting it right rather than expecting the world to adapt to your sartorial whims is indeed good manners and a sign of respect, even in the 21st Century, bro.