The Top 40

I'd say - PJ can go fuck himself.

I'm not here to inspire trust in him, nor convince him of how groan up I am. If women with bad legs can wear skirts in public then I can wear shorts and show off my bad middle-aged legs.

And I DON'T look like that git in the cartoon.

One of the many things about masculinity I tried to teach my sons was, "There is no such thing as dress jeans."

Well, M00se, then you are still among that great American male cohort, The Slobs.

Donald Sensing, there is in the nouveau class of assholes. Can you pronounce class like the Japanese: Crass.

GVDL is right, M00se. And I'd be willing to bet a hundred bucks that you DO "look like that git in the cartoon".

"But it's uncuuuuuuumfertuhbuhhhl." What are you, five? Who cares if it's comfortable? Real Life is usually uncomfortable if you're doing it right.

This sort of narcissistic behavior is typical of our decadent, fallen culture. Who cares if I look like an idiot? Who cares if my underarm hair is sticking out? Who cares if my poor wife is cringing in shame beside me? To hell with her, to hell with you, and to hell with everybody else. It's all about my needs, my comfort, my need to prove to the world I'm not an irrelevant human fossil. I'm gonna let my freak flag fly! It's my happening, baby, and it freaks me out!

Pathetic.

Guys, don't be like M00se. You don't go around acting like an eight year old kid, so don't dress like one. Show some respect for your neighbors by dressing for their comfort instead of your own.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie Apollo 13 is when they awaken Gary Sinese to come and help them get the astronauts back safely, and as they enter the Mission Control building, Sinese puts on a tie and suit coat. Sometimes they cut it out, to fit a time slot, but I always watch for it. I think it's a beautiful moment, but I know a lot of people would laugh at me if they heard me say it.

It wouldn't stop me from saying it. (Or from writing it here.)

So, thanks for all the judgement guys - I'm sure you're in suits when in bed as well.

I dress *appropriately*. Period. When I'm at the client I dress *like the client*. I don't however wear striped rugby shirts 2 sizes too small and button down shirts a decade out of date. I wear chinos and solid colors.

When I'm working from home - fuck all of you. You can wear your pinstripes in the can. Men wear *what they want* when appropriate. Making an ad hominem attack about men wearing shorts (gee, I dunno - like GDVL getting married naked?) is the epitome of adolescent behavior.

Striking out at those who are *different*.

Blow me.

I'ed rather be an hour early than a minute late.
I prefer to be over-dressed than under-dressed.

Dear Mr. M00se:

I see your manners are on par with your grooming habits. Your folks must be so proud. "Yeah, that's my son there... they older guy in the, uh, shorts, and the, uh, stained Star Wars T-shirt..."

PS - I do sleep in a suit of clothes. They're called pajamas. Perhaps you are familiar with them.

On second though, probably not.

When I'm "on duty"-- at work, or in a situation where I have to dress "appropriately"-- I dress appropriately: suit-and-tie, dress slacks and dress shirt, whatever is required.

When I'm "off duty" and on my own time, I dress as I damn well please, bearing in mind local laws prescribing a minimum amount of attire, and weather conditions. If I want to go around in shorts and a (clean) t-shirt, what's it to you? If you don't like looking at me, then don't look at me.

Yes, I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed, but not all of life is spent (or should be spent) on some kind of parade-ground, where the object is to impress your fellow man.

(And after fifty years on this planet, I'm just enough of a misanthrope to be half-inclined, just on general principles, to tell my fellow man to take a long walk off a short pier.)

Whatever happened to not judging a book by its cover?

For that matter, where the heck is Ambrose Bierce when you need him? I'm sure he'd have more than a little fun with the wardrobe-obsessed.

If I want to go around in shorts and a (clean) t-shirt, what's it to you?

An opportunity for ridicule.

If you don't like looking at me, then don't look at me.

...said the junior high school kid with the self-esteem problem. Also, not possible in a crowded urban environment.

Yes, I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed, but not all of life is spent (or should be spent) on some kind of parade-ground, where the object is to impress your fellow man.

Psychologically healthy people don't consider good grooming to be an effort to "impress your fellow man". Good grooming is, for well-bred people, an essential part of general good manners, and as such is always and everywhere to be practiced.

(And after fifty years on this planet, I'm just enough of a misanthrope to be half-inclined, just on general principles, to tell my fellow man to take a long walk off a short pier.)

Spoken like a man with seventeen years on this planet.

Whatever happened to not judging a book by its cover?

It was discarded. It doesn't track with reality. The very purpose of a book cover is to enable a person to judge the book's contents.

It's sad that presumably adult Americans have to be argued into wearing grownup clothes instead of their underwear in public.

There were years when I wore suit and tie to work, nice once too. My employer provided a good income and a defined benefit plan pension. Every time I went to the factory floor the plant employees screwed up their faces and turned sullen, despite my friendly approach- I came from the same background as they, and complimented their work and talked with them about their families. But the suit meant I was "not their kind". Big dry cleaning bills, too.

The pension plan is long gone, so is that employer and most of its industry. The new employer is business casual, makes money consistently, has excellent workforce relations, and we all look fine. Khakis and button down shirts are no less adult than impractical and alienating suits and ties.

PJ is a national treasure, but he can keep his blazers and ties. I will wear a good jacket and tie to church, funerals, weddings, and the most upscale restaurants, but suits are out. Some of the most dignified and accomplished adults I know have never dressed as he prescribes, once out of the military.

I live in south texas, and I'll be laughing at the likes of B Lewis in his uncomfortable, sweat stained three piece while wearing my cool cargo shorts and button up silk shirt.
I'm not in my life to impress any such MF - don't need to.

Wear whatever you like. Just don't run crying to mommy when I laugh at you.

And it's a shame you're not "in your life" to impress me. Anyone who is capable of impressing me is a fine person indeed.

Dress like a clown, be treated like a clown.

B. Lewis,

Like I said, Ambrose Bierce would have a lot of fun with the wardrobe-obsessed among us.

:-)

Hale Adams,
Pikesville, People's Democratic Republic of Maryland

B Lewis,
Anyone who is concerned with impressing you is a clown.

Dear Sir/Madam:

Thank you for your comment. Your opinion has been noted.

Sincerely,

B LEWIS

"Ambrose Bierce would have a lot of fun with the wardrobe-obsessed among us."

Or maybe he would have had a lot of fun with the wardrobe-challenged perpetual adolesecents. :-)