The flip flop thread got me to thinking and .....I have long held to a theory that there is a large group of the general population, (from the shallow end of the gene pool), that I call "Mirror People". Mirror people either do not own a mirror or are completely unfamiliar with the operation of one (much like most dogs). Think about it, how else can you explain all of those folks out in public looking like they do? If they had any clue that that reflected image in the mirror is what they look like do you really think they would venture out in public?? These folks can be found just about everywhere and I'm not just talking Walmart and McDonalds. Trust me, I play a lot of golf and live in a senior community. Going to the pool ain't pretty.

If the first number when you step onto the scale is larger than one you might just want to rethink the spandex, tank tops, short shorts etc. You would think that out of kindness, and as a service to humanity in general, friends of the mirror people would step in with some sort of intervention, give them a mirror and explain how it works. Anyone else noticed this phenomenon?

HEY! The first number when I step on a scale is 2! I often wear shorts and sleeveless shirts!!

Actually though.. I wonder the same thing myself... I see some people in public who simply look.... awful. And it's not because of money really. I've seen some folks who may not have much money but at least look respectable.

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- The Federalist #46 -

I really think you could find something else to
post about. I am not perfect nor is anyone. So don't
be hard on people who don't look you want them to.
Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

I find the differences in the people I see and meet, interesting.

Some of the interesting characteristics in appearances may range from protruding nose and ear hair in one person as compared to another that is very well kept and free of protruding hair. All interesting.

I have seldom stopped to question why an individual chooses to, or not to, appear as they do. I also respect the right of anyone, slim, fat or otherwise, to dress as they may please without my judging them. I would hope that people would afford me the same respect.

To each his own, I guess.

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" I don't recall, senator."

Sorry to have offended. My intent was humor but sometimes it is as hard to discern as an accurate reflection. Visit your local golf course, Walmart, McDonalds etc., and try not to chuckle. Good luck with that.

The world would be pretty boaring if everyone did as everyone else did. I myself enjoy going out to the mall or walmart not just to buy but to be entertained by others seeing how they dress, act, etc. I like to talk to everyone that will talk back and enjoy everyone's story to tell. Just think about what God see's! Yes I do believe he has a sense of humor.

well IDK it is possible to be different yet look good, I generally have a 6" fanned mohawk well cut and maintained regularly with 1/2" holes in each earlobe cleaned very often big black pants with chains on them but they are clean and stay at my waist with a belt and a black t-shirt with something tasteful on it and I have three piercings in my bottom lip, l am far from normal but not tasteless. remind me one day and I will put up a picture to prove it can be done because I am sure alot of you guys are shaking your heads.

I've found that some of the most "beautiful" people are "mirror" people. And some of the nicest looking people can be mighty ugly underneath it all.

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Misty

+1!

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- The Federalist #46 -

And it dosen't take much to be

It seems that some things have been lost on this site over the past months. I'm fairly sure that months ago, the member that uses the username Erich posted old pics with a Mohawk and dark clothing from his college days. It was just about the most unlikely sight I've seen on this forumn. Those would be pics worth seeing again.

I've long since given up on judging books by their covers. I suppose some folks do leave you wondering what they were thinking when they left the house, but what the hell.


.

ok you talked me into it, wasn't that hard? will try to post pics tommorow

I've found that some of the most "beautiful" people are "mirror" people. And some of the nicest looking people can be mighty ugly underneath it all.
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Misty

Smart lady.



Ted Bundy was said to be very charismatic, confident, and handsome.
Mother Theresa was plain and unassuming, not attractive at all.

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PC, censorship
with a smile.

Now I am convinced we've travelled through Alice's looking glass.
The point's been reached where narcissism is viewed as a positive personality trait. But the narcissism being trotted out will be acceptable, only if it's visually appealing.
Because narcissism is that, that allows the very people in WalMart, K-Mart, and McDonalds to dress the way they do, and think it appropriate. They learned it's appropriateness somewhere. Most likely in front of the "fun house mirror" the media of the last 30 years has constructed.
Ya' think?

bingo

If everyone were perfect, what would the rest of us have to talk about?

Personally, I think folks should have a little bit of gumption and standards about how they go out in public. Call it common courtesy. I was raised by a southern mother and learned grooming and manners as part of my training in how to relate to others, in the sense that if you want to be taken seriously or if you want people to be accepting of you, you need to make at least a minimal effort instead of proclaiming "if you don't like the way I look/dress/act it's YOUR problem". No, when you put yourself in public situations you open yourself up to that scrutiny.

You wanna walk around in your own house with pants hanging off your rump showing your dirty underwear that hasn't been changed in a week - your prerogative. Walk around your own place without brushing your teeth with your hair looking like you just rolled out of bed or a wind tunnel - your business. But walk into my office looking like that and expecting to do business with me - don't expect me to take you seriously or go out of my way to try to stay close long enough to get interested in what you want.

The bar gets continually lowered until the most coarse and lowest common denominator IS the standard, and I for one refuse to succumb to it. The great thing about this country is freedom. Freedom to achieve, to be the best, to do great things, to speak your mind and be yourself.

The down side is you also have the freedom to be a boor, to act like the world owes you everything, to be a self-centered narcissistic jerk, and to hold opposing opinions to no regard at all. You have the freedom to do that and more. Just don't expect the people who actually make the world work to have a lot of time or respect for you. That, you're not entitled to. That, you earn.

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Qui plantavit curabit

Well, since you mentioned the flip flop thread I started, I feel I should respond to yours. I get what you mean and also see it all the time. I live in a beach resort area. In the Summer I can go to the resort strip and see all sorts of people in all sorts of dress. There seems to be many people who are in denial about their physical condition. There are lots of very overweight women in very small bathing suits and similar men who are shirtless and wearing tight bathing shorts walking around. I am not talking about on the beach. I am talking about on the streets away from the beach. It is pretty gastly at times.

Before I go farther, let me say that I am sure I would look just as bad in such dress or undress. I might be more comfortable without pants and those pesky undershorts but I believe my comfort isn't always the primary consideration. It just appears that any standard for good taste and appropriate public dress has gone down the drain. As Jeff Cooper put it, and I paraphrase, "We are in the age of the common man and he is very common."

Say what you will about not judging a book by its cover but people do make judgements based upon one's dress and speech and behavior. In the business world, I have observed young people showing up to job interviews in shorts and T-shirts with flip flops expecting to be hired to work in a business that requires some standard of dress. They seem to be stunned that they wouldn't get the job because of how they look. Where did they get the idea that appearance doesn't matter?

If one wants to dress like a slob or pick their nose or pass gass in public because it feels good to them, its their right to do so. But, they shouldn't be too surprised that others don't want to be around them. Look at the table manners, or lack thereof, in restaurants today. If one wants be act in a crude fashion, one will just have to except that some others will judge you to be crude.

...And leave you alone..Which may be what these people want in the first place...Seems like the board is going through a sanctimonious phase right now. I wear a coat & tie every day. I wear shorts and flip flops when I am off duty so to speak cause I WANT TO. I also find out that if one mumbles to oneself every now and then people will not only leave you alone they will actually get out of your way.

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Forum consigliere

Sounds of Barbara Streisand singing "Feelings" in the background.

So, you'd be OK handing your paycheck over to a teller in a bank who had to hold his pants up with one hand, had a ball cap on sideways, a grill full of gold teeth, and smelled like a goat who slept in an outhouse ? Or better yet, let him serve you your food . . . after all, we mustn't be judgmental

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Qui plantavit curabit

Hey! I saw that guy on COPS the other night!

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Misty

Can’t judge a book by its cover seems to apply. On the other hand some one whom practices personal hygiene and covers themselves appropriately isn’t an unreasonable expectation. I’m judgmental more often than not concerning appearance. Some times I’m wrong but I’ll admit it.

Just wait. A few months ago, everyone here at the senior home seemed to go through a phase where they simply didn't bother to put their teeth in before coming downstairs.

The older I get, the more I need to be aware that I am getting too judgemental at times. I keep myself well groomed, and clean at all times for my own sake, not because I want to impress anyone. By the same token, I do not wish to be unkempt and dirty for my own sake, and not because I fear what others may think.

While I believe that the whole situation has more to do with self pride than anything else, it can become a social issue when others are affected. By this I mean that just as obscene language in front of women and children is unacceptable (at least to me), improper dress (I am talking about borderline obscene), lack of manners, and a maloderous air can be offensive to others as well, depending on the setting.

Being considerate of others and being dictated to by others are two completely different things.

WG840

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Freedom above all else.

No comment.

Jag312 - that is SO uncool, posting that at lunch time . . . .

I'm sure it's mother is so proud . . . . .

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Qui plantavit curabit

One of my neighbors is an elderly German fellow. He NEVER leaves the house without wearing a suit and tie, even if he's just going out for a walk. Another neighbor, for whom the term "scuzz-bucket" was coined, told me he thought the old guy was goofy. I suppose it's all in your perspective.

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Tom

Bud, you wouldn't even have stood out in the crowd at some my gigs in Germany.

If you ever want to go someplace where you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a HUGE store with the kind of thing you're into, go to Germany.

Yeah I had a "mohawk" once. It was one of my first combat flights. The entire crew sported mohawks... of course ours were 2 inches wide and 1/4 inch long with the rest of the head shaved.....

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- The Federalist #46 -

About time someone posted something in this thread that made any sense.

As long as these "mirror people" don't ask me to pick up the tab for the health problems caused by their lifestyle choices, I am willing to live and let live.
One things I do remember from my Army days is that I met no real slobs. 99% of the GIs I knew, you couldn't keep them away from soap and water. Also an individual who let his laundry bag go for too long and let it become a home to creatures that were not "life as we know it" usually found himself paying to replace all the items he lost when someone threw his laundry bag in the dumpster.
I recall the story told me by another officer I knew in the Reserves who went through DI
School and took a platoon through Basic in the Summer on 1974. He had to deal with-"The Gasser"-one recruit who was constantly "cutting the cheese" and stunk to high heaven. He gave them their gas mask training early, told them if he or any of the other cadre detected
this individual launching gas warfare they had to put on their gas masks and do 25 pushups.
The next day he dropped them 4 times, the other DI dropped them 4 times, one of the other cadre dropped them once, one of the other officers dropped them once. By the end of the day they were ready to lynch that kid.

Way out of contex there, eh?

You go ahead and judge people by their appearances if you like NFrame. As I said "to each his own". You also make the world interesting.

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" I don't recall, senator."

Wow did this thread take off and drift a little. I was merely pointing out my pet theory that explains this particular phenomenon. For those that took it way too serious let me remind that humor was the original intent. I don't judge these folks but do get a chuckle as I am sure they do of me - the 57 year old guy with a bad haircut and hearing aids who giggles to himself a lot in public.

Appearances aside I do take offense at folks who have no concept of minimal hygiene standards and choose to impose that lack of standards on the general public. If you stink, don't walk into McD's and plop down next to me, their food is tough enough to gag down on a good day. I am sure my pony tail and beard from college days would have offended many but at least I kept them clean. Given the way things are going in the world today I spend a lot of time looking for, and happily finding, things that make me smile. May you also be so blessed. I am currently vacationing in San Diego and expect to enjoy the people watching even more than back at home. (o;

Beg to disagree - I think the context is accurate and very pertinent.

One can wax philosophical about being so open minded and not judging people by their appearance, but in context that's only easy to do if you choose to ignore those expressing their "freedom" and you are not forced to deal with them. I couldn't care any less how people decide to dress when they go out - it doesn't affect me one way or the other as long as I don't have to deal or interact with them - their business - live and let live. It may not be a style for me, but I just choose to look at it as an amusing aspect of human nature.

But it's disingenuous to tell someone to "go ahead and judge people by their appearances if you like" as if you're somehow morally superior and above it all. The context of the situation I described is germane. If and unless you think nothing of dealing with someone who is slovenly, unkempt, or dirty to serve you your food or whatnot, then you too make "judgments" based on appearance.

I most certainly do give people their space to be who they are and do as they like - until it intrudes in my space or is forced on me. Your "rights" extend as far as the end of your nose because after that you're in someone else's space. And though mis-guided 'do-gooders' are feverishly working to change it, we still have the freedom in this country not to have to deal with someone we find offensive or disagree with. One could say you shortchange yourself at times by doing so, but then, that's your choice, isn't it ?

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Qui plantavit curabit

Capt Steve, are you having the same problem with humor as David Letterman. If you really want a laugh go to a boat ramp and spend the day watching people launch and retrieve their boats back onto their trailers. If the wind is blowing it even gets funnier. If it is a husband and wife team, Oh My God!

The standard is now so low that we have this headline today:

http://www.clickorlando.com/jobs/19787216/detail.html

Wow, who is going to police the policy? I hope the city has a lot of funds for legal defense. Now last but not least B. Spears need not apply for a job as well as a few other Hollywood ladies. Based on his own revelation I guess Cajun won't be able to work there either.

I just wish I got the money he does. You really hit it when you mentioned the boat ramp. The public ramp at Shelter Island is right across the street from our Yacht Club. We used to take folding chairs and sit for hours watching the carnage. We would even hold up numbers scoring the attempts, cheering and laughing. The best days were the holidays, Memorial,4th of July and Labor day. This is when the folks that go out once a year make their appearance.

Having worked as a commercial tow boat Captain I had to bring boats into the confines of the launch ramp and docks and put them back on their trailers. As you noted this was usually when the wind was howling, dad was drunk, mom and the kids sunburned and seasick. Launching and retrieving done well is a thing of beauty and most folks get it right, at least after a couple of tries....but some just never figure it out. I've seen more than few lose the family car or truck to a slippery ramp.

My all time favorite were these 4 guys who pulled in with a three man jet ski. They had no trailer for it....no problem. They lowered the tail gate and just backed a 3/4 ton pickup in deep enough to drive the jet ski into the bed. the water was up to drivers window and the exhaust looked like an out drive unit with all the bubbles. Some how the engine managed to keep running and when they pulled up the ramp water poured out of places God never intended. Must have been a borrowed truck.

Anyway, more felony thread drift but thanks for reminding me of the best free show in town. Think I'll get a couple of lawn chairs and a six pack and check it out on Saturday afternoon. (o;

Excellent analysis!