Mirror People

[NFrameFred]

I also respect the right of anyone, slim, fat or otherwise, to dress as they may please without my judging them.

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

 

[gunlovingirl]

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

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

 

[dennis40x]

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.

 

[BarbC]

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.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

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

 

[jag312]

No comment.

 

[NFrameFred]

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

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

 

[Tom M]

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.

 

[beach elvis]

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.

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.

 

[USAF385]

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.

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.....

 

[Bassamatic]

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.

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

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

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.

 

[Beauetienne]

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

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.

 

[Capt Steve]

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;

 

[NFrameFred]

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.

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 ?

 

[ingmansinc]

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.

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!

 

[ArcticFox]

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

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

 

[ingmansinc]

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.

 

[Capt Steve]

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!

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;

 

[Wayne02]

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?

Excellent analysis!