Simply disgraceful.
An article from the NY Post regarding the way people dressed to attend Senator Kennedy’s public services.
But just as sad? The flip-flops.
Mourners also sported short-shorts, undershirts, dirty tees, and many pairs of infamous Crocs. It was a Casual Friday gone horribly wrong, as if everyone’s destination was Fenway Park, not a public casket viewing at the Kennedy Library.
“Dressing down” is nothing new — fine diners have long complained about the slow erosion of appropriate attire. But what has happened to the dignity of a nation when you can’t even dress properly for a wake?
Regardless of what you thought of Senator Kennedy (and one has to believe that a person who took time out of their day to pay their respects thought a good deal of him,) what in the world would induce you to attend his viewing wearing what is described in this article? If you can’t respect the man, then respect his family. If you can’t respect his family, then respect yourself. If you can’t respect yourself enough to dress appropriately, do the decent thing and just stay home.
Tom Accuosti
on September 1st, 2009
I was just telling somebody the other day that when I was younger, airlines expected travelers to dress appropriately, or they could refuse to allow you to board. Jackets, collared shirts were expected for men. I think that changed in the 70s.
Recently, I attended a wake at which several people were dressed in t-shirts. C’mon, guys, huh?
Jeff Naylor
on September 1st, 2009
Exactly. T-shirts at a wake? It’s pathetic, and I see it all the time.
I don’t think everyone needs to be in business dress every minute of every day, but at least have the decency to show up for funerals, weddings, graduations and the like as if you have some modicum of respect for the institutions and their participants.
Interesting that you mention the airline issue, I was discussing with a colleague a week or so ago our amazement with the state of some passengers. He swears he was on a flight last month with a woman who was wearing pajamas.
Nathan Brindle
on September 1st, 2009
I remember when I wouldn’t even think of taking a plane trip without wearing a tie. Today I don’t even bother.
Maybe we should all start doing that again. We might start a trend!
Jeff Naylor
on September 1st, 2009
I normally do, but I don’t think anything about someone who just wears normal street clothes either.
Pajamas I might have a problem with…
All this said, if we started a trend that would be OK with me too.
Eric Schmitz
on September 2nd, 2009
I’ve been ignoring the national news lately, so I didn’t see any of the funeral coverage. Here’s another reason I’m glad I wasn’t paying attention.
Being a Freemason, I’ve been to quite a few funerals. Never once would it ever occur to em to not show up in at least coat and tie, even if I weren’t part of the service.
I do casual at work most of the time, although that’s changing recently (damn you, Naylor!!!) Still, “every day is casual Friday” has spilled over into way to many places where it just should never go.