Monday, September 22, 2008

Picture it. Montreal. 2008...ah what the hell am I saying?

Some days I feel my age more than others. Yesterday was one of those days. We had some errands to run and made our way, on foot. Hubby went in a store and I decided to wait outside. I stayed there, looking at people around me. It was a beautiful day and there were lots of people out. A girl walked by with her dog, which looked as if it was the result of a cross between a Dalmatian and a Schnauzer. It really made a strange looking dog. A young couple was walking in the opposite direction. The guy did a double take on the dog and said something about its look, and kept walking. As he walked pass me, I couldn’t help to smell the very distinct smell of marijuana. They were smoking a joint, just like that as if it was a regular cigarette, in broad daylight on Ste-Catherine St. I guess it’s true that nothing is the same anymore…

What ever happened to the times when we, as people, were intimidated by a police officer? When we knew what was illegal and were scared shit to get caught? I remember growing up I felt that I was the only one who had strict parents, and now I wonder if I was in fact the only one. To this day, I have respect for others, and for the law. I’m not saying that I don’t speed when driving, or don’t do anything wrong, but I still have this fear respect for authority and what it means… Maybe it’s because my father pounded me (literally!) with it, but I know the difference between right and wrong.

I remember having to dress up, every Sunday, to go to church. That was also the day we would visit relatives. I always wore clean pants, skirts or dresses when going out somewhere. I still do. Last week I was meeting a potential client. I made sure I was wearing pants before making my way to his office. I wasn’t comfortable to meet him wearing jeans. I only do bookkeeping, it's not like I was going for a top executive position. I realised as I was driving there, that those values are well rooted in me. Some things should not be worn. At my mom’s beau funerals I was shocked to see his son (a 50+ years old man) wearing jeans, bellow his belly, with a shirt that was so wrinkled it looked like it had been dug from the laundry basket. What a sad looking man, and I’m not talking about being sad for the loss of his father!

The way some people dressed I would maybe wear on a day when I’m doing yard work, and even then I would at least colour match, ‘cause I’m anal that way. You think I’m being a snob or judgemental? Too bad! I always thought there’s a place and time for everything, and plastic flip-flops are not the correct footwear at a funeral home, neither are construction boots. There is no way in Hell either one of my parents would have let me leave home wearing something like this as a kid. Even now, if I had shown up dressed that way, my mother would have made a snarky remark, for sure.

We just don’t care anymore. We don’t care about how we look, how we dress, how we act, nothing matters. We don’t respect anything including ourselves, others and it’s all good. Yep… I’m feeling like an old broad… can you tell?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nope, it's so true. I always had to dress up and still do. People are unbelievable in what they think is proper. It annoys me to no end!

Jason Stockl said...

One of the reasons I love the 50's and 60's so much is that people dressed up back then.

Look at pictures of Expo 67, and women were wearing hats and gloves (not to mention everyone looked freshly coiffed!)...

There was a real sense of elegance in those days. I really believe that dressing well is a sign of respect to oneself and to others; which seems all too rare in this day and age!

PinkPiddyPaws said...

Yes, I'm totally on board here. I'm still a law abiding citizen and have a healthy respect for those that that enforce it (well, and I date a cop, so that helps..hee..hee..).

It makes me sick to see the total disrespect for the law anymore.

Unknown said...

Many moons ago I went to visit a friend in New York City. We went to the Museum of Natural History, and as we were wandering the park outside the museum he took out a joint and lit it. I was dumbfounded, and was very furtive as he passed it to me(I don't partake any more, btw) but he seemed unconcerned that we were smoking a joint in public. He pointed out that big city cops had much bigger things to worry about than two peaceful guys sharing less than a few grams of weed.
And I totally agree about the lack of concern for personal appearance these days. People used to dress for the theatre, but now I see people in the audience in tank tops, cut-offs and flip flops.

Annake said...

Very, very true! Especially on the way people dress. It's amazing some of the things people will wear in public that I wouldn't even wear around the house. Yikes!

lizgwiz said...

Well, if you're an old lady, I'm one, too!

Green-Eyed Momster said...

We must be the same age! I was shocked to find out that jeans were acceptable attire for work! 17 years ago jeans were only, maybe, acceptable on casual Friday!

I am shocked by people every day. Retail is wild.

A guy came in on Saturday looking for some wintergreen oil to make his root beer with. He smelled like pot so bad that I had to keep my distance!

It's a strange, strange world we live in......

Hugs!!

stinkypaw said...

noble pig: I find it sad looking...

jason67: Very rare indeed.

pppaws: It is sick and a little scary at times!

marius: I like how you emphasized the "past" aspect of this. ;-) I still do dress up whenever I go see a show (theatre or other).

annake: I wouldn't wear those belly tops even at home! Yep, we were separated at birth! ;-)

lizgwiz: And WE assume it well! ;-)

traceyt: Very strange world, and it's not getting any better... >8-0

Anonymous said...

I am such a ninny- whenever I see something like that I think: "well, this is all they can afford" or "they just don't know any better"

I think clothes have far too much power in our society. Who you are matters, not what you wear.

kara said...

i'm still amused by the whole "does somebody smell bacon" line from Wayne's World. that pretty much illustrates how i feel about cops.

stinkypaw said...

monkey: I agree with you, but I also think that there's a time and place for everything.

kara: It's been sooo long since I've seen that movie, I guess I'll have to watch it again.