While driving to work recently I stopped at the petrol station. The man in front of me in the queue to pay was dressed in his pyjamas and dressing gown.
On my drive to work I thought about the pyjama clad man. Growing up I do not recall ever seeing people dressed in this way, in public. It got me thinking about how societal norms change over time and how society decides what’s ok and what’s not.
After a bit of reading I discovered that not everyone is happy about this emerging trend.
For example one Tesco supermarket in Cardiff, Wales, banned pyjama wearing in its store: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/tesco-bans-shopping-in-pyjamas-28515180.html
A Belfast school has banned parents from coming to drop their children at school clad in pyjamas: www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8526732/Schools-ban-parents-from-wearing-pyjamas-at-d...
In a letter to parents, the principal describes the practice as “slovenly and rude”.
'Over recent months the number of adults leaving children at school or collecting children from school dressed in pyjamas has risen considerably,' he wrote.
'While it is not my position to insist on what people wear, or don't, I feel that arriving at the school in pyjamas is disrespectful to the school and a bad example to set to children.'
Defending his stance, he said: 'There used to be about 15 to 20 pyjama-wearing parents, but there is anything up to 50 now.
'People don't go to see a solicitor, bank manager or doctor dressed in pyjamas, so why do they think it's okay to drop their children off at school dressed like that?'
Others see the issue differently, such as Khiry Tisdem, of Shreveport, Louisiana. He has no problem stepping out in his pyjamas and makes a good point:
'I wear my (pajama) pants anywhere,' Tisdem said. 'I'm an American, and I can wear my clothes anywhere I want. I'm a grown man. I pay my own bills, so I can wear my clothes the way I want. I don't know why it's an issue.' usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-13/public-pajama-ban/52532630/1
What do you think?
Is it “slovenly and rude” or does the public pyjama party get your vote?
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