Post #260787 by Rattiki on Sat, Oct 14, 2006 4:08 PM

When one puts on aires they are trying to be something they are not. They are trying to gain other's approval for personal benefit. That personal benefit is self-esteem. In which case many people need a greater self-esteem.
Me, mine is great. I would want to be comfy while [I]dining[/]. Not worrying about how others view me.
I am perfectly happy enjoying a $200 meal with my wife in my old sneakers. I know the guy serving me doesn't care. He's just trying to work that $50 tip to $60.

Style, grace, culture and class is NOT pointing out that others may not have it. Either by birth, finance or intelect.

I do conform on occasion. I can rock the Brooks Bros and purple Docs and no one says a thing....., until I leave the room of course.:)

When one is relaxed in mind and body others will also be relaxed. Or aspire to be so. Or upset because they don't know how to be. Or disappointed that they are not allowed.
When one is not relaxed (uptight/constricted/restricted) then one is unhealthy.

Now to you Sir because I find the above pretty personally insulting....

You know the problem is that many Americans now a days feel that if someone points their finger and says that something is a social faux pax, that to say that is a form of self gratifying snobbery (with all the things that go with that), but it's not. To me this is about appreciation, dignity, quality of/in life and respect. It is about an understanding that proper personally presentation and etiquette is a way of showing appreciation and respect for the grandeur, greatness and importance of a person, place or an occasion.

Now believe me, I too am a product of the postmodern baby-boomer generation (half raised by hippies in Key West) and at one time I too lived out of jeans, sneaks and t-shirts and I was able to justify it to myself. With growing older and after many years of travel and living in many parts of the world (especially the old world) I have come to understand and appreciate the importance of personal presentation and the respect and dignity it can bestow (also my self-esteem is just fine thank you, and I put on aires for NO one) but there is a difference between snobbery and knowing when there is a general lack of effort and respect in our society (or ignorance) for the social graces in our post-modern, western culture. Certain values have been long lost with the "new generation", quite often in the name of free, "open minded thinking" or being "relaxed in mind and body".
:roll: Jeez, I can almost smell the stench of patchouli :P :roll:

So many may dress in sneaks and a T-shirt to go to a classy restaurant were the staff and owners have worked so hard to create and maintain a high standard of service and quality and feel it is OK because they believe that the all mighty $ is what matters. I know they'll not get into a highly rated Michelin restaurant in France, or to see the King of Thailand's Palace in Tevas. Many places have dress codes and for good reason! They'll even wear jeans and sandals to a wedding or a funeral or Christmas Mass when they can afford not to and should have dressed appropriately to pay the occasion it's due respect. That is their choice but I choose to go AGAINST the modern politically correct grain and say I feel it is wrong. When a society feels it is OK to do as they want without the due appreciation and respect for the accomplishments of others or the importance of a place or event, this lacks dignity, and I believe this is a sign that that society is "unhealthy".

Bottom line is that someone pointed out that they felt wearing a Tevas sports sandal to the Hukilau soiree' was in bad form (NOT hiking on the beach). I doubt it was meant as a personal slight to anyone but to help inform, no different from advise on drink mixing or tiki carving (if someone served Mai Tais w/ pineapple juice I bet it would get a mention too! :o). If you want to look the fool in Brooks Bros and purple Docs then be the fool, and yes they do talk when you leave.....and so they should :P :roll:

So Ladies get some lil' white gloves and Gents find yourself a decent hat 'cause the AMC ways are BACK! :wink: