The Way We Were

I watched a YouTube video recently that was a digital reproduction of a B&W film from 1937.  The film shows a Chicago Cubs game clip from that era, and it was neat to see, but what really caught my attention was the way the men were dressed.  They all were in suits with ties, and most also wore brimmed hats.  It took me back to a time when we dressed up to go out in public.

Those of you who are under fifty won't be able to relate to this, but it used to be understood that formal clothes should be worn to church, school and most events.  There were dress codes enforced when entering a restaurant, boarding an airplane, or attending a meeting.  People used to 'dress up' just to go to the movies.

Schools had dress codes for both teachers and students, and the code for teachers included suit and tie for men and dresses for women.  Students were given less strict rules, but T-shirt and shorts, or any clothes with offensive words or slogans were forbidden.

Something else that was different back then was that cursing and swearing in public, especially by females of any age, was unthinkable!  It was, after all, unladylike, a term that has completely disappeared from our vocabulary today.  And even males were cautioned against using 'foul language' in the presence of females.  There were rules of decorum for goodness sakes!

Now that you youngsters have had your chuckle, it's time for evaluation.  Are we really better than our stodgy elders now that the rules are relaxed and we can say or do whatever we like anywhere, anytime and with anyone?

I'm not such a prude - as you should all know from the columns and jokes I send you - that I can't find situations where bawdy talk is acceptable between the sexes.  Good friends can share off-color stories and jokes that contain offensive language without shocking or offending each other.  In private, personal dialogue it's okay, but not in public, and not with strangers or children present.

I don't know about you, but I would prefer the old rules and customs.  I still cringe whenever I hear the 'F-word' spoken by or to the unknown man or woman.  I've adapted to it, but I don't like it.  I believe that it affects our personal relationships in a negative fashion, and it certainly has no place in conversation with strangers.  

So call me an old fogey if you disagree, but think about it before you decide.  Was the old way just a phony Victorian front, or did it actually engender something called
R-E-S-P-E-C-T?