When I was in my early 20s, people would often ask why I was “so dressed up” and it got really annoying. As if it’s really weird to wear dresses and heels on a weekend. It still happens once in a while now that I’m in my 30s, but never in my area – I live in a part of Toronto where people tend to look “nice” – and the sloppy/over-casual people are probably tourists. I liked dressing up then and still do, especially in the summer and really, I blame the questioning on the so-called “casualization” of society. It’s part of that package where young children are addressing their parents’ friends by first name (sorry, kids under 12, you have to call me Mrs. Mintz, Ms. Cheng Mintz, Ms. Cynthia or Auntie Cynthia until I say that it is okay to call me just plain Cynthia. Actually, PARENTS, please introduce me as one of the four), the world of slouchy pants on males over 25 and so forth. I really shouldn’t have to apologize for this!

Wearing @zorandobric today – it’s the first time this season!! #isupportcanadianfashion #canadianfashiondesigners #canadianfashion #canadianbrands #ootd #wearcanada #canadianbrands

A post shared by Cynthia Cheng Mintz (@cynthiacmintz) on Jun 16, 2018 at 10:41am PDT

 

A typical Saturday outfit 

For young people, it’s only getting worse (I mean, take a look at this article from the Huffington Post – sensationalist, perhaps, but someone MUST believe in this).  I wore a uniform in high school which included a button down blouse that had to be worn tucked in to my skirt (pants were later implemented as an option), a tie, tights or knee socks and black oxfords.  Because so many of us didn’t tuck in our shirts, more recently, the school changed the tops to something that didn’t require tucking and was shorter.  Many other schools did the same thing – except they went from dress shirts to polo/golf shirts.  When worn with pants or kilts, it can look AWFUL.  The kids look like complete slobs and would have been given a talking to in the 90s.  I’m not the only one who has complaint.  I once volunteered with an organization where a guy said that the kids at his high school alma mater look significantly sloppier than they did when he was there.  All because of the more casual uniform.  Oh well, I guess it’s welcome to the 21st century, sadly.

So this brings me back to the original topic.  Because people are so brainwashed to wearing casual clothing (thanks to people like Mark Zuckerberg, known to wear hoodies to work), wearing anything neater than a sloppy t-shirt with jeans, muscle shirts, crop tops, etc… is considered “dressed up.”  And it is sad.  It does nothing to prepare young people for the “real world” – especially if they aspire to work in a professional, office setting.  And because they’re so exposed to looking like they’ve just rolled out of bed (or heading to the club – that is the OTHER extreme), they will be in for a shock.  And no one is preparing them for ANYTHING.  How sad.

The post Old Post from DelectablyChic!: Casualization of the Wardrobe and Apologizing for What I Wear appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

Young man tying his tie.  Not too many people know how to do this properly anymore

1. Modesty.  I understand that one should be able to wear whatever he or she wants, but why would you want to, say, wear short shorts at the office?  It’s not just a matter of modesty, but really, aren’t you…COLD???
2. Dressing up.  The over-casualness of young people today BUGS – especially for young men.  Dads, do us a favour:  teach your sons how to tie a tie.  Oh, wait, you don’t know how either, right?  Because many guys under 45 don’t, unless they went to a school with a uniform.  Heck, many probably don’t know even if they DID!  Because they just leave the knot on and pull it up when they’re wearing it.  (regarding the two points above, read this post if you don’t really get what I mean).  I don’t even WANT to get into the young man I saw being (mock?) interviewed at a cafe last year…let’s just say he did not LOOK interview-ready.  For a legal position.  In the FINANCIAL DISTRICT.
3. Cursive writing.  Too many people can’t.  And I always cursive – even though my writing is HORRIBLE
4. Saying sir/ma’am.  Read THIS for more details
5. Table manners.  HOLD A FORK AND KNIFE PROPERLY, DON’T HOLD IT LIKE A SHOVEL.  I’ve also seen people who are from chopstick-using cultures NOT holding THEM properly (often like a pencil/pen.  I’m actually surprised, considering how much time these kids spend on their devices), so it’s a global thing.  Oh, and if there are serving utensils, PLEASE USE THOSE AND NOT WHATEVER YOU’RE EATING WITH!
6. Mental math – I used to be able to do that.  Now?  Not so much.
7. Recipe cards – yes, but I never inherited any, sadly.  My family simply didn’t have them – I don’t think they’re a “thing” in China.  And even if they did, I wouldn’t be able to read them!

What’s with young men holding forks/cutlery like the picture on the left?

However, I disagree with some of the others, including potluck dinners.  People don’t do that anymore?  Really?  And saying please and thank you.  It’s pretty logical, right?  Handwritten diaries, sure (though I keep a journal myself – on to volume three now!), but potlucks are amazing!  You don’t have to spend all that money on catering nor do you have to spend hours in the kitchen, preparing.  And many offices do some sort of potluck, right?  I also have some which need to be added on the list, such as:

1. Waiting until the birth of a baby to announce its sex
2. Respect of elders (I suppose this is related to the sir/ma’am thing, but what’s the deal with young children addressing adults by first name without the adults giving them permission to do so?  Or people NOT giving up their seat to, say, seniors?)
3. Keeping things simple, especially around the holiday season (and especially with decorations)
4. A good, proper handshake, one which isn’t too firm or weak.
5. Being more formal in general.  I suppose this encompasses everything on T&C’s list (and my list) anyway!

What are YOUR thoughts?  Do you agree with these? What do you think should or shouldn’t have gone out of style?

Image credits:
By Olena Yakobchuk (guy putting on a tie) and Carlos Yudica (how to hold a fork). Both images came from Shutterstock

The post Thoughts on T&C’s (Old Fashioned) Things that Should Have Never Gone Out of Style List appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.