Propriety

Propriety
When I was in middle school, sixth or seventh grade at
Springfield Middle School the little boy who sat behind me in Mrs. Johnson’s
class said “you’re one of those fancy girls aren’t you?” I was mortified by his statement, because I
felt that he was judging me, and that I did not fit in. Middle school as we all know is pure
hell. In retrospect it might have been that
I wore clothes that matched and did not preview my pre-pubescent goodies to the
likes of little boys like him.
Today, I see girls, young girls sporting skin tight clothes,
low cut tops, WAY too much makeup and wonder where their mothers are. As we all know, I am certainly no prude – ask
your father, however as with every generation mothers expect more of their
children than of themselves. It’s a
tough burden for children to bear, I don’t know what to tell you – blame evolution! Why can’t girls, just be girls? Everyone is in such a hurry to grow up…Play
with a fricken doll for eff sake!
I digress.
Is it true, “the further from home you are the higher the
level of propriety required”? Or does propriety start at home? I say both.
Some things go without saying; at least one would think. Not
proper, going to the grocery store in your pajamas, using the “F” bomb in
public spaces, telling your grandmother she looks “sick”, maiming your body in
excess,…
I don’t expect tea parties, corsets, monogrammed stationary,
the Queen’s English or much pomp and circumstance. I do however expect everyone to live up to their
full potential all the while striving to exceed it wherever possible.
My concern is that one comment or action in mixed company
will leave parties with a sullied impression of my children, my family and
me. I don’t want to be perceived as a
snob, a bitch or unsociable. However,
more importantly I don’t want to be known as an idiot. While comments and actions can be funny at
home or among friends, knowing when they are appropriate is, well… propriety.