Remembrance Sunday. Am I simply old fashioned or do standards matter.

olgadapolga

onwards&upwards wrote: »

I feel sad for these young people, making the effort to come to a remembrance service but still being judged and disapproved of by people old enough to know better.

To add to this, a lot of young people also give a lot of their time in the preceding weekends to collect money for the Poppy Appeal.

My son has been out collecting three weekends on the trot and has given his time willingly. He was up at 6.00am this morning to ensure that his Sea Cadets uniform was the best it could be for the service in our local town today.

I am incredibly proud of him, and of all of those young people who give their time and effort in remembrance.

So many people don't bother, and couldn't care less. Those who were there deserve a little bit of recognition for the fact that they DID attend, regardless of appearance.

Erinome

Primrose wrote: »

Do the younger generation genuinely regard it as respectful to lay a wreath, representing their organisation dressed in high heels, skinny leggings and a skin tight tee shirt displaying all their assets to the world?

I wouldn't have thought the clothing you describe would be appropriate, but they may not have been briefed on a 'dress code', or been made aware that there is one. When you're young the most important thing is to look "good" and not to have your friends think you're uncool or frumpy.

ibizafan_2

I happened to be in Australia in April with my son and his family during Anzac Day. We were in a small town on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, and it was so moving to see crowds of people of all ages standing silent at dawn (commemorating the time the Anzacs went into battle at Gallipoli). Apart from the ex and current service people, most who attended were dressed casually as is the way in Australia. It didn't occur to me at the time, as I was so impressed with the ceremony. I did wonder however how many people would be up at dawn in this country to commemorate. Hopefully it would be the same.

jackomdj

My 12 year old Daughter and partner went just to watch today, partner was in his suit with his medals on and daughter was in smart clothes. She came home commenting that a person laying a wreath had their trainers on, I said you do not know their circumstances they may have issues with their walking that makes trainers easier.

I do think people should try to be smart, but one persons smart isn't necessarily another persons. The tight top and leggings could be a replacement to a crop top and mini skirt.

74jax

jackomdj wrote: »

My 12 year old Daughter and partner went just to watch today, partner was in his suit with his medals on and daughter was in smart clothes. She came home commenting that a person laying a wreath had their trainers on, I said you do not know their circumstances they may have issues with their walking that makes trainers easier.

I do think people should try to be smart, but one persons smart isn't necessarily another persons. The tight top and leggings could be a replacement to a crop top and mini skirt.

I completely agree. They may not have the money to dress how others would like as they would never use the clothing again.

I'm very laid back with clothing though. When my dad died my husband asked if he should buy a black suit.... I replied what on earth for..... At my wedding someone asked if they could wear red - colour of my bridesmaid - again I didn't mind.

To me is nice and good that youngsters are showing an interest in remembrance Sunday.

Tigsteroonie

I think it's time to accept that dressing in a suit / smart shoes / tights as a sign of 'respect' is old-fashioned, and respect can now be shown in different ways, such as still acknowledging Remembrance Sunday. Times move on. I'm pretty sure that old ladies looked down on me thirty years ago because I had bare legs rather than tights/stockings. Newsreaders used to wear a tie.

maman

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I think it's time to accept that dressing in a suit / smart shoes / tights as a sign of 'respect' is old-fashioned, and respect can now be shown in different ways, such as still acknowledging Remembrance Sunday. Times move on. I'm pretty sure that old ladies looked down on me thirty years ago because I had bare legs rather than tights/stockings. Newsreaders used to wear a tie.

You're right that times have changed but how far is appropriate.

People like the Prime Minister and the princes often appear without ties but chose not to do that today.

To come back to my original example I'm sure that young people, if asked, would tell you that people get dressed up to go to the races. I think the poster who said they hadn't been properly briefed may have got it right.

Tigsteroonie

maman wrote: »

People like the Prime Minister and the princes often appear without ties but chose not to do that today.

Once upon a time it would have been a tailcoat for the PM, and robes for the royals. Even they have moved on. I would expect people of that level to dress smarter than the majority; but everybody is moving to a less old-fashioned way of dressing, and a fairer less judgemental society.

maman

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Once upon a time it would have been a tailcoat for the PM, and robes for the royals. Even they have moved on. I would expect people of that level to dress smarter than the majority; but everybody is moving to a less old-fashioned way of dressing, and a fairer less judgemental society.

Yes, as you said before : times have changed but I would question how far is appropriate.

I'm sure you didn't mean in a patronising way but one doesn't have to be royalty to be at a 'level' in society to dress up (or down) for an occasion. It's something many young people have been advised on either from family or schools or associations they belong to. Others haven't.

Primrose

I posed the question partly because I have no idea how many schools, or indeed parents feel that guidance on such issues is necessary these days and whether people generally feel that adhering to certain standards is desirable, or whether indeed it no longer matters.

We,ve probably all at some point found ourselves inappropriately dressed. I recall many years ago we were invited to a function and found I was the only female not in a long evening dress and my husband the only male not in a dinner jacket. That was a very uncomfortable experience because we had nnot actually been briefed about the dress code.

I also recall one Remembrance Sunday filmed on TV where a minister turned up to lay his wreath wearing a duffle coat instead of a black overcoat and that incident tagged him for years as being "disrespectful"

I agree it's more important that people turn up for these occasions but wonder, even in these days of more casual customs, it's desirable to expect certain standards on specific occasions.