Really??

Since when is it OK to wear a bathrobe in public?

I was driving home the other day and did my own little version of rubber-necking. I could not believe what I was seeing. Now mind you, this all happened in a mere 30 seconds as I drove by and craned to see the aftermath in my little side-view mirror.

Out of my passenger side window, I witnessed a person trudging slowly down the sidewalk. The street is located in a small city which has a rich history. Many old row houses and brownstones line either side of the two lane road with trees perfectly spaced and mom & pop stores seem to make up the cornerstones of each block. It’s not the best area in town, but I would feel safe to walk down the street….during the day.

As I pass by, my immediate thought was “what kind of sweater is that?” until the brain registered that it was a baby blue terry cloth robe that fit over this woman’s thick body, reaching her calves. My eyes quickly surveyed the site- slippers, pajama pant bottoms, bed-head hair. As I passed, I see a cigarette barely balanced between her lips and she was scratching a lottery ticket! It’s 5:30 in the afternoon! At the next corner 3 boys turned onto the sidewalk, two walkers and one on his bike. They looked maybe 10 or 11, I’m sure on their way to the same corner store that bathrobe maven had just come from . What kind of example is that setting for those three kids?

Had I been walking on the street with my own kids, what would I say to the question I know I would most definitely have heard, “why is that lady wearing a bathrobe?” I’d have to give an honest answer- I have no idea.

When did it became fashionable to wear pajamas in public? I see it all the time. I see pajama pants everywhere: kids sports practice, highway rest areas, even supermarkets.

I ask you- when is it ever OK to wear your pajamas in public? My answer- When you are on your way down to the end of the driveway to pick up your morning paper. The end.