Hi Sue- Thanks for reading and your honest feedback. If you’ve read me for a bit, you know I have a benevolent heart. When I wrote this piece, I knew some would fine it controversial. Here’s why I wrote it.

In my view, standards are declining in society. In both dress and behavior. It’s considered politically incorrect to call this out, and some will label it judgmental or elitist.

However, what’s the counter argument? We should have no standards in society? Say nothing about slobby dress, poor manners and behavior?

It seems worse to enable or encourage (by remaining silent) declining standards. By failing to nudge people to present themselves better in dress and behavior, those individuals will forever suffer the judgement of others.

And whether we like it or not, all of us “judge” others every day. We make little assessments. We hold our purse a bit tighter on the subway when seated next to the skin head, tattoo guy who looks menacing. We don’t return to the restaurant with poor service. We blast our judgmental opinions of businesses on Yelp.

We hopefully raise our children to keep a tidy room and dress appropriately. Failing to do so risks an undisciplined, possibly slobby child who will be judged by others.

It does not require money, nor is it elitist, to argue for good taste, personal discipline and standards. I knew a woman who lived barely pay check to pay check and yet via thrift stores was able to dress quite nicely.

The homeless are a different matter, in that many are suffering from addictions and mental health issues. They need help and other interventions.

But for most of society, why are we okay with declining standards? Why have we abandoned some degree of elegance and artfulness in life? And why must be be labeled as elitist or judgmental for making the case in favor of standards?