"MEMO TO THE FASHION CONSCIOUS AND CULTURALLY CLUED-IN:

The following was posted on FB.  It's a conversation between two people. Thought it was worth passing on.  Before moving down here I knew that Mexico was more formal than the states. Before you comment, yes, most of us NOB's living here are retired and have tossed our career attire. However, we are foreigners living in a culture that have different standards that we should be sensitive  to.

Something to think about.  

Person #1
"MEMO TO THE FASHION CONSCIOUS AND CULTURALLY CLUED-IN:


I just passed through the plaza in Ajijic where many Mexican elders were waiting for some kind of meeting in the Cultural Center.
NOT ONE OF THEM WAS WEARING BERMUDA SHORTS! "

Person #2
"Saw an older foreigner one night at Tango having dinner wearing a sleeveless tee, shorts and flip flops. That kind of fashion flop would not happen if more would take their clues on dressing from the locals. Many do not even know they are being disrespectful."

Person #1
"I can't tell you how tired I am of seeing aging gringos parading around the pueblo in their bermuda shorts! We are not in tropical heat - this is not necessary! It's enough to neutralize the charm quotient of Ajijic - dashing hopes of becoming un Pueblo Magico!"

Splashingcolor wrote:

Person #1
"I can't tell you how tired I am of seeing aging gringos parading around the pueblo in their bermuda shorts! We are not in tropical heat - this is not necessary! It's enough to neutralize the charm quotient of Ajijic - dashing hopes of becoming un Pueblo Magico!"

Amen!!
How dare they dash Ajijic's hopes of becoming a Pueblo Magico by parading around in Bermuda shorts,some people!

Splashingcolor:

If you are starting a "Banned in Ajijic List" for those who do not comply with proper fashion guidelines, please feel free to list me #1. There are plenty of other cities, towns and villages throughout Central Mexico that don't appear to be judgmental about how one dresses.

Meanwhile, I would assume that those with very wrinkled but approved "travel clothes", capris and ugly feet poking out from open Tevas are more than welcome?

And lets not forget the sandals and black knee high socks......jajaja. That combo should be banned worldwide.

I always wear Tan Socks with my Pirma Sandals.

Z

This quote from TOB is a classic: "Does anyone here have just ironing done for them? We have a pile of clothes building up that need to be ironed."

Even though our shorts are a no-no, we iron them each day before leaving our hotel either with a hotel iron or our travel iron. Same goes for knit tops, polo shirts, t-shirts, blouses, etc. All button front cotton sportshirts have been starched and folded in packages prior to our trips. Just for good measure, my underwear has been starched in case I have to visit a doctor or a hospital.

CheenaGringo wrote:Just for good measure, my underwear has been starched in case I have to visit a doctor or a hospital.

That's something that has never occurred to me,do you iron them as well?

TOB has all sorts of "classic" tidbits. I love it when the old biddies get into a pissing match. They diss each other like Aunt Bea would........

 

Yeah, well...many of us here are trying to look neat, clean, well-groomed and in possession of a few brain cells, on accounta-because we do not want to be rounded up by well-meaning friends and relatives and spend the rest of our days peering at the TV between our toes and the iron bedstead and hoping for a better-looking nurse! That is the REAL reason why some of us are making an effort. Those of you who are not making said effort, and who do not plan to fall backwards off a barstool and leave this life soon, should get with the program. Just my mere well-groomed thoughtful opinion!

A large percentage of the foreigners in Ajijic are a joke and so is what they wear. Who cares? I guarantee you the Mexicans don't.

I'd just like to add this. Not EVERY foreigner who lives here is retired. (Most people on these message boards assume everyone is retired. It gets annoying.) Buesiness situations are different. What's more, some foreigners here also mingle with Mexicans who have events that do require wearing more than the typical gringo clown outfit.

So it depends.

Normally, I'm just another idiot in flip-flops and shorts, but when the situation requires, I pay attention and put something else on.

CanuckBob wrote:TOB has all sorts of "classic" tidbits. I love it when the old biddies get into a pissing match. They diss each other like Aunt Bea would........

 

Yeah...like don't dare you, leave a dog in a good home up north before coming here or will be racked and pilloried....
couldn't believe what I read.  

Person #1 is Mexican.  She was the one who started the post.  This also rings true with the fad that was going on in the states wearing pajamas bottoms to class.  Just something to consider.  Few really care, but it's how you want to be perceived.  No judgement here, just passing it on and something to consider.  Oh, and yes, black or any color socks with sandals is a faux pas in any book.  :)

Wow I guess those two Mexicans who just walked passed in shorts must be Gringoes. In Ajijic lots of Mexican men wear shorts so the argument is mute. May not be in other places but here piffle.

Z

Worse yet is old gringa ladies out in public with no bras!!!!!!!!!!!!

The "old gringa ladies out in public with no bras" these are the original gals who burned them in the 60's, nothing like being liberated.  

Splashingcolor wrote: Oh, and yes, black or any color socks with sandals is a faux pas in any book.  :)

In this book you are writing, google "toenail fungus" images - you might be willing to make some changes in that chapter! Most men who have spent a good part of a life time in boots, or women wearing tortured high heels, will not arrive into seniordom with glamorous hoofers. 

"Worse yet is old gringa ladies out in public with no bras!!!!!!!!!!!!"

News Flash: those old gringas are not asking you to look at their sagging boobs any more than they were asking you to stare at them when they were young and perky. If I can discreetly look away from the flabby bellies over-hanging belts; thick, yellowed and dirt-encrusted toenails poking out of sandals; and the hairs indiscriminately popping out of ears and noses, you can choose not to look at what is also distasteful to you but really none of your concern.

Nosnow wrote:The "old gringa ladies out in public with no bras"  these are the original gals who burned them in the 60's, nothing like being liberated.  

you obviously have no appreciation fer good looking tetas on well aged gueras.

Hey, Pedro:

 

enough awready-this is the height of fashion!

Well, I have been here many, many years. Mexicans tend to dress modestly and I think it a mark of respect, since this is Mexico, to be aware and dress accordingly. The same goes for countries in Europe or elsewhere. It's a matter of respect, not fashion or fad.

CheenaGringo wrote:This quote from TOB is a classic: "Does anyone here have just ironing done for them? We have a pile of clothes building up that need to be ironed."

Even though our shorts are a no-no, we iron them each day before leaving our hotel either with a hotel iron or our travel iron.  Same goes for knit tops, polo shirts, t-shirts, blouses, etc.  All button front cotton sportshirts have been starched and folded in packages prior to our trips.  Just for good measure, my underwear has been starched in case I have to visit a doctor or a hospital.

in Mexico and Central America they (male and female) iron their blue jeans and crease them, even if they are machine dried, not hand washed and dried
.
gm

gm:

Thank you, I received that memo and my regular jeans or corduroy jeans are dry cleaned with a crease. As they age, they start going in the washing machine but they still get a crease from an iron.

viajero wrote:

CheenaGringo wrote:Just for good measure, my underwear has been starched in case I have to visit a doctor or a hospital.

That's something that has never occurred to me,do you iron them as well?

When in Guatemala or Mexico my wife even irons my undies ( I prefer briefs). At least she leaves my socks alone. Oh, she is a latina.
gm