On Vacation

[Gordon]

From the Pacific NW (WA State) MOH and I are traveling by car to Montana, Texas, New mexico, Utah and then home. We're in Texas right now, Fort Worth area. We went to a local grocery store called Central Market that has a nice little cafe to eat lunch. While sitting there doing some people watching I noticed that more women there wear skirts than I'm used to seeing at home. Granted this local is a little more "upscale" than home but there were plenty of causally dressed women as well in like levis and plainish tops/shirts. So I'm wondering if certain areas dress-up more than others? Have other forum members noticed the same thing?

BTW, I was not wearing a skirt as my daughter and her family whom we are visiting couldn't deal with it. I've worn a skirt while traveling by ourselves, but always change before we get to a relatives house. I'm just not in the mood to have to deal with introducing my skirt wearing to people in the family who I see once a year or even less frequently.

While travelling in Idaho, we had a need to stop into a local auto parts store to get a cigarette-lighter power splitter. I sure got some looks there while wearing black hose and a blue denim skirt. The wife sat outside in the car waiting. She said that two guys came out of the store kind of snickering to themselves and one said something to the other, who then went back to the door, opened it looked inside and closed it and went back to the vehicle that they both were riding in laughing. I'm glad that I was able to provide them with something to talk about and maybe open up their minds a little bit.

In a few other towns where we stopped for gas and or a bite to eat I noticed some stares etc. I went into a restroom in one fast food place, and when I opened the door to exit there was a 20's something there coming in. When he saw me he looked down to my skirt and I wished I had a camera to record his expression. This is all kinda fun really.

[crfriend]

From the Pacific NW (WA State) MOH and I are traveling by car to Montana, Texas, New mexico, Utah and then home. We're in Texas right now, Fort Worth area.

If you get into a little town called "Duncanville", do say hello to Uncle Al!

So I'm wondering if certain areas dress-up more than others? Have other forum members noticed the same thing?

Definitely that's the case. Big cities, in general, have a higher standard of attire than 'burbs and beyond, mainly because of the density of hide-bound employers with arcane dress codes. Once you're out of the cities, it's pretty tough to find much of anything other than the Uniform of denim. This has been pretty much the case no matter where I've been, and I've been around the United States a fair bit.

Sometimes I miss working in Boston, sometimes not so much...

[Caultron]

...This is all kinda fun really.

Exactly.

When you're new at this, it's what you fear. But after you're into it, it's one of the best parts.

[Caultron]

From the Pacific NW (WA State) MOH and I are traveling by car to Montana, Texas, New mexico, Utah and then home. ughing...

BTW, I see your itinerary doesn't include Arizona, but if by chance you should wander in, let me know and maybe we can get together.

[Uncle Al]

Hi Gordon,

I live in Duncanville, about 35 miles east of Ft. Worth on I-20.
This weekend the weather is supposed to be really crappy otherwise
I'd be willing to have a 'get-together' in the 'Mid-Cities' such as
Arlington. Let me know something and I'll PM you my cell phone.

Uncle Al

[dillon]

I'm jealous of your travel and hope to be out that way with my college age kids in June. I've been to Europe, Africa, and South America, and there is no place more glorious than the American West, IMHO. I hope your trip is safe and fantastic.

[Gordon]

Thanks to Uncle Al and Caultron for the offers to meet up. But sorry to say it's not going to be possible. This is a massive road trip (4500 miles) done in two weeks time with 4 families to visit. It is planned down to almost the hour of where we're going to be.

Dillion
I've not been off of this continent. Been to Canada (British Columbia) a number of times and Tijuana once when young for all of about an hour. My dad drove there and my mom told him to "get me out of here". I would love to travel more but I just don't see it happening in my lifetime for various reasons. Besides, there is so much of the United States that I haven't seen. I'm sure one could spend a lifetime doing just that.