People are talking about personal responsibility and freedom of speech in a world where social norms are always changing because of one liquor store’s attempt to enforce a dress code.
A shop in Oklahoma called Midwest Wine and Spirits made a big deal out of putting a sign in the window that said, “Pull your trousers up or don’t come in.” People who got the message were told to “try to have some decency and respect for others” and that “no one wants to see your pants.”
The language on the sign caused a lot of discussion on the internet, even though the store may have meant for it to be polite. Some people said the sign was just following basic rules of politeness, while others said the company was going too far by telling customers what they could and could not wear.
Some people wear their trousers low as a fashion statement, but I don’t like it, and I find it a little offensive’, said shop manager Chad Gilbert in defence of the sign. Someone else at work agreed with Gilbert that people whose trousers were sagging might be more likely to swipe something.
But not everyone agreed with what the store said. Sunshine Weatherby, a client from the area, said, “I could see that if it were like a church.” It may bother you that there are families there, but this is a booze store. I’ve seen worse at a booze store.”
The debate over the sign brings up bigger questions about how to find a balance between what people can and can’t say and what society expects. These days, social media has made public debate more heated, so even things that don’t seem important can easily turn into fights.
What do you think? Should the liquor store have put up the sign, or did it try to control what its customers could wear too much? Even though people have different opinions, one thing is for sure: the debate about personal freedom and society norms is far from over.
