Going Shopping In Your Pyjamas?

@MALUSE (69428)
Germany
November 1, 2020 1:14pm CST
I’ve just read that a woman and her small daughter (the age isn’t mentioned) were escorted out of a German supermarket by the branch manager because the woman was dressed in pyjamas, slippers and a pink bathrobe with dots. The daughter was also dressed in sleepwear and looked as if she had just fallen out of bed. What I find a bit odd is the argument of the branch manager. He claims that especially at present hygiene is important. “This is not the time to be careless.” Does that mean that once the corona pandemic is over, shopping in your nightwear will be okay? I don’t hope so! I know Italians who haven’t got much money but always look tip-top when they leave the house. ‘Fare una bella figura” (to make a good impression) is an Italian characteristic. On average, Germans have more money than Italians but aren’t known for their elegance. Yet, they’re decently dressed when they leave the house. This woman and her daughter are a rare exception. I guess that something is not right with them. The photo at the top of the site shows the entrance of the supermarket after this incidence. The posters inform the customers that entering in morning gown and pyjamas is not allowed. What would be the reaction in the USA? I remember seeing photos on the net showing an American woman in a supermarket who was dressed in pyjamas. Obviously, she was not told to leave. Is it the idea of ‘anything goes’ that makes people tolerate such a behaviour? I think as long as you don’t live in a cave far away from other people you should follow at least some rules and not molest other people. Is going shopping in your nightwear a molestation of others or should everybody be allowed to express their individual mental state and sensitivities the way they think best? What do you think?
21 people like this
19 responses
@NJChicaa (115620)
• United States
1 Nov 20
I don't think I've ever seen someone in a bathrobe out in a store but definitely pajamas. People would just ignore it.
5 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
So this does happen? Why does the branch manager not throw such people out?
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (115620)
• United States
1 Nov 20
@MALUSE Because Americans are selfish entitled idiots
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
@NJChicaa I can only leave the same comment here I've written for Lori, "You are an American. You can say that. I wouldn't dare as I'm a foreigner."
5 people like this
@porwest (78726)
• United States
1 Nov 20
One thing about people in the United States, and this is NOT to disparage my own fellow citizens, but we live in a society where almost anything goes. One sees amazing things at times in public that makes the eyes hurt and the mind wonder. WTF? Is it acceptable? Not in the minds of MOST civil minded people. But that does not stop these people from going out into public in all sorts of dress, and UNdress mind you, that make you cringe and scratch your head. Are there any rules against it? Not really. Although most establishments will simply say, "No shirt, no shoes, no service." But a shirt and shoes can be defined in a great many different ways. There was a skit once on a comedy show that depicted a man reading the sign that read, "No shirt, no shoes, no service." The man said, "Perfect," and then the camera panned out to show he was wearing no pants. He went inside and that was the end of the skit. If nothing else we all have cameras on our phones these days, and people leave us with some wonderful opportunities to share our finds and maybe even make a few bucks on them. Ridiculous lives everywhere we turn. In some ways it is a mere form of entertainment. I for one would never go into public in my pajamas (the U.S. version of the word BTW). Hell, I may go out in the wee morning hours to put out the garbage bin on trash day in my pajamas. But at least I put on a hat so as to spare the public of my wrangly bed head hairdo.
4 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
Thanks for your elaborate comment. I'll stick to pyjamas, though, as I prefer British English to American English. It's the real thing, isn't it?
3 people like this
@porwest (78726)
• United States
1 Nov 20
@MALUSE I guess since the Brits have been around longer than we have we will let them have the claim on the 'proper' English. Hell, we've perfected everything else in our short history, we can at least let them have that.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
@porwest No comment!
3 people like this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
1 Nov 20
After having seen a few "wear pyjamas to school" days I would say that this depends very much on the size of the clothes. I remember especially one of my male students wearing his mothers pink silk nightgown. He was very long. His mother probably wasn't. There were also kids in flannel pyjamas, nice checked ones. If they want to go shopping in them, I don't really mind.
3 people like this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
1 Nov 20
@MALUSE The kids were between 16 and 19, so more or less grown-up. I wouldn't react to anyone in a flannel pyjamas I think. I live just by the hospital, I've met people in their hospital nightgowns in the shop. As long as their decent, I don't object. People in their summer clothes can be less decent, especially men who don't put shirts on before coming in and strut around, sweaty and stinking.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
@Torunn What you see near the hospital is a different situation. It's not the same as Americans going to supermarkets in their pyjamas. Sweaty and stinking men without shirts should not be allowed to enter a shop. It's up to a shopkeeper to allow this or not.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
Sadly, we're not talking about kids here but grown-up Americans.
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
13 Nov 20
Personally I would never go out in my pajamas or nightgown, but I noticed this tacky trend here in my own country a decade or more ago. I really don’t get it.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
13 Nov 20
@MALUSE the first time I visited my sons university campus I saw girls walking around in pajamas. It was most bizarre.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
13 Nov 20
@Tampa_girl7 As I've said, in Germany, someone would call the police if that happened.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
13 Nov 20
I'm glad to learn that you're not one of these people! :-)
2 people like this
@thelme55 (76356)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
I have heard that news from RTL station. Really weird. I can´t go out shopping in pajama.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
Crazy, isn't it? Have you read the other comments? American members seem to be used to people shopping in their pyjamas. I'm glad I don't live there.
3 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
@thelme55 That's a correct sentence. But I hesitate to use the term 'culture' for such a behaviour. 'Uncultivated' comes to mind.
3 people like this
@thelme55 (76356)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
@MALUSE Yes, it is. Yes, I have read the other comments. Another country, another culture.
2 people like this
@Nevena83 (65287)
• Serbia
1 Nov 20
I don't know why they came out of the house in their pajamas, but I don't think anyone here would cause them a problem.
3 people like this
@jstory07 (133754)
• Roseburg, Oregon
2 Nov 20
@sallypup That would be something I would not want to see.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
Nobody would inform the police if you were walking through your town or went to a supermarket in your nightgown? I'm sure you wouldn't get far in a German town.
4 people like this
@sallypup (57305)
• Centralia, Washington
1 Nov 20
@MALUSE A neighbor of mine used to wear pajama pants and no bra under her shirt in public. She was a large lady, too.
3 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
1 Nov 20
I have seen people shopping in what could only be called sleepwear. Not so obviously pajamas with moons or unicorns printed on them but certainly striped or tartan light casual wear and footwear which shouldn't be see outside the house. As far as I was concerned, that was their problem and they were at least dressed with nothing untoward showing. One does a double take and nothing more. I have never heard of anyone being asked to leave a supermarket because of what they were wearing, though we did have a pub in a village we lived in where the landlord was notorious for refusing to serve people and ordering them off the premises if they weren't wearing a proper shirt with collar and tie. He was considered a bit of a joke (and that was in the 1970's and '80's).
2 people like this
@beesure11 (223)
2 Nov 20
When you don't care about your appearance when you leave the house is a big no, no in my book. My mother use to tell me all the time growing up. Always look present full. Always look good and smell good. You never know who you might meet. Better yet. What type of message is the mother sending the child about up keep and appearences
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
2 Nov 20
You are so right!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
2 Nov 20
As I am Italian, I would never go outside wearing my pyjamas, I would not even go into my garden. I remember that I was shocked in France, women used to take our their dogs early in the morning wearing their night gown and a bathrobe. In the USA I think they have the habit to see a lot worse in their Walmart stores, a pyjama there is almost "elegant". Look at this photo... it's not the worst!
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
8 Nov 20
I've certainly never seen anything like that myself and I hope I never do.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12536)
• Ireland
1 Nov 20
@maluse this is terrible behaviour. I’ve seen it here too and, moreover, the people concerned never wear decent pyjamas. Pyjamas are for the bedroom, not the supermarket. I have a friend who is a dentist and he has had to refuse to see people who arrive in nightwear, and told them to put on clothes if they want an appointment. I’m surprised that even in Germany this silliness happens. Nothing to do with coronavirus - just self respect.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
1 Nov 20
I think this occurrence was mentioned in the news because it was an exception. I've *never* seen anyone anywhere in Germany who was not decently dressed. Give my kind regards to your dentist! I like his attitude.
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 20
Oh yes it happens here people going out in their nightwear especially on the school run. Yes I am appalled at the laziness of some people which sets a great example for their kids. For goodness sake have a bit of self respect and dignity. My view is not shared by others l have to say but l just think it is slovenly. I have yet to see someone in a supermarket and l think Bravo to the store manager for booting them out!
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
11 Nov 20
@garymarsh6 I've learnt on the internet that it can happen also in the USA that people go shopping in their nightwear. From this I conclude that it is the British heritage that makes them do that. The culprits can't be of Italian heritage. I know poor Italian housewives who put on their best dress when they go to the supermarket to make a good impression!
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
11 Nov 20
I've never read or heard about such an incident in Germany. If this happened here, the store manager would call the police. The person would probably be taken to the local loony bin.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 20
@MALUSE They would have to build many more loony bins here then!
2 people like this
• Midland, Michigan
30 Nov 20
Panama bottoms have found there way into acceptable public wear as have sweat pants and asking right leggings. There letter written by old and young alike. Panama at least keep them covered up whereas some wear skimpy clothing and should be shown our but aren't. That's not as prevalent as it was years ago though.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20368)
• Fairfield, Texas
2 Nov 20
I agree with you @MALUSE ; It's absolutely ridiculous to leave your home in your pj's. It's disgusting enough to see some of the videos from Walmart showing how some people are dressed.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (133754)
• Roseburg, Oregon
2 Nov 20
When I worked night there was always people coming in the store in their PJ's. Anything goes in the United States.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
28 Dec 20
I think that people who go shopping in their pajamas are "slobs"
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
4 Apr 21
@MALUSE , I don't know it they would get a fine here in Canada
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
28 Dec 20
'Slob' is a good word! I'm sure that they'd get a fine in Germany for being a public nuisance.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28940)
• United Kingdom
9 Dec 20
It isn't normal to go shopping in nightwear, but then you never know what a person's situation may be. Perhaps her daughter was poorly and they had been up all night, and then just needed something in a hurry and had no-one to get it for them. I have learned not to jump to conclusions. As far as whether this is acceptable - well, there are plenty of worse things a person could be wearing. And often there is an indiscernable line between a summer dress and a nightie, or between 'loungewear' and pyjamas. So who is to say that one is acceptable and the other not? They were not exhibiting any body parts which should not be on show.
@LindaOHio (153180)
• United States
2 Nov 20
I've seen ladies shop in loungewear (flannel pants, etc.) but not in pajamas. I think people should use some sense of decorum when going out into the public.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
16 Apr 21
I don't think it should be allowed. In the UK and particularly where I now live, it's really common to see women in their pyjamas. In fact schools have had to send out notices to parents telling them to wear proper clothes when they pick up and drop kids off. The strange thing is though I've seen literally hundreds of women out in their pyjamas, but not one man. Never.
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
16 Apr 21
"particularly where I now live" --- Such a sentence doesn't make much sense, does it? Why do you have problems mentioning your country on your account page?