mio

Yes, fellow Fodorites, this will be a bit of a rant on what NOT to wear in Italy. My DH and I just came back from our 8-day cross country trip. It was marvelous but that is beside the point. On our tour to the Vatican - which is beyond words- I noticed a young girl (approx 18) wearing a-barely-fullsize-almost-tank-top t-shirt showing some belly and cargo-like with gatherings in the hems capri pants. I was horrified when she was let in.
I really thought that the dress code was a bit more enforced. As a catholic, I was disappointed, my husband, as a non-catholic, was appalled. I think that if you are entering a place of worship, regardless of the denomination, respect must be shown. Thank you for letting me vent.

m_kingdom2

Oh pulleez, how prudish can you get?

She was clothed, stop being so old fashioned.

ChatNoir

I'm sure God would have struck this foul hussy with a bolt of lightening if he/she was really upset!

flanneruk

Why?

Do you honestly think God cares? And precisely where in the bible does it say that you're only allowed into church if you conform to someone's dress code?

Christianity is a proselytising religion. Its mission is to everyone, whether their ideas of appropriate dress coincide with yours or not.

Who do you want to exclude from church next? Adulterers? Tax-gatherers?

Dress codes may serve a purpose in second-rate, provincial restaurants. They have no place in a house of God.

Airlawgirl

Surely, that CAN'T be as bad as what I saw at the cathedral in Siena (you know, the black and white striped one- that looks like a zebra) here my English friend and I were, proper as peas, and here was this young couple SNOGGING AWAY, right in the middle of the cathedral. We were HORRIFED! (smile)

mio

If thousands of other tourists are showing the respect that the place is owed, why not this girl. I have never considered myself a prude, but I guess I did sound a bit prudish. Although, I have always thought just like most of you that God does not care what we wear, I also do not see The Vatican as a common church. It is still my opinion that not only did the lack of appropiate attire showed others the lack of desire to accomodate to the customs of others, I think it also showed how little importance she placed for the magnitude of the location.

Laoghaire

hello...RESPECT, RESPECT,RESPECT...Helen

Giovanna

At the risk of further provoking all you modern, deep thinkers who have decided God doesn't care what one wears in his house, I must agree with mio. I think it is asking little to dress appropriately when visiting holy places.

I also think it's unfortunate that dress seems to sink further and further into "casual" and some don't think twice about, for example, wearing jeans to the theater, opera, etc.

If we continue on this trend where does it end--anything goes???

m_kingdom2

She wasn't going out of her way to offend, she had no intention to cause offence!

ira

>If we continue on this trend where does it end--anything goes???<

"In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking,
Now, Heaven knows, anything goes."

flanneruk

Matthew Chapter 23, verses 23-29.

Rome is full of desperately poor refugees from some of the vilest regimes on the planet. They live on the margins, and have little serious alternative to illegal, and often immoral, livelihoods.

Somehow it seems strange that a committed Christian can spend more energy railing over a girl's choice of clothing than over the real evils that are visible on every street in the Eternal City.

And, BTW, mio what IS the difference between the Vatican and a "common" church? Either the Blessed Sacrament is reserved there or it isn't.

What a worshipper wears is a matter between her and her God.

m_kingdom2

The very fact that she chose to go there shows she has some respect for relgious beliefs, at least as a young person she was trying to educate and culture herself.

Christina

I tend to lean to the side that people should dress appropriately, etc (more than many, I suppose), but if they let her in, why did it bother you? Also, what's the deal with you deciding some particular style of pants is inappropriate (the cargo pants with gatherings at the hem). How ridiculous. Styles change over time and don't mean much of anything. The pope goes around in some medieval garb with a pointed hat -- what's that all about.

I was raised Catholic but am not now so I'm sure my views upon the church and respect differ from yours. The Vatican has zillions of dollars of art works they obtained in a variety of ways and are running a museum. I would be interested in seeing it to see what they have collected, and for historical and cultural reasons, not because I believe in that religion. Visiting the Vatican museum isn't the same as attending religious services.

Lorac1127

mio, you are not a prude, and I completely agree with you. There is nothing difficult about showing respect and stupidity is not an excuse. Follow the rules or don't go in.

Just as irksome are the security guards who allow half dressed people into their churches and also stand there silent while people use flash photography when none is allowed.

m_kingdom2, "that she chose to go there shows she has some respect for relgious beliefs" is quite an assumption!

Lorac1127

Christina, you are correct that there is a difference between visiting a museum and a religious service. However, the Sistine CHAPEL is part of the Vatican Museum, and that falls into the church category--and churches require appropriate dress whether or not you are attending a service.

However, questioning or critizing the Pope's attire is out of line.

janeg

Very odd the venemous responses to Mio's reaction to "improper" dress. Are only the "dress-rights" allowed to criticize running suits & sneakers? Methinks I detect a bit of Christian bashing here.

Giovanna

Ira: I should have guessed long ago, what with all your lyrical posts, that you are George Gershwin's brother!

Hope your post was done with a smile and not a sneer.

ChatNoir

mio, my post was done with a smile and not a sneer. Please distance it from the venemous responses. Not my intent to bash Christians. The security guard was not doing his job.

We could all benefit from more respect and kindness in today's crazy society.

papagena

I'm disappointed and appalled that you would seek to exclude people from a church based on their appearance.

Singletail

Yes, a little respect does go a long way such as not referring to the person in question as a "girl" and remembering that the "dress code" for churches is certainly no guarantee of piety, strength of faith, respect, etc., and is totally arbitrary...and you've bought into it...OK, fine, but obviously the other person hasn't.

What was it Christ said about people who judge others and harbor resentment...perhaps the "drama queen" can enlighten us on that score, too.

Get over it and move on.