The other day, I had to go to the local social security office to get Sterling a social security card. Before I left the house, I asked my mom if it was OK to wear jeans to go there. When I go to government offices in the UAE, generally I make sure I'm dressed well. So I wasn't sure jeans would be OK at the social security office.
Well, my mom laughed and said that in the jeans and t-shirt I was wearing, I'd probably be the best-dressed person there!
And she was right. I'd forgotten how casual we Americans are about our appearance in public. In the UAE, I can't even go to the grocery store in anything approaching sweats or exercise gear. It's also taboo to go out in public with wet hair. In general in the UAE, I feel like I need to be put together and hopefully even wearing makeup, even to do simple errands.
Here in the US...not so much. On the one hand, it makes us look a little sloppy in comparison to what I'm used to seeing in public in the UAE. But on the other hand, it is lovely to be able to run to the store bare-faced and in this morning's running clothes!
In other news, sometimes when you come back to the US after two years away, your kids get to sew a 4th-of-July-themed blanket while wearing period-appropriate clothing. (And play Lincoln Logs.) AMERICA!!!
