You never know what cartoon characters you’ll encounter at the airports these days. Today, my flight had Plum Pudding, of Strawberry Shortcake fame, and Mercury Moon, from the Manga series.

Really?

No, they’re fictional characters. However, these mature women cartoonishly embodied the characters with their intense cartoonish mane.  Miss Pilates also joined us having come directly from the gym modeling the latest in minimal coverage sportswear; every nook and cranny on her fanny, visible to all.

The last character to board the flight sported a full-length white woolly polar bear coat. This only seemed odd and out of place because it was over one hundred degrees outside.

When the polar bear removed his coat, he flashed what can only be described as designer profanity. His shirt proclaimed the f-word in various sizes and fonts, front and back. What an indiscreet way to offend the entire cabin without saying a word.

I might sound like an antiquated old fart, but when did it become acceptable to fly dressed to offend?

My husband was hired by American Airlines in 1988, a scant thirty-seven years ago (certainly not the dark ages). There was a dress code for employees when flying, which was strictly adhered to. Passengers, for that matter, flew in modest business attire.

Our children would be dressed in their Sunday best when we flew standby. No, we didn’t fly for free for the first twenty years, (in case you were wondering). We were required to have closed-toe shoes, no jeans, no shorts, and if there was room in first class, a shirt and tie for the men.

We lived an hour north of O’Hare International Airport. To be placed on the standby list, every member of your party had to be present four hours prior to departure. That means the children had already been waiting five hours, fancy dressed and on their best behavior, before we even had confirmation we were flying.

Five children under ten do not wait well for long periods.

The threat was real, “the lady at the counter has the power to stop us from boarding the plane if you misbehave.” While true, only worked for a while.

After all the passengers boarded, the gate agent would call us up and inform us that there were seats in the back. Imagine a plane filled with seated passengers. Flight attendants busily preparing the cabin, loudly closing the overhead compartments, people buckling up, and seven new passengers appear looking for seats. I would deposit each child in any open seat I could find. I did not ask people to move so my four-year-old wouldn’t have to sit by herself.

Our family was spread throughout the cabin. No crying, whining, or complaints were heard. They were just happy to go on vacation.

Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away.

2 Cor 5:9

We always loaded their backpack with an activity, some snacks, and a juice box; they weren’t allowed to open it until they were in their seats. It kept them happy for the three-hour flight to Phoenix.

No big deal, you think to yourself, my kids can go for hours with their iPad filled with movies and games.

Non-existent were the digital niceties that we have today.
This was the crayon era.

They learned to entertain themselves. Sometimes they talked to those around them. I am still in awe of how well-behaved they were during the long voyages, they were incredible.

Memories still haunt them about having to switch shoes last minute when a disapproving gate agent wasn’t going to let them on or running to the bathroom to put on dad’s nice pants because theirs weren’t up to standards.

Was it stressful? Yes, but we understood the value of standards and presenting your best self. It’s basic respect.

To this day, we dress appropriately when flying. Taking the time to put our best selves out in public rather than just wearing jammies and slippers says something about the effort you are willing to make on behalf of others. It also shows forth our dignity, and as Christians, we represent our Lord in all situations.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

1Cor 10:31

Does this mean we can’t ever relax in comfy clothes? No. However, if what we chose to wear makes others uncomfortable or shouts obscenities, it’s rude and unbecoming of our dignity, or worse, causes scandal.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines scandal as “an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death.” (2284)

Ladies and gentlemen, dressing respectfully when in public is an easy fix.

I’ll never forget what my father said when we were meeting for a family portrait. I was in college and wanted to look special. I found a beautiful summer dress to wear. When I arrived, much to my surprise my dad disapproved of my “whore dress.” I hadn’t noticed the center of the bodice had a small circle cut out, exposing my chest. My intention—look pretty. Instead, I got a lesson in modesty. This is true for many young women who are influenced by fashion. They don’t see the bigger danger their attire elicits.

Christians should strive to be modest in their dress. Our bodies are sacred, mysterious and beautiful.

Ladies, we are God’s exquisite creation. Our beauty shines forth even if our body was concealed in a blanket. Being made in God’s image and likeness means protecting our dignity and the treasure within, guarding it against being used rather than loved.

We need not look like cartoon characters vying for attention, nor be scantily clad which can draw others into sin. Humbly living our dignity will permit anyone with eyes to behold God’s magnificent creation of man and woman.