Last night, there was a debate — a debate between four Republican presidential candidates. But the frontrunner, by miles and miles, wasn’t there. That’s Donald Trump. My Impromptus column today is heavy on Trump. There are other subjects too, however, including an alleged spy for Cuba (a senior member of our Foreign Service), a late American general (Julius W. Becton Jr., who broke the color line), and a Hall of Fame baseball manager (Jim Leyland).
Before I get to reader mail, maybe a quick language note? You may have heard that “between” is for two things or persons and “among” for three or more. If so, you have been misled. See above (“a debate between four . . .”).
A reader writes,
Jay, I’m outraged by the anti-Jewish demonstrations and pro-Hamas rhetoric. Can we Christians all light menorahs in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors this year? I would want to make sure that does not offend them, though.
I have taken an informal survey. And the result is: a lovely gesture, even a righteous one.
On Monday, I had an essay titled “Dress Codes and Their Discontents.” A reader writes,
Sir,
You’ve touched on a touchy subject, ha! . . .
In Alaska, from which I originate and where I live, there is no dress code. Only one restaurant in town requires the men to wear a jacket. At every other nice restaurant in town, you’ll see men well dressed sitting at a table next to one with men in jeans and a T-shirt.
I like to wear a collared shirt — dignity calls — when at dinner. My wife complains that men, who run hot, are expected to cover their skin, while women, who run cold, have fashion that is thin and reveals.
When overseas, I try to dress up to show respect for the culture and avoid the “ugly American” stigma. . . .
That said, when attending church at home, I try to avoid overdressing, as ours is a conservative church, and I don’t want to propagate the “stuffy Presbyterian” motif. One older and dignified woman once asked why, when my wife was dressed well, I wore jeans. I used the Biblical phrase “all things to all men.”
Think about it: You show hospitality to the visitor who is wearing jeans when you yourself are in jeans. If every other man wore a suit — the visitor would feel uncomfortable.
Another reader writes,
Mr. Nordlinger,
I’m old enough to remember the days when people would dress up to travel, and even to shop. My mother regularly wore long white gloves just to go out. A coat and tie was de rigueur for me, from earliest childhood, reinforced by my school uniform.
On another note, I thought a sow was an adult female swine. Was there a reason you likened yourself to a “sow” instead of, say, a “pig”? You quoted yourself as saying, “I’m sweatin’ like a sow in this parka you’ve made me put on.”
Hmmm. I guess my ear wanted the alliteration: “sweatin’ like a sow.”
A friends writes,
I attended the Lakeside School in Seattle for high school. It was a highfalutin prep school (classmates included Paul Allen of Microsoft fame). When I entered we had to wear jackets and ties. I fought against this as a junior and the dress requirement was abandoned. I now think this was a mistake.
Another friend writes,
Jay,
As a teacher, I learned that all parents want a strict dress code — for other people’s kids.
Thank you, one and all, however you are dressed.