Always Cute?

So, some interesting comments were made on the recent post about being out related to always looking fly when out or always being dressed nice even when running errands. After all, one never knows when you may run across that person whose eye you want to catch. Since something interesting happened to me a couple weekends ago related to this, it prompts me to ask the question: Do you always have to have your look on when out in public? Let me take this to the casual, arguably “bad” look. Ladies, for example, would you go out in public with rollers in your hair (and if so, covered with a scarf or not)? Or would you go out to run an errand with just your head scarf on?

Bear with me as I tell two relevant stories here. Three Saturdays ago I was in Wal-Mart in the aisle with a woman with rollers in her hair (mostly covered, but you could tell). A man several feet away yells something totally inappropriate to her and calls her a nasty name because she “has them damn rollers on”. She did not respond to him but clearly was angry until I looked at her and said “Maam, I think you look fine. Some of us men just dont appreciate what you ladies have to do for your hair. WE get maintenance-free hair”. She laughed and thanked me for the comment and we continued on our separate ways. Second story. A couple of months ago I had a parent come in after school to pick up her daughter and she wanted a quick talk with me. She and I are talking when the student comes in my room. She immediately snaps at her mom how “Ghetto she looks because she has her head scarf on”. I look at the student and say “that really is not very respectful to snap at your mother like that” and then turn to the mom and say “Maam, I think it is very pretty”. She turns to the student and says “SEE….” as I restrain the chuckle.

I am sure we have all seen the even more extreme case of someone wearing pajamas in the store or such. To be totally honest – with the possible exception of the pajamas which is just too much for me – any of these looks would not keep me from pursing possible conversation as long as I got the 3-count stare with a smile and a rinse and repeat. So my question for y’all is this. Do you always have to have your “Cute” on out in public? What are all your thoughts on this? Inquiring minds want to know…..