Reply To: Going off the Derech

thethinker3-just as an aside, I’m reminded of shevet Levi when the Jews were in Mitzrayim. They were the only tribe to maintain their sanctity and Jewish identity. This is attributed to the fact that they didn’t take on the ways of the Mitzrim ie wear the clothes of the Mitzrim (jeans?). So, there is something to be said about not mingling with the predominating culture..

zahavasdad- I would never imply that someone not haredi is a rasha. You are right about making the distinction between hashkafa and halacha. Yet even though I might be able to close my eyes/ears to the music and movies he’s watching, I don’t think I could get used to the idea of jeans. I was thinking about this lately, wondering why it bothers me so much, and I realized that it’s not just the haredi world where jeans are unacceptable. There are well known companies/places where jeans are not part of the dress code and are considered inappropriate attire. Yet no one is making a fuss about it. And depending upon your position in a particular work situation, the higher the status, the more inappropriate jeans becomes. The connotation is a sloppy and unprofessional look. I’m sure the president of IBM doesn’t wear jeans. And if he is only representing IBM, look who WE represent!!