Clothing and culture

Midweek, Thanh received a notification from her younger sister back home that her mother-in-law would be visiting that weekend. Thanh called her daughter down to give her some instructions, as her mother-in-law was known for being strict about dress and behavior. She worried that her daughter's city style wouldn't please her grandmother.

On Sunday morning, as she opened the door to welcome her mother-in-law, Thu, Thanh's daughter, looked feminine in her modest and elegant clothes. After admiring and chatting with her granddaughter for a while, Mrs. Ngan, Thanh's mother-in-law, exclaimed:

- Your granddaughter is growing up to be beautiful and gentle; she's graduated from university, has a job, and soon she'll make you a great-grandmother, won't she?

Ms. Thanh's daughter smiled, but before she could say anything, Mrs. Ngan, with a witty tone, continued:

- Today, my granddaughter is dressed simply, not at all like a city girl. Why don't you wear those outfits you wore in photos posted on Facebook? I think they're beautiful.

Thu was surprised: "Grandma, you don't mind me dressing like this? I was worried you wouldn't be pleased, so I chose the most modest outfit."

Mrs. Ngan playfully scolded her granddaughter: "Oh, you little brat, do you think this old lady is so old-fashioned?"

Then she calmly said, "I belong to the older generation, preferring traditional styles, but I'm not too strict with the younger generation. We also need to embrace and engage with civilization and world cultures. In this era of global integration, all fields involve exchange and cooperation between countries around the world. But knowing how to choose appropriately, in the right place, for the right purpose, while still preserving our customs, cultural identity, and traditional values, is what's truly valuable, my dear."

The more Thu listened to her, the more she realized it was true. On the streets and on the internet, Thu encountered many images of ridiculously inappropriate and offensive clothing. Girls wearing shorts, short skirts, revealing their underwear, and thin tops that looked like they weren't wearing anything at all. Many people even wore their gym clothes out in public…

Clothing is a basic necessity for everyone. A particular style of dress stems from the desire to look better, be more attractive, and stand out from the crowd. However, simply following trends isn't the only way to be beautiful. Many young people dress simply and neatly, and that's enough to make them look elegant, eye-catching, and stylish without being outdated. Clothing represents a person's character, culture, and awareness. Dressing well and appropriately is a way of respecting oneself and those around you.

Dao Doan

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