Keep it covered
Dear Dude,
What a beautiful day we are both enjoying. The sunshine is bright, but not so strong that it saps your will. The breeze is gentle and the birds are singing a beautiful song. No doubt about it, it's a beautiful day to be alive.
I don't know you, yet here we are sharing a moment. On the way home from some appointments downtown I took the 'long' way home to take in the sights of scenic Silver Lake. There you are out for a run, dodging the geese but still making good time. You seem to be enjoying your afternoon as well.
There is a problem though Dude. You appear to have forgotten your shirt when you left home today. I know it must feel good to enjoy the sun on your back but Dude, I don't want to see it. Nor do I want to insult you by scowling at you when you glance at me while we wait at the stop sign. I appreciate that even though you appear to be the most fit 38 year old I've seen all day, it really would be better if you were to throw a shirt that said "I'm 38 and look great under this shirt."
There may be some unwritten 'girl rule' I don't know about that applies here, but in my book unless you are under the age of 25 and/or spend at least three hours a day lifting weights, you should have a shirt on at all times in public.
Thank you in advance for treating yourself to a moisture wicking tank top or t-shirt before your next run. If we can work together to address this matter, I'm sure we'll all have a more enjoyable summer.
Sincerely,
Mini-van mom
Hear, hear Tracy! I almost hate those "I work out 3 hours a day" guys baring it all even more! Yeah, good for you that you have time/energy for that, but I'm not impressed. When you're the guy pushing the stroller, dog on a leash and a kid on bike next to you...THEN I'm impressed!!
Posted by: Maureen Adkins | 05/30/2011 at 10:35 PM
Ha! It is even worse when you can tell the closest thing to a workout they have been doing is running to the refrigerator and they are still going shirtless!
Posted by: Rebecca | 05/31/2011 at 07:39 AM
Tracy: Would you like runners to wear burqas, perhaps? Well it ain't gonna happen, sister. After sitting in an office all day working, nothing feels so good as a cool breeze across the back on a good five-miler. And if it makes you uncomfortable, that's too bad.
Posted by: runner | 05/31/2011 at 08:49 AM
It's extra disturbing when you recognize the person, as happens in smaller towns a lot. Then the next time you see that person you just have to stand there all uncomfortable with the fact that you saw him unecessarily half-naked. (this has happened to me) Keep the shirt on buddy! Even if it's hot, us ladies manage to keep our clothes on in public and survive.... I am sure you'll survive running in a t-shirt!
Posted by: Kelly | 05/31/2011 at 08:55 AM
If the guy is even just halfway ripped and doesn't have a thick layer of "fur" necessitating the skipping of the shirt, where's the problem?
From another perspective: do you also scoff at women running in just a sports bra and shorts?
Posted by: Stephan Jennebach | 05/31/2011 at 09:05 AM
Personally I rather not see a man running with no shirt... and I rather not see any females running in their sports bras and short shorts... That's great people are comfortable with going almost naked out in public but yeah I don't want to see it! Even if I had the body (which I never will) you'll never catch me out there in my sports bra and shorts!
Posted by: Megs | 05/31/2011 at 01:01 PM