Rubbers and Raincoat

Hi Lorraine,

Simply wanted to share my own experience dating back to the 50's, 60's to present.

In my elementary and high school days, while living in Massachusetts, my parents would make me wear "rubbers" over my shoes to keep my shoes clean and dry, even though we did not live in the country When ever it was raining or simply cloudy, I was made to wear a rubberized rain coat/hat over my sweater/jacket or coat along with my rubbers. As the weather would grow colder, my mother would make sure I had my union suit (long underwear) and a jock strap supported would have to be worn under my regular clothing I always felt very self-conscious wear rubbers and a raincoat when it wasn't raining and would be punished if I ever came home without wearing my rubbers or raincoat.

Of course there were many other children who were also made to wear their rubbers and raincoat to school. Upon entering the classroom we removed our rubbers from our shoes, all nicely lined up at the rear of the classroom along with jackets and coats and raincoats hung over the rubbers.

Even in high school, mom would come to the doorway of our home to make sure I put on my rubbers, they were a challenge to put on over my shoes and I remember the struggle. Mom would stand there and smile..."Do you need help putting them on?" Finally, I would stretch them on over my shoes and the rubbers would snap tight against the rear heal of my shoes. As much as I hated wearing rubbers and a raincoat, they did make me feel secure and snug. I remember how tight the jock strap and long underwear were. My rubbers always feel tightly snug as well. As a gardener, I still wear my rubbers or rubber boots daily. When it is cloudy or raining, I also wear my raincoat.

I was surprised to see there other folks who have had a similar experience to that of mine while growing up. Would love to hear from you.

Joe

Joe

Thanks very much for your memory. I wonder, do you think your mother insisted on rubbers and raincoat mostly because she was concerned for your health or mostly because she liked you looking that way?

(You're not allowed to say 'both'.)

Very good of you to write.

Lorraine

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