Commentary: What a fine mess we’re in with this dressing-down trend

California is rapidly going down the slob hole.

This fact has been made clear to me over the past few weeks. At a stay at Hotel del Coronado last month, in its elegant 1500 Ocean restaurant, people were seen in shorts and tank tops, and children were running between the tables.

When we asked the waiter, who had been there 20 years, what was going on, he replied it was the bottom line.

“They wanted to be more family friendly,’ he remarked.

Therefore, there was no dress code. Apparently “family friendly” means anything goes at a fine restaurant. It all contributes to the general slobbing down of California — and don’t even get me started on people who take their dogs to lunch or dinner.

A second instance was at the symphony. People were dressed in Levi’s, shorts and barely covering tops while the orchestra was in dinner jackets or tuxedos.

In the past, attendees showed respect for the orchestra and for the music they were hearing. This is not a rave or a rock concert.

A final instance was at church. Even though the church bulletin suggests that attendees should not be dressed for the beach, many show up in shorts, tee tops and flip-flops.

Don’t tell me I should be happy they are going to church. I am not. This manner of dress shows no respect for the church or for the service that is taking place.

Perhaps “slobbiness” is the new norm. If so, I missed the memo — and I don’t plan to look for it.

JACK PRICE lives in Newport Beach.