There’s a yawning gap on opinions about wearing PJs to the shops

17 May 2016 - 14:22 By Roxanne Henderson

Do people actually visit their local grocery stores in sleepwear? Yes‚ they do and it is a world-wide phenomenon. Thabo Leshilo recently took to his Facebook page to find out why: “What drives a grown woman to go to a supermarket dressed in pyjamas and a night gown? I saw one at my local Spar today‚ around 7 pm‚ and was horrified. Have such things become normal?”Leshilo's quest for clarity on the issue comes after grocery chain store Spar allegedly banned customers from wearing pyjamas in-store by putting up a sign at an outlet.The notice‚ which has done the rounds on social media sites‚ carries Spar's logo and reads: “To avoid causing embarrassment to others‚ we ask that our customers are appropriately dressed when visiting the store. Sleep-wear/payamas (sic) is not permitted.”According to The Star newspaper‚ the Spar Group said it was not aware of the notice and declined to give further details.Leshilo's Facebook friends‚ however‚ did not hold back their views on the subject‚ with some saying they had witnessed people wearing pyjamas outside of their homes.Modidima Mannya responded‚ saying: “I just saw a man at our local filling station last week. It doesn't horrify me.” Zanele Mngadi said: “Yes‚ you find them at airports as well!”Thule Zwane admitted that she herself had once been a culprit when she said: “For me‚ it started in Grahamstown when I studied there. Once out‚ I had to re-educate myself. Most of us did it as university students. But once out of the student town it was just not done.”Yolanda Nandipha Lule also weighed in‚ saying it is a student thing:“Come to any college campus around exam time. It's an attempt at giving the impression that you don't give a damn about how you look. The oldest lie.”Stewart Bailey wrote that it is “not uncommon in [New York] for people to go get takeaway coffee on weekend mornings in their pyjamas."Last year‚ a Spar store in Northern Ireland held a pyjama day event‚ according to its Facebook page which said: “A great effort from the team of employees and customers from Spar King's Cresent who recently held a pyjama day and raised a fantastic £180 for Comic Relief!” – TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.