Shirts or Skins?

One of the things that Matt is really good about is mowing the yard. I have only done it once or twice (and ended up destroying several items left in the lawn), and really appreciate that he doesn't seem to mind cutting the grass (aka I don't have to).

One thing I have asked him to do, though, is to at least wear a cotton tee shirt when he does the front yard. I would prefer he abstain from going shirtless wherever the neighbors can see him.

Part of the reason for my severe aversion to Matt showing some skin to the neighborhood comes from our experience at the old house we rented when we were still newlyweds. We had a neighbor across the street who insisted on sitting on his front porch, shirtless, with his big hairy belly on display for the whole world to see - even in the dead of winter! It was especially distracting because he was out there at what seemed like all hours of the day, never moving from his post. You only knew he was alive because he was constantly screaming at his kids, who often played in the front yard.

When it's hot outside and Matt wants to tone down his severe farmer's tan, that image of the shirtless neighbor burns my brain. I know Matt doesn't look like that man in any shape or form, but it's the idea that bothers me.

After MJ's past weekend at the track, though, his farmers tan has taken on a whole new level. I told him that I couldn't take him to the beach with me next week when we visit his uncle in Daytona Shores.

So - what do you think? Is it just too redneck to mow shirtless? Or, is it just contributing to a real red neck (and farmer's tan) to be forced to mow fully clothed?