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[kuberkat]

The question I put to you is whether, despite nobody objecting to foreign women being "uncovered", one may be better off wearing a hijab, or headscarf, after all. Here is why I ask.

Though I am always modestly dressed, I have become accustomed to all varieties of unprovoked hassling: hooting, hissing, and more whispered obscenities in supermarket aisles than I care to count. (Many foreign women feel the same.) However, I notice that when I wear a hijab, this almost evaporates. I have been amazed to find that, when I am "covered", most of the usual aggression directed at me when driving also disappears: drivers speeding up beyond the speed limit when I am overtaking them, and even being followed and cornered at my destination (by a surly bearded muttawa asking for a date (the non-edible kind)- ridiculous but frightening). I have long suspected that no Muslim woman would be treated this way, and my experience proves this to be true.

It would seem that the hijab could solve many of a foreign woman's typical woes. Except, of course, for one thing. There are foreign women who complain that such behaviour sets a precedent, and I have no right to sell out on Western freedoms. I have been accused of being "strong-armed" to cover up by students and being a coward to give in. Truth is, it takes far more courage to resist strong-arming from the foreigners!

Truth is, I find way more freedom in doing as the Romans do.

[ellanvannin]

Look on the bright side- you need never have a bad hair day in public again

[veiledsentiments]

As I recall you are in one of the smaller towns? If it makes you feel more comfortable, why not?

I was always in Muscat and had zero problems over the years, so I definitely wouldn't suggest it there.

VS

[Stephen Jones]

Is a foreign woman better off wearing a headscarf?
Particularly if she's bald.

[veiledsentiments]

So, what about bald men Stephen?

[kuberkat]

Stephen Jones wrote:

[veiledsentiments]

Perhaps you should try the bald idea... just think of how much cooler it would be... and how much more quickly one could get ready for work in the morning. (in addition to the lowered hassle factor...)

VS

[kuberkat]

It so happens that I used to shave my head in the days when annoying people seemed like a good idea. Now that I'd rather not annoy people, it seems no matter which way I go, someone will be offended. Since offending someone seems to be the only constant here, I might as well offend the smallest group of people at the least cost to myself. So, please accept my official apology and what I believe is a justifiable explanation if you happen to be a non-Muslim woman who takes offense to this. Trust me, my days of deliberately annoying people are over. It's not personal: it's self-presevation.

[veiledsentiments]

[Stephen Jones]