Comments on: On fancy dress and the Hijab http://www.withinandwithout.com/2006/10/on-fancy-dress-and-the-hijab/ Arbitrary Obsessions. Cities. History. Music. Feminism. Maami-isms. Patterns. Halwa. Identities. Free Verse. The Internets. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:58:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Neha Viswanathan http://www.withinandwithout.com/2006/10/on-fancy-dress-and-the-hijab/comment-page-1/#comment-7438 Neha Viswanathan Thu, 19 Oct 2006 08:22:08 +0000 http://www.withinandwithout.com/?p=1020#comment-7438 Lotus: Read your post on it. I agree with the idea that it give you a glimpse into something. Had the article restricted itself to an exploration of the self, and reactions of others to her it would have been different. It is the extension of that experience and projection on others that I found funny. It's that whole "fly on the wall" thing. Besides Day 1 of such social experiments is always misleading. Case in point <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_Days" rel="nofollow">Spurlock's 30 Days on Muslims and America</a>. His initial discomfort soon becomes less apparent and he becomes more comfortable with customs. His interaction is deeper and more authentic after that one week. If the journalist really wanted to know more - she needed to spend more time. Your blog is lovely btw! Pradeep: Unfortunately - the journalist appears to have made many assumptions about clothing and culture, and the feelings of "others". Some of the reactions sound made-up. Truth is, that in London I have seen more women in hijab than I have in Delhi or Bombay. It's not such an odd thing. Yesterday, Sri and I saw a woman in the exact same apparel - and nobody gave her a second glance. Lotus: Read your post on it. I agree with the idea that it give you a glimpse into something. Had the article restricted itself to an exploration of the self, and reactions of others to her it would have been different. It is the extension of that experience and projection on others that I found funny. It’s that whole “fly on the wall” thing.

Besides Day 1 of such social experiments is always misleading. Case in point Spurlock’s 30 Days on Muslims and America. His initial discomfort soon becomes less apparent and he becomes more comfortable with customs. His interaction is deeper and more authentic after that one week. If the journalist really wanted to know more – she needed to spend more time.

Your blog is lovely btw!

Pradeep: Unfortunately – the journalist appears to have made many assumptions about clothing and culture, and the feelings of “others”. Some of the reactions sound made-up. Truth is, that in London I have seen more women in hijab than I have in Delhi or Bombay. It’s not such an odd thing. Yesterday, Sri and I saw a woman in the exact same apparel – and nobody gave her a second glance.

]]> By: Pradeep http://www.withinandwithout.com/2006/10/on-fancy-dress-and-the-hijab/comment-page-1/#comment-7437 Pradeep Thu, 19 Oct 2006 07:00:46 +0000 http://www.withinandwithout.com/?p=1020#comment-7437 If dress is dividing people, well, that shows where we are, is it not? Choice of dress is entirely a pesonal matter. What one feels comfortable in so individualistic. But at the same time, dress also plays a great part in non-verbal communication or the body language. That's why it is said: Always dress for the occasion. We always temper our personal choices, even dressing style, to suit social conditions. So, why not in this case too? After all, religion and its symbols, are only a means to achieve a good quality of life. If dress is dividing people, well, that shows where we are, is it not?

Choice of dress is entirely a pesonal matter. What one feels comfortable in so individualistic. But at the same time, dress also plays a great part in non-verbal communication or the body language. That’s why it is said: Always dress for the occasion.

We always temper our personal choices, even dressing style, to suit social conditions. So, why not in this case too? After all, religion and its symbols, are only a means to achieve a good quality of life.

]]> By: Lotus http://www.withinandwithout.com/2006/10/on-fancy-dress-and-the-hijab/comment-page-1/#comment-7431 Lotus Thu, 19 Oct 2006 01:56:14 +0000 http://www.withinandwithout.com/?p=1020#comment-7431 First of, so happy to have chanced upon your blog! I blogged about the same article yesterday - but had a slightly different take on it. Will visit again! First of, so happy to have chanced upon your blog! I blogged about the same article yesterday – but had a slightly different take on it. Will visit again!

]]> By: Neha Viswanathan http://www.withinandwithout.com/2006/10/on-fancy-dress-and-the-hijab/comment-page-1/#comment-7394 Neha Viswanathan Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:02:12 +0000 http://www.withinandwithout.com/?p=1020#comment-7394 WA: I still can't get over the childishness of the article! WA: I still can’t get over the childishness of the article!

]]> By: WA http://www.withinandwithout.com/2006/10/on-fancy-dress-and-the-hijab/comment-page-1/#comment-7386 WA Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:06:51 +0000 http://www.withinandwithout.com/?p=1020#comment-7386 At long last :) I've been waiting for you (and MG) to write your views on this topic. Nice to hear a different perspective to the whole veil story At long last :) I’ve been waiting for you (and MG) to write your views on this topic. Nice to hear a different perspective to the whole veil story

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