Sunday, December 14, 2008

Don't judge a burka by it's coverage

The other day I was standing in line at a store. A nice older woman came up to me and said, "Excuse me, where did you get your cute sweater?" She had a younger woman with her. I told them where I got my sweater and made some friendly remark to them. The younger, more shy woman, then nodded to the older woman. The older woman then said my hair was cute and asked where I get it done. Wow, I was feeling quite flattered. Apparently I was dressed cute, cute hair, nice ladies talking to me at the women's clothing store. Feeling good. I told the younger woman, who was the one obviously wanting the answers, that my friend Jennifer has been doing my hair for years. She asked for her number, etc. She smiled and thanked me and left the store behind the older women.
I finished my transaction and left the store. I was walking down the street feeling a little perkier than when I arrived. Maybe I wasn't too old or too frumpy. Maybe. Then I realized what had just transpired. The shy, younger woman had been the one wanting the info. She had a slight accent of unknown origin to me, which seemed to be the reason she had the older woman start the conversation. The flashback of the whole interaction went thru my mind again and I realized that I had just been asked by a woman in a burka about my clothes and hair. She did not have her face covered, just her head, neck and body completely covered. She wanted to know where I got my sweater and who did my hair.
Why?
Maybe she loves her husband enough to make the effort just for him. Maybe even though nobody else would notice, she wanted to feel pretty in her own way. Maybe my hair was so simple that she knew it could work well covered and be no fuss. Maybe I wear clothes that work well when you need to cover your body.
I 'm still hoping for the "cute" part.

11 comments:

jksfam said...

I vote for the cute! You always look cute and stylish!!! And remember, Jordan says you have great hair!

Sheri said...

How about all of the above?! You were modest yet beautiful! Who wouldn't want to emulate that?! Plus I am sure you were smiling and that just adds to the whole picture!!

Muad'Dib said...

Possibly they wanted to know which immodest stores to avoid. Hard to tell. I'm voting for the cute part.

Vern said...

Remember, "Modest is Hottest!"

Julie said...

I am positive it was the cute factor! Modesty is beautiful especially when you are wearing a smile! Way to be a positive role model in today's times!

Sayyadina said...

I think the "cute"s have it.

Desertbound said...

A smile always makes a person more approachable and beautiful. You always have one on:) An old friend of mine recently said, "All women are beautiful. Some just haven't realized it yet."
And yes, possibly making the effort just for her husband is noble, but making the effort just for herself is crucial.
I think I need to share this story with the Young Women. Thanks for posting it, my beautiful sister!

Canyonsrcool said...

Hah! Good story!

Taunya said...

The simple fact that you are approachable is what makes you BEAUTIFUL. The darling sweater and cute hair-cut only reflect what you makes you so darn cute ... YOU! Little T.

CowboyBob said...

I admire your willingness to talk to them. Some people these days would have been afraid or rude.

Erin said...

I heard that women in burkas have a very keen sense of "cuteness." :)