Hats and scarves

Hats are not cool in Thailand. This is somewhat frustrating because I am a self-described “hat-person”. While they are tolerated outdoors, they are especially uncool indoors. This leaves me to wondering about the difference between wearing a hat and wearing a scarf. Many Muslim women wear scarves on their head. Indoors, outdoors in makes no difference. Neither, do these pieces of hear-gear draw much (if any) attention or scorn.

To me this differentiation seems arbitrary and inconsistent. On the material level there is no significant difference between a hat and a scarf. The difference, of course, is in the reason for the wearing. Muslim women wear a scarf out of religious observance. I wear a hat out of a desire to do so.

Some might take the view that religious observances have greater meaning and validity than personal fashion statements, but I challenge this assertion.

Religious observance and choice of clothing are both forms of self-expression. They both say something about the person. By wearing a scarf, a woman asserts that she belongs to a certain culture. She is making a statement about who she is to herself and to the world. Is it any different for people choosing to wear a hat? Fashion is a statement about who we are. When I wear a hat I am telling myself and the world that, 'I am a hat-person'.

Somebody might raise the objection, “Hey, wait a minute. She has religious obligations. She can't go outside without wearing a scarf.”

I would ask this person to examine his bold assertion more closely. “Can't”? Are you sure you don't mean, “Won't?”

Can and cannot are assertions of modality. They form propositions about what is and is not POSSIBLE.

Are you really making the claim that it is not possible for Muslim women to leave the house without wearing a scarf? Remember, to be impossible a proposition must violate one of the laws of logic. For example, it would be impossible for this piece of fruit to be both an apple and an orange. It would be impossible for me to be in Thailand and be in California.

I will assume that you mean Muslim women wont leave the house without wearing a scarf. To these women I say, 'Bravo'. By all means, let the Muslim women conduct themselves in whatever manner they find most suiting. But, I would have you admit that a choice exists whether or not to wear a scarf. A difficult choice. Perhaps even one that many are unable to make. But the choice exists none the less.

This has been something of a rant. But if you want a conclusion here goes.

Both hats and scarves, no matter the reason for wearing them, are forms of self-expression.

Wearing a scarf is not criticized by social convention.

Wearing a hat is criticized by social convention.

Social convention is inconsistent, arbitrary and illogical.