Nativity costumes, specifically headwear. Is it offensive?

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

My adult DD just messaged me. They want to dress in nativity costumes for a charity run but was wondering if it was appropriate to wear tea towels/fabric on heads for the Shepards? She asked if we do at primary school still (yes we definitely do)
My first instinct is yes, of course it's ok. Its what people wore for practicality back in those times. But am I right? I'm not sure.

@viques Surely running as shepherds would be tricky, the robes and crooks could easily turn out to be a trip hazard. And the sandals would lead to dreadful blisters.

I agree.

Having a heavily pregnant woman or just-delivered mum running is tantamount to spousal abuse.

Can the shepherds leave their flock safely without an RSPCA inspection?

Three Kings running carrying expensive gifts could lead to muggings or at least require complex insurance /security provision. And who is going to mind the camels? We all know they are dirty animals who bite and spit when upset.

Will the angels need to file flight plans before hand? Suppose they don't get clearance? And if they choose to fly rather than run will they be disqualified?

Sounds far too complicated to me.🤔

Wearing a teatowel on your head is in the same category as blacking up. The teatowel thing or ("*head") is often used as a racist insult. It's not a neutral thing.

Kids using teatowels on their heads as a cheap/easy costume for a school nativity is okay. Adults wearing them in a comedy context isn't.

Argh, my asterisks turned to bold.

i Think it’s a risky idea. Personally as a Christian, if they were specifically dressing up as the stereotypes of a children’s nativity I think that would be very funny, and in which case a tea towel would be appropriate. But it risks being misunderstood.

And what about the innkeeper? Fine if the inn is at the end of the race as all the runners will nip in for a drink and one of Mrs Innkeepers famous pies and to show off their medals, but if the inn is at the beginning of the course they won’t buy anything, and if the inn is halfway then all he will get is a load of runners desperate to use the loo. Probably best if Herod decrees all inns are to be closed for the duration.

I would say they should run as Christmas trees, baubles, Christmas biscuits...something with no potential to cause offense.

My DS was told to put a dishcloth on his head for the school nativity. As I'm half Arab, I was epically unimpressed. IDGAF if it's traditional, it's still incredibly tone deaf these days!

I made him a lovely headress if I say it myself- he was a splendid shepherd :)

Yes, obviously not a good idea.

Tbh I don't think it should still be happening in primary schools either.

Could they not dress as a British shepherd?

The risk is she looks not like part of the nativity but like she’s dressed up as someone simply from another country. I second donkey!

You do know Christmas is a religious festival? Jesus wept - in fact he probably is.

I am offended by the people that are offended by this. Could you stop being offended please. It’s very offensive.

It depends on the tea towel! In general, no issue with me, though I'd wonder about the practicality.

It's also silly as they'll just look like someone with a teatowel on their head

Especially if it is a nice one from the National Trust.

My first instinct is yes, of course it's ok. Its what people wore for practicality back in those times.

I don’t think anyone, anywhere, has ever worn a tea towel on their head for practicality!

Keffiyeh traditional Palestinian scarves cool in summer, warm in winter.

Yes, but….cultural appropriation?
Dressing up is a minefield.

It really depends on the tea towel, doesn’t it? ‘Keep calm and carry on running’ very appropriate. Picture of kittens, a bit strange.

So, as we/she suspected, it does sound a bit controversial. I think they first thought it would just be cute for a December charity run as they are a group. I had never really given the nativity costumes much thought before but think I'll advise them to go the bauble/gift/tinsel type route.

Just dont wear it in Schippol
They disagree and pull you over for interrogation.

Exactly!

Er... @Blossomtoes if you can't read the whole thread, at least read the OP before making snide comments. It is a CHARITY FUN RUN . It has nothing to do with Christmas.

Or baby Jesus.

Yes, I'm also a Christian and this is pretty much my take on it. I would see it as dressing up as a primary school group rather than dressing up as the actual characters if that makes sense? I'd think it was people picking costumes that were nostalgic re their childhood rather than making fun of religion or anything. The stereotypical British school nativity play is hardly a realistic representation of the time or place anyway, but it's become an entity in it's own right. I've certainly seen costumes at fun runs and similar events that I personally think are far more offensive than this and nobody has batted an eyelid.
However, as this thread demonstrates, there are lots of different viewpoints and it clearly would offend quite a lot of people, so may be best avoided. I'd probably go for elves, reindeer, snowmen etc if there's meant to be a Christmas theme.

Sounds great😀

I’m off to tell the 10 people (including the rector) from my church that we shouldn’t have dressed up as Noah, the Ark and pairs of animals for a fun as dressing as bible characters are offensive to religious people… I wonder if the Foodbank has spent the sponsor money yet? To make it even worse I’m in NI so the local fundamentalists forgot to organise a protest!