White woman In a headscarf, would you stare?

[Tooshyshyhushhushidoi]

And conservative/ ‘modest’ clothing. Would you stare? Would you look twice?

context to follow :)

Although not a religious headwear, i have a real hankering to wear head scarves like Audrey Hepburn. If only I looked like Audrey Hepburn, sigh.

Seriously though, what is your problem? You seem to have a lot of ill feelings and antagonism towards me and other Muslims

I would ignore them. imo the Muslims are just curious.

No. Nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t stare at anyone though.

It’s none of my damn business or anyone else’s. I wouldn’t be that person

Nope. My Grandma wears one all the time.

I personally wouldn’t stare. I was raised in an area where most married women wear head coverings of some sort and I myself wear a scarf (occasionally a wig but I find that seems to draw even more unwanted attention ). It never used to bother me and I noticed very little staring when I lived in London but since moving here I constantly feel like I’m being looked at like I’ve got two heads or else being asked to justify why im wearing it. I sympathise, it feels very uncomfortable and invasive.

I wouldn't, but I'm often that white woman in a headscarf, and people do stare.
I'm talking about when I'm dropping my DC at a local Islamic study group, in a predominantly Muslim area.

To be fair, I'm past giving a monkey's about it, I have neither the time not patience for other people these days.

Back in the fifties,it was elegant to wear a headscarf crossed at the front and tied at the back of the neck to protect one's costly hairdo from wind or rain ,especially if driving in an open car. This did not signify any religious belief and was rather fetching on a young woman, rather like a wimple. Now, unwilling to be seen wearing Islamic taste, I avoid headscarves in favour of shower hats or even beanie hats --- guaranteed to ruin a short hairdo. I have completely passed the era of long, untidy hair and as it is fine and straight it would never have suited me anyway. Somebody should point this out to the young women now with less than lavish locks, still pursuing the long straggly effect.

Well you could’ve fooled us 😂😂

😏

My partner is Indian and I’m white. We get stared at a lot. Usually by Asian people to be honest. White people don’t seem bothered. Old Asian ladies really have a problem with it. F them! I ignore it now. Well I try!

I’m not sure where you live but where l live in central london with a high Muslim population it’s not at all uncommon to see white ladies in hijabs. As others have said people stare at less . Just try to ignore them and be proud of your life choices. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.

No

It is entirely your choice what you wear. "There is no compulsion in religion" surah 2.256. The word means barrier as I'm sure you know, so that could be a physical barrier like cloth or a screen to sit behind or a metaphorical one. It's entirely your choice. No one should stare at you, especially the ummah

White women wearing headscarves is very common where I live. A really pale woman wearing one might make me pause a few seconds longer if I'm honest, but not in a judgemental way and no more than a few processing seconds. Sights outside of the norm do give us pause. Same as when I see a woman with a particularly fancy dress or a white woman with dreadlocks or whatever, or how fifteen years ago women with blue hair might make you pause.

No

I wouldn’t look twice or stare. I would just wear with pride and not give any of it a second thought. Could it be that you are feeling a little self conscious? It’s a big step to take and it’s an open declaration of religion. Maybe you just need to give it some time and you will feel more confident and less bothered about whether people are staring or not.

The Queen used to wear headscarves all the time. My grandmother (and lots of other women) used to wear a headscarf regularly if she'd just been to the hairdresser.

Just ignore the starers, I get a few (bright hair, tattoos and a quirky dress sense). I work with disabled young people and they often get stared at when we're out and about. It's rude imho but you just have to rise above it

This thread seems to imply that headscarves have been appropriated by one group, who'd have thought it!
Must dig out my lovely Liberty scarves and see what reaction I get!

Why are you allowing yourself to be bullied into not wearing what you want because it's suddenly a pseudo-religious thing?

No, not at all.

In which case you could.. just not wear it?

I realise you prefer to, but (although I think you might be noticing more because you're self conscious) you have a choice between wearing it and getting a fair few second looks and the odd proper stare, and not wearing it and attracting no notice.

The stare-ers are rude but the second-lookers are just being human - it's unusual-ish to see a northern European women in a headscarf, and if you are the sort of person who's curious about other people you will be interested enough to look twice.

I think your energy would be better deployed if you just made a choice, rather than keep ruminating on things you can't change.