Losing my hair - is a headscarf cultural appropriation.

[Annielou67]

I recently had a gastric bypass and I’m affected by hair thinning which I knew could be one of the side effects. Currently I am not thinning evenly but in patches and I have gone from really thick long hair to one side being a bit straggly especially at the temple. So I got out my scarves, had a play around, and generally had problems with the scarves falling off. Meanwhile I saw suggested the use of a Tichel, a type of pre sewn, pre fitted scarf with a band to stop if moving off your hairline. The Jewish lady recommending it on Instagram said that it was ok for anyone to wear one. I bought one, it’s great. Apart from the reaction of my friends, relatives and daughter who say that wearing a headscarf ( not solely a tichel) is culturally insensitive, being that I am white and non-religious. When you Google these things some people say it is culturally insensitive and others say it isn’t.

OK Marylin!

Or your Linux phone

The shoe that must not be named.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. of course! 😆

...and Hilda Ogden?

Not long ago it was entirely normal for a woman in England to wear a headscarf not entirely unlike a hijab.

1/10 for this one.

Cultural appropriation is about taking someone’s culture and insulting it . You are not doing that by wearing it for real medical reasons. Also many cultures where head coverings- my nan- white British always wore one over her head if cold outside-( the classic 1950’s granny look) in when she left the house. It’s not purely a racial or religious thing

It really really is not. I, like many who undergo chemotherapy, lost my hair. I hated wearing a wig so opted for a headscarf. Even now my hair is regrowing, I still wear a headscarf. At no point ever have I been accused of cultural appropriation, and I say this as a white Jew who usually wears a wrap made from African wax cotton. I have several pieces in different colours and patterns. If anything, my scarves, not to mention my tying skills, have been complimented many times by women of colour.

I really would not give it a second thought. (And as one very lovely nurse from Ghana assured to me - 'it's cultural appreciation').

Who cares?
Why do we have to keep pandering to others?
Are they pandering to us?

covering hair with a scarf and/or bonnet was very common all over the world including the uk until fairly recently. Christian women in certain parts of the world still cover their hair (I don't mean just nuns).
also plenty of white british women are practising Muslims and wear full hijab .

so I wouldn't worry. as a hijabi asian woman I have no issues with women from other cultures wearing a headscarf or any of our other clothing (I think European ladies look lovely in a saree for example as it suits tall frames)

I reccommend those magnetic pins to secure your headscarf. you can really lean into the look, get yourself some fancy ones. jersey and cotton headscarves are best for casual wear. also YouTube is full of hijab styling videos.

hope your recovery from surgery goes well xx

I have never met a PoC who cares about cultural appropriation, so no pandering needed.

But the OP is a troll who is constantly posting about tichels.

No it's not.

Of course, it's not cultural appropriation! My nan (and every other woman over 60 back then) used to wear one.

No!
The late queen often wore one. As did many women of her generation.

I think you are mixing me up with someone else!?

Yes, ofcourse you are right. I didn’t think of the Queen. Although I can’t imagine wearing a triangular scarf like her. I would look more like Les Dawson in his old ladies sketch.

No, I’m really not that person. Nor am I a troll. I post original threads rarely but comment on threads maybe two or three times a week. Can the moderators confirm please?

Hi all

We can never vouch for anyone, but we can see that this poster has been on the boards for some time and we don't believe they are affiliated with the troll. Please do avoid troll hunting on the thread - if you have concerns, please report them to us.

Thank you so much . I will look up the magnetic pins. From the all but unanimous answers I think that I am just being over sensitive. I’m not the most attractive of women, nearly 60 and I’m sad about my hair and I’m struggling a bit with self- consciousness about wearing a headscarf anyway. If it was winter, I’d have no problem in a woolly hat. Thank you all for taking the time to reply - I shall take heed and wear what I damn well please.

An American “progressive” concept. Lots of us over here think it’s ridiculous.

'Cultural appropriation' is just a meaningless/daft concept created by the professionally offended...

Yep, that is what I thought as well.

I really wish someone would make those plastic bonnets fashionable again.

They're such a good idea!!!

Me too.