I just can’t do it…

One of the new American students came into the school today sporting a mouaz (I call them man skirts) and a jambiya. He said that I should get them too… I dunno, I just can’t bring myself to dress like a Yemeni. Maybe if I met one that I respected or even liked a lot I might be more tempted. I think that Americans dressing like that just look silly. I have never, in my adult life, enjoyed dressing up in a costume. I know that all clothing or fashion is ultimately a costume of some sort, but at least I’m comfortable in this one:-) Besides I find the entire culture around Jambiyas rather distasteful, and since it is so close to the concept of being a man in Yemen, I end up finding the male culture here a bit distasteful. So don’t expect to see me in a thobe or moaz any time soon…