Re: comments from strangers

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Posted by Kenzi on October 28, 1999 at 00:13:16:

In Reply to: Re: comments from strangers posted by SeeSee on October 28, 1999 at 00:00:28:

: Please, please don't use the word "tattoo" when explaining henna, I
: think I prefer the words "decorative/ornamental stain" more. If
you
: mention henna for hair many people will pick up the association.

I can't agree with you here....I think we need to get through to
people on a level where they can comprehend. Even knowing about
henna, if someone said something like "decorative/ornamental stain"
to me, my eyes would glaze over. For those who just want to know
simply what it is and nothing more, temporary tattoo is fine. If I
sense that the person is open to hearing more I tell them that it is
made from henna....if there is still an opening, "henna is a plant
which stains the skin"...then, "it lasts for about a month" and so
on, depending on the person to whom I am talking.

I don't really care if someone goes away thinking that it's a
tattoo...if they really wanted to know what it is they would have
asked and I would have explained. For those who aren't more curious
beyond that, I can't force them to hear me out. Maybe the next
person they see with henna will inspire them to ask more about it.

: Another type of negative reaction you can get from strangers is the
: one where people think you are co-opting their culture and
traditions
: and are highly offended. Once I gave such a person the henna rant

I have had nothing but positive reactions from people whose culture
includes henna, especially when I tell them that I did the henna
myself. We usually end up exchanging tips and design
ideas...generally learning from each other. As for lettering in
other languages, I try to find out what it is I am writing in that
language...if I don't know, I don't use it. Not only might it
offend, but with the power of henna, some words might have a negative
impact on the person wearing it.

Follow-ups:

Re: comments from strangers Amy C 19:09:56 10/28/99 (5)
- Re: comments from strangers Cyane 01:54:50 10/30/99 (4)
  - Re: comments from strangers Giselle 05:38:50 10/31/99 (3)
    - Re: comments from strangers Henna diva 01:47:01 11/02/99 (2)
      - Re: comments from strangers Giselle 11:10:46 11/04/99 (1)
        
        Re: henna in the workplace Natasha Papousek 14:21:32 11/04/99 (0)

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Comments:
: : Please, please don't use the word "tattoo" when explaining henna, I : : think I prefer the words "decorative/ornamental stain" more. If : you : : mention henna for hair many people will pick up the association. : : I can't agree with you here....I think we need to get through to : people on a level where they can comprehend. Even knowing about : henna, if someone said something like "decorative/ornamental stain" : to me, my eyes would glaze over. For those who just want to know : simply what it is and nothing more, temporary tattoo is fine. If I : sense that the person is open to hearing more I tell them that it is : made from henna....if there is still an opening, "henna is a plant : which stains the skin"...then, "it lasts for about a month" and so : on, depending on the person to whom I am talking. : I don't really care if someone goes away thinking that it's a : tattoo...if they really wanted to know what it is they would have : asked and I would have explained. For those who aren't more curious : beyond that, I can't force them to hear me out. Maybe the next : person they see with henna will inspire them to ask more about it. : : Another type of negative reaction you can get from strangers is the : : one where people think you are co-opting their culture and : traditions : : and are highly offended. Once I gave such a person the henna rant : I have had nothing but positive reactions from people whose culture : includes henna, especially when I tell them that I did the henna : myself. We usually end up exchanging tips and design : ideas...generally learning from each other. As for lettering in : other languages, I try to find out what it is I am writing in that : language...if I don't know, I don't use it. Not only might it : offend, but with the power of henna, some words might have a negative : impact on the person wearing it.

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