Re: comments from strangers

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Posted by Amy C on October 28, 1999 at 19:09:56:

In Reply to: Re: comments from strangers posted by Kenzi on October 28, 1999 at 00:13:16:

: 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.

Most American-ized women from hennaing cultures that I've run into
(while wearing henna) remember it from their childhood, but know less
about it than I do. One Indian anesthesiologist at my work actually
asked me to teach her how to do it. Others, like those with close
relatives still in India, are generally quite tickled to see mehndi on
me. They also seem to respect the fact that I learned to do it myself
& my interest is not just superficial or trendy. The way I see it,
ours is now a global culture and borowing rituals you find beautiful
or meaningful is a respectful celebration of that fact, as long as you
take the time to understand them.

: 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.

At the same time, I agree that appropriating cultural symbols you have
no understanding of is disrespectful. I knew a guy who got a Japanese
tattoo basically because Japan town was the only place with an open
tattoo parlor at the precise moment when he felt the need to prove how
cool he was by getting a spur-of-the-moment tattoo. He had no
knowledge of the Japanese culture whatsoever and asked for his son's
name in a language he could not even interpret. Personally, I hope
the tattoo artist wrote "DORK" on him.

Follow-ups:

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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: : 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. : Most American-ized women from hennaing cultures that I've run into : (while wearing henna) remember it from their childhood, but know less : about it than I do. One Indian anesthesiologist at my work actually : asked me to teach her how to do it. Others, like those with close : relatives still in India, are generally quite tickled to see mehndi on : me. They also seem to respect the fact that I learned to do it myself : & my interest is not just superficial or trendy. The way I see it, : ours is now a global culture and borowing rituals you find beautiful : or meaningful is a respectful celebration of that fact, as long as you : take the time to understand them. : : 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. : At the same time, I agree that appropriating cultural symbols you have : no understanding of is disrespectful. I knew a guy who got a Japanese : tattoo basically because Japan town was the only place with an open : tattoo parlor at the precise moment when he felt the need to prove how : cool he was by getting a spur-of-the-moment tattoo. He had no : knowledge of the Japanese culture whatsoever and asked for his son's : name in a language he could not even interpret. Personally, I hope : the tattoo artist wrote "DORK" on him.

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