Think back to the early seventies when gaily attired Hippies still roamed the country, dropping out and things all over the place. After that the Hippies became extinct, probably due to a change in climatic conditions.
The next in fashion was anarchisitic with no clear vogue or direction; and strange to say, that state itself became the fashion, culminating in the very, very, bizarre I mentioned, Punk Rock. Frightening sights appeared on the streets in any old thing as long as it made the wearer look like an escapee from a corporation rubbish tip.
Well time marches on and there is now, believe it or not, a fashion which is very, very, very, bizarre. Readers of this Web site will, I am sure be proud to read that it is a completely Jewish innovation.
Allow me to describe the costume necessary for this effect. And may I just add, all or nearly all the pieces can be bought from Marks and Spencer ( well, why not keep it in the family? ).
First get hold of a navy-blue blazer, then a white shirt, a tie, a pair of conservative slacks-- any shade of blue will do -- a pair of black shoes and, most important of all, a navy blue or black hat ( James Cagney type ).
I have actually missed out one item but this is optional. It's called Tsitsis and consists mainly of knots and white strings, but mainly white strings. Now, wearing these requires a certain amount of skill which can only be achieved through practice; however, until this level of attainment is acquired, I suggest you reply to anyone who may challenge your " ensemble" by saying that your string vest has burst.
Like all famous inventions, this one was discovered by accident. I was sporting the "gear" one day as I entered a certain university student union in pursuit of an international student card. There, seated round a table was an assorted group of punk rock types, green hair, safety pins etc.
As I passed by , I noticed that one of the chaps ( shocking pink hair and three rings through his nose )was astonished, indeed shocked as he clocked my togs.
You may think that I'm making this up but I swear it actually happened and it started me thinking! I was a Weirdo! My outrageous appearance and equally outrageous behaviour ( Polite etc. ) had the power to scare even these hardened freaks.
Now I think the reason for their reaction was undoubtedly fear of the unknown !
I was going to call this new fashion Punk Orthodox or Orthodox Rock, but I decided to settle for just Orthodox. More snappy, see?
Let me cite you another example. I was recently in the Holy Land where the Orthodox ( or Punk Orthodox, if you prefer ) movement started and where I may add, the fashion really caught on in a big way.
I happened to hear there was a certain beach in Tel Aviv where the cats got together, so I was keen to hit the scene. Problem was, no swimming trunks.
I decided to pop down to the local high street to buy the required item. I put my problem to a shopkeeper, who was definitely not with it.
"I would like to buy a pair of swimming trunks," I said speaking in Orthodox- talk or Hebrew as it is sometimes called. " What?" he replied ( we don't say pardon in Orthodox-talk ). " I would like to buy a pair of swimming trunks."
The shopkeeper looked at me sadly, indicated that he understood and replied, "I'm afraid we don't stock the type you want, all we have is these "; and saying this, he held up an ordinary pair of swimming trunks, which is what I had wanted all the time. I told him " That's what I wanted all the time." he was amazed.
Now, I wonder what he wanted to sell me and why he thought I would want them! I think ignorance about us Orthodoxers and being intimidated by our very, very, very, bizarre gear led him to all the wrong conclusions.
I could go on all day: like the case of a member of my wife's family who was on sedatives for a month before our wedding, so scared was she at the thought of going to a "happening" that would have so many Orthodoxers present. Needless to say, she had the time of her life.
All of these cases - and, I repeat, they all actually happened - illustrate what can happen when people judge others solely by appearances and don't persevere to discover what lies underneath the surface.
So why not break down the barriers erected by ignorance? If you see an Orthodoxer In the street, why not say " hello"? If you know any personally, why not enter into a discussion? You'll probably have a lot to offer each other.
In short give us a chance. Orthodoxers are people too you know.