if you read the classical literature, it is full of harsh criticism against 'trousers'. in much of the classical world, the nefarious act of trouser-wearing was a deeply frowned upon sign of utter barbarism. a civilized person would not be caught dead in trousers.

we're all barbarians, now - the barbarians won, in the end. so, that may seem curious to us. but, it's an absolutely accurate depiction of classical views against trouser-wearing. it was entirely taboo.

but, the greeks had a lot of trouble expanding into russia, didn't they? you try living on the russian steppes, or even the german forests, in january, in that dinky little robe of yours, socrates. without a pair of trousers, a man will freeze his balls off in these climates. it was just an adaptation to the weather, these horrific trousers. but, yet, the greeks laid the wide russian rivers to waste as outside of civilization, holding to a no-pantsed principle over making the obvious adjustment to explore these rich lands. it was almost like the act of pulling the trousers on was one of defeat to barbarian forces - that to conquer this land, one must become a barbarian, by putting on those trousers, and it can therefore never be won to civilization. the greeks stayed to the milder coasts, in their robes.

this clothing thing - it's irrational, but it's well-attested, isn't it?

canadians, especially, really shouldn't feel all that upset about the muslim headdress thing, they just have to understand it properly as an adaptation of the weather. canadians are certainly used to wearing obtuse articles of clothing to deal with extreme weather, it's just of a different kind here, it's extreme cold. we wear ski masks and scarves to protect from the cold, just as arab peoples wear scarves to protect from the flying sand, at speeds that make it seem like gravel. we have snow storms and dress appropriately for them; they have sandstorms, and do so accordingly as well.

despite concerns to the contrary, this is something that the descendants of recent migrants should adapt to. perhaps there are other, ideological concerns, that are more pressing. but, the question of weather-focused attire in second or third generation immigrants is something that should conform to majority trends. we don't have sandstorms, here. people will adjust.

i know that there are other myths attached to these articles of clothing, but they're just that - myths. it's easy to uphold a myth around wearing scarves outside when that scarf protects you from the elements. when it no longer does so, that myth breaks down from one generation to the next. give it time, and you'll see.

the difference is really just that they don't realize, yet, that it's safe to take their scarves off in the summer. i vote for making them feel safe enough to do so, not in making an example out of them and isolating them in hopes that it coerces different behaviour.

even the iranian mullahs just lifted their restrictions on female clothing.