Keeping it under wraps
March 1, 2007 at 10:46 Before E and I were married, I was vaguely amused by his insistence on keeping his throat warm, especially when he was sick. He was convinced that exposure to a cold draft could initiate a cold or make an existing one worse. Where did he get such a quaint, old-fashioned idea?
A light bulb switched on in my head in college when one of my professors was lecturing on French culture and noted that the French have a strong aversion to “currents of air.” Madame Hogue said they attributed all manner of illnesses to exposure to these evil influences.
Ah, this put E’s concern with chilly breezes in a larger context. Born in the Belgian Congo, he was undoubtedly indoctrinated by his French- speaking mother on the dangers of exposing your neck to the elements. After my revelation, I tried not to smirk when he’d suggest I wrap something around my neck to keep from getting sick. Hey, we’re all products of our cultures and quirky upbringings.
Back in the U.S, I rarely wore scarves. The few wooly ones I had were brought out of storage only when there was snow on the ground or a biting wind chill. Moving to Belgium changed my attitude and my habits.
Arriving in Brussels in mid-March, I stepped into a world where nearly everyone wore scarves most of the time. I was surprised at first, but then after a few weeks of walking everywhere in the cold, damp Belgian weather, I became a convert. Scarves weren’t an accessory, they were a necessity! I was now living in the Land of Horizontal Rain. How else do you keep the fierce wind whipping in off the North Sea from sending shivers down your spine and stiffening every muscle in your back? Scarves were a cozy alternative in a corner of the world lacking sunshine.
Over time my newfound love of scarves has moved from the practical to the fashionable. In two years, I’ve collected scarves for all occasions. Smooth woven woolens and silky pashminas; fuzzy knits, dense microfleece, and gauzy cottons; conservative plaids, bright stripes, and versatile solids; short and long, and narrow and wide, I have amassed a noteworthy selection of scarves to match every mood, jacket, coat, and occasion.
Whether I drape them casually over my collar, loop them quickly for efficiency, or arrange them in careful layers, I rely on my scarves to get me through each day. Indoors and out, they protect my neck and my temperamental back from the vagaries of chills and goosebumps, drafts and winds.
I haven’t had a cold all winter and I’m sure I have my scarves to thank for that—at least that’s what E tells me, and you know, maybe he’s right..
February 28, 2007
© Veronica McCabe Deschambault and V-Grrrl in the Middle. All rights reserved.
Reader Comments (24)
Remember in My Big Fat Greek Wedding how the dad was always recommending Windex for first aid? It was so funny. I can just imagine your dad telling you Vapo-Rub could cure acne.
E is a BIG fan of Vapo-Rub. I hate it but concede it does work for head congestion.
My dad, born of Croatian immigrants, was a huge fan of the Vap-O-rub! I swear, that was my perfume for the first 13 years of my life during the cold and flu season. AND it was the ambient smell of the home as well, since it was put into the little wells on the room vaporizers, too.
Now when I learn to knit, i will have someone to send it to who will use it. ;)
:)
The smell of Vicks always reminds me of my Grandpa. He ate the throat lozenges constantly. My Mom was a big believer in hoods on jackets because none of us would wear hats.
I, too, have become a scarf connoisseur since moving to Europe. In america, scarves were used to wrap around a snowman's neck. Here, I've conformed to the norms, happily keeping warm with the best of them. And then there's the issue of slippers...was always barefoot back in the USofA, but I can't go without my tootsie warmers here :-)
Stay warm, be happy!