Dom Kureen returns. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Ed
Some things are generally perceived as unacceptable in modern society: racism, criticising a partner’s irritating auntie and of course… The Hitler moustache.
The toothbrush ‘tache (to use the official name) is strange when you think about it, no other formation of face fuzz causes such psychological discomfort to so many, it is after all quite a neat little moustache when the context is taken away.
New hair, new person
Unfortunately perception will always be at the fore of unfortunate stereotyping. When my scalp was embellished by natty dreadlocks a few years ago I found that doormen freely frisked before I was allowed to enter certain premises, one even told me he’d be keeping an eye on me after a lengthy search!
People also sporadically approached me to buy recreational drugs, something that has never occurred before or since that brief phase of my life.
The plight of the charver
It’s similar with other walks of life, where once the Burberry label was a badge of honour for ‘scallies’ nationwide, it is now the trademark of Fashionistas courtesy of the Kate Moss and the like adorning it with gay abandon.
Interestingly, having spoken to several people on the subject, it seems that J.D sports bags are now a recognised symbol of the troublesome teen – But is it fair to judge a book by its cover, or a person by their bag?
A vestige of victory almost 70 years later
Back to that offensive toothbrush of the upper lip: occasionally amusing comedian, Richard Herring, decided to experiment by sporting the look as part of his ‘Hitler moustache’ tour in 2009-10.
Admitting that he felt as if his appearance was upsetting many of the people whose path he crossed, Herring opined: “It feels like a victory for Hitler that, 70 years on, he still has a vestige of a victory that this is still his moustache and not, for instance, Charlie Chaplin’s.”
Difficult not to judge
Our experiences and the subliminal programming we encounter as a species ensure that some level of conditioning is inevitable, for self-preservation if nothing else.
The discomfort I felt each time I was patted down or approached, as a result of a simple hair style, is somewhat offset by my snappy assessment of others. It is so damn difficult not to make instant judgements based on superficial traits.
To those who manage that in their daily life, you have my undivided respect, it is a wonderful asset that is almost childlike in its beautiful lack of assumption, for the rest of us it often remains difficult to look beyond a moustache.
Image: canvasmag under CC BY 2.0
Image: Shaghagi under CC BY 2.0
Image: Chris under CC BY 2.0
Image: monsieurgordon under CC BY 2.0
