I agree Bonnie.

This is not an point of fashion, or who else wore what, at some other time. It is about not walking the walk. America needs to talk the talk and then walk the walk.

Our women are equal and respect goes both ways here. I suggest then, as a diplomatic custom, that all foreign men shave their facial hair as a sign of respect to our female dignitaries. You think that would ever happen? No.

Once again, America apologizes for our way of life and our beliefs in human equality. If we do not have the guts to stand for what we believe in, then don’t send in a woman. Elect a man and get on with it.

I was not writing about attire, but the covering of one’s head; I am aware of how diplomats who visit other countries dress, and often they remain in the clothing they wear in their own countries. For example Madame Pandit, if you remember her, always wore a sari here, though she represented her country. Actually, I am more than aware, but I did not want to reveal much about my family or experience. My husband was a diplomat at a South Asian embassy in Washington, and then transferred to NY to the consulate for many years, and we were part of the international community, and lived in the community originally built for consular and UN personnel when the UN was at Lake Success.

When serving the government while abroad one is instructed and alerted to the requirements in behavior, attire, and protocol of the host country; all nations do this. However, the subject at hand is Hilary Clinton’s wearing a head scarf, which is appropriate because it demonstrated her knowledge about the country she visited. It was not a sign of women’s subservience; subservience is universal, and there are many different clues depending on the culture. I did not use the word "emulate," because that is not the intention; it is respectful.

I used the word "colonial" because it is used throughout the world to refer to a powerful nation imposing rule, government, codes of behavior on another, and in many places, the U.S. is considered a colonial power; when Americans appear in outlandish clothing in a conservative culture, what results? How are we perceived? Diplomats, everywhere, are aware that they represent their own nation and are careful about how they are perceived, and it is not a sign of weakness or emulation. It demonstrates a recognition that cultures vary and have different codes of behavior, and we are not there to impose our own. For example, if we are asked to remove our shoes at the door, we do it; if we are asked to cover our arms and not expose our thighs, we do it.If Hilary Clinton visits the Pope, she will cover her shoulders and hair as a mark of respect; she does not have to wear a crucifix, as one writer on this website mentioned.

However, Americans and others who tour other countries often wear inappropriate clothng; they may do as they wish, though it is recommended they  learn about  the countries they visit before assuming that what is worn here, shorts and sleeveless tops, is suitable elsewhere. It is a sign of courtesy.

 Here, the distinctions are about western and non-western cultures, but the statements I’ve read demonstrate little knowledge about how others live; writers seem to lump "others" together, instead of acknowledging that within most religions there are great differences because of culture. Also, here in the US, there are many cultures, and we seem to speak only of one culture; for example, I was taught to cover my head during religious occasions, but nowadays, it is not required. In some places in the US, men and women cover their heads, but on this website that plurality is never mentioned; I’m American born, and I have obsvered the many differences. So, who speaks for whom?

 Again, international protocol is maintained so that government representatives can communicae with each other in a respectful manner, and this time Hilary Clinton alerted the international community that she knows how to do it.