Cultural,Religious and Traditional disadvantages

[centurion]

We're all no doubt aware of the problems incurred from sticking to tradition and wearing kilts in the trenches (discussed ad nauseum in a number of threads). I've just seen an eyewitness report of another problem from adhering to a different Cultural, and/or Religious tradition - the turban - which apparently could very easily become a louse trap. I wondered if there were any other traditions that incurred unanticipated penalties in the trenches (and no mouse infested sporrans please).

[squirrel]

The body belt or body band, introduced well before the war allegedly to ward off cholera(?)and/or to keep the small of the back warm was a louse trap.

[KennethB]

In the Sikh culture the use of the turban is tied to something called Kesh. This is the belief that hair is a gift from god therefore is not to be cut. I think that it is pretty safe to say that this to would be a huge concern for infestation of louse. Unlike a non-Sikh soilder there would also not be the option to be clean shaven.

Also from another point of view, many of the cultures that came from warmer climates must have suffered greatly during the cold European winters.

Cheers,

Ken

[geraint]

Monolingual Welsh speakers at both Litherland and Etables being ridiculed and bullied by jobsworth nonwelsh ncos. Lots of stuff on this!