This “True Story” is the result of about twenty hours of work and some very misguided ideas about my artistic capabilities. I thought I’m a major illustrator there for a minute. A minute, no. The delusion lasted twenty butt-stuck-on-chair hours. In my mind it was hilarious. It isn’t.
Well, I kinda could say that scenes of changing clothing in public places always fluctuate between the very funny and the very miserable. I know all too well. I titled it “True Story” because I’ve seen with my own eyes as these things happen, although I’ll be dead in a shpitzle before I’ll admit that it was me I saw it happen to.
Such awkward dress changes happen because it’s the only way those restricted to the religious code of dress can wear hiking pants on a trail or a comfortable dress for a hot day in the city. When we are still officially in the fold, we are confronted with one of two options: dress religiously in a way that are completely uncomfortable in, or humiliate ourselves by pulling on tights and shirts and wigs in the back of taxis and behind poles in the subway and in public restrooms and emerge in civilized society entirely “normal”.
Why is the first option so bad? Why couldn’t I put up with just wearing whatever I wore as a religious woman and face the world as I am? Well, I know some women
Frieda Vizel
Frieda Vizel left the Hasidic community, the Modern Orthodox community and the Formerly Orthodox (OTD) community. She now lives in Pomona and is actively looking for a new community to leave. She deals with the perplexities of the communities she left by drawing cartoons about them, a habit that gets her into an excellent amount of trouble.12 Responses to “True Story”
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Hilarious comic strip! That is, what a comical way of stripping!
As a wise man was had to figure out on the West Side Highway, How many traffic light stops does it take a Hassidic driver to change into secular cloths?
Hahaha! Wonderful piece, the strip and the strip! Pun intended, hahahaha!
Now please be a dear and post the recipe to this fantabulous creme brulee.
Bwahaha! The twenty butt-stuck-on-chair hours paid off. For me, at least. I nearly fell off the chair laughing.
I think you conflated two character there with the mention of creme brulee. And have some respect for my lover, will you? He’s Gordon Ramsay, not Gordan Ramsy!
Articulate and wise.
Seeing a new post from Oy Vey Cartoons in my feed is always a treat. This time is no different.
Being one of those black and whiters/all or nothing type myself I never experienced the public-bathroom-changings you’re talking about, but I certainly recognize the need for people in complex personal situations to have to resort to living in two worlds; the one their family lives in and the one their heart lives in.
Excellent! I love the attention to detail, with that guy lifting the sunglasses to get a better look at the “new” woman emerging from the bathroom. Genius.
I totally get the changing of clothes. Sometimes, it’s about sensitivity to others and not embarrassing them. Because of that, I put on my seams and remove the colored nail polish before making a trip back to Williamsburg or a family simcha. I don’t think it’s hypocritical at all.
I know this scenerio very well as it happened to me many times before.. Wonderful comic!
I remember changing in starbucks and there was quite a line behind me and when I came out everyone was shocked and most likely thought, “this wasn’t the girl that went in”..
>like I was a pious nun without a sinful thought. What an insult.
What a beautiful sentence.
Spare a thought for us blokes who have no choice to make. Who have to walk into a bar looking like the Nazarene having left his halo in the car. We turn heads too, but all to often in the in the wrong direction.
Now, I know some of my good brethren have bequeathed my kind with a reputation, but can’t you find it within yourselves to look past our look? You probably can’t and I understand why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEh6T6hzPKc
this is the reason strip dreidel is become more & more popular. its simply busting from within.
I have done this many a times lately- My friends have dubbed me superhero- due to my 2 different looks! Clark Kent doesn’t stand a chance next to Shiksagirl!
Shiksagirl, the new Elastigirl!