Wizards at Large -short note on the odd.

[dungrollin]

No: HPFGUIDX 116285


> bboyminn:
> > 
> > Just a short note: I was corresponding with someone recently on 
> > this very subject, and they pointed out to me that they had 
> > recently ridden the London subway during rush hour wearing an 
> > elaborate period costume, and not a single person so much as 
> > blinked an eye. I suspect all over London and Britian, it is 
> > quite common to see people in period costumes. 
> 
> Geoff:
<snip>  
> I think in regard to your contact's experience that you will find 
> the occasional person travelling to and from work dressed like 
> that - not "quite common" but familiar enough not to evoke comment.
> 
> So it is possible that "a tiny man in a violet top hat..." or 
> a "wild-looking woman dressed all in green..." or a "bald man in a 
> very long purple coat..." (PS "The Vanishing Glass" p.27 UK 
> edition) might catch people's attention.
> 
> Although, mark you, "the weirdest thing about all these people was 
> the way they seemed to vanish the second Harry tried to get a 
> closer look" (ibid. p.27).

Attention-grabbing, perhaps.  
And I'd have to agree that seeing people in period costume is not my 
routine experience on the tube every day.  However, I frequently see 
people in some truly bizarre get-ups.

But, come on!  We're British!  Even if someone looks ridiculous, we 
don't point or stare or comment.  

We all (well, maybe not all, but I certainly did) wore stupid things 
as teenagers.  And not one single person ever told me I looked 
absurd.  (I've burned all the photos.)

Dungrollin
Wishing fervently that the power behind the door, the one that 
Voldy despises so much, is the power to laugh at oneself.