Funny enough, Europeans of the 15th and 16th centuries were more likely to be unwashed than their medieval predecessors. Bath-houses had acquired something of a seedy reputation, a medical fad that suggested bathing was unhealthy was in vogue, and it was seen as a mark of humility (very Christian and virtuous!) to go long periods without such vanity as washing oneself. In the medieval period, at least, you'd have even rural people rinsing in the river on the regular!
can you imagine turning up to work, and your boss - too afraid to confront your strange beliefs - simply assigns you the night shift to not have to interact with your weird ass
Steve Jobs was particularly influenced by the book "Be Here Now" which explains the methods and mentality of the Budist tradition. In Budisim, feet have several implicit meanings. For example, it is considered respectful to touch the feet of an authority figure, and a sign of acceptance for that figure to allow it. One of philosopher Thich Nhat Hanh's many mantras is "Walk as if you were kissing the earth with your feet". It is likely from this tradition that Steve Jobs first picked up his unusual habits.
Miasma theory. The thinking was, at least partially, that bathing opened up your pores, through which 'bad air' (miasma) could seep in. Funny enough, miasma theory after and before this period was used primarily to support bathing. Goes to show people can twist anything to their purposes.
People looking like nothing you've ever seen, stepping off a vessel unlike anything you've seen, carrying with them disease and weapons that spit fire.
As natives already had people who wore face paint.. the clothes which are mostly absent from the photo would have likely been more startling than the face.
Not sure about that time period, but white meant peace when it came to face paint as well, so this would could across as non-threatening possibly. Surely wearing a symbol of peace and shooting someone could send mixed messages though.
They didn't come off the ships with guns blazing. They got along for a time, until the colonists started taking things the natives didn't want them to take, like everything they set their eyes upon.
Of all the oddities and mutual disdain, there's something strangely wholesome about the exchange where the Europeans teach Tokitaka how to shoot a gun and he (and a bunch of people watching) just decides it's the best thing he's ever tried.
30 replies
More like these guys.
Unwashed savages!
Funny enough, Europeans of the 15th and 16th centuries were more likely to be unwashed than their medieval predecessors. Bath-houses had acquired something of a seedy reputation, a medical fad that suggested bathing was unhealthy was in vogue, and it was seen as a mark of humility (very Christian and virtuous!) to go long periods without such vanity as washing oneself. In the medieval period, at least, you'd have even rural people rinsing in the river on the regular!
Antibathers? They had medical antibathers?
Oh shit oh fuck don't tell the antivaxers, imagine having coworkers who refuse to vaccinate and never bathe...
This but even more often
Steve Jobs is a recent notable example of an anti-bather.
can you imagine turning up to work, and your boss - too afraid to confront your strange beliefs - simply assigns you the night shift to not have to interact with your weird ass
What was that theory called again?
Miasma theory. The thinking was, at least partially, that bathing opened up your pores, through which 'bad air' (miasma) could seep in. Funny enough, miasma theory after and before this period was used primarily to support bathing. Goes to show people can twist anything to their purposes.
That's 18th century attire tho
That's also the richy-rich fashion. Not the attire of someone that just spent 8 weeks in a small, rickety boat.
People looking like nothing you've ever seen, stepping off a vessel unlike anything you've seen, carrying with them disease and weapons that spit fire.
But even more alarming: they're British. 😱
Well technically speaking they'd be some combination of Spanish and Italian.
Imagine being Bri'ish 🤢
Please mark your comment NSFW.
We learned it from you Dad
As natives already had people who wore face paint.. the clothes which are mostly absent from the photo would have likely been more startling than the face.
Not sure about that time period, but white meant peace when it came to face paint as well, so this would could across as non-threatening possibly. Surely wearing a symbol of peace and shooting someone could send mixed messages though.
They didn't come off the ships with guns blazing. They got along for a time, until the colonists started taking things the natives didn't want them to take, like everything they set their eyes upon.
That's not what I read, I read they came off ar-15s blazing and eagles dropping tanks they picked up off air craft carriers. In 1492 of course.
Grenade launchers full of small pox and malaria.
Time traveling French aristocrats from the late 18th century find themselves on a Spaniard ship at the tail end of the 15th!
Dude looks quite unhealthy. Is it the poisonous colors in his face?
Syphilis
Every time I read or hear the phrase "Take me to your leader", I'm reminded of the old weed meme with the alien that says "Take me to your dealer" 😂👽
Reminds me of Mac and Dennis
Is not that how drag queens started?
Is that Liberace?
I was thinking Mrs. Doubtfire.
The toupé is greasy enough to mimic real hair not being washed for weeks.
Voices from the Past recently did a video of Japanese first encounter with Europeans
Of all the oddities and mutual disdain, there's something strangely wholesome about the exchange where the Europeans teach Tokitaka how to shoot a gun and he (and a bunch of people watching) just decides it's the best thing he's ever tried.
This thing all fat and pasty gets off a ship, looks at a buff native warrior and says "I'm clearly superior to that man"