Rifā‘a Rāfi‘ al-Tahtāwī (Arab discovery of European sociability) [ Travel / Translation, Dissemination & Reception ]
… the extreme cleanliness. One of their best customs is that they wear a chemise, underpants and a vest underneath their clothes. A wealthy man will change his underwear several times a week. In doing so, they attempt to prevent vermin from … very poor are free from fleas or any other such creatures.ʼ (al-Tahtawi, An Imam in Paris , 225-226) W ith regard to the clothes worn by the French, his observer’s gaze betrays the amazement of someone who came from a traditionalist society, …
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