Y NO HEAD DRESS

October 23, 2011 12:30 PM

Quark doesn't wear a Ferengi headdress. Why not?
posted by Brocktoon to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

Even Memory Alpha doesn't know the deal with the headdresses. The rumor on the internet is that they originally happened because of some makeup SNAFUs on the back of the head, and by the time they were designing Quark's makeup they'd worked that out (discussed without reference in this discussion). Some people also note that Quark is one of the only true civilians we see on Star Trek (the others being generally military or mercenary), and perhaps it has something to do with that (see this discussion). But some Ferengi just don't wear it -- including the Grand Nagus, and there's no real continuity to it.
posted by brainmouse at 12:43 PM on October 23, 2011

I figured it was because he was a major character, and they decided it was worth it to pay for the prosthetic at the back of his head. Similarly, they stopped asking actors who were doing one episode appearances as Romulans to shave their eyebrows, but gave them a covering prosthetic instead.

Oh, did you mean, what is the fictional reason he didn't wear a headdress? I have no idea. But Armin Shimmerman has a nicely shaped neck.
posted by jb at 12:43 PM on October 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Grand Nagus didn't wear one either. AFAIK there is never any special significance assigned to the headdresses or any indication that they are compulsory.
You could possibly make the argument that its because of his non-traditional upbringing although that wouldn't explain why Rom wears one.

(Realistically, its more likely the minor characters wear them so that the makeup department don't have to worry about a neat and seamless join with the prosthetic and the directors don't have to mess about with camera angles to make sure the backs of their heads aren't shown)
posted by missmagenta at 12:47 PM on October 23, 2011

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Quark is living in a place where he's surrounded by people of other races and other cultures, and none of them wear headdresses, so he doesn't.

Likewise he doesn't demand that all the women around him go naked.

He's going to stand out no matter what he does, at least a little, but it's good business to blend in as best he can.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:34 PM on October 23, 2011 [1 favorite]

Legends of the Ferengi, page 112, Quark's own words: "Headskirts. Dozens and dozens of headskirts. And I don't even wear headskirts. Fafa knew that."

From this we can deduce that the wearing of headskirts is a matter of a Ferengi's personal preference, and has no further significance. Quark just doesn't like them.
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:11 PM on October 23, 2011 [5 favorites]

Likewise he doesn't demand that all the women around him go naked.

IIRC, he's tried, but to his disgust, they won't, Chocolate Pickle. Even his own mother took to wearing clothing...
posted by IAmBroom at 8:15 PM on October 23, 2011