Thoughts about the hijab

It's interesting, when I walk in the street with a scarf on my head, even though it doesn't cover my ears and is therefore obviously not a hijab, I don't get hardly any harassment from guys, but when I wear a hat I get quite a few more.
I asked my mom why she didn't wear hijab and she said because she wasn't courageous enough--she could lose her job at the Spanish embassy if she wore one. She said very strongly that in Islam, the hijab is obligatory.
The fun thing is seeing all the different styles. I saw a woman who wore her scarf like I did, showing her ears. I see other ones that have bangs in front. All of this is really weird since the common perception is that the hijab is supposed to hide women's beauty and thus their ears and hair.
It's kind of interesting how obsessed the West is with the hijab. Why don't we get as obsessed about Jews wearing yamacas? If I were Muslim, I would probably wear a hijab simply because its simpler. Not having to deal with hair, having an extra accessory to match with clothes, getting less harrassment, being able to hold hands with your boyfriend in public without being looked down on... there doesn't really seem to be a reason not to wear the hijab.