Niqab/burqa ban in Netherlands

Many different opinions here-I live in England btw. I do find it uncomfortable when I see women covered up-in the same way if ever I saw women inadequately dressed too! As others have said, in this country women have western dress and, if we went to a Moslem country we would dress accordingly so they should do the same here. You cannot interact with someone you cannot see IMHO.
Talking of rights-the burka woman shouting at homosexuals in a a parade-can those of us who don’t really like either have any rights too? I think not-we have been silenced; to speak freely, not unkindly!-is now illegal!

Interesting point felice- hadn’t thought about that. How do the manage that one? Perhaps the don’t use public transport?

* Nonnie* we weren't looking for it! But there she was in the window. In the morning too. No where near the red light district.

Lemongrove, I actually live in Belgium not France. When I visited the UK for a month a few years ago, I bought a bus pass. I had to have a photograph taken, and show the pass photo side up on the bus, how does that work if fully veiled?

Ah but Gonegirl you can choose not to go into the red light district where, I understand, everything is very much on display. If it is in other parts of NL, I still haven't seen it but maybe I'm not looking for it!

Lessismore, I might have known that someone would take that expression in a narrow-minded fashion. They are forcing their customs on us simply by walking down OUR streets dressed in that way, just as we force our customs on them by revealing so much of ourselves. I'm sure many of them feel offended by the sight of so much pale flesh, just as we are offended by their lack of it.

Thanks felice for the info regarding banning headwear/ clothing in France, I thought I had read somewhere that was the case.Interesting to hear that the fuss has settled down and it has become accepted.Perhaps France has the right idea on this custom and as a result women both now and in the future will feel liberated by it.

They are imposing their customs on us

I am wearing trousers and a stripy top today. Obviously I will be wearing my burqa which has been imposed on me.

Rubbish.

Well said, Day6. This word 'racist' has become a blanket term, a way to dismiss any concerns about the current visitors to our country. They are imposing their customs on us and we are quite within our rights to complain about it. When Westerners visit countries such as Saudi Arabia, we usually pay respect to their custom of covering up. I'm not saying that Muslim women should 'bare all' as so many of our women do, but they should try to compromise but uncovering their faces.

Suit yourself Gonegirl. I think it stinks.

Oh, it's not all in the red light district Nonnie.

And they're certainly not "abused". It's all government controlled these days.

The Dutch are a very tolerant race. The French, I believe, banned all forms of religious clothing.

If you go to the 'red light district' that is just what it is, not everywhere, just that district. I have been to Amsterdam many times and never seen it.

I don't know why some women wear the burka but if it is a fashion statement why is there no equivalent for men? I believe the nearest the Koran goes is to tell Muslims to be modest. I am always amused when I see a girl wearing the headscarf with skinny jeans and a tight top!

I am happy for everyone to practice their own religion as long as they do not affect others. I used to have to visit an embassy of a Muslim country and, out of respect, always covered my arms, legs and head. I don't like the way some Muslims have tried to change what is taught in school, that is not their decision. Sorry I've strayed off the OP!

I don't have a problem when I see someone walking down the road in a burka but think I probably would if I had to discuss something important with them and couldn't see their face.

Presumably those who wear one never go out to eat? In Dubai some restaurants have sectioned off areas where families can go so that the woman can remove hers.

They weren't trafficked! I was with my daughter and we had a light-hearted evening out. Not getting heavy with this.

(to lessismore)

I am with Day6 on this one.

Being around women dressed that way feels very odd.
It is odd. Being told we have to accept it is also odd.

I used to see many women like this when i lived in London. There is no way to be friendly with someone dressed like this. I have tried and it seemed as if there was an impenetrable barrier.

I am profoundly deaf and even those who have slight hearing problems rely on reading lips. When I said I could never have a conversation with someone, anyone come to that matter who had their mouths covered it was assumed immediately that I was being prejudiced or racist. Any expression of dislike has to be very cautious as we are labelled immediately without thinking about the impact those have on others too.

Gonegirl, what did you enjoy about seeing women ,often trafficked women being used and abused?

Saudi Prince says women should be able to choose what they wear as long as it is something decent and respectful like mens (wear):

www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabia-prince-says-women-should-decide-whether-to-wear-robes-face-veils/a-43043071

I totally agree and wish that the mini skirted, knickerless girls who go out to get drunk at weekends, and the race going ladies who pour themselves into tight, revealing dresses would follow suit. They seem to have no self respect and it is this sort of behaviour that hardens the attitude of some traditional Moslems, to keep a tight rein on the women in their family for whom they are responsible.

wish there was a "like" symbol for that comment EllanVannin

If everyone got on with their own lives and ignored this " awareness " society where everyone's colour, dress, religion, gender and all the other insipid pointers thrown out by the media is under scrutiny on a daily basis, everyone would get on far better.
Learn to accept ! That's all there is to it. People shouldn't be judged at every given opportunity it's not right.

Correction.. To clarify im talking about a burka i think (the dress that covers everything with just mesh over the eyes)

Good sensible post day 6..
My sister who lives and works in a multi culture area and who doesn't have a racist bone in her body saw a person dressed in niqab hijab on the tube (around time of last attacks). There was just something about this person and she discreetly studied them coming to the conclusion that it was a man (not over tall but having large feet and well just giving the impression of being male)! She felt uncomfortable and actually a little scared so much so that she got off at an earlier stop. Afterwards she questioned her actions and came to the conclusion that you have to trust your gut and do what instinctively feels safe.
In general i don't have an issue with niqab believing that freedom to choose your own customs and forms of dress is down to the individual BUT i too think there are situations where i would be unconfortable. For example i freely admit that i wouldn't want my doctor to wear one as i want that open face to face interaction.
It's a difficult one this with no obvious rights or wrongs!!

I must say that this idea of women being forced to wear a burka is on the whole ridiculous !
In many muslim countries it is the accepted way of dress and the women don't really expect that once they marry, that they will dress any other way outside the home and are quite happy to dress in that style. To them, it shows respect for their elders, their husband and their beliefs and to tar all of them as terrorists is really daft!
It is a bit strange to see them the first time, I suppose but the assumption that because a man goes into an appointment with a woman means that he is controlling her is so wrong - many women take their male partners in with them, it's quite normal!

Lessismore As a previous poster mentioned.....the red light district in Amsterdam would make me feel more than uncomfortable

It didn't me. It was great fun!

I know what you mean *NotSpaghetti., and I know that you weren't being patronising. Apologies back.

I think the man with the party was probably just the obligatory male attendee. Perhaps the driver.