Comments on: Veil Or No Veil

By: Tim Newman

Tim Newman — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:53:02 +0000

An interesting idea. I’ve just finished 3 years in the Middle East, where there are as you’d expect hundreds of women wearing veils. As an expat, it is pretty unusual to ever have occasion to speak to one of them, although once or twice I had to deal with a veiled woman in some government department or other. It is a pain in the neck, as they usually speak poorly and softly, and you don’t realise how important watching lip movements is to understand somebody until you are presented with a veiled lady as your interlocutor.

As a guess, from my experience, I’d put my money on the lady in question having ignored you completely; but I am reminded that the most likeable, polite, and sociable couple I ever sat next to on a plane were a young husband and wife from Manchester but of Banlgadeshi extraction who were both fanatical Muslims. At any rate, it’s hard to see how she would have been any ruder than the average Brit no matter what she did under her veil.

By: The Sharpener » Blog Archive »

The Sharpener » Blog Archive » — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:10:13 +0000

[...] McKeatingÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Niqab A cultural ‘Deal or No Deal’ [...]

By: Smokewriting: Another Fine Edition of Me

Smokewriting: Another Fine Edition of Me — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:34:57 +0000

[...] Second, John Brissenden’s reply to ‘Wendy J’ on Justin’s excellent contribution to the debate over whether a dress code which somewhere around 0.06% of the population follow is more important than climate change. [...]

By: moorethanthis

moorethanthis — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:17:30 +0000

In an inversion of Justin’s elegant formula, can we ask if Jack Straw is currently in a state of whipping up cheap anti-Muslim sentiment in a bid for higher political office and not doing so at the exact same time? He seems to want to have it both ways, so why not let him?

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:52:51 +0000

Yes, Wendy J, like John B said. And I’d like to add: what’s your point?

Please disavow me of this nagging perception of your ignorance/bigotry.

By: John Brissenden

John Brissenden — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:44:15 +0000

Here’s an idea – why don’t you ask one?

By: Wendy J

Wendy J — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:30:17 +0000

I wonder what the etiquette is for a moslem woman in a niqab even noticing a male outside her immediate family.

By: John Brissenden

John Brissenden — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:08:09 +0000

Lobster: I can’t help thinking that the kind of people who get so steamed up about what Muslim women wear on their head, would not have their day so enhanced in the way you describe. Thus proving something, not only about the mood-enhancing effects of the niqab, but our indignant compatriots.

By: chris y

chris y — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:39:01 +0000

On the other hand, if you assume she was rude and stand-offish, just think how well integrated she’s become into British society.

By: Lobster Blogster

Lobster Blogster — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:27:57 +0000

From a utilitarian point of view, niqab wearers enhance your day because the uncertainty of their reply leaves you in a neutral mood, whereas 90% of the not-veiled spoil your mood. I’d suggest that the more niqab wearers you encountered the better mood you would have.