Boris Johnson's Latest 'Gaff'

I know someone who moved their child from a nursery where there were too many staff in burkas. She felt that the child was missing out on important human communication.

I see exactly where she’s coming from oldwoman

Sorry Lucky but I just don’t believe that - not burqas in a nursery - where was it? Afghanistan?

No - London.

I should think children find them quite frightening.

Don’t know about children lemon, I find the full burka with the net bit in the slit really quite scary. Very unsettling to say the least. I suppose that’s why, when they are around, I avoid them. Look the other way and pretend they’re not there. I don’t know how to react and, as someone who starts conversations with strangers at bus stops, it goes against my nature.

It's scary AND demeaning. I took the bull by horns today when I saw a lady in one, looked her in the eyes and said pleasantly "you would be SO pretty if you stopped wearing that." I'm going to continue every time I see one, not insulting them but encouraging them out of it. No, I'm sure it won't have slightest effect but I have to say what I think!!!

I have heard that the US servicemen call them MBO’s. Moving ,black objects.

I knew I shouldnt have strayed on this. That comment is so offensive.

scary and demeaning? You are way out of line. Who do you think you are?

There has been a spike in hate crime against Muslim women, so your stupid meddling is fueling that.

as for " I know somone who..removed their child from nursery because of burkas", I truly would love some more information on this. Really.

I would like to google this establishment. Do share.

An abnormal spike in anti-Muslim abuse aimed at women wearing the hijab and niqab has been recorded by the government-backed hate crime monitoring group Tell Mama.

Hope you feel proud

oldbatty
The muslim women do not have to wear that garb. By choosing to wear it they know they are being provocative and are attracting negative comment. They know how to stop the 'supposed' hate crimes.

Oldbatty no one on here would condone anti-muslin abuse on niqab wearing women. That’s going to happen because ignorant people get stirred up. They’ll find any excuse.

Re the hijab, which doesn’t cover the face, it is such a common sight these days I doubt anyone really bothers. It’s the niqab (usually) that stands out.

I don't think anybody I have spoken to chooses to wear proactive clothing. I will give you one tiny example. A family I met from Saudi. The lady invited me round for coffee one morning. She quickly ran in from the school run and hung her burka on a coat rack. Jeans and tee-shirt away she went to make the coffee. That is her routine. Of course she isn't being provocative or scary, that's her choice. Try to see past the sound bites and see people.

Provocative.

Please explain the need for inverted commas round the words hate crime. If something is reported and logged as a hate crime, that's exactly what it is. And the vast majority of them are never reported.

How on earth can anyone know that someone would be ‘pretty’ underneath a veil? ???

They could be toothless, or sporting a moustache or even scarred.

? Perhaps we have found the real reason for wearing them lol. You have married someone ugly and don't want your friends to know ?

I await more information on the nursery and the " supposed " hate crimes.

What a nasty remark from nicenanny. Not nice at all!

oldbatty - why do you need the details? Do you believe that there are no nursery workers in our cities with their faces covered? This is a multi-cultural society we now live in.

oldbatty
When someone wears or does something provocative they do this in the knowledge that they will garner a reaction whether this is riducle, ignoring, name calling, smiles, sympathy or other.
Those who wear goth or Steam punk garb or tatoo and pierce every orifice are doing the same thing, tbey dont have to do it, they want to do it and often take flack for doing it. Would you call this hate crime?

Some folk have a somewhat memsahib colonial attitude.

Goth, steam punk,tatoo, piercings......choices by individual.,secular people.

Burka, the clothing worn by some Muslim women. Why on earth would anybody want to provoke, given the present situation ?

Wearing a burka is not a hate crime. Spitting at somebody or attacking them is. Possibly telling them they would be prettier without it is heading in that direction.

Just incase *Image result for a hate crime is defined as
A hate crime (also known as a bias-motivated crime or bias crime) is a prejudice-motivated crime which occurs when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership (or perceived membership) in a certain social group or race.*

I'm not quite sure where the memsahib comes into the equation.

Lucky girl, I would indeed like details of any educational establishment in the UK ,which is state run, where the majority of staff wear burkas.

It is not state run - most nurseries are privately run.