Should we follow France's lead and ban face coverings?

They are then relieved of the non stop harassment by men who make sexual comments and advances to them

Non-stop? Really?

I would think that the burkha, in a Western country, is more likely to attrract attention - may even be seen as 'forbidden fruit' by some.

I wonder if people would feel the same as they do now if it were men who 'chose' to wear/had to wear burkas and whose womenfolk could more or less dress like everyone else and it never crossed their minds that their own faces shouldn't be on show because, obviously, that's just normal?

Oh for goodness sake. It was one bunch of schoolgirls describing how they saw the manner of dressing of another bunch. #highhorse

I doubt that would have been the reaction if English schoolgirls had retaliated in a 'likewise' fashion - they'd have been called racists or Islamaphobes; can't have it both ways.

If men didn't go out at night, they would never be mugged or knifed. Should they be expected to stay at home so as not to tempt honest men into attcking them?

But isn't it an illusory freedom that requires a woman to adapt how she dresses in order to protect herself from men's advances? A bit like telling women not to go out alone at nights so they won't get raped? It's the men that have the problem and I happen to think we have pandered to that attitude for enough centuries already.

From what I have read and heard, many women feel much freer and safer when they wear the full burka. They are then relieved of the non stop harassment by men who make sexual comments and advances to them. They also feel that they don't have to spend so much time doing their hair/make up as they will not be on constant show. My Muslim friend who wears a headscarf for covering also regularly comments on the freedom that she feels when she wears her scarf.
Perhaps we need an honest discussion about the wearing of the niqab and burka so that we can try to gain a greater understanding of its importance, where the wearing of it is totally inappropriate and how we can build up relationships with the women that choose to wear this attire and those who feel it is a major barrier in communication.

'twas ever thus. Oldest profession, etc. Some things you will never change. Better for it to be well managed. IPO.

Still on my high horse jingl. You have to watch the vid to the end to get the point.

And yes, I know young girls will use the term tarty to refer to other young girls, but I'm not sure grans should be going the same

To sum up my views in a nutshell - I don't approve of the objectification of women, whether that takes the form of pimping them, or dressing them in sacks to preserve their 'modesty' and protect men from their own lust. I am not comfortable with women choosing to do these things when they are symbols and tools of oppression elsewhere.

How did we get onto Amsterdam on here?

I especially like this bit.

"Amsterdam prides itself, and rightly so, on its wholly liberal and tolerant attitude, embracing the fact that people may be into prostitution, soft drugs and pornography-and this is only human. So instead of criminalizing everything, this very upfront city wears its heart on its sleeve-what you see is generally what you get. Enjoy the honesty of it all, as you won’t find it anywhere else."

And these days the local authority does keep an eye on it.

interesting article

It's much better to go at night Nfk.

That's the only positive jingle. It isn't hidden away behind closed doors and (I imagine) the girls are free to come and go as they please. When we went round The red light district it was late afternoon and one of girls was reading a magazine while another was doing a bit of ironing - perhaps there are men who are turned on by housework!

Do you all really believe everything that goes onto the internet?

Only watched the vid for a few seconds. Never saw anything like that when we walked through.

Very sobering nightowl.

Oh for goodness sake. It was one bunch of schoolgirls describing how they saw the manner of dressing of another bunch. #highhorse

The red light district was any eye opener to me. Great fun to go round!

Actually it's a good way of managing prostitution that goes on in every city (and many towns). ie health of girls and clients point of view.

I haven't commented on this thread so far but I have to say I am quite disturbed by some of the comments about young English girls - I don't think it is ever acceptable to use the term 'tarty' or 'tarts' about young women whatever they may be wearing or doing.

And I also get a little tired of hearing how badly the English behave abroad. I do not believe they are unique in that respect. As for Amsterdam's red light district, it is an abomination and a disgrace that it should be seen as a tourist attraction. This is the reality:

elitedaily.com/news/world/this-video-will-change-what-you-think-about-the-red-light-district-in-amsterdam-video/

jingle, it was all over the papers in Switzerland... difficult to avoid.

it's not about the 'satisfaction' factor for each recipient- but about the self-respect, or lack of ... and the culture behind it. Of course it was for effect- that is the whole point ;)

If she was only six seconds at each, I'd say the photographs were "posed" for effect and shock value.

The recipients didn't get much value, that is for sure, unless they had very sensitive hair triggers.

I saw a link to that story. Strangely enough, I did n't open it.

24??? In two and a half minutes??? That's about 6 seconds each...

A bit different really. We are talking here about adults who have made the choice, for whatever reason I will never understand (but that is beside the point) to become prostitutes. Not young girls going out on a Saturday night- are we?

Never of course said that all British girls dress like 'tarts'- but that this going-out dress code is practically inexistent in other parts of Europe. Ask any Brit who lives abroad to confirm this. Just like it would be daft to say all Muslim girls are forced into marriage or to dress in a burka (although % are much bigger the other way, I'm sure). I used to go and pick up daughters from town at 1 or 2 am- and it was just incredible- the lack of clothes and the behaviour. Same in any large uk town every week-end- surely you can't deny this.

In the meantime, European papers are full of the story of the young British woman who gave 24 blow-jobs in 2 and half minutes on a holiday to Magaluf, Mallorca- with the video shown all over u-tube, etc. The behaviour of too many young brits on hols is absolutely shameful overall.

Nothing wrong with Amsterdam's red light district.