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

Oh yes, French teachers are a trés political lot. One who stayed with us year after year was a signed-up member of the NF. He very proudly showed me his NF card. Despite that he was a smashing bloke, but kept me up till the small hours arguing about Margeret Thatcher, who he thought should be cannonised! Another one was so far to the Left, it was a wonder he didn't topple over.

Unfortunately I lost touch with the NF one..... I bet he has a good old rant about burkha-wearing women and immigrants in general.

We had three French students stay at different times and they were lovely. Never discussed politics with them, though [although one, probably one of the most intelligent teenagers I've ever met, came from a very avant garde Parisien family and I doubt if she was anything other than left wing in her views]. Struggled with a couple of Norwegian students that stayed at one time . Wish I'd kept in touch with the French girls afterwards; I still remember all three of them with such fondness.

Love the idea of the book- I'd have a few stories to tell. Over the years in Leics I must have hosted 100s of foreign students, some on a paid basis, some on exchanges, some of our assistantes at school, some from other schools, friend's kids and their friends's - and later for the few years I run my language school from home, hosting 6 teenagers at a time from at least 3 different countries/languages, so they would have to speak English together ... I hosted many from Nice, only to realise a few years later that they were all children of National Fron leaders- and they asked me to be their official host- I declined

No time to write about the attitudes of French teachers now- they basically came in 2 camps- those with clearly racist à la Front National, and those who at the opposite end were quite left-wing and truly believed in the French principle of secularity, including education- and genuinely believed it was their duty to protect girls from their parents. Going out, but will come back to this when I have time- a fascinating subject, and the attitude is so different to the UK one.

It's a known fact that France is xenophobic. A French friend was astonished to see so many Muslim women wearing the burkha when she was in London in the summer. This is a lovely, friendly intelligent person who lived for many years in Paris before moving here to the 'sticks '.Her actual expression was 'I was shocked, and felt very uncomfortable.'

This led on to a very interesting discussion amongst a mixed group of friends from France, UK and NZ. The NZers were in the teaching profession and they didn't like to see girls wearing the full veil as they felt it was a barrier between pupil and teacher. And there I was thinking they were laid-back and hyper- tolerant in the antipodes.

I have always thought it must be very difficult to have a patient/doctor relationship for example if the GP, or even worse, a specialist, was wearing the full veil.

Re the student exchange... Grandjura was it ? I organised this type of holiday in a previous life and I can totally believe your expereince. Much though I love them, the French ( especially where their 'little darlings' are concerned) can be extraordinarily demanding, if not downright unreasonable! Perhaps we should get together and write a book..... 'The Joys and Perils of Being a French Homestay Organiser'

It has been known for ages that the Koran does not require the face to be covered but it seems to be an inconvenient truth.

Also, what's the point of having these video screens [trying to forget the awful sight of the haggard woman I saw on the screen when I went through after an 8 hour flight the other week ]that record your face when you go through customs if people can then go around with their faces covered?

Let's call a spade a spade here. It's just not British. I'm referring to the face coverings, not the 'tarty' thing.( just in case there was confusion)

I have just come upon this discussion again, and I wonder how those people with face masks could cope with me, because unless I can see someone's face and watch their lips, I am almost totally unable to 'hear' what they are saying.

The burka and face covering are there to treat women as the possession of their men. Notice how the Muslim man walks ahead of his wife wearing just shorts and a T shirt. How is it that he can walk in pubic with so little clothing on yet the wife must only show her eyes through a slit. This is unacceptable in a modern western country. If they wish to behave like barbarians they are free to leave for any of the 57 Islamic states.

That's Gransnet for you!

wanders into thread and backs out in total confusion

#tooright

Ana. Total confusion reigns. Again. #whatsnew

Should have read 'It' not 'I' <shaking head>

Ana

I just meant why say 'Does your hand get at all tired, copying out so many of other people's posts?' if you knew it was copied and pasted...?

I was an attempt at sarcasm - that failed. I shall try to remember in future not to quote her posts and hope she can remember what she has said.

jinglebellfrocks

^Well Hollydaze I stand by what I said, despite your forcibly expressed disapprobation. '

You are entitled to stand by what you have said, however incorrect it sounded.

Forcible? You seriously think that was forcible?

Does your hand get at all tired, copying out so many of other people's posts?

Nope

What you on about?

I just meant why say 'Does your hand get at all tired, copying out so many of other people's posts?' if you knew it was copied and pasted...?

I just meant when she is quoting posts.

Oh! I wasn't referring back...

Devious thinking or what!

I mean, pardon?

What?

Hmm...

Yes. I realise Hollydaze copies and pastes!

I find it easier to follow if someone says something like, "Quoting poster" and then goes on to quote the post. (It's what quotation marks are for)

Just saying.

I do sometimes, but other times I wish Holly would give the name of the poster she's replying to - if it's a much earlier post it can be confusing.