To think this is fucking crazy

Did you actually read the thread…? “fingers crossed for a private pool” 🤣

Additionally saying “no one likes the French” isn’t racist - French isn’t a race. It would be xenophobia. Anyway carry on!

It's got nothing to do with racism and everything to do with French secularism.

Whether or not you agree with banning "symbols or clothing that conspicuously demonstrate a person's religious affiliation” is a different debate.

Yep.

I agree but that wouldn’t have required all the handwringing on this post.

Sorry I misunderstood- you asked them if the pool was shared. They seem to therefore be wondering why you asked and if it’s a problem for you - as I imagine they want to go on using their pool.

This would be my interpretation too. I was thinking he perhaps misinterpreted your question thinking you didn't want to share the pool for religious reasons.

It all seems a bit lost in translation.

He thought you were asking about the pool being shared for religious reasons.
Face coverings are banned in France and he previously had a bad experience with guests, so leapt to the wrong conclusion.
You forgot about the ban and assumed he was racist.

I wouldn't do anything except message back saying you were just clarifying the situation with the pool and leave it at that.

As an aside, I would never stay anywhere where I had to share the pool or facilities with the owners - awkward!

I don't think this has anything to do with racism but more to do with the rules France has in place about banning covering faces in public swimming pools?

And people wonder why some of us are sceptical about the statement that 'France is a safe country' when discussing Asylum Seekers.

I love the place but it's nowhere near the UK in terms of tolerance of diversity.

They really add depth to the conversation don’t they.

Giving the benefit of the doubt (and factoring in the translation aspect) I would assume he's previously had a Muslim family arrive and then refuse to share the pool with his family. That could be quite a tricky situation to navigate, if not a complete legal minefield, so he just doesn't want to put himself in the same situation.

The last bit about not being welcome here is where any nuance could get lost in translation... he could be referring to his family not wanting to sacrifice access to their own pool for someone else's religious beliefs. Which, to be fair, is their right.

I'd go ahead and enjoy my holiday. Fingers crossed for a private pool.

Having the owner living right below you and even worse - sharing a pool with them would be my idea of a nightmare!

I guess it’s too late now you have paid but like PP suggested I would just try and enjoy it and then leave a honest review after including the racist comments to worn other guests.

Is that a joke?? In a post berating someone for being racist saying 'no wonder no-one likes the French." 😂

Yes it does. It is banned in all public places along with any form of face covering

I think it’s as others have said - it’s about the ban in France.

They probably get clobbered by any fine too because they are sharing the pool with their guests, so they become responsible too in some way?

A bit late for them to ask you when you’re on your way.

Id probably ignore the question until I got there.

I’d personally not address his attitude when you’re about to go on holiday. It’s all very well people saying call him out on it but in reality they don’t have to share a pool With him or cancel a paid for holiday.

i Would literally say “thanks, not religious, we were just curious if it was shared or not,
see you soon”

and then enjoy your holiday. You will absolutely not change the views of this man during your holiday, you can chose to then never stay there again, you could leave a review so others know if you feel that strongly once you’ve seen what he’s like in person. But I’d focus on enjoying your holiday first.

Go ahead and enjoy your holiday but spread the word on your return via social media etc about their overt racism and ensure nobody else has to endure a holiday hosted by a bigot.

I was wondering that @longdistanceclaraclara . My money's on Provence/Riviera.

At this point unless you want to lose your money and try and rebook somewhere what can you do? Crack on with your holiday.

Roughly what region out of interest?

It’s awful that they are racist but like you say they have your money. Not arriving would allow them to resell and get double the money. Go, enjoy the holiday and give them a negative review online when you return.

It was 100% aimed at women in burka. Hence the "education programme" implemented to educate Muslim women before the ban took place....

https://www.justiceinitiative.org/litigation/sas-v-france

Love these helpful comments. Every thread has them.

If you stay there then you're going to be sharing a pool with him by the sounds of it so I would be polite and say you aren't religious but were just wondering about the pool. You are not going to change his views or get your money back by taking a stand so I would just leave him to his racist views and enjoy your holiday.