To think this is fucking crazy

Yet your ‘principles’ were put to one side in favour of having a holiday. If you really felt so strongly about it, you would have foregone the holiday. I am saying that the apparent outrage is yet not enough to move accommodation.
I would not choose to go to Iran or the ME in a million years. However if I ended up there I would not be allowed to wear whatever I wanted to wear (and I would respect that) so I have no issue with western countries imposing the same rules.

Islamophobia doesn’t make sense in this context - it’s fear of Islam. It’s a made up word which doesn’t really fit in racism discussion.
It would be interesting to understand what really happened with the pool. Sounds like a lot is lost in the elderly person use of language and the actual situation.

personally. Would not jump to conclusions about the “people in this region of France”
It could be one person with an issue, perhaps an ill person and this couple trying to avoid a situation.

I hope you have a lovely time; don't let this spoil your holiday while you're there.

Honestly you asked them about whether yhe pool was shared, in their (obviously very extensive) experience people who ask this question often do for religious reasons. They were simply giving you useful information about the area you're going to..if you went to Saudi Arabia would you find it racist to be asked to cover up?

When I was a teen, my grandmother was very racist towards Germans, despite being a very sweet person. She was even nice to our german friends when they came with us in holiday! But yet could make horrible generic comments at other times. It took years for us to get her to change her views, and a lot of exposure to German people and modern culture.

I think any dent you can make by talking to them openly is a step forward.

No, his message wasn't rude, just racist. He doesn't "have" to abide by the racism of his neighbours, he is choosing to.

I meant medical, sorry.

As previously stated "the term 'Islamophobia' is used as a way to close down conversation about the topic. As you intend."

There is certainly an intersection between anti-Muslimism feeling and racism, but they should not be conflated.

Hi,

Reading this in French- he doesnt sound like he's trying to be rude, more like he's reminding you that there is a cultural difference which he has to abide by. French is much more direct than English as English has these passive agreesive polite terms where English speakers know exactly what is meant. It does sound super rude in English though. Saying that, maybe I'm reading it that way - I think you'll know the second you arrive..

I think the term Islamophobia is entirely appropriate here.

Incidentally, if you do a google search with the terms 'Islamophobia' and 'racism', you will find all sorts of articles discussing the racist implications of Islamophobia, or if you prefer, anti-Muslim prejudice.

Again, Islam is a religion not a race, but anti-Muslim discourse is packed with racist tropes.

For general info the swimwear rules for municipal pools are usually something along the lines of:

”un maillot de bain, une ou deux pieces, en matiere moulante, et opaque …”

(please excuse the lack of accents, using an English keyboard.)

So all swim suits should be tight fitting and opaque…oh and in addition don’t forget the swim hat…

Ane yet here you are.

Please note that I was careful to use the term 'anti-Muslim' as the term 'Islamophobia' is used as a way to close down conversation about the topic. As you intend.

Anyway. Good job on the editing to remove the DARVO comment ;o)

You’re wrong actually, if you care. Islamophobia is indeed a type of racism but I won’t waste time arguing with people denying that. Edited to remove ‘Fuck your Darvo’

Speedos are not just briefs though? There are different types….. including looser swim shorts. Maybe you didn’t know that?

I think Airbnb would refund you if you refused to stay in the home owned by a racist.

I'm shocked. Can you not be English and Muslim? They're not mutually exclusive. The Airbnb host is racist and and Islamophobia through and through!

Thank you! That makes sense, it had never occurred to me that people might do that.

Not at all, but as a fatty myself I wouldn't inflict on others the spectacle of my lardy arse in a string bikini or thong, but wear a respectable one-piece that covers the worst of the horrors!

It's entirely relevant when posters are assuming the gite owner is racist for not wanting women with "Muslim veils" in his pool. He's not necessarily racist, he seems to be anti-Muslim, but Islam is not a race. It seems kind of racist of you to assume all Muslims are black or brown people.

I think you only have to look at the websites of groups like Free Speech Union or Christian Concern or Sex Matters to know we are having our own issues in relation to freedom of expression and belief in this country. I could start talking about Scottish Hate Crime legislation - but that would make rather a long posting.

I've found this thread very informative.

And it's made me wonder how France squares this with the ECHR right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The owner's reply suggests that there have been issues in the past. It's not clear what those issues might have been because he mentions the shared pool issue and the religious clothing issue. Maybe the owner is a card carrying racist, or maybe he's been in trouble with the local mayor for letting people swim in burkhinis, or maybe the last time someone asked this question it unleashed a massive drama.

Either way, he needs to be much clearer about whether the pool is shared or private and whether there are any rules about swimwear.

@MissScarletInTheBallroom the issue isn't with him saying his pool is shared so counts as a public space; the issue is that he explicitly stated he has refused to rent to Muslims in the past and would refuse again, including telling the OP that she would not be welcome if Muslim and expressing a view that a person could be either English or Muslim (but presumably not both in his eyes). That's prejudiced and could potentially fall foul of anti-discrimination law as religion is a protected characteristic. All the OP had asked was whether the pool was shared, but the owner jumped to a conclusion and exposed his prejudice.