Page 17 | AIBU to think face coverings in public should be banned?

OpheliaWasntMad · 2026-04-06T13:53:36+00:00

Should all types of face covering in public be banned? I think they should. Mainly I’m concerned that people in balaclavas and face coverings are shoplifting and stealing phones etc with impunity. People with balaclavas on marches look threatening and sinister. Women with niqabs create a barrier between themselves and others as it’s hard to form connections if you can’t see someone’s facial expressions. I think all face covering should be banned. It contributes to a society that feels more unsafe and divided.

WalkDontWalk · 06/04/2026 15:52

oviraptor21 · 06/04/2026 15:50

Wow. Let's just isolate all the hearing impaired people then.

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.....er...how do you get to that from what I said?

zantez · 06/04/2026 15:51

AgnesMcDoo · 06/04/2026 15:50

Because there isn’t an answer that isn’t racist.

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See what Macron might say to that.

oviraptor21 · 06/04/2026 15:50

WalkDontWalk · 06/04/2026 15:25

I don't think anyone's obliged to make connections with you. And if they have to for some reason, and you can't decipher what they're trying to get across, then it's their choice, not yours, to either remove what's covering their face or simply decide not to persevere with the conversation.

How do you manage with people on the phone? Assuming you can handle a telephone conversation, just treat it like that.

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Wow. Let's just isolate all the hearing impaired people then.

AgnesMcDoo · 06/04/2026 15:50

zantez · 06/04/2026 15:49

I'm afraid I don't provide free comprehension lessons....😊

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Because there isn’t an answer that isn’t racist.

Original poster

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:49

catipuss · 06/04/2026 15:47

Make men wear shirts in public I hate seeing the big bellies and sweaty hairy chests, and the shorts with knobbly knees and skinny legs. And women with tight leggings and huge bums. A proper dress code in public places is what we need. And why does everyone wear black these days?

Face covering has nothing to do with “dress codes” . It a way of making yourself anonymous in a public place- often with criminal intention.

OP posts:

Sosaidkaye · 06/04/2026 15:49

How would it be enforced?

zantez · 06/04/2026 15:49

AgnesMcDoo · 06/04/2026 15:44

That doesn’t actually answer my question as to why cold/health is ok but religion is not?

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I'm afraid I don't provide free comprehension lessons....😊

Original poster

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:48

outerspacepotato · 06/04/2026 15:35

And what about people undergoing chemo or that are immunosuppressed and masking to protect themselves?

Or who react to cold weather with hives and swelling?

I think it's absurd. You would be banning the religious observance of some religions that don't meet your approval and just fuck off with that.

The wearing of the niqab is a personal choice - it’s not a religious requirement.
I’ve already said that exceptions can be made in terms of people’s health etc

OP posts:

catipuss · 06/04/2026 15:47

Make men wear shirts in public I hate seeing the big bellies and sweaty hairy chests, and the shorts with knobbly knees and skinny legs. And women with tight leggings and huge bums. A proper dress code in public places is what we need. And why does everyone wear black these days?

CornishDaughteroftheDawn · 06/04/2026 15:47

Somnambule · 06/04/2026 14:59

Have you actually spent time with women in niqab? Although it's very uncommon where I live, from time to time I work alongside women in niqab and I honestly don't feel it creates a barrier at all. A huge amount of non-verbal communication happens through the eyes.

A great deal of communication also happens with the face. My hearing isn’t the best and I find it hard to understand people if I can’t see their lips.

Myneighbourisanosyoldgit · 06/04/2026 15:47

dizzydizzydizzy · 06/04/2026 15:01

Dows this include medical face masks, such as the ones we wore in tbe pandemic? I see quite a lot of people wearing them still.

Where I live there are a lot of older people but if they wear masks it's usually under their noses as they did during covid. Rather defeats the object of wearing the mask.

wordler · 06/04/2026 15:46

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:34

I think it’s perfectly appropriate for people to be told they should not cover their face unless they have a medical reason.
You have an aggressive tone - “your brave New World …” Perhaps - if you live in a remote area of Scotland you are unaware of the challenges faced in densely populated urban areas filled with balaclava wearing louts

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So why are you also focusing on Muslim women - I assume they aren’t on mass running in and out of shops nicking stuff?

oviraptor21 · 06/04/2026 15:46

Somnambule · 06/04/2026 14:59

Have you actually spent time with women in niqab? Although it's very uncommon where I live, from time to time I work alongside women in niqab and I honestly don't feel it creates a barrier at all. A huge amount of non-verbal communication happens through the eyes.

It's definitely a barrier to anyone with hearing impairment, as are the medical face masks.

zantez · 06/04/2026 15:45

What would prevent a man or a woman pretending to be Muslim and hiding their identity for nefarious reasons?

As I said, France introduced a ban and I don't see any problems emerging there as a result. The ban has been in force for 15 years now too.

Helmets and balaclavas and the like should be banned in public also.

I don't care how they do it, and what ridiculously circumspect arguments are put forward against a ban, it can be done. Unless you all think France is racist and anti Muslim.

Original poster

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:44

WhatAMarvelousTune · 06/04/2026 15:43

But you talked about criminals hiding their identity. So a wig might be a reasonable thing for you to dislike for the same reason.

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🤣

OP posts:

AgnesMcDoo · 06/04/2026 15:44

zantez · 06/04/2026 15:34

Primarily I suppose because it's not always cold out there and some people are immunocompromised, whereas religious garb is worn all the time in public places.

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That doesn’t actually answer my question as to why cold/health is ok but religion is not?

Original poster

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:43

BoredZelda · 06/04/2026 15:40

But you want to propose an outright ban on the basis that your view of the world is the only one?

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Hmmm…. It’s a mumsnet post for discussion- I am suggesting that public face covering is not a good thing and should be banned. I’ve given my reasons. I’ve never said my view of the world is the only correct one .

OP posts:

WhatAMarvelousTune · 06/04/2026 15:43

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:37

I have absolutely no objection to head coverings or wigs … why would I?
I have been very clear that this is about face covering- not hair covering

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But you talked about criminals hiding their identity. So a wig might be a reasonable thing for you to dislike for the same reason.

BoredZelda · 06/04/2026 15:42

InterestedDad37 · 06/04/2026 15:39

OP probably just means thugs and Muslims. All other instances will be tacitly understood and allowed 😉

Yep. Apparently women in niqabs aren’t “safe and friendly? 🤦🏻‍♀️

AgnesMcDoo · 06/04/2026 15:42

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:34

I think it’s perfectly appropriate for people to be told they should not cover their face unless they have a medical reason.
You have an aggressive tone - “your brave New World …” Perhaps - if you live in a remote area of Scotland you are unaware of the challenges faced in densely populated urban areas filled with balaclava wearing louts

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I don’t live in a remote area. it’s cold all
over Scoltand rural and urban. We like to keep warm by wearing scarves.

would you ban us from keeping warm?

why are you avoiding my other questions too?

Original poster

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:41

PauliesWalnuts · 06/04/2026 15:38

What a surprise - goady post about Muslims when we have local elections coming up…

Really? I think my post was perfectly reasonable.

OP posts:

BoredZelda · 06/04/2026 15:40

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:38

That’s fine - good for you.

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But you want to propose an outright ban on the basis that your view of the world is the only one?

InterestedDad37 · 06/04/2026 15:39

OP probably just means thugs and Muslims. All other instances will be tacitly understood and allowed 😉

NavyNorris · 06/04/2026 15:39

I can understand people wanting others to be visible in shops, schools etc but where do you draw the line? Medical face masks would be ok? For all conditions or just being cautious? I think it would be hard to police.

I see what you mean about balaclavas as they do look a bit scary but religious coverings don't bother me (probably because I know they're women which obviously highlights my own issues about men!)

BoredZelda · 06/04/2026 15:39

OpheliaWasntMad · 06/04/2026 15:34

I think it’s perfectly appropriate for people to be told they should not cover their face unless they have a medical reason.
You have an aggressive tone - “your brave New World …” Perhaps - if you live in a remote area of Scotland you are unaware of the challenges faced in densely populated urban areas filled with balaclava wearing louts

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I was in Edinburgh at the weekend. The city was full of people covering their face. It really was freezing cold.