To think this is fucking crazy

[itstheendoftheworldasweknowitnow]

We’re en route to a holiday rental in France. I wasn’t sure if the pool was shared or not between other guests so emailed the owner to ask. This is his reply - which I put in to google translate
Could you tell me if sharing the swimming pool with us who occupy the ground floor bothers you and for what reason? Recently we refused the rental because the wife and the two young daughters were veiled; are you english or muslim? We do not want you to make the trip and see yourself refused access to our property for reasons of displaying religious beliefs which are very resented by the neighborhood.

Fuck Fuck Fuck
What the hell do I do?
I am not a Muslim.
I am also not a racist.

This is what I am worried about.

I think if people were less passive and accepting of hate then it would be less common. I'm not saying OP should confront them but why do they have to pretend they didn't say that? I wouldn't give them my respect.

This is a bit judgy- maybe he has just misunderstood you. Either way as it’s not an issue I don’t see why you’re panicking. Just go enjoy your holiday

The French ban on face covering[a] is the result of an act of parliament passed in 2010 banning the wearing of face-covering headgear, including masks, helmets, balaclavas, niqābs and other veils covering the face, and full body costumes and zentais (skin-tight garments covering entire body) in public places, except under specified circumstances. This ban does not apply to the hijab, as it does not cover the face. The ban does apply to the burqa, a full-body covering, if it covers the face.[2] In April 2011, France became the first European country to impose a ban on full-face veils in public areas.[3]

There are some strict laws on secularity in France, and conspicuous religious dress is not popular. It's banned in schools and the civil service. France is home to one of the largest Muslim and Jewish populations in Europe and they've had some serious problems with extremism from Muslim groups (probably triggered by Israels invasion of Gaza).

You could reply and say you do not wear religious dress of any kind, but you have no issues with people who do. Or you could decide that the attitude of the landlord )and the area) make it impossible for you to stay there. It really has to be up to you.

It’s not for you to police other people’s opinions and it would likely just make him resentful. You don’t know if he has misunderstood or what his point is and ultimately he’s the owner of a holiday house. I wouldn’t give it headspace

What's to worry about?

Best to stick to your principles and cancel your holiday then

Ok my bad, face covering are banned. Again, nothing to do with religion - all face coverings are concerned.

I think you are committed now but I would be tempted to say...

"No, we aren't Muslim, but were thinking of baptising some of the party in the pool as 'born again Christians' if they get rowdy. There won't be any veils etc., in fact we could possibly all be naked to avoid any openly religious symbolism."

I'm wrong about the hijab - it's the burka that's banned. They banned it in 2010, along with other face coverings, but hijab doesn't cover the face so isn't included.

The religious symbolism a PP referred to was a separate piece of law from 2004 which includes the hijab, yarmulke, turban, and which bans symbolic clothing being worn in public schools and government buildings.

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.

Love these helpful comments. Every thread has them.

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

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.

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?

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

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’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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.