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.

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

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.

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?

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!

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.

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.

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

Yep.

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.

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

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

I speak fluent French and this is definitely racist and quite shocking, particularly the last bit about the neighbourhood being against people with certain ‘religious convictions’ Whereabouts are you going OP ? Where I live there is a large Arabic population and the women wear hijabs, there is no issue. Full-face covers, such as the burka, are banned everywhere in France, however .

your reply is disgraceful. Even if this is supposed to be ironic, it is totally unacceptable.

Laws about what can be worn in a shared pool are completely different in France

The bit about are you English or Muslim… as if you can’t be both 🙈
The French can be very abrupt in messages… I studied over there and I was once very unwell and couldn’t get into university but had an assignment due. I emailed the tutor apologising and letting him know and attached my assignment to the email. His response ‘I’m not your slave! You have failed the assignment (which he didn’t read as he emailed me back within a couple of minutes) and you are not welcome on my course’. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Well, do you want to stay there after finding out they are rampantly possibly racist?

Options:

1. look at the booking T&C’s and see if their behaviour contravenes that so you can get your money back and cancel (and perhaps nab a late air bnb)

2. cancel and lose the money but keep your principles intact

3. go and attempt to educate the racist ignorant owner

4. go, enjoy and look forward to leaving a very accurate review as to how narrow minded aforementioned owner is

It could be that they aren’t racist themselves, they are just going along with the villagers racism, their pitchforks and flaming torches in order to avoid similar treatment…

What do you mean what do you do?

Are you really, honestly prepared to cancel over this, en route? I'm not sure what you want people to say.

Speak for yourself.

As a side note, that would be just like watching the riots in England on TV and saying "no wonder no one likes the English"

The hijab isn't banned in France, many women can and do choose to wear it. Full face coverings are and religious symbolism in public buildings etc - all religious ones not just Islamic ones.
Well done op for not being passive about this, unless something major has been lost in translocation this is just racism and Islamophobia.
read you T&C's very carefully see if you can get any money back.

I'd reply saying that you have no problem with sharing the pool, you just wanted to clarify whether it was shared or just for whoever is renting the flat. I'd avoid them if possible and definitely avoid any discussions about race/immigration/religion!

Hmm looking at the message it is a bit odd.

He seems to immediately jump to the conclusion that your reasons for asking if the pool is shared are because you are muslim and the women in your family wear a hijab/burkini.

I suppose if it is a shared pool it might be subject to rules about appropriate swimwear that the French have and may be he has had issues before with guests wearing unsuitable/banned swimwear. Although the bit about the neighours appears to be as racist as fuck.

I dont live in France and therefore my opinion doesnt really matter, but I think those jumping to conclusions of racism are wrong.

Evidently I missed that key part of the OP🤣 I thought the owner was writing about the pool being shared in a hypothetical way 😂

Which bit of France are you visiting?
Where I live, Dordogne, most gîte owners only use the pool when their guests are out.
A friends electrician has withdrawn his mixed race dc from the local school and is homeschooling due to racism by both the teachers and pupils.

Im assuming your gîte owner is French, it would be unusual to get such a response from a British owner ime.

Yep

France takes laicité very seriously. If that upsets you, you need to holiday elsewhere. Having said that, he does sound racist so what you do is up to you. If it's really important to you, turn round and go home. If you want to go anyway, making a thread on Mumsnet about the horrible racism of the French doesn't count as a get out clause. You choose to overlook it or not.