AIBU to think face coverings in public should be banned?

[OpheliaWasntMad]

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.

According to a PP, this is just so alien it never happens! 🙄

What perfectly legitimate reasons would someone have to cover their face at a demo or protest?

Despite being a lifelong atheist, I am very uncomfortable with the idea of banning people from dressing in a way that complies with the teachings and/or customs of their chosen religion.

And when a ban is proposed in respect of an item of dress that is predominantly worn by Muslim women, it could easily be perceived as Islamophobic.

My neighbour wearing a niquab is just as valid as me wearing my scarf over my nose. It's still a clothing choice and I still support women making their own clothing choices without goverment input.

Why? It doesn't cover the face.

That'll go down well in Shetland!
Oye you! I don't care if it's blowing a hooley and you have to walk your dog, the gov't says you can't cover your face in public!

Utterly daft idea @OpheliaWasntMad

But the goverment banning those women from wearing the outfit they feel most comfortable in is somehow less controlling?
Are you suggesting Muslim women can't possibly be trusted to chose the niquab because they want to wear it? It must always be forced upon them?
Why does the goverment get to take that choice away from women?

You guess wrongly - I live in inner London and have done so for the past 50 years

Hijabs are common... and as I said upthread, I hate to see primary-aged schoolgirls in hijab; niqabs are rare except in Tower Hamlets in my experience, but I have NEVER seen a young schoolgirl in a niqab

OK. So how many of the women that wear niqabs and burqas are make their own choices in the UK to do so?

It's cold and they don't want icy winds giving them a frostbitten nose while they lawfully participate in a peaceful protest

No,

people should be allowed to to wear balaclavas and helmets when ski-ing in public.

they should bloody well have to on motorbikes.

Ditto. Why @Notmycircusnotmyotter If you want to ban the hijab, are you thinking you'd ban Jewish and Orthodox Catholic women wearing headscarves as well?

I don't know, I haven't been able to personally meet them all to ask. Have you?
Are you suggesting the goverment making the choice for them is somehow less oppressive than leaving it up to them to make their own choice?

What about heavy makeup? Lashes. Some people look completely different in heavy makeup. And then there’s the fillers and facelifts. Sometimes expression is impacted. Wigs and extensions? Is it the face being covered by fabric that’s the issue or is it the face being disguised?

all of it banned?

If for example they were a Hong Kong national protesting about the actions of the Chinese state.

Well, I have seen young school aged girls in niqab in London. Times change, I guess.

🙄🙄🙄

Exactly

What? I think you're just trolling... As someone (you) that has lived in London for what was it, 50 years (?), and me, someone that has lived and works in London for the last 20 years you are still going on about "cold and they don't want icy winds giving them a frostbitten nose while they lawfully participate in a peaceful protest"

I think you might need professional help about these icy winds in general but especially for those icy winds in central London that are few and far between and imped lawful protest and require balaclavas and face coverings 😂My goodness.

Outdoors in public then its fair enough to cover your face, but if you're interacting with the public or entering a shop or public building then it's rude and can be intimidating.

My DH rides a motorbike and should absolutely have to remove his helmet before purchasing petrol.

Anyone wearing balaclavas/full face coverings should take them off if they enter a shop.

I make my kids take hoods down in shops as its rude.

Sterile masks cover the mouth and nose but you can still see a person's face and identity them.

If you're not willing to demonstrate good manners you shouldn't be in public spaces.

What about beards.
big thick beards. Yay or nay?

and the Sikhs? Don’t ban them please I lowkey love their vibe

What on earth are you talking about?! I dont live in London. I live in the Yorkshire dales and its bloody cold here from December to Febuary. The icy wind rips right through you.
You know there are parts of the UK that aren't London, right? And you know places outside of London hold protests, right?

Probably most of them would argue it’s their choice.

many of our choices are made within societal norms. Many women would argue that hair removal is their own choice- but it’s not a choice made in a vacuum. Society tells us we have to do it, so our choice is to follow that norm. If you don’t, other people will comment and judge your hairy legs and armpits.

Muslim women in that community make the same choices. If they want to fit in they make the choice to dress to that end.

it’s still a choice.

My sincere apologies, it was someone else that replied to me about living in London and not you.

Let me rephrase: what reasons would you need to cover your face at a demo or protest in the UK?