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Original poster

I would like to expereience wearing a full veil

40 replies

StressTeddy · 11/07/2008 20:55

Now please note - I do NOT want this to become a discussion about whether the veil is right or wrong

I would really like to wear the full veil for a day to see how I am treated. please tell me what you think of this. Do you think it is a good idea?
I have been thinking about this for a long time as it would help me to rally appreciate how it feels to be looked at differently.

I would appreciate your thoughts and want to have an open discussion here - please do not turn this into something it is not meant to be

Thank you

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 11/07/2008 20:57

It's been done.

Now if you went around wearing a wedding veil - that would be interesting!

micci25 · 11/07/2008 20:58

i think there has already been something done on this subject on the tv hasnt there? dispatches or something similar?

im fairly sure if i am actually remember a programme i saw and not just making things up (!!!) that the women did get treated differently in a bad way! i think they were ignored or something but not sure

its upto you though, if you want to try wearing one then you have every right to do so!

TurkeyLurkey · 11/07/2008 20:58

That woman off The Apprentice tried it didn't she?

Original poster
StressTeddy · 11/07/2008 20:59

I know it's been done but I have never done it. I really would like to see how I am treated

OP posts:
TurkeyLurkey · 11/07/2008 21:01

Where are you going to go in it? What have you got planned for the day?

Original poster
StressTeddy · 11/07/2008 21:04

I would go into my local City and just spend some time looking around shops and maybe have a coffee

I must admit I am quite nervous about it but I really have been thinking about it for a long time and would really like to do it

It just seems so right to me to understand how this feels and what predjudice I come up against

OP posts:
DeeRiguer · 11/07/2008 21:11

rhubarb..thats been done too..rewind the billy idol videos..

you have every right to do so i guess.. why, what is your motivation really?
many woman round here cover up in varying degrees and i've often wondered, can you de-cover once you cover?
i always treat people as i find them and try hard for the veil NOT to make a difference but it does as the face is so important for reading a person / situation etc

the women with niqab at our nursery look too uncomfortable on hot days, ilove a breeze about me and air on my skin ..

i can fully understand it as a political statement in this country and at this time, but i find it hard for me to comprehend wanting to do it for any personal reason..

DeeRiguer · 11/07/2008 21:12

can i ask where your local city is?

StessTeddy · 11/07/2008 21:16

Local City is York and I want to do it so see how these women are treated. I cannot imagine it is very nicely

TurkeyLurkey · 11/07/2008 21:17

What religion are you?

madamez · 11/07/2008 21:20

No reason why you shouldn't give it a go. But I would wonder if you could get the body language and behaviour right? Obviously I don't know you (and have no idea whether or not you are a Muslim) but if you are normally feisty and assertive in public you might not be able to get the mindset?

ANyway, I would be interested to hear how it goes if you do it.

StessTeddy · 11/07/2008 21:21

I am Christian with a lot of Buddhist thrown in!!

allgonebellyup · 12/07/2008 10:53

surely buddhism differs a lot from Xianity?

ummadam · 12/07/2008 12:00

I'm a muslim, wear hijab and am quite feisty and assertive in public

I would question your reason why - it is a slightly strange thing to do. Do you have any muslim friends who you could go out with?

Rhubarb · 12/07/2008 14:52

'Tis odd that you want to do this. Say you are treated differently, say people are rude to you/ignore you/are verbally abusive to you, what would you do? Lift up the veil and go "Ha ha got you!"?

I don't really get your point.

ummadam · 12/07/2008 18:06

Rhubarb - funny you should say that - I often think of doing this when people are abusive to me - without my scarf I look like any other young english mum. I never would as I would feel weird without it but your post made me smile

Original poster
StressTeddy · 12/07/2008 20:12

No there's no way I would then do anything like "ha ha got you"

I just want to see how women are treated in the veil. I cannot believe that it is well and I want to experience it. there is no ulterior motive other than to understand a diffrent section of female society
I understand from my Muslim friends that it can be very difficult and I want to see how it feels from their perspective

there is no underhand or shallow motive just a desire to learn

OP posts:
artichokes · 12/07/2008 20:15

I wore a full veil around Harrods for a morning when I was 18.

My best friend is half Arabic. Her father's sister bought her a selection of full veils in a vain hope she would consider converting etc. We both donned a veil and went shopping to see what it was like.

Because it was Harrods they were very used to veiled women and we were not treated that differntly. White women stared at us more and white men stared at us less. That was about it.

However, I was suprised about how liberating it was. I did not have to bother with fake smiles and averting my eyes. I could stare at whoever I pleased at let my true emotions show on my face.

Original poster
StressTeddy · 12/07/2008 20:17

Artichokes that's very interesting - thank you

I think I am just going to go for it as it has been on my mind for a long time

OP posts:
Desiderata · 12/07/2008 20:22

Well, I think if your point would be to try and prove some sort of prejudice, I think the results would be questionable, as I suspect that you will be largely ignored.

Regardless of faith, it is very difficult to engage with a person whose face you cannot see.

It's human nature.

Original poster
StressTeddy · 12/07/2008 20:25

But Desi I want to actually experience what that feels like. I am never ignored when I go out

OP posts:
Amphibimum · 12/07/2008 20:30

i like the idea of being able to stare at people and make any face i like

i use not making eye contact as a way to walk through crowded places - i find if you make eye contact with the person heading towards you theres a kind of question there about whos walking round who... but if they dont think youve seen them, they walk round you without question. works a treat

i think it would be interesting to do this, will you post about it afterwards?

southeastastra · 12/07/2008 20:32

you would freak out my mil if she saw you, she's scared of them

Original poster
StressTeddy · 12/07/2008 20:32

I absolutely will

OP posts:
Original poster
StressTeddy · 12/07/2008 20:32

that was to amphi not to se about her mil -

OP posts:
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