So today France brings in its banning of women, or men too, I assume, for walking around in their burkas, the sartorial equivalent of one of those old-fashioned pillar boxes – it is, so I am told, as much to do with keeping religious symbols off the streets as much as discouraging what is seen as a tradition that makes women subservient. It is also to discourage a practice that makes communication and trust difficult in public.
I have to confess that I have never been tempted to wear the burka or to get anyone else to but I suspect it is only one of the many weird articles of religion-inspired clothing donned by people who follow fundamentalist religions. The Pope looks a bit weird too in his robes and silly hats too.
I am not a fan though of banning things. If you are going to ban the burka, Monsieur Sarkozy, I think you should consider banning a whole range of other headgear worn not just as a religious symbol but as a fashion statement or even a sporting uniform.
Take a look at the pictures below and tell me how much face to face communication you could have with any of these folk and, if you could, would you want to: