Straw right, sort of.

[expat]

Clearly the full veil is a sign of separateness.

So is Passover.

[Mailman]

Funny, I dont ever remember not being able to see a persons face because of pass over

Mailman

[sasguru]

Agree with Mailman. There's a qualitative difference between believing something privately and shoving that belief in someone's face - look at me, I'm different.
Have to say though, playing guess the hottie based on eyes alone can be quite erotic. SOme of those eyes can be VERY expressive.

[Bernard Common]

You don't look at the mantlepiece while poking the fire do ya?

[expat]

Agree with Mailman. There's a qualitative difference between believing something privately and shoving that belief in someone's face - look at me, I'm different.
Have to say though, playing guess the hottie based on eyes alone can be quite erotic. SOme of those eyes can be VERY expressive.

Disagree. Passover is a difference: observant Jews will not eat with you during Passover. It is designed to keep them separate. If you don't really know many observant Jews then you might not notice, of course, but that doesn't alter the point that it is made to perpetuate separateness.

Mailman's comment is inane because it quite ignored what I said; but I'll answer it anyway: I have indeed noticed not being able to see people's faces because of Passover, because they stay home. Don't even know what I'm talking about I suppose.

[expat]

playing guess the hottie based on eyes alone can be quite erotic. SOme of those eyes can be VERY expressive.

I suppose that's why being able to do the "liquid eyes" is an important talent for the men who play hot chicks in Japanese Theatre. I'll leave hot eyes to you, thanks.

[shaunbhoy]

Let them wear what they want FFS! We trumpet on in this country about freedom of speech and expression then get all defensive when a certain minority do just that. So Jack Straw feels uncomfortable speaking to someone when he can't see their face? I take it he doesn't have a fecking phone then!!

[sasguru]

Disagree. Passover is a difference: observant Jews will not eat with you during Passover. It is designed to keep them separate. If you don't really know many observant Jews then you might not notice, of course, but that doesn't alter the point that it is made to perpetuate separateness.

Mailman's comment is inane because it quite ignored what I said; but I'll answer it anyway: I have noticed not being able to see people's faces becaise of Passover, because they stay home. Don't even know what I'm talking about I suppose.

Ok didn't know that about passover - the one or two Jews I know are non-observant as are the Muslims. Don't think I'd want to know anyone religious - I like to keep myself separate from them

[Jobberwacky]

This isn't the politics of the market stall here sb. There is more to life than a pound of sprouts and a bucket of p*g tulip. The intellectual elite have to tackle complex issues with many competing yet highly persuasive arguments. It is best to leave this sort of debate to people like me and other political heavyweights. Best you concentrate your energy on your turnips.

[BoredBloke]

"It is designed to keep them separate"

I thought that it was all about contaminatoin of food and knives, forks etc.