12 August 2009

The French did something right?


OK, normally I don't post news stories. But this stuff had me laughing so hard, coffee flew out my nose and all over the keyboard. Lucky I had a spare. The French did something right for a change. (I have so many true French stories that I still can't tell until the oath I swore to expires.)


French pool bars Muslim woman for 'burquini' suit

AP – FILE - In this Feb.15, 2007 file photo, Sama Wareh walks along the sand dressed in swimwear designed …
Slideshow:Muslim 'Burquini'
By MARIA DANILOVA, Associated Press Writer Maria Danilova, Associated Press Writer – 13 mins ago
PARIS – A Muslim woman garbed in a head-to-toe swimsuit — dubbed a "burquini" — may have opened a new chapter in France's tussle between religious practices and its stern secular code.
Officials insisted Wednesday they banned the woman's use of the Islam-friendly suit at a local pool because of France's pool hygiene standards — not out of hostility to overtly Muslim garb.
Under the policy, swimmers are not allowed in pools with baggy clothing, including surfer-style shorts. Only figure-hugging suits are permitted.
(I updated with a second photo to help some folks understand this concept better)

7 comments:

Coffeypot said...

I wonder what the burquini is made of. I seems like it would be too difficult to swim loaded down with all that water weight. But then, who cares?

Opus #6 said...

I'm surprised they let you see her face. Is there an optional veil over the nose/mouth? Must be hard, though, when that part gets waterlogged. But hey, ladies are not real citizens. Do they care if she can breathe?

Anonymous said...

She was waaayy overdressed for a French beach...

CI-Roller Dude said...

When in Iraq, some of our "joes" and "janes" had a difficult time figuring out the culture.

I summed it all us by:
"Just think of 1500 AD with cell phones."

Kanani said...

Looks like it's made out of "baggy amount" of swimsuit lycra.

Red said...

Oh, I read this story! I think the chick who is trying to claim religious persection is ridiculous... and yes, it seems that the French have done something that I agree with! (finally)

Sergeant Grumpy said...

The picture on the left reminds me that we just used to refer to them as "the ninjas of Babylon"

[;)