Teaching in a niqab (discuss)

[Mergath]

Yes, there is a person under the swaths of clothing, but that is not what the students will see. I don't see how this is horrid.

 

 

I don't think you're giving the children of the world enough credit. Children who haven't been exposed to different cultures would certainly be curious and talk about it, but I'd be willing to bet they'd see the teacher as much more than a "sheet with eyes."

[FiveOaksAcademy]

Yes, it would bother me. For the record, I would feel equally uncomfortable if a male taught my child's class while wearing a ski mask.

Edited April 18, 2012 by FiveOaksAcademy
safety on the internet

[Rosie_0801]

I just wondered if they could explain the significance of it.

 

They already did upthread.

 

And unless I'm much mistaken, freedom of religion is an American value.

 

Rosie

[EmilyK]

How in the world is wearing a thin piece of fabric over the lower half of the face in any way akin to not being present in the classroom? I don't think that's at all relevant. Also, a person's sexual orientation has no bearing on their ability to teach. And just for the record, I wouldn't have a problem with a transvestite man teaching in a dress. I've met several transvestite and transgender people in my life, and overall, they're some of the kindest people you'll ever meet, and often have a special understanding of how difficult it is to be a kid and find acceptance. My dd has already been exposed to the wonderful range of humanity, and knows that the world is made up of all kinds of people.

 

Talking about religion in class doesn't bother me in the context of religious studies. I don't think wearing a niqab is the same as actively trying to convert the children though, any more than a teacher wearing a dress instead of pants for religious reasons is trying to convert her class.

 

And no, it wouldn't bother me if all the teachers dressed like that. I like to think that my dd will be intelligent enough when she is older to understand that people have a range of different beliefs, and that being around people who think differently doesn't mean she has to change her own beliefs.

 

I'm really sorry and didn't mean to offend. Dealing with a probably dying parent and was browsing the web trying to divert myself. Clearly not doing my best job trying to express myself.

 

I was in *no way* trying to equate all of those things. Just trying to muse about it. The issues it stirred up for me was not being able to see someone's face in teaching. Would it bother me to have a teacher, doctor, lawyer, where I couldn't see their facial expression? I have had various medical consultations over the last weeks relating to my parent. The ones where I couldn't see someone's face were much harder, both to hear and to understand expression.

 

I am about the most gay friendly person in real life. But I was wondering if some people who love freedom of expression when it is religious in nature feel the same way if it is something they don't agree with.

 

Anyway, all that came out awfully and this apology isn't much better. Sometimes the questions you can ask in real life come off as offensive in the internet. I have really been struggling with issues lately as they relate to religion versus other issues -- probably should have limited those discussions to real life friends and others I meet. But it can be isolating being at a hospital 24/7 and I may have come here when I shouldn't.

 

again, so sorry.

[Audrey]

Nope, wouldn't bother me in the least. I really don't see any difference between a conservative Christian wearing certain clothing for the sake of modesty and religious belief and a Muslim wearing certain clothing for the sake of modesty and religious belief.

 

:iagree: Your analogy was my thought, as well. They seem the same to me. I have no problem with either.

[Mergath]

I don't think it's whether she can or cannot wear it. I think it is more a question of "does it impair communication with students" and "does it send a cultural message about women that is incompatible with American values"?

 

The only message I see it sending is that we are a country tolerant of a wide variety of religious expression. Yes, there are some Arabic countries that have a history of oppressing women. There is a good deal of oppression in our own country's history, as well, and it still goes on today, as it does in some Arabic countries. Some denominations of Christianity still oppress women. That creepy sect of Mormon fundamentalists that was in the news awhile back comes to mind. That doesn't mean that every woman I see wearing a long dress and a head covering or an outdated hairstyle is oppressed, and not every woman who wears a niqab is oppressed.

[Mergath]

I'm really sorry and didn't mean to offend. Dealing with a probably dying parent and was browsing the web trying to divert myself. Clearly not doing my best job trying to express myself.

 

I was in *no way* trying to equate all of those things. Just trying to muse about it. The issues it stirred up for me was not being able to see someone's face in teaching. Would it bother me to have a teacher, doctor, lawyer, where I couldn't see their facial expression? I have had various medical consultations over the last weeks relating to my parent. The ones where I couldn't see someone's face were much harder, both to hear and to understand expression.

 

I am about the most gay friendly person in real life. But I was wondering if some people who love freedom of expression when it is religious in nature feel the same way if it is something they don't agree with.

 

Anyway, all that came out awfully and this apology isn't much better. Sometimes the questions you can ask in real life come off as offensive in the internet. I have really been struggling with issues lately as they relate to religion versus other issues -- probably should have limited those discussions to real life friends and others I meet. But it can be isolating being at a hospital 24/7 and I may have come here when I shouldn't.

 

again, so sorry.

 

:grouphug: I completely understand. You should see some of the doozies I came up with around here when I wasn't in the best state of mind.

[Audrey]

Yes, it would bother me because my son has hearing loss, and if he couldn't see the teacher's mouth, he would have trouble understanding her.

 

Tara

 

I had not thought of that. But... if your child had a need for being able to read lips or facial expressions, wouldn't that be part of his learning plan, and wouldn't the school have to consider that when placing him with a teacher?

 

My point, I think, is to say that both the teacher and her niqab and the students and their needs could both be accomodated, couldn't they? (assuming the school is big enough that there is another class and teacher for that grade).

[*Lulu*]

I don't think you're giving the children of the world enough credit. Children who haven't been exposed to different cultures would certainly be curious and talk about it, but I'd be willing to bet they'd see the teacher as much more than a "sheet with eyes."

 

I don't even know that the bolded is true. My children had never been around someone wearing niqab before the family I mentioned up thread joined our homeschool group. The same kids who constantly wear me out with their questions about all things new and different did not ask me one question about why the mother wore that kind of clothing until 3 months after they moved away. They simply saw her as XX and YY's mom. They were aware of what she wore; once while I was drying DD(at the time 3) off she pulled the end of the towel across her face, giggled and told me she looked like Ms. X, (she then dropped the tip so the towel was only on her head and told me now she looked like Maid Marion. :tongue_smilie:), it simply didn't matter to them.

 

For that matter, it didn't matter in the long run to me either. It took a few weeks for me to adjust to seeing her and not her garb, but then I quit noticing. In fact the first time I saw her inside a home in a t-shirt and jeans it took me a few minutes to process!

Edited April 18, 2012 by BLA5
comma

[mommaduck]

I don't think it's whether she can or cannot wear it. I think it is more a question of "does it impair communication with students" and "does it send a cultural message about women that is incompatible with American values"?

We're America, the Melting Pot, not France.

[pfamilygal]

We're America, the Melting Pot, not France.

 

We may be a melting pot, but it doesn't mean we endorse ideas of inequality. You have the right to hold those ideas, but promoting them (whether with words or attire) shouldn't be done from a position of authority as a public school teacher.

 

Multiculturalism (ask Europe how well THAT is going) is not compatible with our values in some ways. We uphold the equality of all people, not just those with certain genitalia.

[Rosie_0801]

We may be a melting pot, but it doesn't mean we endorse ideas of inequality. You have the right to hold those ideas, but promoting them (whether with words or attire) shouldn't be done from a position of authority as a public school teacher.

 

Multiculturalism (ask Europe how well THAT is going) is not compatible with our values in some ways. We uphold the equality of all people, not just those with certain genitalia.

 

Great. So wave your banner against the poor niqabis who are forced to wear it, but leave those who choose to wear it alone. Nobody is preventing you dressing the way you want to, so surely in the name of equality, no one should stop a niqabi dressing the way she wants to? You wouldn't want to promote the idea that only certain kinds of people are allowed to dress the way they like, would you?

 

Rosie

[ssavings]

We may be a melting pot, but it doesn't mean we endorse ideas of inequality. You have the right to hold those ideas, but promoting them (whether with words or attire) shouldn't be done from a position of authority as a public school teacher.

 

Multiculturalism (ask Europe how well THAT is going) is not compatible with our values in some ways. We uphold the equality of all people, not just those with certain genitalia.

 

Isn't it also inequality to prevent a woman from wearing something because we find it oppressive, or to prevent a woman from having the career she wants because she wears something we disagree with?

[*Lulu*]

We may be a melting pot, but it doesn't mean we endorse ideas of inequality. You have the right to hold those ideas, but promoting them (whether with words or attire) shouldn't be done from a position of authority as a public school teacher.

 

Multiculturalism (ask Europe how well THAT is going) is not compatible with our values in some ways. We uphold the equality of all people, not just those with certain genitalia.

 

Except when we do.

 

We are not that far removed from a time when it took armed guards to safely escort school children onto newly desegregated campuses.

 

We have heard some pretty vitriolic rants over the past 5-10 years about the subject of same-sex marriage.

 

We have places where some groups of first generation citizens are routinely mistreated/bad-mouthed simply because they are from the country our society as a whole currently doesn't want immigrants from.

 

We have groups preaching that women should submit to their husbands as "unto the Lord" and, despite giving some outside the cultural norm guidelines for how, these groups are treated as worthy of tolerance.

 

We absolutely have no tolerance for discrimination in this country. That is as long as you are the right color, sexual orientation, nationality, and religious sect.

Edited April 19, 2012 by BLA5
wrong word

[mommaduck]

We may be a melting pot, but it doesn't mean we endorse ideas of inequality. You have the right to hold those ideas, but promoting them (whether with words or attire) shouldn't be done from a position of authority as a public school teacher.

 

Multiculturalism (ask Europe how well THAT is going) is not compatible with our values in some ways. We uphold the equality of all people, not just those with certain genitalia.

I'm a military brat, a mixed mutt, and NA...please don't tell me about "our values", because I've found that America does not have a shared "our values". There are people that are multicultural by nature (you may thank Uncle Sam and our military for raising plenty of TCK's). There are those that are bigoted and "my way is the right way and every one else needs to 'go home'" (though ironically, they are the people came and forced their system on others). There are those that came here for the freedom to be able to dress and worship differently (heavens, I live in the middle of it! But Lord help me when I was in the midwest; how DARE I wear a headcovering in church!).

 

Do I agree that there are Muslims that hold treat women as beneath them? Sure, absolutely. I know there are those in many branches of faith (and even those that have no faith). I also know more than a few Muslim women that find strength in their coverings and even know some very strong and independent women that are Pagan and Christian that are CHOOSING to wear hijab, because THEY control who gets to gaze upon them...in those cases it's more of a promotion, not demotion. Let's realize where things are coming from and place the blame there...it comes from various cultures (and there is plenty of man haters and male chauvinists in our own "culture"...I've grown up being exposed to the extremes of both). I happen to know that the various parts of this country have their own cultures on top of all the subcultures that are blended into it. We aren't Europe. In fact, this continent never had a fully homogenous culture. I know there are people that would love for it to, but they are usually the bigots.

[pfamilygal]

There is nothing wrong with saying that children deserve to see the entire face of the person teaching them. It doesn't mean that one is racist or sexist or Islamaphobic.

 

A woman can wear a niqab all she wants. But I think if she's teaching children, she should uncover her face. Children deserve that.

 

A man shouldn't teach his class that women should submit "unto the Lord," that homosexuals are deviant or "less than" in any way, or anything else hateful.

 

But I absolutely think that it does send a message about equality and that children deserve to see a friendly face in the classroom.

 

You can disagree and that is fine :) My kids are hs'ed, so I won't be making a fuss anywhere. Honestly, I wouldn't make a fuss if it were my child's teacher. I would just ask that they be moved. My kids have language issues and need face to face communication.

[frugalmama]

I'm a military brat, a mixed mutt, and NA...please don't tell me about "our values", because I've found that America does not have a shared "our values". There are people that are multicultural by nature (you may thank Uncle Sam and our military for raising plenty of TCK's). There are those that are bigoted and "my way is the right way and every one else needs to 'go home'" (though ironically, they are the people came and forced their system on others). There are those that came here for the freedom to be able to dress and worship differently (heavens, I live in the middle of it! But Lord help me when I was in the midwest; how DARE I wear a headcovering in church!).

 

Do I agree that there are Muslims that hold treat women as beneath them? Sure, absolutely. I know there are those in many branches of faith (and even those that have no faith). I also know more than a few Muslim women that find strength in their coverings and even know some very strong and independent women that are Pagan and Christian that are CHOOSING to wear hijab, because THEY control who gets to gaze upon them...in those cases it's more of a promotion, not demotion. Let's realize where things are coming from and place the blame there...it comes from various cultures (and there is plenty of man haters and male chauvinists in our own "culture"...I've grown up being exposed to the extremes of both). I happen to know that the various parts of this country have their own cultures on top of all the subcultures that are blended into it. We aren't Europe. In fact, this continent never had a fully homogenous culture. I know there are people that would love for it to, but they are usually the bigots.

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:

[mommaduck]

There is nothing wrong with saying that children deserve to see the entire face of the person teaching them. It doesn't mean that one is racist or sexist or Islamaphobic.

 

A woman can wear a niqab all she wants. But I think if she's teaching children, she should uncover her face. Children deserve that.

I agree with this part, for various reasons.

 

But I absolutely think that it does send a message about equality...

 

I disagree with this part. If nothing else, YOU are the one that would be encouraging that inequality by wanting to banish the choice to wear such based upon such an assumption (that a niqab is all about inequality). Even though the main issue is the face, based upon your other statements, do you also have a problem with a person wearing a kippah, a tiechel, a kapp, a long skirt, a small cross/star of David/pentagram/etc pendant on a necklace, a red thread/icon bracelet/knotted rope/mati/etc on a wrist, etc while in a classroom?

 

btw, in America, the largest advocates for certain ways of dress are WOMEN, not men.

 

btw2, many students will be faced with this at the college/university level, where they will be taught by people of various faiths/cultures/dress and be living around/interacting with such a variety of people.

Edited April 19, 2012 by mommaduck

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

Sometimes, but not always. Not in my experience.

 

 

Again, sometimes, but not always.

My dc are old enough to have their own opinions and they're often very different to mine.

 

 

To me, the whole concept absolutely drips sexism and oppression. I don't think open-mindedness is the issue here.

Why should women be the only ones covered up?

Are the men being open-minded?

Are the women being open-minded when they give judgmental and rude looks to yours truly for not being covered up as they are?

Are they being open-minded when they beat a 10-year-old girl to death for not being covered up and running over by accident to the male part of the beach?

Are they being open-minded when they view women not covered up like them as being "wh@res"?

Open-minded ... don't get me started on that. I've sooo had it with their intolerance. Excuse me, but I've had plenty of experience in this after 44 years.

 

:iagree:It saddens me that this happens to women. I get it that some women choose this but I also know that some women are forced to wear these things:(

[Wheres Toto]

I don't think you're giving the children of the world enough credit. Children who haven't been exposed to different cultures would certainly be curious and talk about it, but I'd be willing to bet they'd see the teacher as much more than a "sheet with eyes."

 

I don't even know that the bolded is true. My children had never been around someone wearing niqab before the family I mentioned up thread joined our homeschool group. The same kids who constantly wear me out with their questions about all things new and different did not ask me one question about why the mother wore that kind of clothing until 3 months after they moved away. They simply saw her as XX and YY's mom. They were aware of what she wore; once while I was drying DD(at the time 3) off she pulled the end of the towel across her face, giggled and told me she looked like Ms. X, (she then dropped the tip so the towel was only on her head and told me now she looked like Maid Marion. :tongue_smilie:), it simply didn't matter to them.

 

For that matter, it didn't matter in the long run to me either. It took a few weeks for me to adjust to seeing her and not her garb, but then I quit noticing. In fact the first time I saw her inside a home in a t-shirt and jeans it took me a few minutes to process!

 

:iagree: I think either of these would be likely depending on the kid. I have one that would go right up to someone wearing anything unusual and start asking about it and one that would barely notice and never even think about it.

 

I think it's unlikely that a teacher wearing a niqab is making any statement to children about oppression. Unless someone has taught these children that there is a history of oppression in the country where they are more common, why would they think about it? The niqab itself doesn't scream oppression and inequality to someone who hasn't been exposed to it in that context.

 

I'm a military brat, a mixed mutt, and NA...please don't tell me about "our values", because I've found that America does not have a shared "our values". There are people that are multicultural by nature (you may thank Uncle Sam and our military for raising plenty of TCK's). There are those that are bigoted and "my way is the right way and every one else needs to 'go home'" (though ironically, they are the people came and forced their system on others). There are those that came here for the freedom to be able to dress and worship differently (heavens, I live in the middle of it! But Lord help me when I was in the midwest; how DARE I wear a headcovering in church!).

 

Do I agree that there are Muslims that hold treat women as beneath them? Sure, absolutely. I know there are those in many branches of faith (and even those that have no faith). I also know more than a few Muslim women that find strength in their coverings and even know some very strong and independent women that are Pagan and Christian that are CHOOSING to wear hijab, because THEY control who gets to gaze upon them...in those cases it's more of a promotion, not demotion. Let's realize where things are coming from and place the blame there...it comes from various cultures (and there is plenty of man haters and male chauvinists in our own "culture"...I've grown up being exposed to the extremes of both). I happen to know that the various parts of this country have their own cultures on top of all the subcultures that are blended into it. We aren't Europe. In fact, this continent never had a fully homogenous culture. I know there are people that would love for it to, but they are usually the bigots.

 

:iagree:

 

As far as the original question, no it wouldn't bother me for my children to have a teacher who wore niqab or any other unusual ethnic attire. We have many teachers and other professionals around here that wear saris, turbans, etc.

 

I wonder how people feel about nuns that teach wearing the old type habit that shows nothing but the face with everything else from head to toes covered?

Edited April 19, 2012 by dottieanna29

[*Lulu*]

There is nothing wrong with saying that children deserve to see the entire face of the person teaching them. It doesn't mean that one is racist or sexist or Islamaphobic.

 

I agree.

 

A woman can wear a niqab all she wants. But I think if she's teaching children, she should uncover her face. Children deserve that.

 

If we are talking about a classroom of children I would think the face would be uncovered during instruction. This concern for covered faces during teaching is most likely moot.

 

A man shouldn't teach his class that women should submit "unto the Lord," that homosexuals are deviant or "less than" in any way, or anything else hateful.

 

True. My question is if a woman from a patriarchal, Bible based religious group only wore her group's definition of modest attire would it be any different than a niqab in the message it sends?

 

But I absolutely think that it does send a message about equality and that children deserve to see a friendly face in the classroom.

 

Clothing choice does not assure friendliness.

 

You can disagree and that is fine :) My kids are hs'ed, so I won't be making a fuss anywhere. Honestly, I wouldn't make a fuss if it were my child's teacher. I would just ask that they be moved. My kids have language issues and need face to face communication.

 

I inserted my answers in red.

Edited April 19, 2012 by BLA5
b and d are not the same letter. *sigh*

[mommaduck]

I have known some cultures and some men that intentionally wear long tunic-like tops to cover their nether regions and some groups that insist men generally wear loose pants of certain styles in their attempt at "male modesty". It isn't unheard of. However, you will also see some of them wear more "western wear" when at work due to safety issues (ever see someone caught up in an auger?).

[NicAnn]

I'm very surprised by the way this thread is turning out. For me, if DD had a teacher who wore this (or anything for cultural/religious reasons), I would look at it as a great opportunity to discuss or own faith and culture.

 

I may feel differently because we are part of a religion that is very outside the mainstream American culture....so nearly every day I find myself explaining or defending it to someone. Particularly around the holidays. :)

[Little Nyssa]

i wear niqab and i said i wasn't going to post but.. i was offended by what you said i am not a black sheet with eyes. and when i was student teaching none of my 1st graders thought i was a black sheet with eyes. they had no issues with me what so ever other than asking why. i told them it was my religious belief and that was the end of the conversation. i never even covered unless we were at recess for the most part and they didn't care they were more concerned with me playing with them

 

Dear Amirah, I understand if you do not wish to post more than this, but I do have a question... did any of the school administration or parents gave you any trouble about the niqab? Thank you very much if you choose to answer!

Nyssa

[Amirah]

Dear Amirah, I understand if you do not wish to post more than this, but I do have a question... did any of the school administration or parents gave you any trouble about the niqab? Thank you very much if you choose to answer!

Nyssa

 

no none of the school administration or parents gave me any problem. when i was looking for a placement to do my student teaching my university let the school know ahead of time to see if it would be an issue and they told me if it was they would look until they could find me a place. i went in an explained why i wear it and the accommodation i would require. the only thing i asked of the school is if i could cover the small window on the door( the windows looking outside were not an issue because they were very high up) and that if a male was to enter the room they would knock (again not an issue because teachers generally knock when the door was closed anyways).

 

All of the parents of the kids in my class were informed i was there, that i would not be wearing my niqab except when we were outside of the classroom and that i would not be going into any religious discussion out side of i am muslim , i cover because of my beliefs. they also had the option of transferring their kid out of the classroom if there was an issue and i always left my class open to parents to come and observe or talk to me if there was any concerns. i never had a parent transfer their kid, a few observed the 1st week then after that nothing.

 

i taught 1st grade. these kids really didn't care they were just curious.they didn't see me any different than other teachers. i think i wore my niqab over my face less than 5 times while i was in the classroom and normally it was a janitor coming in to check something a few secs then i flipped it back up.

 

i think i am really approachable.people ask questions but its normally not an issue once they get to know you. the problem is you have some ignorant people who have misconceptions and stereotypes so ingrained in them they can't get to know people who are different without apply those stereotypes on them

[Soror]

I don't think it would bother me in a general sense. I cannot see that it would bother the kids either, other than for hearing issues. I don't see it as a threat to our faith either. There will always be those that are different and we cannot lock ourselves up. Around here we have a lot of Pentecostal that seem to have a certain dress and the Mennonites as well, the Mennonites definitely having a certain appearance but the children didn't think much about it.

[ChrissySC]

no none of the school administration or parents gave me any problem. when i was looking for a placement to do my student teaching my university let the school know ahead of time to see if it would be an issue and they told me if it was they would look until they could find me a place. i went in an explained why i wear it and the accommodation i would require. the only thing i asked of the school is if i could cover the small window on the door( the windows looking outside were not an issue because they were very high up) and that if a male was to enter the room they would knock (again not an issue because teachers generally knock when the door was closed anyways).

 

All of the parents of the kids in my class were informed i was there, that i would not be wearing my niqab except when we were outside of the classroom and that i would not be going into any religious discussion out side of i am muslim , i cover because of my beliefs. they also had the option of transferring their kid out of the classroom if there was an issue and i always left my class open to parents to come and observe or talk to me if there was any concerns. i never had a parent transfer their kid, a few observed the 1st week then after that nothing.

 

i taught 1st grade. these kids really didn't care they were just curious.they didn't see me any different than other teachers. i think i wore my niqab over my face less than 5 times while i was in the classroom and normally it was a janitor coming in to check something a few secs then i flipped it back up.

 

i think i am really approachable.people ask questions but its normally not an issue once they get to know you. the problem is you have some ignorant people who have misconceptions and stereotypes so ingrained in them they can't get to know people who are different without apply those stereotypes on them

 

 

I would not have been bothered at all, but I am grown. As I was catching up on this thread, and I sporadically read through about five'ish pages, I had similar questions or thought others had valid points.

 

You addressed each potential issue that I could forsee or predict that might be a problem. I applaud you for making the concessions for such little ones, and I hope that everyone continues to help you and understands how strongly you feel about your faith. :001_smile: Good job! I wish we had such caring and thoughtful teachers like you.

[mamakimberly]

I appreciate your responses and insight, Amirah!

 

And now I will quote Chrissy's signature:

 

"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand."(Frank Herbert)

[mommaduck]

no none of the school administration or parents gave me any problem. when i was looking for a placement to do my student teaching my university let the school know ahead of time to see if it would be an issue and they told me if it was they would look until they could find me a place. i went in an explained why i wear it and the accommodation i would require. the only thing i asked of the school is if i could cover the small window on the door( the windows looking outside were not an issue because they were very high up) and that if a male was to enter the room they would knock (again not an issue because teachers generally knock when the door was closed anyways).

 

All of the parents of the kids in my class were informed i was there, that i would not be wearing my niqab except when we were outside of the classroom and that i would not be going into any religious discussion out side of i am muslim , i cover because of my beliefs. they also had the option of transferring their kid out of the classroom if there was an issue and i always left my class open to parents to come and observe or talk to me if there was any concerns. i never had a parent transfer their kid, a few observed the 1st week then after that nothing.

 

i taught 1st grade. these kids really didn't care they were just curious.they didn't see me any different than other teachers. i think i wore my niqab over my face less than 5 times while i was in the classroom and normally it was a janitor coming in to check something a few secs then i flipped it back up.

 

i think i am really approachable.people ask questions but its normally not an issue once they get to know you. the problem is you have some ignorant people who have misconceptions and stereotypes so ingrained in them they can't get to know people who are different without apply those stereotypes on them

So as someone suggested (and I suspected), it really is a neither here nor there issue :) Thank you for being so kind to share your personal experience.

[FairyMom]

Never having been in that situation, I think I'd find it distracting and uncomfortable initially.

 

I base a lot of irl communication on facial expression and body language, so I'd be out of my element.

 

I assume I'd get used to it eventually.

 

Nothing to do w/religion, but on my communication patterns.

 

Me too. I like to look at people's expressions when I interact. I would get used to it I'm sure.