Face to Face?

Ok, I'm going to join the debate started by Jack Straw on the Muslim veil. Yes, it seems that it is important to some Muslim women to wear the veil and not just the head covering. This is their belief and their right, which I would defend in all circumstances. Just like their right to free speech, freedom of worship and freedom to live in this country unimpeded by extremists like the BNP and UKIP.
I listened to an interview with Jack Straw on BBC Radio 4 (God bless it) the other day where he explained his reasoning behind his statements and actions regarding the veil. Mr Straw represents a constituency with a fairly large Muslim population. As such many people who come to see him at constituency surgeries are Muslims. He recounted one such meeting where a husband and wife came to see him. The lady was wearing the full veil. While the husband stayed relatively mute the lady took the lead in the conversation with Mr Straw.
Jack Straw reported that, at the close of a quite constructive meeting, the lady said that it was good to talk to him "face to face". Apparently that was what started Jack Straw thinking. He had not had the benefit during the discussion of viewing the lady's facial expression, only hearing the words she said.
Now, I know from my job in dealing with the public at large that facial expression and body language can radically alter the meaning of the spoken word. I often use phrases and statements with my customers which, without them seeing the twinkle in my eye, would be considered at least in bad taste and at worst highly offensive. My customers, seeing my demeanour and facial expression, without fail join in with my jokes and give as good as they get back to me. They leave the store with a smile on their faces, often remarking that they have received good, cheerful service from me. I often end my conversations with them with the remark: "You get a better class of insult in this store", which usually raises another laugh from the customer. If I made such remarks from behind a veil I am very sure that many of my customers would take offence and it would not be long before I was sacked.
Communication is not just about words. It is about meanings communicated by the eyes, the face, the body. All these things contribute to our understanding of what is said.
I still uphold the right of anybody to wear the veil. It is their belief and to ban it - as the French have done in their schools - is to ride roughshod over the individual. But I totally understand Jack Straw's point. He states that he asks his female constituents if they would remove the veil. Some do so quite readily. Some refuse. Mr Straw accepts their answers and states that he continues the interviews with as much fervour for serving his constituents whatever they do. I hope that that is true because, whatever their beliefs, he represents them and is their conduit to justice and rights in this democracy.
Good that the lady had the right to wear the clothes she believed she must. Good, also that Jack Straw was able to state is reasons openly for finding it more difficult to communicate.