This has been a MASSIVE issue for our revenue protection team at work. The be all and end all is that if someone is wearing a vale, regardless of their skin colour or religion, then that is their choice, and we are NOT allowed to challange them to see if the photo on a pass is a "good likeness" to the holder behind the vale - as if we did, then we would be called racist and abusive for doing what in retrospect, is our jobs and carrying out our duties. - fucking glad i'm going driving

The whole thing stinks to high heavan, but its the way it is.

However, I aggree with Jack Straw about the whole situation of vale removal for communication purposes - I find it difficult to speak to someone who's mouth is covered for one reason or another, as my periferal hearing is shite so I have to lipread. Anyone who knows me will tell you that unless I look at them when in conversation, then I will not hear what they are saying, even tho my hearing is clear as a bell


On a lighter note - A good reason for keeping the vale on is the fact that some people appear to brush their teeth with dogshit - the vale stops unwanted smells escaping