[Billcat]

Interesting....

I've always wondered how many of the women wear the garb because it is comfortable for them or they wish to, how many because their family demands that they do, and how many because they live in a society where it is expected?

Regarding Jack Straw MP, I can see many reasons why a doctor would wish to see the patient's face. Medicine is more than merely talking with a patient. It is also observing many physical aspects of that patient. For instance, both the skin and the sclera of the eye may reveal clues to medical issues.