Look, let me be blunt: I don't like men with earrings and men with nose rings turn me off too. But it is accepted in Britain today and I'll go along with it. Besides, a little jewellery gives a man a sense of belonging and ease. He is in touch with his Gypsey roots and, from a physical point of view, men's ears are ugly (look at William Hague), and should perhaps be adorned with silver or gold. An ugly man is elevated to superior status if he has a bevy of cosmetic junk that draws attention away from his less than perfect facial features. Ugly men are immediately elevated to "cool" simply by drilling holes in their ears, eyebrows and nostrils.
Has any employer hit the headlines because he refused work to a man with an earring or six earrings for that matter? He'd get short shrift if he did. Has any employer objected to bracelets, necklaces or other adornments that may glorify sex, marijuana or some cult that has been thought up overnight by a bunch of pissed, stoned and inept yobs?
In fact, in the UK anything goes unless you wear a crucifix and are employed by British Airways. The lady who wore her crucifix (quite innocuous compared to Jack Straw's veiled ladies--and this is probably what it's all about, after all--did not flaunt much apart from a small cross on a necklace).
BA, and the media, should realise that Britain is about freedom and there cannot be exceptions. Either you allow jewellery, religious or not or you dont. I don't give a toss about divides or perceptions or religious sensitivities. BA should be castigated for being so petty!
