http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8317043.stm

Really don't see the point of this.

I do, it is polite and somewhat traditional that you remove your hat when entering a building. Leave your hoody on and you look shifty. These kids need to be schooled in manners more than anything else. Whether this idea will make any difference, I'm not so sure.

This is Further Education. These are not 'kids' per se, but young adults. What's next? Are you going to tell University students how to dress?

Good point. I see Linux's argument and to an extent I agree. Legislation is never my preferred option. However, it is polite to remove a hat and a hood is the same. These yoofs need educating, not retrospective action.

If they want to reduce the amount of knives, they need to focus their attentions on the many and varied causes of knives in our society. Yet more stick and no carrot from a country that's almost entirely lost it's way. Doesn't matter who you vote for, the machine continues unabated. I get less and less surprised by these kind of stories.

What's somewhat silly is that I don't watch or read the news any more, but I still browse this forum most days

It's really sad that this sort of thing has to be enforced. Surely it should be instinctive???

Gone are the days when snapping at a youth to take their hat off embarrasses them, today your putting yourself in danger if you ask such a thing as a member of the general public (IMO).

There is a distinct lack of general manners/etiquette in society today, it shouldn't legislated, just enforced through education.

Exactement

And Cameron's solution? Hug a Hoodie! Problem solved.

Well they're already dictating how university lecturers should dress and behave. Control of the students is not far behind.

It's only the last generation or two that have seen such liberal attitudes to such things as attire, manners, staying out late and generally behaving yourself. I don't know about students of other Universities, but in Oxford such things were strictly enforced:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulldog_(Oxford_University)

Perhaps a return to basic 20th century discipline is the answer.

When I was at Sussex University, the dress code for all seemed to be casual. Nothing problematic from my perspective. Maybe the attitudes have changed but even being a Goth is not a problem. The emphasis is on studying. It will be the last time they can be themselves until they start work, when they will have to conform. Let people be different.