There is the occasional debate about whether or not free women of low caste would wear veils. As usual in the world of Gor, the issue is not as black and white as "yes, always" or "no, never".
Let us consider the evidence...
- It is mentioned frequently that low caste free women have the habit of drinking through their veils (in other words, they would go veiled)
- This habit is considered crude and ill-mannered in high society
"But the women would have to be veiled," said Jane.
Mrs. Rawlinson regarded her.
"It must be unpleasant to drink through a veil," said Jane.
"It shows crudeness, to be sure," said Mrs. Rawlinson, "but low-caste women, in public, commonly do so. (...)"
(Conspirators of Gor, ebook edition)
Free women, drinking, commonly lift their veil, or veils, with the left hand. Low-caste free women, if veiled, usually do the same. Sometimes, however, particularly if they are in public, they will drink through their veil, or veils.
(Fighting Slave of Gor, page 276)
- Note, however, the "IF veiled" condition about low caste free women. They are more lax about their veiling than women of high caste, both because of not being able to afford so many different veils and because less is expected of them socially
- Casual, less fastidious veiling of low caste women is sometimes called half-veiling
Veils are worn in various numbers and combinations by Gorean free women, this tending to vary by preference and caste. Many low class Gorean women own only a single veil which must do for all purposes.
(Slave Girl of Gor, page 106)
Gorean free women, at least in the high cities, almost always wear veils in public, although some women of the lower castes are occasionally careless in this particular, permitting lax arrangements, and such, especially the maidens. Too, some omit the veil altogether.
(Prize of Gor, page 221)
Gorean free women of high caste almost invariably veil themselves in public. Gorean free women of the lower castes tend to be less fastidious, or strict, in such matters. Whereas some will emulate the high-caste women, others will veil themselves more casually, or loosely, exposing more of their features. This is sometimes referred to as half-veiling.
(Conspirators of Gor, ebook edition)
- As for why a woman of low caste would want to go unveiled, a few reasons are mentioned. It may be a very hot day, or a day of hard manual work, or the woman might even be hoping to catch the eye of a slaver
"I have heard of some Gorean free women, unveiled, on the wharves," I said.
"Of low caste," she said. "And on work days, not holidays." A Gorean free woman is likely to fear the stripping of her face more than the stripping of her body.
(Smugglers of Gor, ebook edition)
I have seen some free women, of low caste, on hot days, who will eschew the veil altogether. This is, however, rare.
(Conspirators of Gor, ebook edition)
Low-caste women, in their work, not unoften do without veiling. Good-looking girls of low-caste sometimes go about unveiled deliberately, hoping that they may catch the eye of a slaver, and perhaps be sold into a high household, or come into the chains of a handsome, well to-do master.
(Mariners of Gor, ebook edition)
- However, having established that low caste women can sometimes choose not to wear a veil in situations where high caste woman would rather be seen naked than unveiled - the fact still remains that it's the safest choice to wear a veil
To be sure, even peasant women may veil themselves before strangers, and, one supposes, wisely.
(Prize of Gor, page 546)
A saying has it, bare the face, bare the woman. Another well known saying is, remove the veil of a free woman and look upon the face of a slave. So it is no wonder that the free woman is concerned with her veiling.
(Mariners of Gor, ebook edition)
