As you might know I’m a uk hotel pool guy . Reading the American posts it would seem there’s a different less tolerant culture of smaller swimwear over there .
So let’s say you are wearing a one inch side speedo type bikini and you go swimming in your hotel pool , then what would actually happen ? The staff would throw you out ? Someone would object …? Someone from the public would just say something or make fun of you ? What is the actual deal there in the USA ?
USA pools v Uk pools
Re: USA pools v Uk pools
My experience living here in the USA has not been bad. For my swims in the gym myself and over half the other men wear bikini style briefs (only time I don’t wear a thong due to gym rules). As for hotels I’ve never been asked to cover or change. There are a few places where thongs are outlawed (Utah for example). But, bikini style swimsuits is not usually a big deal. As for other patrons, I’ve had some push back on very limited occasions. I do know there is a general social norm against anything smaller than board shorts. I’ve had a couple occasions on a public beach where both beach goers and one official had objections with my swimwear choice. On those occasions my friends intervened and supported me. I’ve had to remind the official that thongs were legal. He didn’t like it but he didn’t have much else to say.
In general wearing a bikini or thong will make you the only one or one of less than a handful of men in something smaller than board shorts. If you know that up front and show comfort with yourself usually there is no issue.
I’ve traveled to every state in the union and make myself aware of the laws to avoid any confusion. Most of the time I get complements from hotel guests and cheerful smile from others.
In general, act with confidence, be friendly and smile. That will often smooth the way with many people.
Again they is my personal experience living in the Great Lakes region of the USA.
In general wearing a bikini or thong will make you the only one or one of less than a handful of men in something smaller than board shorts. If you know that up front and show comfort with yourself usually there is no issue.
I’ve traveled to every state in the union and make myself aware of the laws to avoid any confusion. Most of the time I get complements from hotel guests and cheerful smile from others.
In general, act with confidence, be friendly and smile. That will often smooth the way with many people.
Again they is my personal experience living in the Great Lakes region of the USA.
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Re: USA pools v Uk pools
Generally speaking, anything smaller than boardshorts (especially things like square cut, briefs, bikinis, and thongs for men) are seen as a bit too revealing in the U.S.
This is more true in smaller towns, rural areas, and socially conservative states (Texas, the southeastern states, the Midwest). You might be able to get away without any comments if you are taking part of a swimming competition or are training.
Larger cities, urban areas, more socially liberal states (California and New York), and areas that get a lot of international tourists (especially from Europe) are more open to them.
I live in a small town in Texas just outside a large city. While I could possibly wear my speedos at the local gym pool, I still don't have the confidence to do so especially since it is an area with lots of conservative families. I've seen lots of people fully clothed going into the gym sauna and steam room with shoes on.
If I was living inside the city, I would feel more comfortable to wear my speedos at the gym pool.
This is more true in smaller towns, rural areas, and socially conservative states (Texas, the southeastern states, the Midwest). You might be able to get away without any comments if you are taking part of a swimming competition or are training.
Larger cities, urban areas, more socially liberal states (California and New York), and areas that get a lot of international tourists (especially from Europe) are more open to them.
I live in a small town in Texas just outside a large city. While I could possibly wear my speedos at the local gym pool, I still don't have the confidence to do so especially since it is an area with lots of conservative families. I've seen lots of people fully clothed going into the gym sauna and steam room with shoes on.
If I was living inside the city, I would feel more comfortable to wear my speedos at the gym pool.
Last edited by jason_greets on Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: USA pools v Uk pools
Things are outlawed in Utah? WTF?Guitar T wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:29 am My experience living here in the USA has not been bad. For my swims in the gym myself and over half the other men wear bikini style briefs (only time I don’t wear a thong due to gym rules). As for hotels I’ve never been asked to cover or change. There are a few places where thongs are outlawed (Utah for example). But, bikini style swimsuits is not usually a big deal. As for other patrons, I’ve had some push back on very limited occasions. I do know there is a general social norm against anything smaller than board shorts. I’ve had a couple occasions on a public beach where both beach goers and one official had objections with my swimwear choice. On those occasions my friends intervened and supported me. I’ve had to remind the official that thongs were legal. He didn’t like it but he didn’t have much else to say.
In general wearing a bikini or thong will make you the only one or one of less than a handful of men in something smaller than board shorts. If you know that up front and show comfort with yourself usually there is no issue.
I’ve traveled to every state in the union and make myself aware of the laws to avoid any confusion. Most of the time I get complements from hotel guests and cheerful smile from others.
In general, act with confidence, be friendly and smile. That will often smooth the way with many people.
Again they is my personal experience living in the Great Lakes region of the USA.
-
- Posts: 363
- Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:55 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: USA pools v Uk pools
I’m beyond sad that parts of our society feel wearing speedos, let alone thongs should be seen as unacceptable.jason_greets wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:53 pm Generally speaking, anything smaller than boardshorts (especially things like square cut, briefs, bikinis, and thongs for men) are seen as a bit too revealing.
This is more true in smaller towns, rural areas, and socially conservative states (Texas, the southeastern states, the Midwest). You might be able to get away without any comments if you are taking part of a swimming competition or are training.
Larger cities, urban areas, more socially liberal states (California and New York), and areas that get a lot of international tourists (especially from Europe) are more open to them.
I live in a small town in Texas just outside a large city. While I could possibly wear my speedos at the local gym pool, I still don't have the confidence to do so especially since it is an area with lots of conservative families. I've seen lots of people fully clothed going into the gym sauna and steam room with shoes on.
If I was living inside the city, I would feel more comfortable to wear my speedos at the gym pool.
You should be able to wear what you like when and where you like, especially in the land of the free!
Re: USA pools v Uk pools
Thanks for the replies , in many respects it doesn’t sound that different . In my pool I’d say 1/15 guys in speedo . You’d never see a guy in a thong . On a normal beach never a guy in a thong and on a remote beach well just the odd one .