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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think bums should be covered in a public pool?

587 replies

Whatkatyforgottodo · 26/01/2025 16:21

I may be being unreasonable and I’m just old and out of touch… took my kids swimming today at our local public pool and there was a lady wearing one of those swimming costumes that is basically a thong at the back? I saw lots of them in the beach during the summer which I kind of understand as it helps you get a very high cut tan/eliminates tan lines but I felt a bit weird seeing one in an indoor pool? Not sure where boundaries lie…? Happy to be told IABU but wondered what others think?

OP posts:
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MrsSkylerWhite · 26/01/2025 17:16

BeansOnRoast · Today 17:03
**
Very odd behaviour to be staring at other people's bodies so much

Pretty bloody hard to miss them when you’re 4 years old and your face is at arse height!

Pinkelephant66 · 26/01/2025 17:16

They’re bloody awful!! No one wants to see your arse!

penguinta · 26/01/2025 17:16

Thisisthemomentforchange · 26/01/2025 17:04

Well it might do.
But at least when the water washes the arse of a covered bum at least some of the matter it might wash off will hopefully be retained inside the material of swimwear.

That’s er, not how it works.

DeffoNeedANameChange · 26/01/2025 17:15

ThriveIn2025 · 26/01/2025 16:44

Oh and I had to shush my son from saying “butt cheeks” repeatedly.

I wouldn't have shushed him 🤷‍♀️

EmmaEmEmz · 26/01/2025 17:15

Doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's just skin.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 26/01/2025 17:15

MySweetGeorgina · 26/01/2025 17:10

I don’t really get why English people are so grossed out by the human body, but I come from a country where people sauna naked (mixed) 😁

Because British people don't understand that if you want to park your bare arse in a public place that it's polite to carry a towel to sit on. Someone in a thong sitting down on the bench in the sauna at my gym isn't bothered how close their arsehole is getting to the slats.

DoubleDoubleDown · 26/01/2025 17:14

Freshflower · 26/01/2025 17:06

Inappropriate at the pool. I remember seeing this lady , who wore a very revealing and skimpy bikini to the pool. She came in with small children but let them splash about in the children's pool while she stool out the pool at the side , hand on one hip in various poses like she thought she was God's gift to the world. I just thought how Inappropriate, like anyone cares about how you look at the pool when the rest of us parents are having fun with our children. She never even put her toe in the pool the whole time , more concerned about how she looked , her clevage and buttocks out in full show

Good on that woman. Sounds like she felt good about her body and was enjoying watching her children without a single fuck given to anyone judging her.

PandaGal66 · 26/01/2025 17:14

You're right. Even if you have the most perfect arse in the world I don't want my kids looking at it in a public pool 🤣

obsessedwithfreshbread · 26/01/2025 17:13

@housemaus
😂😂 exactly what I was thinking!!

@CeramideSkin
They might not be more comfortable to you, doesn't mean they aren't to other people! I started wearing thongs about 14 as it was fashionable to have the top above your jeans (thanks Britney!) and I can't stand big pants now.
My DSD 16 has now started wearing them too as they look better under leggings.

JustMyView13 · 26/01/2025 17:13

I love a thong bikini! So I’m in the minority here. Admittedly it’s not something I’d wear to an indoor pool, because the sole reason is minimal tan lines. Generally wear a sarong so it’s only obvious whilst sunbathing or too and from the pool.

The comments gave me a chuckle so I’ll address a couple for some wider perspective:

’I don’t want to see someone else’s arse cheeks’.

  • Don’t look then! I think men with big boobs out and their belly hanging over the top of their trunks is far worse.
‘It’s not pleasant or hygienic’
  • For me, seeing the amount of gammy feet round swimming pools on holiday is far worse. Bum cheeks are no more infectious whether they’re covered by a small piece of material or not. Some of them toes though 🤮
  • The amount of people that wee in public swimming pools, is far less hygienic in my opinion. But even then, that’s why pools have chlorine.
‘I wonder why anyone would walk around like that’
  • As mentioned above, because I care more about the tan lines than other people’s opinions 😂 My assumption is most people are so self conscious about their own bodies round the pool, they’re paying zero attention to mine.
Mapandthermos · 26/01/2025 17:12

PurpleDiva22 · 26/01/2025 17:07

I can't really describe it properly but I find full briefs uncomfortable at the top of my leg, I prefer thongs because the elastic sits higher on my leg if that makes sense. I choose thong style for everything, knickers, swimsuits, bodysuits...

Edited

That’s interesting, thanks for your reply.

junerella · 26/01/2025 17:12

I wouldn't do this but it doesn't bother me on others. I've seen a lot of bums in my life.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 26/01/2025 17:11

ThriveIn2025 · 26/01/2025 16:44

Oh and I had to shush my son from saying “butt cheeks” repeatedly.

Absolutely let him crack on! (Pun kind of intended) It might make some women think.

Simonjt · 26/01/2025 17:11

They’re specifically banned at the pool we go to, they surely can’t be comfortable to swim in, plus I can’t imagine someone would want to wear one at a swimming pool unless they want people to feel uncomfortable by their exhibitionism.

Marylou2 · 26/01/2025 17:11

Oh absolutely! I don't want to see the arses of complete strangers. Gross.

Preciousmoments18 · 26/01/2025 17:11

Unhygienic & revolting as are thongs.

StormingNorman · 26/01/2025 17:11

I don’t want to see bare arse at the local pool. Although maybe I’m just jealous that mine doesn’t stand up to thong swimwear 😂

okydokethen · 26/01/2025 17:11

Yeah they are horrible. People would complain if men's bums were out.

dizzydizzydizzy · 26/01/2025 17:10

I was a lifeguard until recently. Virtually all the teenage girls in the swimming club wore thong suits. (The boys wore shorts going halfway down to their knees.)

I just don't understand why anyone wants to do serious swimming in a thong suit.

MySweetGeorgina · 26/01/2025 17:10

I don’t really get why English people are so grossed out by the human body, but I come from a country where people sauna naked (mixed) 😁

PurpleDiva22 · 26/01/2025 17:09

CeramideSkin · 26/01/2025 17:08

They are not more comfortable. They are worn by exhibitionists. It is a modern thing; people just seem to love attention. They probably think it’s empowering or something. Leave them to it I guess.

You can't tell me how I should feel in a piece of clothing. I find them more comfortable! 😅

CherryFlan · 26/01/2025 17:09

TheTimeHasComeMyLittleFriendsToTalkOfOtherThings · 26/01/2025 17:03

Fart filtering 😆

The hygiene element doesn't make sense, arse cheeks are what they are either bare or covered.
I can't get too outraged about what other people wear. I don't like it, I don't think it's a good look on most, but let's face it standard costumes show every curve etc too and isn't overly flattering on most including me. But who cares, I'm here to swim and exist the same as everyone else, not to be a model. As for kids seeing adult's bodies, men's swimwear other than v baggy shorts is far more exposing of every nook and cranny you don't usually see 😳

men's swimwear other than v baggy shorts is far more exposing of every nook and cranny

Sorry, these need to be banned too.

hattie43 · 26/01/2025 17:09

Fine on the beach
Not fine in a public swimming pool

CeramideSkin · 26/01/2025 17:08

They are not more comfortable. They are worn by exhibitionists. It is a modern thing; people just seem to love attention. They probably think it’s empowering or something. Leave them to it I guess.

PurpleDiva22 · 26/01/2025 17:07

Mapandthermos · 26/01/2025 17:04

Really?
In what way are the standard ones uncomfortable?
Genuine question.

I can't really describe it properly but I find full briefs uncomfortable at the top of my leg, I prefer thongs because the elastic sits higher on my leg if that makes sense. I choose thong style for everything, knickers, swimsuits, bodysuits...