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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Thong bikinis in public swimming pools

117 replies

LittleCharlotte · 12/04/2025 18:57

Had a bit of a shock today: went with my friend to a public pool and a young woman came in displaying both her butt cheeks in one of those thong bikinis.

These seem to be common on beaches nowadays (I love getting the sun to my bum but I wouldn't inflict it on anyone, and do it in the garden!) but I was a bit uncomfortable seeing it in the local council pool. It's not like the sun can get to it in there! As the baths are much more packed than a beach, one winds up getting closer to someone's naked bottom than one would prefer. I'm also not sure how hygenic it is. Wondered if I am just getting old and prudish or if other people react similarly!

OP posts:

RabbitWeb6 · 12/04/2025 20:13

Those saying its OK- presumably you'd be fine with fat hairy arses hanging out when you go swimming? A bit of modesty doesn't go amiss.

Changethenamey · 12/04/2025 20:12

I don’t mind them, I’d love to have an arse worthy of a thong bikini 😃. However, I must admit it was a bit gross to follow someone who was wearing one up the flume stairs with my 6yr old recently. She stumbled a bit and her exposed bum hole was effectively in my face which was a bit weird tbh.

RabbitWeb6 · 12/04/2025 20:11

Yanbu. It's a bit grim. Men may also soon take up this trend, it would be better that pools asked for arse cheeks to be covered, the same way nipples, penises etc are covered.

Blarn · 12/04/2025 20:06

declutteringonedayatatime · 12/04/2025 19:30

Maybe she is Sisqo.

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I had forgotten all about that song!

tillyandmilly · 12/04/2025 20:04

Should be rules on swimming attire in pools - maybe have a word with the staff at the swimming pool - I agree they are horrible - okay sunbathing on a beach but not okay walking around in public pool -

Ddakji · 12/04/2025 20:03

unless it’s illegal it’s permitted.

Sorry, but this is such a stupid argument, and is why so much anti-social behaviour abounds theses days. Do people really need the law to tell them how to behave in public? Apparently so, happy with the nanny state 🙄.

And it’s women who are policed in this way because men don’t do it (I wouldn’t want to see a male arse in a thong either), whereas girls are groomed from ever younger ages to believe that baring as much flesh as possible, no matter how inappropriate or ultimately degrading, is not only fine but desirable and pretty much a right. And far too many women support this.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 12/04/2025 20:02

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/04/2025 20:01

Except Borat. Or Mel off Benidorm.

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Too late to be adding exceptions now 😁

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 12/04/2025 20:01

"Your images are currently under review. Please check back later."

Ooh. Looks like my bare cheeked bloke is too saucy for mumsnet.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/04/2025 20:01

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 12/04/2025 19:58

You're welcome. 😁

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Except Borat. Or Mel off Benidorm.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 12/04/2025 19:58

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/04/2025 19:53

Yet to see a man in a thonged budgie smuggler.

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You're welcome. 😁

PassingStranger · 12/04/2025 19:55

Is there an age limit on thongs?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/04/2025 19:53

Middlechild3 · 12/04/2025 19:52

I was surprised to see a lot of young teen girls at the swimming group lessons at my local pool wearing thong cozzies. Full bum cheeks exposed. I don't buy the argument that they are more comfortable as they don't ride up because the boys/men aren't wearing thonged bottoms and surely that would apply to them if that was truly the reason. It seems everything is sexualised now.

Yet to see a man in a thonged budgie smuggler.

Middlechild3 · 12/04/2025 19:52

Original poster

LittleCharlotte · 12/04/2025 19:41

happyhermione · 12/04/2025 19:30

I feel the same as you.

When I wonder whether something is sexist I ask: ‘are the men doing it?’ It’s Caitlin Moran’s sexism test, I think

In this case, no. And people would probably find it unacceptable if they were.

So YANB a prude. It’s weird for anyone to show others too much of their bums, I think

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Interestingly, more people have agreed that I'm not being unreasonable than have dared post on the thread, but as I said it's intriguing to get a range of different opinions. I've just seen below that a similar thread was done, so I will try to delete this!

OP posts:

5128gap · 12/04/2025 19:41

If you think the skin on a woman's buttocks is so riddled with germs it poses a hygiene risk while submerged in 1000 gallons of chlorine, I very much doubt covering them with a thin layer of nylon is going to make a difference tbh.

Buildingthefuture · 12/04/2025 19:37

If my arse was suitable to be seen in a thong? I’d be there for it, bring on the dental floss! Unfortunately for me (and possibly fortunately for those who have to witness it!) it’s not, so I safely stick to normal sized bikini bottoms. It’s not “unhygienic” either. Frankly, all your bits go in the water, no matter what they are covered (or not) in.
And we are fortunate enough to live where people can wear what they want. Live and let live.

Wowzel · 12/04/2025 19:36

I think it's grim tbh 😬

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/04/2025 19:32

LittleCharlotte · 12/04/2025 19:25

Well, yes. I don't see why the thong-wearer being a bloke would make a difference.

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carlmotl · 12/04/2025 19:31

Oh you again.

declutteringonedayatatime · 12/04/2025 19:30

wizzywig · 12/04/2025 19:15

Maybe she likes the word thong

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Maybe she is Sisqo.

happyhermione · 12/04/2025 19:30

LittleCharlotte · 12/04/2025 19:25

Well, yes. I don't see why the thong-wearer being a bloke would make a difference.

Show quote history

I feel the same as you.

When I wonder whether something is sexist I ask: ‘are the men doing it?’ It’s Caitlin Moran’s sexism test, I think

In this case, no. And people would probably find it unacceptable if they were.

So YANB a prude. It’s weird for anyone to show others too much of their bums, I think

findingnibbles · 12/04/2025 19:29

user1471538275 · 12/04/2025 19:18

Once again, as before women are allowed to make personal choices about what they wear.

If you want to be able to wear what you prefer, then you need to tolerate other people's choices, even if you don't like them.

Even if you think they are inappropriate, attention seeking, undignified, immodest, unpleasant, unhygienic, bad example to your children, scares your teenage son, makes you uncomfortable - you still need to put up with it.

Unless it's illegal, it's permitted.

Err, disagree – there truly are appropriate ways of dressing in a family/child setting, at work, yadda yadda.

It doesn’t sound like the OP has actually done anything, she’s just expressed that it makes her feel uncomfortable. That’s fine. And if you’re wearing something that revealing to a public swimming baths, it’s fair to expect that it will make some people feel uncomfortable.

Original poster

LittleCharlotte · 12/04/2025 19:25

MinnieMountain · 12/04/2025 19:21

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Oai1V7kaFBk

Thong Song

Edited

This is one of my favourite songs!

OP posts:

Original poster

LittleCharlotte · 12/04/2025 19:25

happyhermione · 12/04/2025 19:24

Would it be gross if a man were flaunting his arse cheeks?

If yes, it’s probably gross. If no, crack on (pun intended)

Well, yes. I don't see why the thong-wearer being a bloke would make a difference.

OP posts:

Original poster

LittleCharlotte · 12/04/2025 19:24

I haven't asked this before. How odd. I didn't say it was disrespectful, but other views are interesting.

OP posts:

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