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AIBU?

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Original poster

I don’t understand the appeal of sunbathing?

111 replies

Labubus · 27/08/2025 16:49

I have autism, which may be why!

Can someone who enjoys sunbathing/ lying next to a pool explain the appeal of it to me? I find it boring, vain, and a waste of time! I’d much rather be in the pool having fun or exploring the local area!

However, I’m clearly in the minority for my demographic here! Most other middle aged British women seem to love it! They pay thousands for it! Why?

OP posts:
Radicalpiloti · 27/08/2025 16:58

Labubus · 27/08/2025 16:56

Vain in the sense that it is physically performative. I know people who get waxed, spend hundreds on bikinis, fake tan, wear a face full of make up etc. in order to sunbathe?

Show quote history

Well I guess that’s up to them if they want to do that. But not sure how you equate that to ‘most middle aged British women.’ That just makes you sound misogynistic.

CleekyJoints · 27/08/2025 16:57

I think it’s madness. The only thing worse is tanning salon sunbeds. It is crazy in this day and age that people are going out of their way to get skin damage and increase their chance of skin cancer. I can now see it in my 50s as friends who sunbathed loads in their 20s are now seeing the effects. Crozzled skin over the chest area and facial skin damage that cosmetic procedures can’t fix. Never mind the skin cancer risk.

I am obviously in a minority but sitting relaxing in the sun with a hat on is one thing, stretching yourself out trying to get a tan is crazy from a medical perspective.

Original poster
Labubus · 27/08/2025 16:56

RedNine · 27/08/2025 16:51

Vain?

Vain in the sense that it is physically performative. I know people who get waxed, spend hundreds on bikinis, fake tan, wear a face full of make up etc. in order to sunbathe?

OP posts:
isitmytime · 27/08/2025 16:56

I love it. Im counting down the days to my holiday
i can fully relax, read a book and switch off. I also check out the local area and go in the pool. One doesn’t cancel out the other, once you’ve been in the pool what do you do?
I don’t see how it’s vain though?

Radicalpiloti · 27/08/2025 16:56

How can it be vain?

I hate sitting in the sun, but love a lounge on a sunbed in the shade. I read, or just think, and find it very relaxing. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t like to explore too - it’s not an either/ or thing here… 😕

FishingForest · 27/08/2025 16:55

I dont like sunbathing
I dont like dogs
I dont like walking

I like sushi
I like cats
I like reading

We are all different, thats all there is to it

Zempy · 27/08/2025 16:54

I am also ND but I love it. It’s a sensory pleasure.

However, I absolutely hate getting wet and there is no way I would tolerate getting into a swimming pool. I can’t even stand a bath.

We are all different 😊

Tagyoureit · 27/08/2025 16:51

Because they enjoy it, why is it that difficult to work out?
I dont have the desire for extreme sports but I understand that others do. 🤷‍♀️

RedNine · 27/08/2025 16:51

Vain?

Ivenoname · 27/08/2025 16:51

Oh I agree with you OP.
But I'm autistic too!

Moveoverdarlin · 27/08/2025 16:51

I bloody love it. Feeling the heat on your body and being totally relaxed. I love getting tanned and love people watching round a pool. I love getting stuck in to a good book whilst sun bathing too.