Would you say anything if your 6yo neighbour was wearing a bikini that said “Beach Babe”?

[Culturedk]

Just wondering what others think really. I was sitting in the garden yesterday and my neighbour’s DD (about 6 I’d guess?) was out playing in one of those little paddling pools wearing a pink bikini. Nothing wrong with that at all except it had “BEACH BABE” written across the top in big sparkly letters.

I don’t know why but it made me feel a bit uncomfortable. It just seemed… a bit grown-up? Maybe I’m overthinking but I can’t imagine putting something like that on a child.

I know people will say it’s just words and kids don’t know what it means but doesn’t that make it worse? That the adults do?

Would you say anything in this situation or just keep out of it?

Grow up OP absolutely none of your business

I didn’t dress my boys in sparkly bikinis, but wouldn’t have blinked an eye at friends dressing their kids in something like what’s described.

I must have a word with my best friend, who calls me babe a lot of the time. Is she incredibly attracted to me and I just didn’t notice all this time? Or maybe she thinks I’m a pig 😅

A colleague also uses babe to her male partner (phone calls overheard “babe, did you remember to put the bins out?”). Presumable she does think he’s hot, but it doesn’t seem to be used in that context.

AI definition of 'Beach Babe':
Beach babe" is an informal term, often used in a somewhat playful or even suggestive way, to describe an attractive young woman who enjoys spending time on the beach. It can also refer to a woman who has a tanned and sun-kissed appearance, possibly due to frequent beach visits. Essentially, it evokes an image of a woman who is carefree, enjoys the beach lifestyle, and is physically appealing.

The posters who are sugggesting otherwise are being disingenuous. However, there is nothing to be gained by saying anything to your neighbour so roll your eyes at the fact that clothing manufacturers think it's acceptable to sell products like this, and if you are feeling particularly proactive do a google search to find the manufacturer and write to them to complain about the inapropriateness.

Maybe spend less time looking at children in swimming costumes.

you are over thinking.

would i say anything?
who to?
where did you get that costume?

I strongly suggest you mind your own business OP.

Stay out of it.

Don’t say anything. The child is in her home so, hopefully not at risk.

I see your point completely. But when I thought about it, it’s boggling. We can’t refer to children as babe anymore because the word has been sexualised by men who find infantilising women a turn on.

look at toddler's clothes, they can have all sorts of motifs, as all children's.
dont think too deeply about it is my advice.

I wouldn't say anything, but I would silently judge

Of course I wouldn’t say anything. That would just be plain weird.
For all you know, they saw the swimsuit for 50p in a charity shop or on the reduced rail at Tesco, and thought ‘that’ll do for the garden.’

I dont really understand that logic.

What if the parent saw it full price in a shop and thought 'thats really nice, my daughter will love that'.

What is the difference as to whether its ok or not ok?

No. What would it be to do with me?

Well, yeah, of course they could.
But on occasion I’ve bought less than ideal clothes just for kicking about at home, if they’re cheap.
Either way, it’s ok!

Don't be such a knob. I've never once referred to a pig or a 'hot' woman as babe. It literally means baby or small child, as in babes in the woods.

Stop judging little girls and women for what they put on.
It`s nothing to do with you op.
Every day on mumsnet it us women should stick together yet post after post judging.

Presumably her parents know what it says and are fine with it.
Keep your beak out. I’d hate to live with such judgy neighbours tbh.

It literally means more than that. Idiot 🙄

that is really unnecessary - babe

The first entry in the dictionary defines babe as "a sexually attractive young woman". The second entry describes it as "an informal term of endearment often between lovers, but sometimes considered offensive when used by a man to a woman he doesn't know well". The third entry describes it as "a shortened form of baby", but given that it was printed on a sparkly pink bikini in this instance, it is most certainly intended to be a sexualised reference. Quite frankly the term "beach babe" would not conjure up "babes in the wood" to the vast majority of people.

I would not however confront the parents because a) it's none of my business and b) because I'd expect to get a thump in the gob in my neighbourhood.

Depends on your dictionary

Different definitions, but your examples are not describing (or even implying) "baby or young child". Unless you think "attractive young woman seen on beaches with tanned skin" somehow does.

What is? Why are you saying babe?

I wouldn't say anything. It's not my business.

I would silently judge the parents however.

Who are you thinking of telling…the bikini warden?

Unclench OP, the child was having fun in her own garden ffs!