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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think its a bit skanky to NOT shower before you go swimming in a public pool?

49 replies

superv1xen · 06/07/2011 16:07

(well ANY pool really! but particularly ones that other people have to use)

i regularly go swimming and at my gym there are loads of signs everywhere asking that people shower BEFORE getting in the pool, and i always do, including my hair

but i always notice LOADS of people getting in dry who have blatantly not showered, and i can't believe the pool attendants don't say anything. (well they are probably not allowed Hmm )

i know theres loads of chemicals and chlorine to kill germs etc but i still think its inconsiderate and gross not to shower before swimming.

OP posts:
said · 06/07/2011 16:10

Maybe they showered before they got there? Isn't that what chlorine's for?

God, what a palaver swimming is, no wonder I don't ever go

saidthespiderwithahorridsmile · 06/07/2011 16:11

really, people shower before they go in?

I've never seen it

MardyBra · 06/07/2011 16:11

I expect they all wee in the pool too.

oohjarWhatsit · 06/07/2011 16:11

I wear a chemical suit just to be on the safe side

makes swimming awkward, but you just cant be too careful

worraliberty · 06/07/2011 16:12

It would never occur to me to shower right before I get in the pool?

Are they supposed to use soap and shampoo too?

strandedbear · 06/07/2011 16:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

duckdodgers · 06/07/2011 16:15

In 40 years I have never showered before swimming and have never seen any signs indicating this anywhere Ive been.

joric · 06/07/2011 16:15

The amount of chlorine in our local pool ( surely 1000:1 chlorine to water ratio at least ) is enough to disolve top layer of skin .... Don't think a bit of water before entering makes a difference TBH. :)

kalidasa · 06/07/2011 16:16

I shower before, and actually at the pool I use the lifeguards do sometimes come up and ask you to do so if haven't. Not sure how rigorous they are about this as I usually do anyway, but once when I'd forgotten they asked me. You are meant to use soap, yes, though I have to admit usually I don't.

I'm fine with it because my understanding is that they cleaner people are getting in the less chlorine they have to use and I much prefer a pool without too many chemicals in it. It only takes a moment though as it's an outdoor pool it's a bit cold going aside already wet. Ideally they should have one right by the poolside I think.

nickelbabe · 06/07/2011 16:18

i would only ever shower beforei got in if i was on holiday and was slathered with sun cream.

what a bizarre concept.

talkingnonsense · 06/07/2011 16:19

I think it is because too much moisturiser / suncream/ hair gel etc clogs up their filters.

worraliberty · 06/07/2011 16:19

I'm fine with it because my understanding is that they cleaner people are getting in the less chlorine they have to use and I much prefer a pool without too many chemicals in it

Does it work that way though?

What if everyone showers before they get in, but they all piss in the pool? Surely they'll still need a certain amount of chemicals to cope?

Illegitimate · 06/07/2011 16:19

but im clean when i go in

welshbyrd · 06/07/2011 16:19

Im skanky Grin

hocuspontas · 06/07/2011 16:21

Unless I've been rolling in pigshit I don't bother.

fanjobanjowanjo · 06/07/2011 16:21

I always rinse shower including hair before getting in, and there are signs to do so, but I admit I don't soap up.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 06/07/2011 16:22

I shower in the morning before I leave for the pool, I don't shower again before I go in it.

superjobeespecs · 06/07/2011 16:28

i dont shower before i go in but did boak once at an old lady shaving naked in the showers once she had been in and not getting told off even tho there were signs everywhere saying no shaving Shock makes my skin crawl just thinking about it!!

joric · 06/07/2011 16:29

Outside pools often require you to shower before getting in..Stops grass, sand etc messing it up I suppose?

MackerelOfFact · 06/07/2011 16:34

Unless you have dirt physically attached to you (eg. sand), I don't see how it makes much difference. Lukewarm water out of a public push-powered shower is not going to make you magically sterile.

PersonalClown · 06/07/2011 16:36

I shower before I swim but that's because I've just done an hours gym workout before and I am one sweaty Betty after that!! Grin

LoonyRationalist · 06/07/2011 16:37

Every pool I go to has a sign up asking you to shower before you go in. Everyone looks at me like a freak when I do Hmm

Seriously though unless you just got out if the bath/shower then you aren't clean (not to mention moistureiser/makeup/suncream/hair stuff) so where is the harm in rinsing before you get in the pool, you are going to get wet anyway!

KatieWatie · 06/07/2011 16:41

There's a difference between going from your home directly to a swimming pool (I wouldn't shower in that case) and going to the gym for an hour before jumping in the pool at the gym (I would shower in that case).

I think the OP is talking about the 2nd scenario and therefore I agree that yes, it is a bit skanky not to shower first imho. It doesn't really bother me when people don't shower first though (maybe that makes me skanky).

I fret more about the age of the water because it will never get changed, which is a bit ridiculous of me I know but some of that water could be 40 years old and there could also be wee in there that's 40 years old, which is just gross!

hocuspontas · 06/07/2011 16:48

But after gym you're only sweaty. There's nothing toxic about sweat. I don't think I could be bothered to swim if I had to faff with a shower. Then again I don't wear makeup, moisturiser, sun cream, hairspray etc so I can see their point if this is the reason. Perhaps pools could have an electronic barrier so people slathered in chemicals couldn't pass until they had showered!

tyler80 · 06/07/2011 16:56

OH thinks it's disgusting that nobody showers before getting in the pool. He's from Denmark and it's strictly enforced over there. It doesn't really bother me either way. Some of his friends came over for a meet which was held at centreparcs. The first thing they said when we saw them was how nobody showered before swimming.

Naked showers beforehand are pretty much compulsory in Denmark and they have pictures showing you which areas need washing the most!