To not be the appeal of hot tubs!

[BegoniaBampot]

They seem to be everywhere, are expensive and popular. Why do people have them, how often do they use them. AIBU to just not get it, especially living in the UK - not exactly Beverly Hills or the Gold Coast. Most gardens are surrounded by neighbours who can see your every move. Really what is the appeal and which Mnetters have them?

I am off for a long weekend with friends in a few weeks - we wanted a hot tub - we have one I can't wait to sit in a chemical filled soup drinking plonk with my lovely mates

I was prejudiced against them too for a while, but was persuaded to have one installed at our chalet in the Alps - it's wonderful after a hard days skiing to soak your muscles in the tub, imbibe malt whisky and gaze at the mountains - what's not to like? The DC are pushing for one at home - we are not overlooked; I am holding out so far, although I suspect I may succumb.

The British are, of course, largely obsessed with class and MN reflects this. However, a lot of what is acceptable or non acceptable, middle class or chavvy, u or non-u - changes rapidly and is also age related as much as class related. I don't think it would occur to my DC that it might be in some way tacky to have a tub and, if it did, well it's fun, so who cares?

There's no denying that hot tubs are somewhat déclassé - in the UK at least, where people are preternaturally obsessed with such things.

But come on - not even on Mumsnet can people live their lives obeying every single class-that-they-identify rule, can they?!

Only the terminally dull would do so, right? Time to throw off the shackles of regression and live a little, of so. Everyone commits the odd cardinal class sin - it's impossible not to. And that's OK... :)

LOL at own typo - shackles of repression, that should be.

Just off into the hot tub with the family, with our glasses of wine, as the snowflakes flurry around us. Be lovely to have a chat with DS before he returns to uni in the morning, and we're going to talk through our long awaited summer trip to New Zealand.

I shall be loving my evening - hope everyone else does too!

Enjoy ajandjjmum - we are all about the hot tub down here, since we have so many areas with thermal spots around the country. Hopefully you'll get a chance to try some out! :)

Ok, must admit some of the the descriptions make it sound more appealing, if you have a non overlooked large garden with stunning views and sit in it on your own gazing at the stars or with the kids chatting about the meaning of life etc. Still not so keen if it's in your small garden with your neighbours all waving to you from their upstairs and their kids leaning over the fence watching you or the hot tub parties where Barry likes to boost the jets with his super farts.

Will admit to having a big telly and a leather sofa though so what do I know.

Bonding with Begonia here.

Chavvy

Onehandflapping - I think I stayed at the same backpackers as you! Although obviously there could have been lots of them. I just remember it had a lovely lounge area, with huge fire and loads of jigsaws.

And obviously the outside bath. It was fab!

oh to be a backpacker again, and be woken up by people rustling plastic bags at stupid o 'clock

Hilarious! Personally very impressed to have seen the word declasse in two seperate posts........

Giggling at the vision of properly middle class MNers, eyes screwed up as they peer at 20" televisions, from the comfort of dog hair covered duresta sofas........

Hot tubs ? Planning on getting one for our holiday home - chavtastic.

Not for me thank you.
DD had a friend in Switzerland, since she played over at her house a lot, I got to know the parents pretty well.
Winter or summer the invitation to stay and hop in the hot tub was extended. I always declined. The dad was a lechy old git.

Lechy old gits do give hot tubs a bad name, there's no denying it...

Tbf, lechy old gits are a pain anywhere, not just around a hot tub!

It's true. I am always put in mind of 70s porno by hot tubs and jacuzzis. Not to mention, my idea about slimy, stringy stuff and bacteria.

No naked jucuzzi!!!

Anyone remember what's her name from BB5? Class.

YANBU.

It's like having a bath with other people, yuk.

Hate jacuzzis too.

Do you guys who hate hot tubs teach your children to swim?

Yes of course. Pools are larger, not as hot (breeding ground hot tub hot) and I trust pools to have people who know what they are doing with procedures to follow. A hot tub at the bottom of someone's garden, no ta!

I love hot tubs, gets rid of the aches. I've been to natural ones in Iceland, it's part of their culture.

MrsKeith
People with hot tubs at the bottom of their garden can also know what procedures to follow - we are extremely careful about maintenance.

Chemicals kills bugs - as they do in pools - hot tub chemicals are specifically selected for that purpose.
I fully appreciate everyone having a right to an opinion, but I do think it's rather hypocritical to detest hot tubs because of 'slimy, stringy stuff and bacteria', but then go and swim in public pools full of other people's 'slimy, stringy stuff and bacteria'.

My kids swim in the public pool and they use my BIL's hot tub; I refuse to use the hot tub and have not swum in a pool for 15yrs.