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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to find it minging that people don't shower before they swim?

93 replies

AuntyDiluvian · 12/03/2015 13:44

Just been swimming in my local pool and it was really quite grim. Bits of 'matter' floating around in the water (people-dust/phlegmlike white stringiness) and a choking fug of deodorant and perfume overhanging the pool. Every time I looked up to see a new person coming in from the changing area they were distinctly dry and unshowered.
This is really getting to me and I'm not sure if I'm on my own here. What do you think? Am I a tiresome clean-freak who should mind her own business and stop watching other people get in the pool? Or is this the unhygienic behaviour of a fetid and disgusting local population who should be made to shower by the people running the leisure centre?
AIBU?

OP posts:
IKnowRight · 12/03/2015 15:26

I agree that there doesn't seem much point, unless you go for the full Icelandic scrub down. As for the footbaths, well they are pits of germs imo, most people's feet are probably dirtier coming out than going in.

I do think that outdoor shoes and buggies have no place in changing rooms or poolsides though, I have to agree with posters objecting to that. Doesn't happen at our local pool.

PHANTOMnamechanger · 12/03/2015 15:30

private nude swimming group? now theres soemthing I really don't want to imagine!

fatlazymummy · 12/03/2015 15:30

Outdoor shoes and buggies aren't allowed in our changing room either. It does make a difference.
I haven't seen the 'footbath' in any pool for years.

spidey66 · 12/03/2015 15:33

I rarely shower before the pool. I shower every morning, I have another shower when I come out, I'm damned if I'm going to have a third shower. I have dry skin as it is.

I'm nearly 50 and swim most weeks. The only illness I've ever put down to swimming is the occasional swimmers ear, and that's caused by water, not dirt. My general health is good and I've a healthy immune system-because I'm someone who believes in a bit of muck being good for you.

vienna1981 · 12/03/2015 15:41

PHANTOMnamechanger

Don't be like that. I've been going for over two years; the first time I climbed naked into the pool I was sold. I wish I could go more often and I wish people would use the showers more oftenSad .

Original poster
AuntyDiluvian · 12/03/2015 15:41

No, no footbath at our pool either, though I have seen them elsewhere.
Thank you all for your varying responses - the reminders about the lack of soap meaning a shower's not so cleansing and also about all the skin/sweat/etc in the pool anyway are helpful. I think my conclusions are:
a) the Germans and Icelanders(?) are definitely cleaner
b) I will just get over myself and accept that swimming is a bit dirty.

OP posts:
IKnowRight · 12/03/2015 15:45

Yes OP swimming is manky

But it's one of the forms of exercise I can do without dropping to bits, I can take the dc's with me and they have a great time and leave me to my lengths in peace

I just have a bloody good scrub when I get out Grin

nowitsenough · 12/03/2015 15:57

I always presumed the footbath was full of some sort of antibac/antiseptic stuff to kill off any germs??? Hence why it was there. It used to smell strong anyway, IIRC ...?

Theoretician · 12/03/2015 15:58

When I go into the pool, without showering, I really don't believe I'm any dirtier than I was when I stepped out of the shower at home a couple of hours earlier. (And if I am, it's in places that the pools shower isn't going to reach...)

I don't use deodorant. Not everyone needs it, though I'm aware that some users won't accept that. (In another forum where this was discussed, someone commented on having had a model girlfriend who not only didn't use deodorant, she almost never showered, as she believed it was bad for her skin. According to him she smelt absolutely fine.)

InTheWhiteRoom · 12/03/2015 16:05

YANBU op x a million

this is why I don't go swimming

its fucking disgusting and pools would be so much more clean if people just bloody showered why is it a problem for people to shower before hand. you are getting wet anyway you fucking tramps

URGH

squoosh · 12/03/2015 16:07

It really is best to get it off your chest InTheWhiteRoom.

AlPacinosHooHaa · 12/03/2015 16:10

Put it this way - if DH takes DC swimming I know he will be having a wash, which is a rare things

InTheWhiteRoom · 12/03/2015 16:10

^^ :o

its something I feel quite strongly about Blush

InTheWhiteRoom · 12/03/2015 16:11

that was at squoosh btw

goes for lie down

ScotsWhaHae · 12/03/2015 16:12

Completely agree InTheWhiteRoom

leedy · 12/03/2015 16:49

No shoes or buggies on the pool deck or in the poolside "family" changing thing in our pool either. If parents want to watch their kids' lessons they have to wear those weird blue plastic shoe bags, as if at a crime scene.

lemonhope · 12/03/2015 18:02

What do you think is going to happen to you if you swim in a pool with other people's sweat in it?

People don't tend to get ill everytime they swim so even though you may think it's minging it's clearly not unhealthy Smile

ToBeeOrNot · 12/03/2015 18:07

Danish people are generally horrified when visiting a UK swimming pool to find out that nobody showers beforehand. They have signs as per the Icelandic one posted above and it's enforced.

WhatWouldFlopDo · 12/03/2015 18:23

I'm not that bothered about the shower thing, but I still have a quick run under it in case I get told off.

I hate the jacuzzi, it's like hot body soup. But what I really really hate is when all the classes are in, puddle ducks, or aqua aerobics and they all leave their stuff on the benches instead of the lockers so there's no space for anyone else to change. I always time it wrong and end up there at the same time as them. We have one lockable cubicle, which some lazy mare leaves all their crap in, leaving me to get dressed with a bolting toddler in the middle of a wet floor. One of these days I'm going to end up chasing DD through the pool, muff on show, because I can't get in that bloody changing room and lock her in. Use the fucking lockers breathe

k4yb33 · 12/03/2015 18:36

Whatwouldflopdo, id shove the stuff left in cubicle to one side and go and get changed with my toddler there. If the inconsiderate mare turned up or banged on door she bloody better wait. One of my pet hates is ppl hogging cubicles when lockers are available or using lockers but not locking them grrrr

MatildaTheCat · 12/03/2015 18:42

What I find really repellant is when people start exfolliating in the staem room or sauna. Brush, Scrub, off with all those scabs and scales. Grimly grim.

Holepunch · 12/03/2015 18:55

people-dust/phlegmlike white stringiness sounds absolutely grim but I haven't noticed that at our pool where showering etiquette is equally poor. Surely if it's that bad that's more to do with the pool's filtering system.

I do usually go under the shower on my way to the pool but more because I'm embarrassed not to than because I think it makes any difference. A quick rinse isn't going to remove "people-dust/phlegmlike white stringiness" or body lotions and deodorant.

WhatWouldFlopDo · 12/03/2015 19:27

k4yb33 I just seethe and grumble, although I may end up going all Michael Douglas in Falling Down if it keeps happening! I'm going to make a nuisance of myself at reception next time, possibly naked.

Sparklingbrook · 12/03/2015 19:45

I never go swimming in communal places due to other people and their filthy habits.
Plus all the changing room nonsense.

Purplepixiedust · 12/03/2015 19:59

People don't bother mostly at ours and if they do, it is a quick rinse for show.

If I swim I shower at home and go clean. I then hàve a shower and hair wash after to remove any dirt/germs and the stink of chorine! Our pool is old and can be bloody freezing but I can't say I have ever seen anything floating!

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