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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Being shy about nakedness - a British thing?

203 replies

lottieandmias · 07/04/2015 18:49

I've noticed that loads of women at the gym seem to walk around naked without batting an eyelid. I'm way to shy to ever do that. Am I hung up or not? I don't mind them doing it if they want to but I never could.

OP posts:
Roussette · 08/04/2015 15:27

*I hate fluttery smooth light massage, I meant to say

BigChocFrenzy · 08/04/2015 15:27

We each have our own limits: I'd never let anyone of any age see me on the loo because that's my private time (I've no DC, as you may guess !) and that's a natural function, although I've no problem going behind a bush if I'm hiking with a group.

soverylucky · 08/04/2015 15:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sallyingforth · 08/04/2015 15:28

MrsKoala you do NOT have hideous tits. Unless perhaps you have had them tattooed with pictures of Nigel Farage.
You have breasts that are natural and normal for you and for millions of other women. As long as you keep them covered up you are reinforcing the wretched lie that everyone must have 'perfect' bodies, or otherwise be ashamed or have cosmetic surgery.
Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and that is a good thing not a bad one.

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 15:29

Rousette even your description makes me bring my shoulder up to my ears. Grin

Fluttery/smooth or deep/strong it's a no from me.

BigChocFrenzy · 08/04/2015 15:29

I luffs massage Smile Hands & feet massages are totally ace

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 15:30

I might just allow a hand one but they can leave my feet alone Big. Grin

LotusLight · 08/04/2015 15:30

We have always been happy to be naked in our family. it's just family culture in different families. Nothing as beautiful as the human body (unless it's obese of course.... but that's a different topic).

BigChocFrenzy · 08/04/2015 15:32

I'm 58 years old. Have I ever seen a perfect bod (not an air-brushed photo) Hmm ?
< thinks very hard > Nope
We've all got wobbly / wrinkled / veiny / scarred bits from living

chrome100 · 08/04/2015 15:32

I'm British and happily walk round naked at the gym/get changed in front of friends etc. I wouldn't go out of my way to be nude but if it happens so what?

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 15:32

Absolutely no probs being naked in front of DH. I had probs being naked in front of the DSs up until they didn't want to be naked in front of me. They are teen boys so I think that's fair enough and we would not see each other naked now.

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 15:33

I had no* probs being naked in front of the DSs that should read.

BigChocFrenzy · 08/04/2015 15:33

Sparkling Smile < ponders foot fetishism, remembers own leather fetishism and stfu >

Roussette · 08/04/2015 15:35

Sparkling Grin. The scrubbing of the skin with salt and then being washed off on a hamman table is pretty good too Grin

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 15:37

Roussette your descriptions are making me feel really peculiar. Sad Grin

MrsKoala · 08/04/2015 15:41

Derxa if i saw my boobs on someone else i suppose i wouldn't think they were hideous. If i saw someone post mastectomy (as i have done) i wouldn't bat an eyelid or think they looked horrible. My left boob is tiny - virtually flat - with an inverted nipple and my right breast it much larger and saggier from all the bfing. I am not shy about them being out for a purpose, ie showering and getting dressed, or bfing etc. But the idea of getting them out unnecessarily for sunbathing no way.

I remember going on holiday and my and exH found a quiet spot and i decided to get my top off and the moment i did 5 young women dragged their beds over virtually touching ours and all took their tops off. They all had great norks and i felt so embarrassed and quickly put my top on. They were right pains actually as the showers were just in front of the restaurant on the beach and when we were having lunch they all had a shower together and spent quite a lot of time giggling and jumping up and down, splashing and soaping up their knockers. It was the most obvious thing ever and all the men were drooling while they pretended they didn't notice. The wives faces were Hmm

But maybe i'm just a bitter shrivelled up shrew Grin

BigChocFrenzy · 08/04/2015 15:44

Ignore them as you would ignore other children

MrsKoala · 08/04/2015 15:47

Never go to a Hammam in Morocco or Turkey Sparkling. They give you little paper see thru pants and rub you all over with various salts and stuff then yank the pants down and chuck a bucket of cold water over you, hand you a towel and then push you out the door face to face with people clothed waiting to go in. Me and exH were stood on a roof in a riad in marrakech with a queue of people staring. We didn't really know what was happening. One minute all relaxed and oiled and massaged and the next covered in cold water and stood outside Grin

IdkickJilliansass · 08/04/2015 15:52

I'm British and was invited along to a naturist club by a close friend, at first I was appalled by the idea but went along with her and another naturist 'virgin' and enjoyed it, won't be getting membership though! I still wouldn't dry my pubic hair or spend hours creaming myself (with crem Smile) in a public changing room though

mummyabi90 · 08/04/2015 16:01

@JackieHarris I am so glad youve put that about giving birth! Ive never seen the need to be completely naked to give birth! I even got in a warm bath pre birth in a tshirt!

As for gyms/swimming pools etc I hate communal showers etc. I will have a quick rinse off with my cozzie on then get a thorough shower when i get home.
I think some of it can come down to worries of the perception of being naked infront of children especially at swimming pools..... x

derxa · 08/04/2015 16:04

Mrs Koala What a bunch of little cows!!! Better to be a shrivelled up old shrew than a brain dead numpty. I remember the one tit bigger than the other due to BF. Thanks to my surgeon, my tits are now perfectly balanced. He is a brilliant man but always fishes for compliments for his handiwork.

IggyStrop · 08/04/2015 16:26

I agree with the poster upthread who mentioned Kiwis. The most prudish display I've ever seen was in New Zealand, in an women only gym. This woman put her workout bra on OVER her regular bra. She then unhooked the regular bra and edged it out from underneath the workout bra.

It was so awkward and took ages. I was trying not to stare because it was just all so convoluted and awkward. If she'd just whipped off her bra and changed into her other bra, I wouldn't have even noticed.

nbcj · 08/04/2015 17:17

Try Japan - a very conservative culture, but also very open when it comes to communal bathing - the history of neighborhood bathhouses and even now, onsens (hot springs) mean that you will likely be hanging out occasionally with your friends and even co-workers completely nekked WHILE washing yourself first, and then enjoying a nice soak in a communal hot tub - totally bare. Usually male/female divided, but still. It's great for social bonding and relaxing though and once you look around and "compare notes" a little, very freeing! But you do get dressed before using the dryers!!!

Sparklingbrook · 08/04/2015 17:24

MrsK consider those crossed off my holiday list. Grin

Oh and Japan nbcj.

I fancy New Zealand this year.....

Pyjamaschocolateandwine · 08/04/2015 17:25

Yeuk can't bear seeing naked women at the gym. Who wants to see bushes on display either bare or wild. Makes me feel a bit sick. Getting changed is ok I suppose but walking around or drying hair? Yeuk!

Someone bent down by my dd with a sweaty bare arse and it was most unpleasent for all concerned. Dd nearly fainted and I nearly wet myself at her face. Grin