AIBU to go topless at the local outdoor swimming pool?

[BrightBlueStar]

It's a glorious day & I'm at the local outdoor pool. It was a right hassle getting here (3 children under 5, queue to get in etc.) but now I'm here it's amazing! HOWEVER realised I've forgotten my bikini top!!! Not wearing a bra so can't use that instead. Going back for a bikini top isn't an option (it's a long round trip, would have to pay/queue again yadayadayada). This has made me think - Could I go topless? Im desperate for a swim and don't care about other people seeing my breasts. I'm not English and where I'm from going topless is more common. But here none of the women are topless.

Is it against the law? Would I be told off?

Would you go topless and if not why not?

I'm not sure the outdoor pool was a bad idea at all, there's likely to be a toddler splash pool. I don't have the "3 under 5" badge, but I did have 3 under 6 and took them to the outdoor pool alone frequently the summer the youngest was a tiny breast fed baby. We didn't "swim" though, we set up camp in the shade on the edge of the toddler pool where the older two splashed about, and had a picnic.

One of the loveliest summers of my life.

No ratios and some topless women (mostly over 70, for some reason) but not UK.

The OP is soooo special!! Aren't you all jealous?! I think she should be allowed to exactly as she pleases!! a bunch of smiley face emoticon

Well you misunderstood what I meant so I felt the need to clarify. Like if someone says the French love their food. They aren't denying the fact that some French people don't give a shit about food. They are using shorthand. Unless someone is making a racist generalisation it's pretty picky to take it literally.

I suspect that if the OP actually wen to for it she would be made to feel SO uncomfortable that she would soon cover up.

I hope she'd be able to withstand the pressure.

Moving to France is no solution, as not every woman can do that.

(Though it'd sure be awesome if all women moved out of misogynist countries. Preferrably on the same day. But considering all countries are misogynist to an extent, that's not doable. Yet.)

Twin's

The OP is soooo special!! Aren't you all jealous?! I think she should be allowed to exactly as she pleases!

No, I am not jealous. Three children under 5 sounds like my idea of hell. And I don't think the OP is special.

But yes, she should be allowed to go topless. As should every other woman.

I think some people may fear that your scenario has been made up to stir a debate about the acceptability if public male/female nipples op. Possibly by a journalist.

Where is this amazing pool that lets one adult accompany 3 children under 5 alone?

I think it's terrible that women here are obliged to cover their breasts but men can happily walk arounaround topless without censure. I have small boobs so don't need a bikini too for support, and am much more comfortable topless - I always sunbathe topless in countries where it's socially acceptable to do so, but am not brave enough to challenge social conventions in the U.K. at a public pool (although I've happily gone topless on U.K. beaches).

CorbynsBumFlannel quite a name you've got there I agree with your post.

I think someone would complain it was offensive.

You can be naked in public as long as no one complains and says it's offensive.

I expect quite a few people would complain and also the staff would tell you to get covered up.

This is not the Med or Scandanavia darling.

I wouldn't and you may get asked to cover up if you aren't breastfeeding. It wouldn't bother me to see your tits while swimming but in fairness while adults and kids may not care, teens may.

My nephew was fine seeing me whip them out to breastfeed and seeing other women do the same however he was very shyed by the beaches in Spain. Breasts are sexual for some people when a baby is not attached, especially late teens.

Equal ops. Men go topless. If I wasn't big breasted I would go for it. Just wear a top yo the edge of the pool. Wrap up as you get out.

Or, are you so well endowed jaws would drop?

I think some people may fear that your scenario has been made up to stir a debate about the acceptability if public male/female nipples op. Possibly by a journalist.

Entirely possible, but I think a debate should be stirred up about that. I.e. if OP was a journalist, I'd have no problem with that.

Sexism is not acceptable. Ever. There should be a debate about the widely tolerated everyday sexism in the UK. (I'd start with the compulsory skirts as school uniform thing, personally, but the toplessness bigotry is also something in need of addressing)

I'm glad it's the accepted norm that we don't wander around topless in the UK except in designated areas. Much nicer and less distracting when people are clothed. This does include men too though not so much - I don't think it can be ignored that boobs are usually considered to be a more erogenous zone than male torsos.

This is not the Med or Scandanavia darling.

Are you being smugly proud that the UK is more sexist than Scandinavia?

It is bonkers that there is a legal right to be topless with a baby attached ( as there should be) but it risks offence if done in a swimming pool ( where no one can see) on a hot day.

The solution of swim without and pull on a top when you get out of the pool seems reasonable.

So the current thinking is that for true equality we need to be able to show our naked breasts in public?
God help us.

So the current thinking is that for true equality we need to be able to show our naked breasts in public?
God help us.

Yes, for true equality, it is necessary that women have a legal right to do everything that men have a legal right to do.

What a revolutionary idea, I am sure no one would have thought of that, ever.

I'd just wear my ordinary top. It'll dry really quickly.

OP Ask at the entrance desk if they have any bikini tops in lost property. Problem solved.

Are you people that afraid of breasts? Omg imagine the horror of seeing a boob!
I don't do it,even in countries where it's culturally acceptable to do so, because I'm not comfortable doing it. Wouldn't bat an eye though if someone else did,here or somewhere else.
I've seen men with bigger breasts than i have going topless on the street,at the pool,beach etc. No one is asking them to cover up.

Well I think it's optimistic of the OP to think she is going to actually swim . Most outdoor pools in this country get so full on the hot days that you can barely see the water let alone swim in it . Personally couldn't care whether she gets her nipples out though .