Shouted at for covering up my kids at the beach....

[HolidayHate]

Just that really. On holiday in Greece, currently by the beach, sunny about 35 deegrees and my kids wearing UV tops and I'm shouted abuse by locals here for covering them up as they should be enjoying the sun!
I've been asked if they are scuba divers, if they have cancer, if they are autistic....and at the end I was told I am a horrible mother and they are all sorry for them!
WTAF?

Yes, you’ve been unlucky op.

I’ve travelled in Greece rather a lot and can’t imagine this happening. For it to happen to you so many times in one day... so, so unlucky!

Have you asked your local family what’s going on? Would make more sense than asking us tbh.

Fwiw when we were in South America, my friend with a facial disfigurement was frequently asked “what’s wrong with your face?” or “have you just been to the dentist?”

Currently on holiday in Kefalonia, most of the kids have UV tops, seems to be the norm here.

@arethereanyleftatall "a bum fight would ensue."

Well, that escalated quickly

OP, if this has happened, your best bet is to ask your hosts to not translate any more comments for your benefit. Explain that you're taking the steps you consider necessary to keep your DCs safe in the sun, and their input is really not required.

I cant help but wonder if the people you were staying with translated what was said into something daft sounding & more polite/tactful the villagers could have said something seriously negative about tourist or British tourists specifically & they didn't want you to know or upset you. Greece has had serious financial & social & political issues (re migrants) & many people particularly the old have been affected (reduction in pensions? etc)

We've had some French teenagers staying with us this holiday. They refused to wear a hat or suncream. One of them was covered in moles, which are a sign of skin damage and increased risk of cancer. I don't think he'd every been told about the risk. Astonishing.

Are moles really a sign of skin damage ? Did NOT know that. I always knew people with more moles needed to be more careful as increased risk of cancer. But didn’t know you got more moles as a result of skin damage!

In fairness, you never see Mediterranean kids with UV suits on them so it doesn't surprise me at all that older Greeks in a non-touristy area would be bemused by such a full cover up on a hot day.

BubblesInTheTub
"Mind you own business you nosey cunt" seems like an adequate reply

That should aid international relations nicely

I can't imagine the locals commenting on your dc's

I imagine most of the posters here have been to the more popular areas where tourists applying sun protection is seen as the norm. It seems that you may be off the beaten track where the oldies haven’t yet caught up with how damaging the sun can be nowadays, and the various methods available to protect fair skin. Try to ignore.

We can always spot the U.K. kids abroad - they have the full UV tops on. Mark Warner even makes the kids wear their branded UV tops

Just got back from Greece too (lots of Greek families at this resort) and no one else gave a fuck how the kids were dressed.

I bloody love not having to reapply sunscreen constantly as mine live in the pool.

I have no comment on the OP’s Greek drama. But moles are NOT a sign of sun damage. They are an indicator that you have the type of skin which may be vulnerable to sun damage.

Moles are not a sign of skin damage but moles can be damaged by sun exposure. If you have lots of moles, you need to be more careful.

From a skincare site:
"As you continue to go outside unprotected from the sun’s rays, the risk of sun damage to your skin rises. Moles, or nevi, are one of the signs of sun damage to the skin."

falling over easily and slurring your words are one on the signs of drunkenness. Doesn't mean anybody slurring or falling must be drunk. Moles are a natural skin feature for many people.

Generally speaking, Mediterranean people speak louder and more expressively

In Italy I saw two blokes arguing, thought they were about to have a punch up. Turns out they were discussing where to go for a drink.

Sounds as if the Greek yayas have nothing better to do than survey the beach and loudly comment on any unusual sight or behaviour. Your being the only foreigners in a non-touristy area gave them a great opportunity to criticise. Unpleasant for you.

I hope your Greek friends stuck up for you OP and politely explained to the pensioners to keep their opinions to themselves?

Several years ago in crete my dad crashed our higher car into a locals van.
Everyone came out of the bar opposite the van driver fetched his dad they all started shouting and it was quite scary.
After a bit a police man came and took our details and the van driver and his dad came over shook our hands and wished us a good holiday.
My point is different volume and tone with different cultures as that level of shouting In the UK would have been aggressive.

Margate next year?

We were in Italy a couple of weeks ago with temps in mid 30"s, I never saw anyone on the beach or hotel poolside wearing uv tops.
Saying that though, I can't say as I ever have.

I understand what you mean. I spend lots of summers in a part of Italy where it’s not at all touristy. Years ago I put my daughter in a uv suit and everyone thought it was completely weird. They don’t even put their kids in a 2 piece bikini because it’s considered to be covering up to much. Just very different attitude but then they really don’t burn as easily as fair skin

We re staying with a Greek family! Obviously someone translated for me

It's not so outlandish that you might have spoken some Greek, you know, being on holiday there. I know the British are rubbish at languages but a few of us can speak foreign languages.

Elderly people can be very nosy and opinionated in all countries. And I agree that they are probably animated rather than rude.