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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Re people wearing clothes in swimming pools?

63 replies

GrumpyCee · 17/07/2019 15:49

I am going on holiday next week and the Facebook page for the hotel is very active with people posting their pictures from their holidays.

I’ve noticed that a lot of the photos have people wearing ‘street clothes’ such as t shirts and shorts whilst swimming. I’ve always thought that for hygiene reasons you should wear swim suits to avoid contamination of the water.

I’m all for protecting myself from the sun and understand that some people may wish to not wear swimsuits for modesty reasons.

I should add that I have OCD and related anxiety but AIBU to be worried about there being an increased risk of contamination? Am I out of touch or is this just a bit odd?

OP posts:
sweeneytoddsrazor · 17/07/2019 15:51

Lots of shorts are swim shorts. Most males I know swim in shorts. T shirts help protect from the sun.

FurrySlipperBoots · 17/07/2019 15:52

They're probably rash vests and board shorts! That's what i always wear, over the top of a bikini. I can't imagine anyone wearing ordinary clothes in the pool.

Hihellothere · 17/07/2019 15:52

If you’re worried about contamination, you should stay away from pools regardless of what other people are wearing Hmm

Original poster
GrumpyCee · 17/07/2019 15:53

Yes, these definitely aren’t swim shorts. These are denim jean shorts and fabric t shirts. I can understand the t shirts, I suppose it’s just the denim that I find a bit odd.

Perhaps it’s just my anxiety. Smile

OP posts:
ValleyoftheHorses · 17/07/2019 15:53

DS always wears a rash vest and board shorts but I remember being made to swim in a T-shirt as a child. UV suits not invented then!

MissPollyHadADolly19 · 17/07/2019 15:53

The water will already be contaminafed, regardless of what clothes are worn.

TheFlis12345 · 17/07/2019 15:54

What hygiene issue could it possibly cause, it’s not like you drink the water!

lpchill · 17/07/2019 15:54

Sometimes people want to cover up of they have a ugly scar or don't like their bodies. I've known people who have had a colostomy bag attached and just wanted to hide it (it's all sanitary)

thecatneuterer · 17/07/2019 15:54

I have never heard of a reason for wearing swimsuits as being to avoid contamination of the water. I'm pretty sure that's not a thing. What is 'contaminating' about a t shirt that isn't contaminating about a swimsuit, or a body come to that?

It's a bit awkward to swim with water soaked clothing flapping around you - but it doesn't impact on anyone else.

Russell19 · 17/07/2019 15:55

Exactly what @Hihellothere said. Doesn't make much difference if they are wearing a tshirt or swim shorts.... or costume. Surely if its clean/washed? If it isn't clean it's likely their body won't be clean either.

eurochick · 17/07/2019 15:55

Surely the main contamination issue comes from the people themselves - sweat, bacteria, poo particles, etc. The clothes wouldn't bother me.

modgepodge · 17/07/2019 15:57

I disagree with the OP, but I think in a lot of french resorts you aren’t allowed to swim in anything that could be worn as normal clothing, for exactly the hygiene reasons the OP suggests!

colourlessgreenidea · 17/07/2019 16:00

I’ve always thought that for hygiene reasons you should wear swim suits to avoid contamination of the water.

What is on clothes that would cause contamination, that isn’t also on skin, swimsuits, or people’s arseholes?

Expressedways · 17/07/2019 16:01

I just got back from Florida and found this was rampant. Bizarrely it didn’t always appear to be a modesty thing- lots of guys with the waistbands of their underwear sticking out the top of their trunks, men just in their underwear which was obscene once it got wet, ladies in gym kit that didn’t cover any more than a bikini e.g. sports bra and short athletics shorts. Some woman came straight from tennis without changing, set her racket down on a sun lounger and walked straight into the pool. I’d totally understand a rash vest or t-shirt for sun protection but this was something else and the resort sold swimwear in the shop so forgetting yours wasn’t an excuse.

DH who grew up in France with the speedos only in the municipal pool for hygiene rule was horrified. I hope there’s enough chlorine in the pool to deal with it?! We didn’t get sick or anything as a result so it must have been ok! But yes it’s very weird.

CaptainBrickbeard · 17/07/2019 16:02

Denim would be so uncomfortable to swim in!

Waveysnail · 17/07/2019 16:03

I wear swim leggings and long sleeve swim top as get easily burned

Yeahnahmum · 17/07/2019 16:04

You are scared of increased risk of contamination?!?! A swimming pool is a pit full of everyone's piss and sweat and god knows what else. And chlorine is trying to get rid of it all. But does it...

And how about all that foot fungus ...

sweeneytoddsrazor · 17/07/2019 16:04

Sun lotion can come off in water, people frequently pee in pools, beachballs, inflatables all sat on the ground until they get chucked in.

AnAC12UCOinanOCG · 17/07/2019 16:04

A swimming pool is not the place for you if you're worried about "contamination!"

Yeahnahmum · 17/07/2019 16:04

And you are going to sleep in a
Hotel. Bed.

Ever thought how gross that is Grin

Nquartz · 17/07/2019 16:05

Bit off topic but a white cotton t shirt when wet is the equivalent of about SPF8 so don't wear one thinking it'll protect you from the sun because it won't really.

HennyPennyHorror · 17/07/2019 16:13

How could shorts contaminate the water but someone's sweaty bottom with a thin layer of swim fabric to hide it...not??

SnuggyBuggy · 17/07/2019 16:14

I don't get why other items of clothing are any worse than a swimsuit. I guess ideally we should all shower and swim in the nude

RB68 · 17/07/2019 16:15

chlorine will kill most things and wearing clothing in a pool is daft as the chlorine will destroy it - like it eventually does swim costumes so there is absolutely NO hygeine issue

Goldmandra · 17/07/2019 16:20

Given what is washed off bodies into swimming pools, the last thing I'd worry about would be clothing.