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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Disgusting behavior in swimming pool changing rooms!

233 replies

WakeAndBake · 08/04/2020 12:20

Returned to the U.K. a few months ago and took the kids swimming to an indoor water park with a ‘changing village’.

The facilities were not sex separated and everyone goes into cubicles to change. And that is when things got nasty.

Instead of having a decent shower and getting clean before entering the pool people just stood under a shower IN THEIR SWIMWEAR for a few seconds. No attempt made to wash sweaty bum cracks or armpits. Most women did not even bother to wet their hair!

How horrible to swim in a soup of shit, smeg, sweat, hairspray and toe-jam. This also meant the amount of chlorine in the water was insane, burned my eyes and I nearly crashed the car on the way home!

Who thinks this is a good way to do things???

OP posts:
Original poster
WakeAndBake · 08/04/2020 12:32

My BiL had the opposite experience when he came to visit and took DS to our local swimming pool. He was not prepared at all! Over here men and boys go to the men’s changing rooms. Everybody strips off and takes a communal shower with soap in full view of each other. The poor guy had no idea!

It takes a bit of getting used to but it is reassuring to know that people

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 08/04/2020 12:33

I take it you're used to German or Scandinavian swimming pools where you're required to have a proper naked shower prior to swimming, following the posted instructions, often with staff watching to make sure everyone complies?

It would be interesting how that would be received by the average British person. But yes, seeing as you haven't been swimming in the UK any time recently, it seems rather random to come up with this now.

Chocolatear · 08/04/2020 12:33

I've never showered before going into a pool. There's a shed load of chemicals in the water to keep everyone disinfected,

When did you take them swimming, I thought everywhere was closed?

birdsbeefriesandeggs · 08/04/2020 12:34

I jump under the shower for a minute or two after swimming as I prefer to get a proper shower at home.

Magicpaintbrush · 08/04/2020 12:34

I'm sorry but there is no way I would shower naked in public infront of strangers - especially men!! Hell would freeze over first!!!! Nor do I wish to see men I don't know with todgers flapping about for all to see - there is literally no way on earth I would take my DD to a pool if it meant her seeing penises and hairy arsecracks everywhere. WTAF!!!

IcedPurple · 08/04/2020 12:34

Yep. It’s disgusting. I love swimming abroad, esp Germany, so refreshing without the chemicals. Most people here have no idea what it is like to swim in clean water!

Public swimming pools "abroad" are most definitely chlorinated too. They would be a public health risk otherwise.

maddening · 08/04/2020 12:35

Pay extra for a private place, the changing rooms are lovely.

I use our local leisure centre, agree the changing rooms is not a wonderful experience but I am not paying wonderful experience prices, if I double that - or possibly more - I would get access to a lovely pool with lovely changing rooms, individual shower cubicles, hair dryers and ghds etc the swim suit spinner etc and possibly even towel use which you drop in the laundry on the way out - want that then pay for it. The local leisure centre may be privately owned but is subsidised by the council and is very reasonably priced, excellent classes etc more so than the posh gyms imo

Brefugee · 08/04/2020 12:35

Are we only allowed to think about the pandemic???

Yes. Didn't you get the memo?

Starlight1243 · 08/04/2020 12:36

Get a grip as if you been sat on this for 2 weeks theres more other stuff to concern yourself than this non issue.

LaurieMarlow · 08/04/2020 12:36

Does anyone else love the smell of Chlorine?

BadgeronaMoped · 08/04/2020 12:37

Eurgh, I used to drink the pool water when I was swimming for my long distance badges as a child... Blush A completely revolting (thirsty) child I was too!

Fimofriend · 08/04/2020 12:37

And this is why I rarely go swimming.

BentNeckLady · 08/04/2020 12:37

I take it you're used to German or Scandinavian swimming pools where you're required to have a proper naked shower prior to swimming, following the posted instructions, often with staff watching to make sure everyone complies?

This sounds fucking awful! Thank the lord for chlorine!

Spidey66 · 08/04/2020 12:37

I shower every morning. I shower after a swim, to get the chlorine out. No way am I showering a third time in a day, my skin's dry enough thanks.

It would be different if I was going after work and I was a builder or a car mechanic or something, but I'm not, I don't get grubby sitting in an office all day.

NicLondon1 · 08/04/2020 12:39

Totally normal. I always assume most people had a thorough shower at home that morning! Not sure what they can pick up and distribute in a couple of hours of the day... also not sure what filth could come from somebody's hair if they washed it that morning?
Would (sincerely) be very interested to know what country you're from that has such extremely high hygiene standards...?

Fimofriend · 08/04/2020 12:39

There is chlorine in the pools in Scandinavia and Germany as well. Not as much as in Britain as the levels here are rather toxic and can cause lung problems and skin problems, but ...

Scissorsnglue · 08/04/2020 12:39

I, for one, am quite happy to see a return to normal service on mumsnet Smile

Original poster
WakeAndBake · 08/04/2020 12:39

Lol at all the posters getting irate that I dare to post about something random and unrelated to lockdowns or supermarket delivery slots!

OP posts:
EricaNernie · 08/04/2020 12:40

in an indoor pool i just briefly stand under the shower, not been to an outdoor pool in years

MrsApplepants · 08/04/2020 12:41

No way would I shower naked in front of anyone sorry. Be grateful they had a quick rinse.

IVflytrap · 08/04/2020 12:41

Yeah, people don't like striping off and washing their arses and genitals in front of each other in the UK. I don't swim much any more but used to when I was younger and never caught anything from a swimming pool, and don't know of anyone who has. Doesn't mean it isn't gross, though.

This post reminds me a lot of the time a non-British guy I was talking to got really upset when he found out most Brits wear swimming costumes in saunas. He kept talking about how disgustingly unhygienic we were for not being naked. Im not sure what he thought we washed our swimming costumes in to make them so filthy, but it sounded very personal to him, and I get the impression this may be personally upsetting to you, lol.

At least you won't have to worry about this for several months. Try not to let it play on your mind.

Original poster
WakeAndBake · 08/04/2020 12:41

I always assume most people had a thorough shower at home that morning

No doubt!

OP posts:
WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 08/04/2020 12:41

Oh I'm fine with not showering before swimming.

Hot tubs however, all those sweaty arses, giblets and arm pits being jetwashed ??

No thank you !

Al1Langdownthecleghole · 08/04/2020 12:42

And on Mumsnet today they are discussing disgusting habits in swimming pool changing villages. Phone in with your worst experiences.

Doesn't work in a lockdown does it?

Ilovemypantry · 08/04/2020 12:42

And this is the reason I don’t go swimming in a public pool 🤮

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