Boris Johnson in the sea

[sambaa]

Did anyone else find the coverage of this mildly annoying. I found it to be so for three reasons -

1. the BBC commentator made a joke about “oh is that Angela Merkel a bit further out?” Boris is the size he is, but if it were a woman of a similar size the papers would have a field day (or just any female politician of any size tbh).
   
   
2. He has then set it up so that he is filmed walking down the beach with his shirt off. Carrie, of course, can’t be pictured in a swimsuit because of the way the press / society is, so she’s walking alongside in a long dress (even though she’s 20 years younger and the rest of it).
   
   
3. I can’t stand him anyway.
   
   AIBU?

[Dailywalk]

I can’t get see what’s the problem.

[Sparklingbrook]

The problem seems to be just that it’s Boris. Nothing else.

[LouiseBelchersBunnyEars]

@NeedNewKnees

I'm happy for him to get in the sea.

I'm not happy for him to get back out again.

This is really fucking vile, even as a joke.

You don’t like the man, fair enough, but this is just gross.

[newnortherner111]

@Goldieloxx pond life is valuable to the world. Unlike the Prime Minister.

[denverRegina]

"Doing lengths of what? The Atlantic?"

Now that I'd like to see 😂

[TheVanguardSix]

He deserved a nice swim. It's June, he's worked his socks off for the last couple of years, had a baby, been ill, got married etc.

Who are you? David Attenborough commentating on the migration of the Humpback de Pfeffel?

[TheVanguardSix]

This thread starts out claiming that men don't get body shammed and then poster after poster body shames a man. No wonder feminism is losing.

Body shammed? I think we've been Boris shammed, to be honest. With leaders like him, of course everyone loses.

[denverRegina]

It's a total sham

[stackemhigh]

It’s the wider hypocrisy of the whole thing that irks me. Just imagining the papers if Angela Merkel had done the same thing?

Done what? Am I missing something? Here's an article about Angela Merkel going on holiday, there was no body shaming of her in a swimming suit in any of the articles?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2302273/Feeling-euro-crisis-heat-Angela-Merkiavelli-pictured-bathing-gear-takes-break-Cyprus-chaos-Italy.html


And the Washing Post on Merkel's holiday for the DM avoiders:

www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-germany-angela-merkel-photos-show-secret-family-life-of-chancellor/2013/04/06/31b68786-9e28-11e2-a941-a19bce7af755_story.html

[stackemhigh]

Washing Post

[WorraLiberty]

Carrie, of course, can’t be pictured in a swimsuit because of the way the press / society is, so she’s walking alongside in a long dress (even though she’s 20 years younger and the rest of it).

She's probably witnessed all the awful threads on Mumsnet, where celebrities are literally torn apart for their looks/sense of style.

But apparently they're 'fair game' because they're well known.

[Jennyfromtheculdesac]

@sambaa

It’s the wider hypocrisy of the whole thing that irks me. Just imagining the papers if Angela Merkel had done the same thing?

Also, Carrie knows full well she can’t go in the sea because the press would be there with long lenses. In the Fail it would be, “Carrie, aged 34, showed off her post baby body in a size 10 swimsuit from blah blah, price etc etc.”

I’m genuinely perplexed by these comments. Anyone is free to have a swim in the sea if they want to. Or not. The choice is theirs.

Boris is generally a tosser but I do think it’s good that he’s promoting that he’s at least trying to be a bit healthier and lose some weight. They’ve had a very busy few days. Well done him for finding the time (and motivation!).

[Witchesbelazy]

Thought this was going to be a vote on if we launch him in to the sea or not. Disappointing

[WeatherwaxOn]

@Macncheeseballs

I am no fan but liked the fact he was on the sea

I felt sorry for marine life.

[MrsBunHat]

“Carrie, aged 34, showed off her post baby body in a size 10 swimsuit from blah blah, price etc etc.

That's shallow tabloid twaddle, but it's hardly a vicious attack and nothing like as bad as things that have been said about his appearance, style and body.

Media and individuals both tend to talk about the appearance and outfits etc of people in the public eye. Hardly surprising. I don't think women should be subject to it more than men, and I don't think people should be shamed for their weight/body, but apart from that, it's daft to pretend no one's interested.

Honestly as I said below, if I was her I'd love to go for a swim and I certainly wouldn't hold back for fear the DM might say "Carrie, aged 34, showed off her post baby body in a size 10 swimsuit from blah blah, price etc etc" - who cares? I'd happy tell them where I got my swimsuit and encourage people to enjoy a swim into the bargain.

There's this weird thing where people seem to say that "women can't do things like that" "Ooh a woman can't go in the sea in a swimsuit people might talk" how is that any different from old-school control of women? How does that fit with "How to have a beach body. Have a body - go to beach"? Women should get out there and go for a swim if they want to and stand up to sexist tabloids as and when necessary.