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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be annoyed with guys walking around town topless??

178 replies

Floogal · 13/07/2022 12:21

Whenever the sun comes out you're guaranteed to see a few guys wandering around topless. I'm not a prude, nor do I want to bodyshame anyone. I mean, wear as little as you like on the beach or pool. Just seems arrogant that they believe women or girls are impressed or that other guys are intimidated and jealous

OP posts:
Dotjones · 14/07/2022 09:20

It's perfectly legal for women to go topless in Britain. There's no law which prevents it, it's only convention that we don't.

In fact, it's perfectly legal for anyone to walk down the street completely naked if they choose to. Nudity only becomes an offence if it's done with the intention of causing alarm, harassment or distress. (The crucial point is the person's intention - not whether other people happened to be feel those things.)

There are plenty of cases where people go naked on beaches which are not officially designated nude beaches, there are plenty of cases of women sunbathing topless in their garden. There are a fair number of cases of people walking/cycling naked, including the couple going from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Scotland does seem to take a tougher line than England and Wales, but if you know your rights, and are not afraid of taking it to court if challenged (and receive the ensuing publicity), you should have no fear of going topless or nude.

lizziebizie · 14/07/2022 10:00

In fact, it's perfectly legal for anyone to walk down the street completely naked if they choose to. Nudity only becomes an offence if it's done with the intention of causing alarm, harassment or distress. (The crucial point is the person's intention - not whether other people happened to be feel those things.)

Really? But does anyone remember a tv programme years ago? A male/female couple I think were challenging nudity laws in public places, or something, and were repeatedly arrested. I've probably remembered it wrong.

OneTC · 14/07/2022 10:04

In Australia and NZ you’re told to wear a t shirt and hat in the sun.

You're told that everywhere with sun. Interesting you picked Australia as an example though because it's a country where you see a lot of (leathery) people flaunting that advice.

I don't go about in public with my top off because, as evidenced itt there's a load of people who just don't want to see it and knowing that makes me uncomfortable. Don't even really like doing it in the park unless it's quiet, and then I wouldn't walk about, but sunbathing is okay

Beefcurtains79 · 14/07/2022 10:08

Dotjones · 14/07/2022 09:20

It's perfectly legal for women to go topless in Britain. There's no law which prevents it, it's only convention that we don't.

In fact, it's perfectly legal for anyone to walk down the street completely naked if they choose to. Nudity only becomes an offence if it's done with the intention of causing alarm, harassment or distress. (The crucial point is the person's intention - not whether other people happened to be feel those things.)

There are plenty of cases where people go naked on beaches which are not officially designated nude beaches, there are plenty of cases of women sunbathing topless in their garden. There are a fair number of cases of people walking/cycling naked, including the couple going from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Scotland does seem to take a tougher line than England and Wales, but if you know your rights, and are not afraid of taking it to court if challenged (and receive the ensuing publicity), you should have no fear of going topless or nude.

Someone sunbathing topless in their garden is hardly comparable though? Since it’s their private property.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 14/07/2022 10:43

It's incredible how many people here have no problem at all picking apart and criticising people's bodies. No sorry, not people, just men's. However ANY time a woman complains that someone has commented negatively about their body MN gather together to boot off and say how disgraceful it is.

Calling someone's body 'gross' or 'disgusting' because you're not sexually attracted to it is wrong by any standards.

If someone feels comfortable and confident in themselves to show off their body in this sort of weather, then I'm happy for them. I still won't wear shorts because I'm too embarrassed of my legs, won't wear a skirt because of chub rub so spend most hot days wearing jeans and feeling miserable.

Jaxhog · 14/07/2022 10:48

It is pretty grim most of the time, but I guess it's their choice. What I DON'T like is having to stand in very close proximity to a sweaty, bare chest e.g. train, bus, queue, pub etc.

SheldontheWonderSchlong · 14/07/2022 10:49

I saw a bloke with no top on drop a couple of kids off at school the other morning....I just don't think nipples should be on display on the school run!

gannett · 14/07/2022 10:53

MN can be so weird about the human body and bodily functions, you see it in so many threads. Gross this, put it away that. As if you need smelling salts at the sight of a nipple.

Topless men can be a very nice sight indeed. If I don't find them attractive, I simply don't look at them because it's nothing to do with me. Imagine if women were told only those sufficiently buff enough could wear skimpy tops and shorts.

I have very rarely seen topless men on the Tube or in supermarkets!

I'm going for a run now in a sports bra and very short shorts. Not to look sexy or intimidate anyone but because it's very hot and less clothing is more comfortable.

RockinHorseShit · 14/07/2022 11:01

Oh give over. It's hot, they have a body, so do you. Just because you have issues around naked flesh, stop projecting it onto others.

If you were shouting why can men flash their tits in the street & women can't, fair enough, but this just makes you a prudish misery guts

GelatoQueen · 14/07/2022 11:08

I hate it too, not least because the majority of men who feel the need to do this are invariably sunburnt. Seems like there is a generation or two that have no idea it is a good idea to wear a shirt and hat in the sun.

DS (9) saw a man without his shirt the other day and couldn't shut up about it - cue 'why has that man got no shirt on?', 'why is he red', 'why would you not want to wear a shirt?' and 'why doesn't he have a hat on either'.

Cas112 · 14/07/2022 11:13

Your last sentence is so strange 🤔

Theluggage15 · 14/07/2022 11:14

It’s a British thing. In hot countries men don’t do this. And it’s not because they’re prudish, what a stupid idea, it’s because they have more sense.

GelatoQueen · 14/07/2022 11:16

Yes, DS takes the dangers of the sun seriously (and yes he did mean a sunhat).

FrozenSky · 14/07/2022 11:18

If they're fit, I quite enjoy the eye candy.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 14/07/2022 11:27

Its gross and I dont need to see that!

Nizathe · 14/07/2022 11:28

Imagine if a man wrote a post saying he didn't like seeing overweight women in short skirts with their "disgusting, sweaty, flabby" legs out "it's gross" etc.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 14/07/2022 11:33

Discovereads · 13/07/2022 12:29

Just seems arrogant that they believe women or girls are impressed or that other guys are intimidated and jealous

Well, some of them are impressive as eye candy tbf. Nothing wrong with flaunting what you have. I’m happy to see a nice looking bloke with no shirt on in the summer. Have been known to slow down when going past roofers in the summer for example. So it doesn’t annoy me. I’d be more annoyed if anyone where to protest and tell men to cover up and be more modest.

Really? Then I wonder how you (society in general) would react if I 'just felt hot' and decided to parade topless down the local high street?

Going by some responses to the perfectly natural phenomenon of a mum breastfeeding discreetly in public, I don't have to wonder. I know.

GCHeretic · 14/07/2022 11:36

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/07/2022 16:30

Also the double standard for men and women annoys me!

I agree. Anyone saying anything about a woman’s appearance or clothes is rightly told that it’s not acceptable but for some reason it’s fine to say the most horrible things about men’s bodies and clothes.

GCHeretic · 14/07/2022 11:38

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 14/07/2022 11:33

Really? Then I wonder how you (society in general) would react if I 'just felt hot' and decided to parade topless down the local high street?

Going by some responses to the perfectly natural phenomenon of a mum breastfeeding discreetly in public, I don't have to wonder. I know.

Show quote history

I’d be surprised, but supportive. You should be completely free to do that.

bloomflower · 14/07/2022 11:42

i do find it somehow arrogant or uncouth. not a fan. If women have to wear tops, men should too.

Harridance · 14/07/2022 11:45

Although I've seen plenty of woman with very little covering their boobs, so I guess it kind of evens out

Nap1983 · 14/07/2022 12:02

Don’t like mens “gross” bodies then don’t look at them… can you imagine what would be said on here if it were men saying about women.
I have never witnessed anyone topless in either a supermarket or public transport and I live in what the snooty MNers might consider a “rougher” city.
No one would be complaining if it were Tom Hardy nipping into Waitrose for an avocado in an Upmarket town 😂

CheesyColeslaw · 14/07/2022 12:06

I don't like it but I'm sure the topless men couldn't give a shit what I think! Presumably they take their tops off because it's hot and not to try and attract/impress people. I don't think there's any need for body shaming.

Rosessmelllike · 14/07/2022 16:44

In your front garden, around your house or your friends, fine. But walking through town centres or in shops, it's so exhibitionist and forcing your body on others and I feel like I have to look every other way in case they think it's a turn on. Incomparable to a dress or shorts...because they are clothes! A naked chest is a naked, clotheless chest!

hangrylady · 14/07/2022 16:50

gnilliwdog · 13/07/2022 19:16

Wish I could join them in this weather. Probably if it was acceptable for women to walk around topless, breasts would cease to be sexualised anyway.

God no! Think of the sweaty underboob. Horrendous 😆