To ask if you have a problem with the burkini?

[Mvslimah]

Honest answers please

would you give a woman (maybe Muslim maybe Jewish) a wide berth if you saw them wearing a burkini or modest (Ie fully covered) swimsuit at a pool?

if you see a woman wearing one do you give it a second thought or is it just a meh, who cares?

tia

This is nonsense. I know people who dress like this out of choice/ personal belief. There are sibling groups I’ve came across where one girl dresses more “modestly” and the others don’t so it’s definitely not forced or dictated by their families in those cases.

What about non-Muslim women who wear skimpy swimming outfits to catch men’s eyes? Are they being controlled by men too?

and in the UK men typically wear less to swim than women. Does that mean women are agreeing to be a second class citizen for covering up more?

How did I miss @girlfriend44 ’s comment. Think that might be a similar attitude to the one I encountered?

not sure how I’m in the dark ages? I’ve got an iPhone, I don’t think they had them back then, ive got 2 degrees, definitely didn’t have them back then, not sure they swam in the dark ages either 😜

As a mum of two young boys it breaks my heart to think this has discouraged you from enjoying that time with your family. I’m so sorry you’ve had this experience.

I would notice yes but only because I haven't seen one yet at a pool, but it would hand on heart be on a 'oh cool' way as opposed to wtf. Look around a pool and I reckon every single person is different right? I wear what make me feel comfortable which has always been long shorts and a top, and I've been everything from a size 6 to a 16, thin, round, pregnant, breastfeeding... Not worn for religious purposes fair enough, but what I'm saying is it really doesn't matter what you look like to others it's how it makes you feel. Your faith is important, so wear it and go enjoy your swim.

I don't think they should be allowed in public swimming baths - if you are talking about the full length ones? No opinion either way about beaches (assuming they are not a drowning risk if not actual swimming costumes). I wouldn't share my opinion with you at the pool though, and they are currently allowed so it's not my business either way.

But at least it was presumably an actual swimming costume designed to swim in?

I once saw a group of people swimming in actual clothes in a pool. Now that really is disgusting and unhygienic and I was pretty horrified the pool allowed it.

I'm heading towards the French approach for pool water hygiene these days (wear very little).

It would register for approx 2 seconds then I'd go about my own day without thinking about it at all.

Is you area not very diverse? There is a lot of ignorance that varies from "poor muslim women" to "this is England act/talk/dress like it". It's not you, it's them and they probably have issues with all kinds of "other" people. Because ...reasons.

Please don't hide to make others more comfortable or limit your life and enjoyment. Do what you want to do . Your presence is not offensive. Their comments and attitudes are. I'd rather hang out with you than them.

No different than people wearing balaclava etc. Besides at least you know they are wearing a mask, most people have the fake smile that's their true mask

I've only once seen this kind of outfit. I live in one of the less diverse bits of London. I thought it looked comfortable and attractive and I was a bit jealous as I have treetrunk legs and burn incredibly easily. I went home and looked them up to see if I could get away with one on the beach!

I'm sorry you had that experience. I wonder if you should mention it to the pool. If the swimwear is allowed, other customers should not be rudely commenting on it.

Where they swimming in the clothes they came in from the street?

I would notice and not make any comment or reaction. I definitely wouldn't tut or stare.
I do have similar thoughts to previous posters about the wider cultural issues of women being expected to cover up while men are free to wear what they want. I don't agree it's a free choice if someone is raised in a culture where modesty is valued. But that's not in my power to address and so I don't mention it unless eg in the context of this type of thread.

I've never actually seen anyone wearing oe in real life.

I doubt it or they would have to go home wet through. I can't see that clothes worn for swimming are more or less hygienic according to coverage.

I think whatever helps her be comfortable is fine. Supporting women, not shaming, means supporting choices in clothing, too.

I don’t really have any opinion on them. If I saw someone wearing one I wouldn’t think much of anything. If it looked really uncomfortable or like it was bagging them down I would think ‘that looks awkward to swim in’ same as I would think about a string bikini that had to be constantly readjusted. Mostly I would just be interested in what I’m wearing.

🤣😂

Ignore comments like that.

In fact I'm grateful for the development of modest swimwear which - we all know - started from the religious angle with burkinis.

But actually it's helped many western woman who don't feel comfortable in bikinis or swimsuits - like me - realise that it's ok to swim in cycling shorts/ leggings/ rash vests and surf t shirts.

I think it's a shame it became a social norm to expose so much skin to swim. It's much nicer to feel unexposed and comfortable.

No one should be judging someone else for what they wear.

We should all be judging those people in the pool tutting and making comments.

Why shouldn’t it be allowed? I don’t understand, it’s swimming costume material? What’s the difference. There is no drowning risk.

and the hygiene thing I think is bollox given how many people pee in the pool. I did life saving as a child and I had to wear clothes in the pool for that

I have no idea and I don't really care either way. Except I hope they had something to change back into or they would be really cold!

Swimming costume material is different to the fibres in normal clothes and it's totally minging to turn up and expect to swim in day clothes.

Also ridiculous from a safety point of view as they get really heavy. These people couldn't really swim so it was just a beginning to end nightmare and I have no idea what the pool were thinking to allow it.

Honestly no I wouldn't give them a wide birth. I wouldn't think any different of them to a woman wearing a swimsuit or bikini.

I should also add that I read about women being harassed, fined and made to leave pools/beaches in France for wearing them. I wholly disagree with that and feel it is racist and misogynistic.

@CaptainMyCaptain that's my thinking too, but we'll see.

Because I can't understand how clean shorts and tshirt (and I have worn that before swimming and really hate my current pool won't allow the tshirt) that came in in a swimming are any more unhygienic than a bikini.

Or why the more uncovered you are the more hygienic it is.

@NeatCompactSleeper because I don't want to see naked arses in public ☺️

A woman in one on the beach last year bent over right in front of me and I could literally see her genitals.

So the city is very diverse but we live zone 3, which has a fair amount of Muslims but more Sikhs I’d say the pool we went to is a neighbouring area, say 5/10 mins max but it’s more white but it’s definitely not a rural place

It wouldn’t be something that elicited a second look or thought. I live in a diverse area and can see any/all types of Islamic dress just walking down the street, it’s completely normal.

I’m sorry you had a such a poor experience whilst just trying to have a nice time with your children.