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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you have a problem with the burkini?

817 replies

Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 20:28

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Freshfoods · 07/05/2023 21:30

I would glance at it without much interest, and be far more concerned about the temperature of the water. It's always too cold.

Growlybear83 · 07/05/2023 21:31

ArcticSkewer · 07/05/2023 21:11

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).

I don't understand the problem or why burkinis shouldn't be allowed. How else can Muslim women go swimming? My daughter's burkini is made from the same swimming costume fabric as my swimsuit, there's just a lot more of it than what I wear. The only thing I think is outrageous about burkinis is the cost of them - my daughter's one cost her about £80.

GrumpyPanda · 07/05/2023 21:32

I'd sneak a surreptitious glance tbh as you so rarely see them around here. I wouldn't call them "modest" as I find that hugely offensive to anyone not wearing one. So my nice sensible speedo swimsuit, no boobs or bum cheeks hanging out, is by implication "immodest"? Fuck that. What's wrong with calling them "full-cover" or similar?

Heartsnrainbows · 07/05/2023 21:32

Finally something that could cover my problem area.

MidnightMeltdown · 07/05/2023 21:33

I've seen them on UK beaches before. I don't think of them as being particularly unusual these days, so it wouldn't even register with me.

Might consider getting one to hide my flab once I get past a certain age!

GreenDayTune · 07/05/2023 21:34

I wear one. Not for a religious reason but more to cover bits I don't like.

I would never judge anyone over what they choose to wear.

PonyPatter44 · 07/05/2023 21:34

I think they're great - I'm sorry that people were rude and ignorant towards you.

Original poster
Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 21:34

ArcticSkewer · 07/05/2023 21:23

It's an opinion. People have different ones. Op asked. I don't like them in public baths. The sea/rivers - whatever.

I'm assuming hers was at least swimming costume material.

Op will get lots of affirming views on this thread but as she found out, some people do consider them to be pretty unhygienic. They are banned in French pools in some regions (or possibly everywhere I am not sure), along with long board shorts (which are also often worn before going into the pool and pick up dirt, along with the excess material). I'm with the French on that. The British are quite minging in general though - see also sauna etiquette.

Show quote history

An opinion is fine, but justify it or back it up, ive asked you why you think it’s unhygienic, clothes from the street ok, yeah, maybe, but given the amount of urine in pools anyway, I’m not sure if that argument holds much water (pun intended), but back to the point, my burkini is made of normal swimming costume material, so why is it unhygienic? What is intrinsically more dirty about having it come to my ankles, would you say a rash vest is unhygienic or a wet suit? What about the splash suits for little kids? My son is just a baby and the pool water is too cold for him so he has a fleece lined wetsuit, same concept right, should that be banned?

oh and the french, that is nothing but pure anti Muslim hatred, it’s a big thing in France (I’m half french) the amount of baiting the FN does, the false secularism when the bible is taught as a text, it’s pure xenophobia

OP posts:
ArcticSkewer · 07/05/2023 21:35

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 07/05/2023 21:29

@ArcticSkewer any scientific evidence for the "minging" aspect?

Haha no if you think swimming in your day clothes is not minging, you carry on. It isn't something I am overly invested in, I just avoid places that let people do it, as I have higher standards of hygiene.

As for burkinis (made of actual swim material) I'm not a fan, and do consider them mildly unhygienic but for pools not sea/rivers (which have bigger problems than that). I wouldn't comment to the person wearing them though, that's not my business or concern, if the pool allows them.

There we go. Op asked. It's what I think. Not more invested in it really than that.

MagentaRocks · 07/05/2023 21:35

People should be able to wear what they want as long as it isnt offensive. A bikini, tankini,, swim dress or Burkini. As long as you are comfortable and happy with what you are wearing that's all that matters.

Kanaloa · 07/05/2023 21:36

ArcticSkewer · 07/05/2023 21:23

It's an opinion. People have different ones. Op asked. I don't like them in public baths. The sea/rivers - whatever.

I'm assuming hers was at least swimming costume material.

Op will get lots of affirming views on this thread but as she found out, some people do consider them to be pretty unhygienic. They are banned in French pools in some regions (or possibly everywhere I am not sure), along with long board shorts (which are also often worn before going into the pool and pick up dirt, along with the excess material). I'm with the French on that. The British are quite minging in general though - see also sauna etiquette.

Show quote history

Oh great. As well as unstylish, badly behaved, and grotesque, the British are now dirty. Absolutely ridiculous. And conflating wearing modest swimwear with somehow being unhygienic is just bizarre.

Aldidl · 07/05/2023 21:36

Every woman should be allowed to wear what they want.

But by your own admission, you are not. And that is the first thought that would occur to me (is this her choice).

CheezePleeze · 07/05/2023 21:36

GreenDayTune · 07/05/2023 21:34

I wear one. Not for a religious reason but more to cover bits I don't like.

I would never judge anyone over what they choose to wear.

This is why I don't understand the many women on this thread who have said they'd be jealous if they saw the OP.

Why not just buy one? There are loads online and you don't have to be religious to wear one Confused

Littlewhitecat · 07/05/2023 21:36

Had a fab holiday in north Africa last year where on the beach there were woman in up your bum bikinis and other women in very glamorous burkinis with matching lycra headscarves. Nobody gave a shit and it was lovely.

Norriscolesbag · 07/05/2023 21:36

I’d feel sorry for you to be honest and wonder which arsehole was in your life insisting you wear it. You can’t possibly tell me that feels pleasant on a very warm day.

Cleanqueennot · 07/05/2023 21:37

I would probably notice it and I would think good on you for wearing what makes you feel comfortable even if it’s different from what the majority wear. I would probably smile or say hello.

Don’t you love all the opinionated people that feel how someone else dresses is their business! 🙄

MagpieCastle · 07/05/2023 21:37

I’d assume whatever we wear is each individual’s choice so not really anything that would cause much notice.

Original poster
Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 21:37

GrumpyPanda · 07/05/2023 21:32

I'd sneak a surreptitious glance tbh as you so rarely see them around here. I wouldn't call them "modest" as I find that hugely offensive to anyone not wearing one. So my nice sensible speedo swimsuit, no boobs or bum cheeks hanging out, is by implication "immodest"? Fuck that. What's wrong with calling them "full-cover" or similar?

Well tbh modesty means different things to different people, a lot of Muslims would say the burkini I have isn’t modest at all, so it’s a spectrum isn’t it

OP posts:
ShowUs · 07/05/2023 21:37

What’s the difference between a burkini and a wet suit?
Apart from a wet suit is designed to keep you warm in cold water, which you don’t need in an indoor pool.

So if anyone has an issue with a burkini which is a full length swimming costume would you also have an issue with a wetsuit?

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 07/05/2023 21:38

@ArcticSkewer but why are burkinis unhygienic?

Having an opinion is fine, but at least have a reason for it.. more than "i just think/said so".

Kanaloa · 07/05/2023 21:38

ShowUs · 07/05/2023 21:37

What’s the difference between a burkini and a wet suit?
Apart from a wet suit is designed to keep you warm in cold water, which you don’t need in an indoor pool.

So if anyone has an issue with a burkini which is a full length swimming costume would you also have an issue with a wetsuit?

Well apparently a burkini is ‘mildly unhygienic.’ We’re still not sure how or why it is ‘mildly unhygeinic.’

Notjustabrunette · 07/05/2023 21:38

Growlybear83 · 07/05/2023 21:31

I don't understand the problem or why burkinis shouldn't be allowed. How else can Muslim women go swimming? My daughter's burkini is made from the same swimming costume fabric as my swimsuit, there's just a lot more of it than what I wear. The only thing I think is outrageous about burkinis is the cost of them - my daughter's one cost her about £80.

Show quote history

Having worked in clothing manufacturing, £80 is a fair price. There is a lot of expensive fabric and they are not being mass produced for a supermarket type retailer. A good rash vest would cost approx £30, and that doesn’t have the bottom part.

darkerpatio · 07/05/2023 21:38

I would notice as it'd be unusual where we live but I wouldn't care. Wear whatever you want to!

InSpainTheRain · 07/05/2023 21:39

I wouldn't care.

reesewithoutaspoon · 07/05/2023 21:40

We have a few ladies at our women's swim who wear full suits and head covers. I often wonder how heavy it gets when wet and whether it restricts your ability to swim. But that's about it.