Banana Hammocks in a spa - should I have got involved?

[Yummyspamummy]

I’ve just come back from a lovely spa day in the New Forest with some old school friends. Everyone on top form! Sitting round one of the pools I noticed two guys - one young and slim and the other young and not so slim - rocking the banana hammocks.

Now my DH sometimes can be found in a pair himself when we’re sitting on a sunny beach soaking up the rays, but even he wouldn’t dare wear them in a spa in the U.K.! Another lady spa goer a couple of sun beds down from me clearly got her knickers in a twist about them as she sat there tutting away, making comments, and then proceeded to approach them both and admonish them for their swim attire.

I got really annoyed by this - firstly because it’s none of her business, secondly because she did it loudly and publicly in an attempt to shame, and thirdly because they’ve paid the same to use the facilities and it’s not like they’re wearing anything illegal… so I went over and told her (discreetly but forcefully) to get back in her box and leave the men alone. We ended up in a rather un-sisterly back and forth about spa etiquette and the merits or not of speedos before she swept off. The men (who weren’t together as they were both there with wives/GF) just sat there in shocked silence looking a bit embarrassed.

Was I unreasonable to intervene?

[Catza]

I don’t know whether it is reasonable or not but I just came here to say that I would have done the exact same thing, sister.

[spottedinthewilds]

What is a banana hammock? Is it the same as budgie smuggler?

If so why not? In other countries they are requires and in other countries they have naked spas

[BoobyDazzler]

I’d have probably done the same thing too.

[Ravenclawhouse]

I think it's a mankini? I got my husband one for Christmas, he has yet to wear it

[checkedshirts]

Like this or a like a budgie smuggler?

[ChunkzByAnotherName]

You really didn't need to get involved
She'd said her piece. They were both grown men, presumably not crying / overly upset and perfectly able to defend themselves. She probably would have just walked off in a huff if you hadn't intervened and made it a bigger deal. If she thought they were breaking some actual rule, she should have brought them to the attention of staff. The same staff the men could have spoken to if they were offended or upset by her.

[Yummyspamummy]

@spottedinthewilds

What is a banana hammock? Is it the same as budgie smuggler?

If so why not? In other countries they are requires and in other countries they have naked spas

Yes - swim brief, speedo, budgie smuggler, banana hammock, grape smuggler, scrote tote… my DH and DS have heard them all!

[KarmenPQZ]

Are we talking thong. Or speedos style? I wouldn’t bat an eye at the latter. But I would be slightly surprised at a thing. I’ve only ever seen borat type ones worn as a joke on a beach resort but would def not expect them in a spa. But then there does seem to be a rising trend in women thong bikinis so I wouldn’t (outwardly) judge or say anything.

[KarmenPQZ]

Swim briefs are perfectly normal and she was being weird to even think otherwise let alone vocalise it to them.

[neverknowinglyunreasonable]

I hope that woman never goes to a beach in Europe. She'd lose her mind.

[Yummyspamummy]

Perfectly standard normal brief style - one was a bit briefer than the other but everything was covered!

It’s not even the merits or not of men in speedos - I don’t mind it personally. What pissed me off was her attempt to publicly shame them - if a man did that to a woman in a bikini (or even in a thong bikini) he’d get a proper roasting and rightly so. That kind of double standards gives us all a bad name.

[LoveSandbanks]

Can you imagine the outrage if a bloke admonished a woman at the spa for her too brief bikini?

If she had an issue with his attire she should have spoken to a member of staff. What resolution was she expecting? It’s not like he’s going to change into a baggy pair of board shorts that he brought with him in case some cow didn’t like what he was wearing.

[thesleepyhoglet]

I hope she never goes to Europe or Australia!

[Bearbookagainandagain]

It's very common in Europe and mandatory in public pools in some countries (and I imagine spas as well) for hygiene reasons. I had no idea it was such a big deal in the UK!

[Screamingabdabz]

Do you regularly prevent random women from
upsetting poor defenceless men?

If they were bold enough to wear budgie smugglers they certainly didn’t need your intervention. Women need to stick together and if her sensibilities were upset, who are you to judge otherwise. YABU.

[Gowlett]

I’d say the lads were morto!

[Everythinggreen]

Whenever I see banana hammock now I can only think of one thing

[Yummyspamummy]

@Screamingabdabz

Do you regularly prevent random women from
upsetting poor defenceless men?

If they were bold enough to wear budgie smugglers they certainly didn’t need your intervention. Women need to stick together and if her sensibilities were upset, who are you to judge otherwise. YABU.

Not usually… but I do stand up when I feel an injustice is being done. I don’t ‘stick together’ with people who are poorly behaved and rude, regardless of their sex!

Also in this instance I’m a bit conscious that men are usually heavily outnumbered in a spa setting - it must be intimidating enough without some snotty cow coming over and having a pop at you because she can see the outline of your bits n bobs. I mean it’s only a willy for gods sake!

[PandaChopChop]

I must admit, I immediately thought of princess consuela banana hammock 😆

Actually OP I'm normally all for leaving people be, but if a man had admonished a woman for wearing "too little" we'd all be up in arms (and i would have intervened). I think you did the right thing.

[ThePoshUns]

I thought this was a Friends related thread as well.
Yes the woman was out of order. Most of Europe insist on proper trunks and not swim shorts for hygiene reasons.

[Deathbyfluffy]

@Screamingabdabz

Do you regularly prevent random women from
upsetting poor defenceless men?

If they were bold enough to wear budgie smugglers they certainly didn’t need your intervention. Women need to stick together and if her sensibilities were upset, who are you to judge otherwise. YABU.

Nah, she was being ridiculous and someone needed to get her told.
It’s not about the men being able to defend themselves, it’s about knowing when to keep comments to yourself.

If the men ‘had a word’ I bet there’d be outrage that two men dressed in swimming gear dared to upset an innocent woman 🙄

[Jagley]

@Everythinggreen

Whenever I see banana hammock now I can only think of one thing

Exactly what I think!

[HunterHearstHelmsley]

@Deathbyfluffy

Nah, she was being ridiculous and someone needed to get her told.
It’s not about the men being able to defend themselves, it’s about knowing when to keep comments to yourself.

If the men ‘had a word’ I bet there’d be outrage that two men dressed in swimming gear dared to upset an innocent woman 🙄

Exactly! Women don't need to stick together and blindly agree. Perhaps complaining woman should have stuck together with the ones that weren't bothered.

It doesn't sound as if they were exposing themselves and it's not up to random people to criticize their choice of attire.

I was at a spa recently. Most women were wearing high leg bikinis. That's probably more exposing but no one batted an eye.

[Ilovemyshed]

Could be worse though ....

[Ilovemyshed]

Sorry if that put anyone off their tea 😂