Help DH won't wear speedos but going to France!

[letitgoletitgo6]

Taking DCs to Disney land Paris in May. DH has severe body dysmorphia and getting clothes that he will wear is a nightmare as he genuinely hates the way he looks (there's absolutely nothing wrong with the way he looks but it's not as easy as just telling him that!)

So I've recently found out about the law in France about all men and boys having to wear speedos when swimming. We aren't staying at Disney we are staying at the centre parks so we definitely plan on going swimming. He's point blank refusing to wear them which I do completely understand as he will worry about it every hour until we go. However if he doesn't go then non of us can go in as Dc are small and can't swim without help and I can't help both on my own. Is there a speedo alternative that's a bit more body forgiving that I could suggest to him?

It’s often enforced at Eurocamp type parks not just municipal pools. DH refuses to wear them. He bought plain black fairly small normal swim shorts last year in Brittany and got in the pool quickly thinking nobody would notice but the lifeguard came over and told him his shorts were “not good “ it just varies

I'm just back from a holiday in a french centerparcs. Literally none of the men wore speedos.

Just double-checked this law, and it states, "Speedos or tight-fitting trunks." So, there is a little wiggle room there.

My DH is perfectly happy with his body, as are my sons with theirs. They are cool as a cucumber when it comes to stuff like that and they have plenty of confidence. However if I said they all had to wear speedos on holiday, they would go up the wall, it’s just not the done thing anymore. Christ I’d be mortified if my DH wore trunks / speedos on our holidays. I can’t believe they enforce this. British blokes just wouldn’t comply.

I don’t think it’s a law, it’s just the rules at a lot of swimming pools.

What a bizarre rule. I would have thought it would be the other way around!

Why on earth would it be the other way around?

@letitgoletitgo6 are proper swimming shorts not permitted? thats the kind with the liner briefs to keep tackle inside

It's very sad to read what he is going through. I'm amazed he is going swimming at all. I hope you all have a great holiday

Slightly on a range but Pools really do have weird rules generally.

in Japan they have lanes where swimming is banned- they’re for walking don’tcha know. and they make you all get out every half hour. Lest you over exert yourself.

Why do you keep going to France if you hate their rules so much ?

Center Parcs FAQ say that any swimwear is allowed in the Aqua Mundo.

We've just returned from villages nature (centre parcs Paris) & men can wear normal trunk there.

Harsh but not true. Absolute bollocks in fact.

It’s always been the case at some campsites and in Italy too. Took my boys camping 15 years ago and they had to wear speedos. Can’t see what that problem is really apart from the British being prudish. Women have to wear tight, flesh exposing costumes. Why do we accept it but men can’t? It’s only body parts.

I really dislike the fashion now of buggy shorts over normal pants. What’s that about?

Wiggle room

I’ve been chucked out of pools for wearing a Swimdress from TU saiinsbury’s. The French are absolutely stupid when it comes to hygiene rules. They still go to the loo in a hole in the ground with not a drop of soap to be found, yet swimming in a chlorinated pool with anything other than Speedos is forbidden!

Have you not see the news for the last several years about women (of a specific ethnicity/religion) being fined and hauled off the beach for wearing (too much clothing) "inappropriate" swimwear?
@PrincessOlga

We've just come back from Les Villages Natures. The rule isn't enforced there. I don't recall seeing any men in speedos! It'll be fine.

Or just don’t make him go swimming if it’s that stressful for you all. Either manage the children yourself or take one at a time and you husband do something with the other one. It really doesn’t seem worth the stress and anxiety.

‘Get over it’ - would you say this about a woman with body dysmorphia?

Any loose-fitting or baggy shorts carry a lot more dirt than the skin fit types into the water, so not hygienic if everyone did the same.

My understanding is it’s only a law in mumicipal pools, other places may have more relaxed rules. Although maybe still not board shorts. Would he wear the shorts rather than the briefs style?

When we went to a public pool in France they told us it’s because baggier shorts hold too much water/take it out of the pool

Same. Toddler told to take UV suit off (swimming costume material not neoprene). We are a family of pallid gingers.

Honestly just confirms to me that I don’t suit French holidays! Greece, Spain, Italy and Malta all less batshit about it.

I loved the municipal outdoor pool in Alpe d'Huez! Gorgeously warm water and swimming in a big pool under a deep blue sky surrounded by snowy mountains!