I don’t understand the appeal of sunbathing?

[Labubus]

I have autism, which may be why!

Can someone who enjoys sunbathing/ lying next to a pool explain the appeal of it to me? I find it boring, vain, and a waste of time! I’d much rather be in the pool having fun or exploring the local area!

However, I’m clearly in the minority for my demographic here! Most other middle aged British women seem to love it! They pay thousands for it! Why?

Im not on the spectrum but I absolutely detest sunbathing. As soon as the sun is on my skin I feel like a chicken in an oven. I feel it burning through my skin in seconds. I hate that I tan easily. I literally loon like I a dirty face and body with a tan. I can’t match make up for my face and I just look horrible.
I haven’t even mentioned the heatstroke I get at least once a year and that’s with avoiding the sun.

One time I had to walk 20 mins in the blazing 30 degree London sun to my son’s school to have a meeting. I was excessively sweating and clammy all over. Then I passed out in the chair😂😩.

Last month I walked 15 mins up a long street again in the sun and tripped over, smashed my face into the ground, hit my sunglasses on the way and cut my forehead with the hinge on the side of my sunglasses.
The blood caused such a scene, but it was worse than it looked. I still came home and knocked out then woke up and went to a&e to get my bleeding cut glued up. The Nurse wanted to give stitched but then changed her mind as it was mark my face for life.

So as you can see I hate then sun.

My husband on the other hand will sit in the sun until he is as red as a lobster.

I've never known a single person to put on a full face of makeup to sunbathe. And I've been on a lot of holidays with a lot of people.

I don’t want to tan (and I’m ginger so physically can’t). But sitting in the sunshine with a cold drink and a book is pretty nice. Or just having a nap in the sun. I’m usually either under an umbrella, under a towel, or somewhere else shady, or I sit out late enough not to risk burning (5-6pm). Still nice.

I enjoy reading a book on a lounger at the beach. Under a huge parasol! No noisy pools.. no noisy kids.

Bloody love sitting in the sun by the beach with a good book. I don’t do it to tan or to look good. It feels good and something about the sea relaxes me in a way nothing else does.

Interspersed with swims. I rarely hang out in or by the pool, I get bored.
I also like to sight see, hike, explore, etc etc etc. It’s a nice mix.

I think I like it until I sit down then get sweaty and crampy and ants in my pants and have to move around and get up and get a drink then get in the pool then try and read then go to front desk to ask about restaurant times then tell everyone that I have booked us all in for water polo, I have adhd 😂

I don't get it either.

I love reading but once I am lost in a book, I don't care where I am so I don't see the point in spending a lot of money on a holiday to sit and read when I can do that anywhere.

I don't like napping or relaxing either.

I would much rather go on a long walk by the coast as I do enjoy seeing the sea.

Some women like makeup and fashion, some don’t.

I Love fashion but I don’t sunbathe.

You’re not really asking a question are you? You’re simply wanting to point out how superficial you think sunbathing is, and that you are above that kind of vanity.

I’m with you.

I agree, OP and I'm not autistic! I used to sunbathe when I was young, because it was what you did, but looking back I don't think I really enjoyed it that much even then, though I liked having a tan. These days I don't do lie by the pool type holidays!

I used to lie out in the sun all day every day on holiday with my one and only aim to leave the holiday as brown as possible.

About three years ago I had a sudden light bulb moment and decided I no longer wanted to lie out and suffer in the name of beauty.

I still love to lie around the pool and relax, nap, eat, drink however I will constantly be under an umbrella. It is so much more comfortable and relaxing and I know that my skin will thank me in years to come.

Totally agree, OP: I'm also autistic 🤣

I quite enjoy it for a day or two on holiday. Just relax, feel the warmth on your skin, read a book for a bit, have a doze, chat to DP, people watch. Have a couple of beers, jump in the pool once in a while to cool off. It's just nice to spend some time in your own brain for a while while your body feels nice.

Wouldn't want to spend an entire week doing it though!

But that isn't everybodies idea of sunbathing. I love "sunbathing" in a quiet spot, preferably with the sound of waves lapping against the shore, and my Kindle loves it too 😁It doesn't mean that I can't do other things as well. Each to their own.

I like lounging in the shade but not being in the sun and sweating (which is what immediately happens!). If I have a book or something to listen to then I'm ok.

@Labubus do you enjoy just laying down with the purpose of just snoozing or daydreaming?

Same. Also neurodivergent.

Loved it when young, middle aged now and can’t stand the heat much rather be in the shade plus it saves my skin from ageing so I guess still vain.

Well you’ll be pleased to know that isn’t the norm. Apart from the bikini bit, people do these things every day with not a hint of sunbathing.

A lot of people find the sun’s warmth relaxing and the vitamin D is beneficial. People also enjoy reading to relax.

Is it just sunbathing or do you find it hard to understand why different people like different things?

This is giving “pick me”.

I love the summer, love the warm feel of the sun on my skin, love the heavenly blue sky and I love wearing as few clothes as is decent. But I can't sunbathe to save my life. I'd rather be swimming in the sea or exploring, or eating and drinking! I can see the appeal if perhaps you've been unwell or had a really dreadful time of things. The act of doing nothing in the "healing" sun would be appealing under those circumstances. But I know a lot of people who spend their holidays mostly sunbathing and get all the necessary gear just for that purpose which would drive me nuts.

Me too! It depends on the pool. I don't enjoy being right on top of people. I do enjoy a sea view or some palm trees. Got to have shade though. I don't tan I burn.

Also most middle aged women I know are not spending a fortune getting bikini ready. Wear the same bikini year on year.

God forbid middle aged women do something they enjoy, eh?

Why do people always sound so sneery when talking about things like sunbathing; and act like their preference is so much more highbrow or more cultured but always just better?

FGS, people like different things. I have a similar argument with my mother too. I work in a very high pressured, fast moving job which is mentally draining, and requires long hours in front of a computer and on calls.
So I like time to myself on holidays, where I don't need to think or make decisions or be "on", and not have to be staring at screens. I just want to be still in body and mind for a while. The idea of traipsing round shops and towns and dealing with more things to do/see/go/try/watch/experience, however simple it seems to you, is exhausting for me.

How about you enjoy yourself in the pool (as is your choice) and just leave other people alone?

(BTW, I don't even sunbathe much myself. I tend to find nice quiet spots to read a book or people watch or just gaze into the distance.)

I love sitting\lying in the sun, people watching, daydreaming, watching the waves go in and out, just idling the day away. I will lie out a bit, shade a bit, pop in the sea or the pool, lie out to get dry. In the course of this I will get a tan.

I don't actually care if it makes me look a bit older, its a lovely feeling, the warmth and the absolute relaxation of it, and I will do it for the rest of my life. Life goals are to move permanently to Italy and sit with a group of old women on the shore line, chatting, and tanning our sun ravaged bodies.