To not want to be naked in sauna

[lollypoppy123]

I’m going to a fancy hotel in Germany with an amazing spa but I’ve just found out the spa is textile free which means no clothes whatsoever allowed. I’m really uncomfortable with this as I’ve had a mastectomy and my reconstruction is pretty ugly. Even without that, I’d feel weird being naked with strangers.

Hi OP,

Sorry to hear you're feeling upset about your mastectomy. I really think you should go. Bring along a spare towel until you're brave enough. You've been through loads and you deserve to have a genuine break - this could be exactly what you need.

Just as silly as calling a human body silly, totally agree

indeed British are prudes, I say that as an English persoN

im comfortable with my body, enough not to drive on to another campsite to avoid nakedness and stay for 3 nights

I have been to single sex spas where this is normal and I’m fine in the company of women. I have never been to a mixed sex one and I definitely wouldn’t given the sexual assault and voyeurism stats by men. It’s a risk I would never take if they demand nakedness.

I wouldn't necessarily make nakedness my number #1 option, but would go with the flow a bit where necessary.

What’s the thinking behind the compulsoriness of it? Is it that gussets are germ factories? If you’re allowed to sit on towels, why would you not be allowed to wrap one around you?

(mostly asking out of curiosity, although I will admit to being a massive prude and a naked spa is my idea of hell. Thankfully I’m not going to one and have no problem with other people doing it!)

Nowhere demands nakedness, because you have the choice to go or not. Mixed sex saunas are reasonably common, but I can understand people preferring single sex (biological sex) sessions.

If it’s Schloss Elmau the sauna by the river you CAN wear a swimsuit

Where in Germany have you experienced this?

Where I live the protocol is that you have one towel to sit on (compulsory), a small towel for feet and an optional towel wrapped around the body. Some people have a wrap-around towel and some don't. No swimsuits, bikinis etc and no bare flesh touching the benches. A robe is worn when walking around between the pool, showers and sauna.

I haven’t been to a sauna in Germany yet, but in Sweden, whenever we do shared sauna, the guys wrap the towel around the hip and the girls would wrap it under the armpits, like a tube top dress. So although technically everyone was naked we were all covered up. In the women’s only sauna people used towel or just sat on it, whatever they felt comfortable with. Usually it would be naked old ladies of all sizes and no creepy vibes or staring, just chill chit chat between friends. Sitting on a towel was always a requirement though! I‘ve seem similar setups in Austria.

Although I currently live in Germany, sadly, I haven’t been to a spa yet. Maybe just email and ask about the towel thing. If towels are required to sit on I see no reason people would micro manage exactly how you use that towel.

A (non German) friend who recently went to a spa had the same dilemma as you so she changed her booking to a Monday as they had different rules compared to the weekend. That’s another option to look into.

Best of luck!

What I will say op is

swimming naked was really nice and the water hides most of your body, perhaps get in the pool first before trying other areas. If there is a steam room try that before the sauna.

I’m amazed you had never heard this about German spas?!

It's just normal there, like costumes are normal in the UK.
Shelf toilets were also normal in Germany, just like non-shelf ones were normal in UK.
It's traditionally normal to wear your wedding ring on your right hand in Germany, traditionally normal to wear it on the left in the UK.
Cultural differences, no right or wrong.

Not normal for you. But think about what “normal” means. It is normal in Germany.

There are naturists in the UK.

The issue is the OP’s mastectomy scar, which anyone will sympathise with

I've been to several German spas. It feels weird to begin with but I have seen so so many different body types. Body hair, no body hair, large, small, scarred etc.

What happens if you’re on a period? Do women just not go at that time if the month?

Of course I know all those things, but it does irk me when those who are relaxed about nudity don't seem to want to allow those of us who'd rather keep our private parts private to have our preference without being labelled prudes. IMO being private about nudity is just as normal as being relaxed about it, there are logical reasons for each perspective.

I actually love saunas and spas so feel gutted for you OP that you might miss out on this! I have been to a couple of mixed sexed sessions in saunas abroad - honestly, even though it does seem weird at first I ended up finding it really encouraging for accepting my body. It’s one of the only places you will see a really normal representation of peoples bodies and seeing people who are totally unfazed by being naked is quite nice as we don’t get it so much here.

I’m not sure I would go to a mixed sexed session in the U.K. cos we don’t have the culture of it so I would feel uncomfortable, but in Germany I feel convinced that they will not give a shit about what you look like.

Incidentally I went to the Porchester in London for a women’s session and it was the same, I think you could wear a swimming costume but everyone was naked. You get used to it surprisingly quickly!

Protocols vary from place to place, and apparently less younger people are embracing nakedness (in general) to the same degree as previous generations. I don't doubt your experience and that's why I mentioned OP clarifying exactly what it means at the particular hotel.

Most sauna in mainland Europe are naked in my experience. It's only us Brits have issues with it, but understand your concerns OP

What would? You haven't quoted anyone.

Possibly, or, without TMI, tampon with string safely hidden?
Even with a cossie you have to carefully position a string.

Towels are made of textiles. (I'm sure someone's already said this)

I've been a few times to German saunas/spas. You can wrap a towel around you, and some offer robes. If it is fancy I would expect a robe! Even in the sauna or steam room you can wrap a towel around you (though you're likely to feel uncomfortable and hot after a short while!)

I've had a mastectomy too and sympathise with your self consciousness, but actually I recommend it for that reason!

• There will be all sorts of bodies there with every lump, bump and shape imaginable! You will not be the only person there with a body difference.
• As the Germans are utterly used to it, there are no pervy men or weirdos. Everyone is just there to use the facilities .

You're great as you are. Don't let battle scars stop you!

Are you going to Vabali in Hamburg? If so, lucky you, it’s glorious! No swimming costumes are allowed in the sauna, but you can definitely wrap a towel around you (but as a pp has said, bring a second as they’re very strict that your feet are on one too). But even if you don’t go in any saunas, it’s lovely to just lounge in your dressing gown, read and eat amazing food without any phones. I go several times a year and my husband has never done the naked thing but just loves the ambience and luxury. And I’m sure it’ll be the same irrespective of which hotel you’re actually staying at.

I just don't believe no men would be looking !