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alex .

May 16, 2003, 11:18 AM

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isn't it odd at the beach

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that the locals generally swim with their clothes on?
(No, I don't expect them to be nude, silly).
Alex

Rolly

May 16, 2003, 12:43 PM

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Re: [alex .] isn't it odd at the beach

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So do I. Some of us look a lot better with our clothes on. And it does away with changing problems and even the cost of a swim suit. It also reduces to need for sun screen. All and all, I think it is a good idea.

Around here, we only have the river for swimming. It is so rocky that we not only swim in our short pants and T-shirts, but we keep our shoes on. I took mine off the first time at the river and quickly learned why everybody else had their shoes on. When I go to the beach, I take my shoes off, but I still wear my shorts and T-shirt like everyone else.

The only people I have seen in bathing suits, besides tourists, are the surfers.

Rolly Pirate

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(This post was edited by DavidMcL on May 16, 2003, 1:04 PM)

May 16, 2003, 1:14 PM

Post #3 of 4 (734 views)

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Re: [Rolly] isn't it odd at the beach

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When I skin down to swim trunks at the beaches in Mexico, or anywhere else, the GreenPeace contingent usually shows up in short order, covers me with wet towels, and tries to tow me back into the water. A short while later, some one-handed dude by the name of Ahab or something also materializes mumbling about his lost hand, and somebody or other by the name of Moby and how he's going to get him. As a result, I've adopted the Mexican approach and remain as fully clothed as the temperature and humidity will permit......

wendy devlin

May 18, 2003, 2:21 PM

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Re: [ET] isn't it odd at the beach

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ET,

Hmm...didn't I once... take you by the hand and lead you gently to the water?

Ja! ja! Your post tickled my funny-bone.

But...Seriously though, guys,

you are painting a rather peculiar(in my experience) picture of public bathing in Mexico.

Where I have swum(is that a word;^)...off most Pacific side beaches from San Carlos to Zipolite...

the basic beach attire is.... bathing suits for both Mexican men...and women.

The bathing suits for women tend to be a tad more on the 'conservative' side.

By this I mean two pieces or a single piece, often with a skirt(a style tended to be favored by women of 'certain age' like myself ;^)

Although the skimpiest of bikinis does show up from time to time, especially in groups of college age girls, often in the company of boyfriends or 'boy' friends.

Although I have seen the swimming with all clothes on too...especially on Sundays...when whole family's come to the beach for the day...with perhaps some members not 'intending' to swim...although who can resist?...or perhaps not wearing swimsuits for some of the other reasons stated before.

However I admit...that twelve years ago, during my first visit to Melaque, a small Mexican beach-town, I too, thought that modesty in swim-wear ruled the day.

So when I started visiting there in 1998, without hubby and with two of our kids age 11 and 13, I purposely bought along two light weight, easy-to- dry dresses...for swimming!

But when I went to the beach for the first time, I discovered that I was one of the few women wearing a dress. So I rushed back to the hotel and changed to a swim suit.

Now let me describe how I was surprised by clothing last August in Guadalajara( a city where I have visited many times in the winter.

When I stepped off the plane into the pleasant summer heat, and humidity provided by a recent summer rain, I noticed that almost all the people were dressed exactly like they dressed in winter. Long sleeve shirts, long pants, dresses, suits....etc. The entire three weeks I was in the city, there was scarcely a pair of shorts, on men or women to be seen.

I always bring along a pair of dress slacks and a long dress for visits to catedrales, museums and cultural events etc. But when I wore my shorts to parks and on walks etc. I felt a little self-conscious until comfort prevailed over conformity.

Still...it was a reminder of a Mexican dress code...at least in Guadalajara. Saludos Wendy