American Aversion to Speedos

Shale

I think you are reading way too much into this article, to be honest.
The writer seems to have spent zero time investigating the trends around the world, and relies on cliches. It's a 'puff piece' - if you pardon the expression. Is she saying men should cover up? Or older men with less than fabulous bodies shouldn't wear speedo's? - I would say the latter.

This is a French beach:
http://famouswonders.com/cannes/

Italian:
http://www.bugbog.com/images/beaches/italy-west-coast-beaches/Camaiore/spiaggia-libera.jpg

http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-g...Beach-Summer-Couple-Italian-tourists-1999.jpg

Can you spot the men who are wearing speedo's?
It seems to be the older gentlemen. Who I would say still think it is 1973.
Are you saying all the younger people there are American, or prudes?
It seems to be a bit of a myth that 'europeans' have a more relaxed approach wearing tight fitting speedo's.
I would imagine most of the men you saw wearing speedo's on your cruise were of a similar age as yourself.
Have you some more pictures? (not just of yourself)

I'm not quite sure why you can't accept it just might be that most men don't want to prance around in speedo's.
I'm sure that it would be great for you if they were.

 

Actually, I agree with her statement in the article that Europeans accept men in Speedos without much derision, whereas Americans (as with my untraveled Midwest family) think they are outrageous. Maybe her puff piece relies on clichés but from my experience the attitude to which she alludes bears out. I have Russian friends here who have no problem with my Bikini (or my nudism) but also understand the conservative, body-negative attitude of most Americans.

I did take a couple of pix of others onboard because we were such a minority.

The Non-American crew on their exclusive deck – Apr 2009




Two Brasilian guys – Nov 2009



And, while not all in Bikini style a lot of American gay guys don't wear those baggy swim shorts that are so popular with young guys

 

and combine that with getting out of a cold pool or the ocean and you have the reason a lot of guys don't wear them.

 

Mmm, well acceptance and actually wearing the same attire are two different things, I guess.
All five men in your last picture might accept speedo's (and nudity) - but only two have decided to wear such articles.
With one being slightly more open - it seems - than the other two, who chose not to bare so much.
So, on a beach where 'clothing is optional' it isn't as if there isn't a difference of opinion - or atleast a differentiation of what people wish to wear and accept others wearing.
You might think American's have a 'conservative, body-negative attitude' - but I still do feel that not wishing to wear speedo's isn't a fair reflection of people attitudes.
I also think you represent one point in the social spectrum - and I do appreciate that you wish for more people to be with you - which is fair enough.
You have a lovely place where - judging by the pictures I have seen looking at that particular beach - you go quite often.
Packed full of American's no doubt.
I also do think it is more likely there are more opportunities to wear whatever you wish In America than there are in other places around the world - especially the U.K.
I have no issue with you wearing whatever you want - but wouldn't dream of wearing such items myself.
But like DB's reaction, even if I were to be willing to wear speedo's myself - seeing such as a man in the picture might turn my head, and question if he should be wearing such clothing.
Which, I believe is the general attitude of the writer.
Perhaps she is ageist rather than a puritan
Maybe that is the true prejudice that we should be looking at here.

When I said have you some other pictures, I did mean an idea of the general makeup of the people on board.
Given I now know it has something like: 1,150 crew and 3,000 passengers - I still wouldn't know what most people are wearing.

 

I used to swim and dive and wore them during competitions. At the beach? Hell no.

It's funny in that anytime around here we see a dude wearing a speedo, we instantly know he's canadian or european.

 

lol..did you search for "speedo tiny penis" to find those pics?

 

And I assume you, like every guy on the Internet, have a big penis

 

nope

but if |I aimed it upwards in a speedo like those guys id get in trouble

 

The BBAD is hung, we know that, he doesnt have to confirm or deny

 

If you say so.

 

Croatia



Anything goes, I suppose.

 

The second and third dude from the left could use a little extra time at the gym. Good thing they're not wearing Speedos.

 

The thing I really don't understand is why American men don't even have a choice in the length (inseam) of the shorts they can buy here. Since about 1990, every single short inseam (I prefer 5") has disappeared from the market. Shorts for tennis and basketball have gotten very, very long. I think long inseams, like 9" and greater, look ridiculous and I would never buy them. For swim shorts, I always buy the Speedo Surf Runner, which is the shortest trunk I can find that isn't a classic Speedo. Have we men gotten afraid to show any thigh? Why don't we have a choice?

 

Have you ever tried internet shopping?

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/mens-fashion-swimwear

http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2012/aug/14/mens-swimwear-dos-donts

 

You can always rock some cutoffs. Make sure you get a mullet and an 87 camaro also, they will go great together

 

as for the swimmers having small penis' that would hold water if they were erect but you cant know that from the pic. as for the comment about the 2 croations needing to hit the gym that would be true if they had a reason like they were in sports or had to fight often. but in the modern world it isnt really necessary for a man to have six pack abs and a 24 inch bicep. as for the article i have to agree with odon being that my first choice on a beach is to be naked no matter who is there and what the rules are. but if it isnt possible i would prefer shorts that end about 6 inches above the top of my knees. i just find them more comfortable than speedos. and although i am the least vain person i know i will still say that shorts with some leg to them are more visually appealing...but that has nothing to do with my choice of swimwear.

 

Where did I say my first choice on a beach is to be naked no matter who is there and what the rules are?

 

not the part that i was agreeing with, the small sample of examples was the part that i was agreeing with

 

Just for Shale