Sauna Etiquette

[Byron]

Good to read your interesting post Jackk. I picked up on "other people's sensitivities" in terms of minimal coverage and/or nudity and can only conclude that you enjoyed a very civilised upbringing ( and more of such it would be nice to see).
You were also bold enough to refer to a continuing pervasive puritanism in the US and not (so far) be accused of US-bashing. Well done!

[jackk78]

Originally Posted by Byron

Good to read your interesting post Jackk. I picked up on "other people's sensitivities" in terms of minimal coverage and/or nudity and can only conclude that you enjoyed a very civilised upbringing ( and more of such it would be nice to see).
You were also bold enough to refer to a continuing pervasive puritanism in the US and not (so far) be accused of US-bashing. Well done!

We exist at a pretty good time in human history, and the US is a good place to live. I've visited lots of places, and don't have a desire to live anywhere else. Being overly modest isn't really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Barriers are starting to come down. Korean spas seem to be popping up everywhere, and they require patrons to be nude. Most of the spas in Vegas are clothing optional too.

[sebbie]

Speedos are a lot more fun than total nudity....anyone else feel the same?

Sebbie

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

[quote=jackk78]We exist at a pretty good time in human history, and the US is a good place to live. I've visited lots of places, and don't have a desire to live anywhere else.

Byron... far cry from the crap you posted about the US. I didn't blast u about posting anti US... posting anti any country does not belong here is really what I said. Why is that so hard for u to get?

[Bwanaastaire69]

Originally Posted by jackk78

My gym has a coed sauna (and steam and hot tub), which means swimsuits are required. Most of the men, of course, wear shorts. While I'm fine wearing a bikini to swim laps, I'd feel a bit out of place wearing one in the spa area. The smallest I've got in a square cut. I've gone au naturel at places like Baden Baden with men and women, but nudity is taboo in the US.

How do you feel about wearing a bikini in the sauna in mixed company?

if i don't know anyone, i feel comfortable, if i know them, i would rather have board shorts as people look at you funny here in the us. in a hot tub where i go at this spa casino pool, i usually don't know anyone, but in my condo pool out there as well as here in mass. i usually where a speedo late at night when nobody usually is in the pool. chuck

[Byron]

Welcome as new member today.

I am afraid that what you say reflects what has been discussed here so often on the forum about feeling socially comfortable and seeking speedo-friendly beaches.
(Would it be fair to say that Mass. is generally "non-friendly"?)

[Bwanaastaire69]

Originally Posted by Byron

Welcome as new member today.

I am afraid that what you say reflects what has been discussed here so often on the forum about feeling socially comfortable and seeking speedo-friendly beaches.
(Would it be fair to say that Mass. is generally "non-friendly"?)

if you go to providence town and truro at the end of cape cod, that is friendly and if i remember correctly, truro has a nude beach so that would be a friendly place to go, but you are correct to say mass. is somewhat backwards, except for the fact i believe one if not the first state to establish gay marriage. good point though byron, chuck

[jackk78]

It's interesting to come back to this after so long. The pool I frequent was purchased by a German family a few months ago. They've slowly been instituting a few changes. The first was to hire a new aquatics director. They've been doing some renovations to the spa area as well. It's been closed almost since they took over.

They recently sent out a letter to all members outline some policy changes. It's not at all what I expected. Some excerpts below.

What is Freikörperkultur (FKK)?
Growing up in Germany, one of life's greatest pleasures was a visit to the local swimming hole or therme. Here men, women, boys, and girls enjoyed the freedom of being uninhibited and free. FKK or Free Body Culture encourages acceptance of all bodies, young, old, big, or small. In our increasingly judgmental culture, we believe this to be an important value. As such, we will be implementing policies that encourage body acceptance. While we make this changes, we encourage you to come to us with any questions or concerns you may a have.

Spa
The spa area between the locker rooms will be reopening soon. We thank you for your patience during construction.

Dress Code
To maintain the cleanliness of renovated spa area, we require that members use the spa without a bathing suit (i.e. nude). A cleansing shower is required before entering the spa area. Please sit on a clean towel when using the dry sauna. Towels are not permitted in the steam sauna. A hose is available inside the steam sauna to cleanse the benches before and after use.

Age Restrictions
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while using the spa area.

Locker Rooms

Children in Opposite Sex Locker Rooms
We believe that it is up to parents to decide when their children are ready to go into their own locker room unaccompanied. Therefore, as long as they are accompanied by a parent, we do not restrict the age of children allowed to use the opposite gender locker rooms.

FKK Freedom Fridays
Beginning the first Friday in November (the 6th) the pool will be open for FKK Freedom Fridays. All day Friday, the pool is restricted to nude use only. No bathing suits are permitted. Members may also bring up to 3 guests free instead of paying the regular fee.

To answer any questions you may have and provide an introduction to FKK culture, we will be hosting an orientation Friday, October 30, from 8-10 PM in the pool area. This event is clothing optional, and we encourage you to undress to your comfort level.

[jackk78]

There was a bit of a backlash against required nudity in the spa area, so this pool relaxed their rules to avoid scaring away clientele. They reinstated the more typical swimsuits required rule every day except on Fridays. They're still trying to make that happen. I've been a few times, and it's mostly German and Russian families.

They did send out a notice about their "Nude Years Day" event next Friday, when the facility will be open to the public.

[jackk78]

I had to stay in a hotel for work. I was relaxing in the sauna wearing a speedo when a mom and daughter walked in. It was obvious they were talking about me when they sat down. After a while, the mom said, "I like your swimsuit."

"Mom!" said the daughter.

"What? I'm just giving him a complement."

"Your embarrassing me," said the daughter.

"Everything I do embarrasses you," said the mom.

"It's alright," I said. "Thanks for the complement."

"More men used to wear those when I was growing up," said the mom. "I think they're cute."

"And comfortable," I added.

"My husband is a shorts man," she said.

"You should get him a speedo as a gift," I suggested. "Sometimes men are just uncomfortable getting one for themselves."

She laughed. "That'd make a great stocking stuffer."

We chatted about what we were doing in town. Eventually, they had to leave. I wrote down my email for the mom before she left and asked her to tell me how it went. I got a message from her a couple of days after Christmas.

"He waited until the kids left, but wore it for me in the hot tub. Thanks for the advice."