How comfortable are men with being nude in communal showers and locker rooms in your country or culture?

[mikyang]

We show our faces, and some are more attractive than others.

I don’t see that modesty is relevant here, just as I don’t cover my face in order to be modest. I don’t care who sees me naked. Other men don’t care if they are seen naked. We all have a body. There’s the “see but don’t see” concept. People aren’t blind but it’s not about looking either.

faces are far different from dicks balls and butts

 

[rominround1]

Meanwhile in the US-

The guys go in the sauna wearing their clothes. Sweat like mad. Then exit...and strip down to their shorts and proceed to the sinks where they grab wads of paper towels and wipe themselves dry. Then they put their sweaty nasty workout clothes back on.

Perhaps they learned this from the homeless taking baths at the sinks in train stations?

All this goes on while there are 8-10 curtained shower stalls 10 feet away and a full changing room with lockable lockers.

Im not sure if it's just plain ignorance, not having had to take showers after gym class in school, or ?

 

[Jason]

In UK it used to be the case that schools all had open locker-rooms and showers. This used to be the case also for local authority run leisure centres, the most common pools and gyms in UK. If this is what you are used to them you really aren’t going to be bothered by nakedness.

There have been changes in UK. The new idea is the changing village and mixed sex showers. Changing villages mean little cubicles for changing. The problem is cleanliness. It is a lot of work cleaning the walls plus a floor that is all corners, plus the door catch. We’ve become aware of hygiene problems with coronavirus. Mixed sex showers mean shower in swim gear. It’s a way of not showering properly. Where people are just using the gym and may not have swim gear with them it means no shower (and even for those who have gym gear to swim gear to outdoor clothes is an additional change).

This change noted the old open system does still exist in UK, particularly in cities. Typically in cities there is a shortage of space and the open system needs less space. There is chatter about a return to more open facilities as a way to live with coronavirus. I can imagine lots of screams of objection, but it probably does make sense. It is still possible of course to offer a very few cubicles for those who still want them.

My personal view is that the UK should get rid of changing villages asap On the grounds of hygiene.

 

[mikyang]

Meanwhile in the US-

The guys go in the sauna wearing their clothes. Sweat like mad. Then exit...and strip down to their shorts and proceed to the sinks where they grab wads of paper towels and wipe themselves dry. Then they put their sweaty nasty workout clothes back on.

Perhaps they learned this from the homeless taking baths at the sinks in train stations?

All this goes on while there are 8-10 curtained shower stalls 10 feet away and a full changing room with lockable lockers.

Im not sure if it's just plain ignorance, not having had to take showers after gym class in school, or ?

well why cant they after the gym go home to wash there clothes or as you say go to the stalls and clean up? I personally would get a clean pair of clothes after the work out

 

[mikyang]

In UK it used to be the case that schools all had open locker-rooms and showers. This used to be the case also for local authority run leisure centres, the most common pools and gyms in UK. If this is what you are used to them you really aren’t going to be bothered by nakedness.

There have been changes in UK. The new idea is the changing village and mixed sex showers. Changing villages mean little cubicles for changing. The problem is cleanliness. It is a lot of work cleaning the walls plus a floor that is all corners, plus the door catch. We’ve become aware of hygiene problems with coronavirus. Mixed sex showers mean shower in swim gear. It’s a way of not showering properly. Where people are just using the gym and may not have swim gear with them it means no shower (and even for those who have gym gear to swim gear to outdoor clothes is an additional change).

This change noted the old open system does still exist in UK, particularly in cities. Typically in cities there is a shortage of space and the open system needs less space. There is chatter about a return to more open facilities as a way to live with coronavirus. I can imagine lots of screams of objection, but it probably does make sense. It is still possible of course to offer a very few cubicles for those who still want them.

My personal view is that the UK should get rid of changing villages asap On the grounds of hygiene.

I know from scuba diving you do need to clean your equipment and your trunks since they can carry hitch hikers so to speak

open showers and stalls why? they need privacy and such.

 

[Jason]

I know from scuba diving you do need to clean your equipment and your trunks since they can carry hitch hikers so to speak

open showers and stalls why? they need privacy and such.

I think you’ve identified a cultural difference. Americans may need privacy. Brits generally don’t - and ditto Europeans.

And agreed, showering in swim costume has hygiene issues.

 

[JayPR]

I know from scuba diving you do need to clean your equipment and your trunks since they can carry hitch hikers so to speak

open showers and stalls why? they need privacy and such.

I was reading your comments and I still don't understand your point of view.

In your culture or home country, is it normal to be naked in open showers or is rare?

Second question: Are you against nudity in open showers or in favor?

 

[mikyang]

I think you’ve identified a cultural difference. Americans may need privacy. Brits generally don’t - and ditto Europeans.

And agreed, showering in swim costume has hygiene issues.

Again modesty. Well I meant swim trunks and if you have scuba gear that needs to be cleaned or rinsed off. BUt I would want to put it in a solution to get rid of all the critters and bacteria in the gear. They do have that for scuba gear and masks etc etc

 

[mikyang]

I was reading your comments and I still don't understand your point of view.

In your culture or home country, is it normal to be naked in open showers or is rare?

Second question: Are you against nudity in open showers or in favor?

well in a locker room with clothes on

I am against nudity in the swimming pool but in the locker room its different.

 

[Dik Ryder]

Being naked has never bothered me ....................

However, to add to that, I am a nudist. Initial reactions that I get are that I must be sexually motivated by it. My response is "absolutely not. If nudism is sexual to you, then please don't come to a nudist resort that I am visiting".

The homophobic angle; in my 67 years I am of the opinion that those men who come across as homophobic are uncertain of their own sexuality".

So true! I’ve heard the same thing about my being a nudist being sexually motivated! I look at people who say that with a befuddled look! I’m 31 and have been a nudist since my late teens! I do nude yoga, love the nude beaches and I’m always nude at home! And your right about those who come across as homophobic are uncertain about their own sexuality!

 

[mikyang]

So true! I’ve heard the same thing about my being a nudist being sexually motivated! I look at people who say that with a befuddled look! I’m 31 and have been a nudist since my late teens! I do nude yoga, love the nude beaches and I’m always nude at home! And your right about those who come across as homophobic are uncertain about their own sexuality!

How am I uncertain about my sexuality when I always have been gay? DO you have a boyfriend? what are you going to do when they come visit you? How am I being homophobic? Modesty is good

 

[Kade94]

were females in the mix in the pools

I never said that people were naked in the pool. They were naked in the shower and locker room.
However, people in Germany are more comfortable and open to nudity. Have you heard of Freikörperkultur, or free body culture? Google it.

 

[Dik Ryder]

How am I uncertain about my sexuality when I always have been gay? DO you have a boyfriend? what are you going to do when they come visit you? How am I being homophobic? Modesty is good

Modesty is good! Everyone that knows me me, know that I’m a nudist, and they are all cool with it!

 

[opinionman]

So let me understand you. IF all guys were naked in front of eachother then we wouldnt be so savage!?!? Guys need male mentors gay or straight but being naked in a pool with them isnt giving them confidence

That's not what I meant. I was referring to an IMAGINARY culture where it was normal for guys growing up to have, say, a guy a few years older than them who could be a mentor, could help them negotiate the pitfalls, could encourage them when they felt lack of confidence, or if they weren't developing as fast as some other guys (reminding them that's it all normal to have diff rates of development etc) . It's an idealized version of what organizations like the Boy Scouts or even sports teams are SUPPOSED to do: Use male influence to help develop male psyches.
I'm NOT saying (which is what you seem to think I am) that this magically happens when guys get naked. Obviously, hazing and other harassment indicate that such positive dynamics are not the norm. What I AM saying is that wouldn't it be nice if the the ideals could become true? The whole REASON all male societies/organizations exist is precisely this: that guy need older guys to help them as they grow up. It seems essential to their psyche as the ancients knew well enough. For that same reason, I wish we could magically create a culture where those who are growing up could have helpful, loving support along the way.
What is confusing about that?

 

[mikyang]

That's not what I meant. I was referring to an IMAGINARY culture where it was normal for guys growing up to have, say, a guy a few years older than them who could be a mentor, could help them negotiate the pitfalls, could encourage them when they felt lack of confidence, or if they weren't developing as fast as some other guys (reminding them that's it all normal to have diff rates of development etc) . It's an idealized version of what organizations like the Boy Scouts or even sports teams are SUPPOSED to do: Use male influence to help develop male psyches.
I'm NOT saying (which is what you seem to think I am) that this magically happens when guys get naked. Obviously, hazing and other harassment indicate that such positive dynamics are not the norm. What I AM saying is that wouldn't it be nice if the the ideals could become true? The whole REASON all male societies/organizations exist is precisely this: that guy need older guys to help them as they grow up. It seems essential to their psyche as the ancients knew well enough. For that same reason, I wish we could magically create a culture where those who are growing up could have helpful, loving support along the way.
What is confusing about that?

they also need woman. american and britain have become societies of saying to man stiff upper lip

 

[Kade94]

Why German Nudists Are Wearing Frowns As Others Disrobe makes you wonder why the kids are not joining him maybe its becuase they dont want to see granddad naked

What? that's a very simplistic reasoning.
dude, why are you bringing that up?

 

[mikyang]

What? that's a very simplistic reasoning.
dude, why are you bringing that up?

How is it simplistic?

 

[Lucas Pacheco Sarnento Gustavo]

Since we are discussing WHY younger generations are not feeling OK with locker room nudity, I want to drop a few cents of thoughts here.

I have this thought where any country/place with increasing violence rates past 50 years end up decreasing people's confidence among each other, mainly among strangers. With the increased sexualization of nudity, being naked has become an act of intimacy, even without any sexual activity involved. It's is harder for younger generations to get along like this because they learn much earlier about not trusting strangers, wich make them act more defensive.

This is why more people tend to only get naked among a small circle of known friends, colleagues or teammates.

Many European countries have lower violence, misogyny and homophobic rates, which generates less tension among strangers, so traditional nude activities are not a big deal, people do trust each other more. Though this varies according to big cities due to the diversity of cultures.

I don't think being naked will resolve the toxic masculinity promoted by sex selling industries all by itself. It just shouldn't be alarming or morally wrong to be naked in proper areas. Younger generations need their own time to understand that because they have a lot to unlearn from what's being hammered into their heads with either through religion, social media and porn.

 

[mikyang]

Since we are discussing WHY younger generations are not feeling OK with locker room nudity, I want to drop a few cents of thoughts here.

I have this thought where any country/place with increasing violence rates past 50 years end up decreasing people's confidence among each other, mainly among strangers. With the increased sexualization of nudity, being naked has become an act of intimacy, even without any sexual activity involved. It's is harder for younger generations to get along like this because they learn much earlier about not trusting strangers, wich make them act more defensive.

This is why more people tend to only get naked among a small circle of known friends, colleagues or teammates.

Many European countries have lower violence, misogyny and homophobic rates, which generates less tension among strangers, so traditional nude activities are not a big deal, people do trust each other more. Though this varies according to big cities due to the diversity of cultures.

I don't think being naked will resolve the toxic masculinity promoted by sex selling industries all by itself. It just shouldn't be alarming or morally wrong to be naked in proper areas. Younger generations need their own time to understand that because they have a lot to unlearn from what's being hammered into their heads with either through religion, social media and porn.

again blame the usa? European countries again have there own problems as well.

So go back to nudity in the swimming pool when guys didnt even want to get naked in the pools? Yet girls can wear the suits and guys should go naked to gain confidence?

 

[Dik Ryder]

I think another issue on why the younger generation is not ok with locker room nudity is because of cellphone cameras and having their pics secretly being taken, and posted! I only know this because I’ve asked a few friends that are in the 18-25 age range and that’s what they’ve told me!