Topless Troubles: Skyscanner Reveals Attitudes to Bare Chests and Bikinis
Following recent news of Barcelona’s campaign to encourage people to dress ‘appropriately’ when out and about enjoying markets, museums and other public buildings, cheap flights comparison site Skyscanner.com reveals the traveling public’s attitude toward covering up in various locations.
Every year, thousands of vacationers take advantage of airfare deals to Europe to spend a week or two lounging, scantily clad, on beaches and at poolside bars, but how comfortable are US travelers with the notion of partial nudity, and do they live up to their reserved stereotype?
Over 3,000 people worldwide voted in the Skyscanner poll which surveyed attitudes towards both men and women wearing swimwear and going topless and shirtless.
Whereas 96% of males thought it was fine for females to go topless on beaches, only 87% of females themselves agreed. When asked about appropriate places for females to wear bikinis, 93% of men and women believed it was ok on the beach but only 31% thought it was appropriate in a bar, cafe or restaurant. For men going shirtless, 98% said it was fine on the beach but only 18% said it was acceptable in a supermarket or bar.
While Europeans are known for their love of topless sunbathing Americans have a more prudish reputation, however the poll found that more Americans were in favour of females being allowed to go topless than Italians, French and Scandinavians. Germany however proved to be the most relaxed in their attitude with a massive 99% agreeing women should be allowed to go topless.
Reasons given for disapproval of topless beaches by males included “it causes offence”, “fear of skin cancer” and “don’t want kids to be exposed to it”. Females cited “ogling men” and “encourages voyeurism” amongst their reasons.
Places where men believed bikinis were ok ranged from “anywhere” to “only in private”, whereas females’ answers ranged from “only in your own villa or garden or pool” to “everywhere”.
Benjamín Pérez Ulecia, Skyscanner’s Country Manager for Spain said:
“Whilst most people believe it’s perfectly acceptable to wear a bikini or walk around shirtless on the beach, it’s a different story in a museum, supermarket or restaurant. The most important thing to remember whilst visiting another country is to respect the local customs and culture. You wouldn’t wander around Bloomingdales in a bikini, and Barcelona’s new ‘bikini ban’ campaign is trying to encourage tourists to dress appropriately for the environment they are in.”
