topless on an Irish beach

galwayredgirl

I'm thinking about it as the puppies are very white although a bit on the large side. Is it legal and would you? (providing we get some sun that is). I havent asked hubby yet what he thinks. Would it be considered strange in Ireland? Would I be ogled?

Das Kitty

galwayredgirl wrote: »

I'm thinking about it as the puppies are very white although a bit on the large side. Is it legal and would you? (providing we get some sun that is). I havent asked hubby yet what he thinks. Would it be considered strange in Ireland? Would I be ogled?

I'm not 100% sure it's legal (possibly falls under public indecency laws, but that'd be woolly on breast exposure I'd say).

Would I? Ah, yeah, probably if it wasn't somewhere too busy. I'm not a sunbather though. I'm not one for sitting still at all.

Any form of public nudity is still considered strange in Ireland, but I dunno about getting ogled. The Irish public seem to instinctively avert their gaze. You might get one or two starers though.

Arthur Beesley

galwayredgirl wrote: »

I'm thinking about it as the puppies are very white although a bit on the large side. Is it legal and would you? (providing we get some sun that is). I havent asked hubby yet what he thinks. Would it be considered strange in Ireland? Would I be ogled?

Where's your local beach again? When do you plan to go?

Lucyfur

MOD

Could we keep the thread non sleazy? And possibly have an adult discussion about breasts without acting like teenagers?

Ta.

Morgase

Just be careful about burning the skin. It may require a much higher SPF than you normally use on the rest of your body as the skin hasn't been exposed to the sun before. I haven't experienced it myself, but I've heard that burnt nipples are very painful!

To be frank, I don't think it's worth it, as tanning = skin damage. It doesn't have to go as far as burning for it to be damage. Damaging the skin in this way increases the risk of skin cancer.

meeeeh

If you want to avoid the strap marks then maybe. Trying to tan actual breasts if you have irish skin tone is complete madness. Skin there sees very little sun and it will be extremely sensitive. Plus it is dangerous.

I've sunbathed topless quite a few times before but I wouldn't do it in Ireland. I tend to follow local attitudes or at least prevailing attitude on beaches in very turisty areas and I just wouldn't feel comfortable in Ireland.

Dolbert

meeeeh wrote: »

If you want to avoid the strap marks then maybe. Trying to tan actual breasts if you have irish skin tone is complete madness. Skin there sees very little sun and it will be extremely sensitive. Plus it is dangerous.

This. If they've never seen the light of day it might be dangerous territory! Can't imagine much worse things than burnt nips :eek:

Alf. A. Male

I'd be sure it's legal as there's at least one clothing-optional area on a beach in Dublin. Anyway, find somewhere remote and you're good to go, everything's legal if nobody sees you.

OkayWhatever

Yeah, I would definitely do it myself. But yes, it would be considered strange and you would definitely be ogled, but people tend to create these needless differences between men being topless and women being topless. A man wouldn't get a second look, but a woman would be gawked out of it. It baffles me, and annoys me a lot, to be honest

If you're gonna do it, you're gonna have to not give a crap about people looking at you like you're a lunatic, because they probably will.

If you wanna do it then go for it, high factor spf and a bucket load of confidence and you're good to go!

athtrasna

I'd stick to a private garden if I were you. Much less stressful/awkward.

Regarding the law...make what you want of this

Indecent exposure can also be dealt with under Section 18 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act (1990), which replaced the old public indecency offence.

Under Section 18, "any person who commits, in public, any act in such a way as to offend modesty or cause scandal or injure the morals of the community shall be guilty . . . the person may receive a fine of up to €634.87 or, if the court decides, they may be sent to prison for up to six months".

OkayWhatever

athtrasna wrote: »

I'd stick to a private garden if I were you. Much less stressful/awkward.

It shouldn't be awkward. If somebody wants to sunbathe topless they should be able to, though they obviously can't. It's only awkward for the person who wants to make it awkward.

athtrasna

OkayWhatever wrote: »

It shouldn't be awkward. If somebody wants to sunbathe topless they should be able to, though they obviously can't. It's only awkward for the person who wants to make it awkward.

If it's not a designated clothing optional area it's unrealistic to expect that some people won't have a problem with it. Particularly parents of young/teenage children. This is Ireland, we're still decades behind when it comes to liberalism.

pwurple

athtrasna wrote: »

If it's not a designated clothing optional area it's unrealistic to expect that some people won't have a problem with it. Particularly parents of young/teenage children. This is Ireland, we're still decades behind when it comes to liberalism.

I don't think parents of small children these days are too bothered. Mine certainly see plenty of us naked, they follow into the toilet/shower etc. We wouldn't bat an eyelid at a topless woman on a beach, or completely naked peope for that matter.

Teenagers are a bit more iffy about their own body alright. Bloody everything offends them anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it

Maybe the older generation might have qualms, but even my parents and their friends are fairly well travelled at this stage, I don't think they would balk at a boob on a beach. possibly two generations ago it might have been more unusual? People in their 70's or 80's?

Regardless of whether it's wrong or right - and I have no problem with it - sunbathing topless on a non designated beach is culturally inappropriate in Ireland (and the UK) at this time. It shouldn't be, but it is what it is. Plenty of other countries are the same, plenty aren't.

I'd sunbathe in the back garden and leave the sniggering teenagers, oglers, and tut-tutting grannies to it. It's likely to be seen as more exhibitionist than liberated as things stand. Maybe in ten more years.

SparkySpitfire

How are things expected to change if there's no one there to take the first step towards changing the tide? You don't effect change by sitting at home lamenting the situation. Maybe in 10 years people won't bat an eyelid at this sort of thing, but that won't happen unless people start doing it now.

You will get the odd oogler but if you're comfortable with it then why not?

meeeeh

To change the attitude something needs to be fairly regular occurrence. Ireland is too cold for that and you don't see hordes of German topless tourists occupying irish beaches the two days per year when it is warm enough to do so. Very often topless sunbathes are not the sign that the country is liberal but that a lot of more liberal tourists are holidaying there. And btw a lot of those who are sunbathing on holidays wouldn't do it at their local swimming pool or lake.

It is ridiculous that it's illegal but it really isn't such a big deal. Especially considering most people just go lobster pink anyway and should be somewhere in the shade.

Legs.Eleven

meeeeh wrote: »

To change the attitude something needs to be fairly regular occurrence. Ireland is too cold for that and you don't see hordes of German topless tourists occupying irish beaches the two days per year when it is warm enough to do so. Very often topless sunbathes are not the sign that the country is liberal but that a lot of more liberal tourists are holidaying there. And btw a lot of those who are sunbathing on holidays wouldn't do it at their local swimming pool or lake.

It is ridiculous that it's illegal but it really isn't such a big deal. Especially considering most people just go lobster pink anyway and should be somewhere in the shade.

Yes. And those liberal tourists only go to countries with hot climates where you can sunbathe. I think it's not the norm in Ireland because it's not a hot country and people don't sunbathe very often.


I do it in Spain at my local pool sometimes because no one bats an eyelid and everyone of every age does it. It's just one of the perks of living in a hot country. I wouldn't do it in Ireland because it's not the norm and I wouldn't want people staring at me. I'd rather sunbathe in peace than be ogled.

Phil_Lives

galwayredgirl

Dolbert wrote: »

This. If they've never seen the light of day it might be dangerous territory! Can't imagine much worse things than burnt nips :eek:

Neither can I, the last thing I need. I would really like to minimise the tan (red & white) lines though!

cena

What about men going around not covering themselves down below?
There would be an outcry if this happened.

I would say people prefer women to be topless than the man not covering themselves up. There was a few topless women last year in Salthill last year when I was there

Das Kitty

Breasts are not genitals.

galwayredgirl

cena wrote: »

What about men going around not covering themselves down below?
There would be an outcry if this happened.

I would say people prefer women to be topless than the man not covering themselves up. There was a few topless women last year in Salthill last year when I was there

Salthill? Too many walkers on the prom to have any privacy. Silverstrand maybe.

Dolbert

cena wrote: »

What about men going around not covering themselves down below?
There would be an outcry if this happened.

I would say people prefer women to be topless than the man not covering themselves up. There was a few topless women last year in Salthill last year when I was there

What about men going around topless? Oh, wait...

meeeeh

Dolbert wrote: »

What about men going around topless? Oh, wait...

Separate point on the issue but I do think topless men away from beaches are pretty awful sight. They just look unhygienic.

cena

galwayredgirl wrote: »

Salthill? Too many walkers on the prom to have any privacy. Silverstrand maybe.

Ya it was salthill. Just lying on the sand

Permabear

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Amirani

I think any prosecution would require the DPP or the court establishing that there was intention to cause offence. Same reason you couldn't really be charged if your trousers accidently fell down in public. I think the most realistic scenario would be a Garda asking you to put a top on.

What I find bemusing is the fact that some people would go and report this. If it bothers you (and I don't know why it would), just don't look? Why would people even be looking at sunbathers in the first place?

Permabear

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Radiosonde

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Maybe the upset and embarrassment would be avoided if the Gardai went topless too.

Wompa1

Diego Simeone wrote: »

What I find bemusing is the fact that some people would go and report this. If it bothers you (and I don't know why it would), just don't look? Why would people even be looking at sunbathers in the first place?

Not too long ago a WOMAN complained to police in Italy about a woman sunbathing topless and she was arrested.

As for the oogling thing. It's all in your head, ladies. Most Irish men have been to Spain, Portugal, Greece etc. where Irish, English, Polish women take their tops off on the beach and by the pool. I had this conversation with a girlfriend a few years ago. I wondered why she took them out in Greece and Spain but not in Ireland.

She said because Irish men were too immature. Now, Spanish guys were walking around taking a peak but that didn't seem to bother her. The fun and the BS unravelled when she started seeing the same people every day by the pool and got familiar with them. All of a sudden after a few days, the top went back on and stayed on.

On another trip, an old man sat behind her. He wasn't oogling her, he was sitting in the only shaded area there was. It didn't bother her that there were men and women either side of her. But this old man bothered her and she put her top on and kept it on after that.

It was all in her head. Will men look? Yes. Will they leer and oogl, I don't believe so. Do women look at men with muscular bodies when they have their shirts off? Yes. Maybe not the average guy because it's nothing special to you. But the thing is, men aren't too picky when it comes to t1ts. Also, when is it oogling? It seems to be a sliding scale based on the attractiveness of the guy looking.

Also, for what it's worth. When I see a guy running around the neighborhood with his shirt off, I do feel like it's a little inappropriate. I feel like he's just showing off rather than trying to keep cool. He could just as easily wear one of those dri-fit training tops.

But of course all of this is just my opinion.

lajoie

I've seen it on Irish beaches several times. If you're uncertain, it goes without saying to avoid the really family-packed beaches on peak days (more to avoid any unnecessary confrontation for your own sake, than because I believe you should have to), but I think it's about time we all got over this "omg, a boob" thing. I've seen men with larger chests than me for crying out loud!

Wompa1

lajoie wrote: »

I've seen it on Irish beaches several times. If you're uncertain, it goes without saying to avoid the really family-packed beaches on peak days (more to avoid any unnecessary confrontation for your own sake, than because I believe you should have to), but I think it's about time we all got over this "omg, a boob" thing. I've seen men with larger chests than me for crying out loud!

Were you turned on by the mens large chests? If you are comparing to men topless with big boobs then I don't think it's a fair comparison. Men tend to be very attracted to a woman's breasts, many men are even most attracted to a woman's breasts over any other feature. I don't know if that's a problem for some women, it was implied that men shouldn't ogle...well, men like t1ts. Also, it only seems to be ogling when the woman decides it's unwanted

Jenneke87

Wompa1 wrote: »

Were you turned on by the mens large chests? If you are comparing to men topless with big boobs then I don't think it's a fair comparison. Men tend to be very attracted to a woman's breasts, many men are even most attracted to a woman's breasts over any other feature. I don't know if that's a problem for some women, it was implied that men shouldn't ogle...well, men like t1ts. Also, it only seems to be ogling when the woman decides it's unwanted

I think there's a difference between liking a woman's breasts(not tits) and completly losing all sense of decency and staring at them like there's no tomorrow. It might do men some good to remember the primary function of breasts in the first place: to feed babies, and aren't put on display for your viewing pleasure when a woman goes topless on a beach.

Wompa1

Jenneke87 wrote: »

I think there's a difference between liking a woman's breasts(not tits) and completly losing all sense of decency and staring at them like there's no tomorrow. It might do men some good to remember the primary function of breasts in the first place: to feed babies, and aren't put on display for your viewing pleasure when a woman goes topless on a beach.

Who's staring at them like there's no tomorrow? Some men might, just like some women might. Human nature, you want everybody to have the level of control that you feel is appropriate but not everybody will.

Freiheit

I work in art gallery and saturday a pair of 'senior' women were surprisingly disturbed by a self portrait of man (artist) and wife where the bosom was exposed...had not observed this reaction before....

Dolbert

Freiheit wrote: »

I work in art gallery and saturday a pair of 'senior' women were surprisingly disturbed by a painting where the bosom was exposed...had not observed this reaction before....

Ah here, there have been breasts in art since art existed! What sheltered lives they must lead...

galwayredgirl

This afternoon looks good to give the girls an airing - hope nobody's offended!:)

King Bernard

Diego Simeone wrote: »

I think any prosecution would require the DPP or the court establishing that there was intention to cause offence. Same reason you couldn't really be charged if your trousers accidently fell down in public. I think the most realistic scenario would be a Garda asking you to put a top on.

What I find bemusing is the fact that some people would go and report this. If it bothers you (and I don't know why it would), just don't look? Why would people even be looking at sunbathers in the first place?

I agree with this, was walking down Grafton Street naked last week and the number of people who reported me was baffling, if it bothers somwone just don't look.

Dolbert

Das Kitty wrote: »

Breasts are not genitals.

King Bernard wrote: »

I agree with this, was walking down Grafton Street naked topless last week and the number of people who reported me was baffling, if it bothers somwone just don't look.

Fixed your analogy there

DMcL1971

In relation to men ogling womens bodies.

I (as a man) really don't understand why some men can't resist the temptation to leer innappropriately at women's bodies. We all have subconcious desires which are present whether we like it or not but we all also have free will and can exercise control over these desires. When I see something that I can't afford in a shop , I don't steal it. When I see chocolate, I don't always eat it. When I see a woman whom I find sexually attractive, I don't rape her. When someone cuts me off in traffic, I want to kill them but I don't. Countless parents don't strangle their own kids every day when they are driving them nuts. We all have self control over our subconcious desires and we exercise it.

I love womens bodies and find them sexually attractive. I therefore have a natural subconcious desire to look at them and would love to stare at them for hours on end whether it is on the beach, in the gym or just on the streets. However I am aware that this would be completely innappropriate and would make a woman feel very uncomfortable. I am therefore able to take a quick sly look at any woman that I find attractive and then force my gaze away despite my subconscious desire to stare. That way, I get the satisfaction of having seen the beauty of the woman's body but do not make her feel uncomfortable just for being female. It is part of having free will, self control and a sense of empathy towards other peoples feelings. Whenever I see a guy staring innappropriately at a woman it makes me uncomfortable. I always want to say to him (but never do), I know that she looks great but have some respect she's not a piece of meat, she has feelings, you're creeping her out.


On the subject of topless sunbathing. I went to Brittas Bay on Tuesday. There were two girls sunbathing topless on the beach. Presumably these girls wanted to sunbathe topless but did not want to either be stared at or cause any offence, so they did the sensible thing. They moved further down the beach. People tend to congregate around the beach area nearest the car parks. So to avoid this these girls went a few hundred metres further down to where there where almost no people. They also chose to sunbathe up in the dunes rather than down on the beach. The only reason that I even saw that they were topless was because I was walking the full length of the beach and one of the girls happened to stand up to apply more suncream while I was walking by. Naturally, I enjoyed the sight of a topless woman for a brief moment and then forced my eyes back out to sea so as not to make her uncomfortable.

eviltwin

I was on the beach yesterday and while I didn't see a single topless woman I did see plenty of topless men some with bigger boobs than the ladies who were walking around covered up. I don't know why women's nipples are so offensive to the public when men can show theirs and no one bats an eyelid. I think the issue might be down to the fact women tend not to stare at topless blokes - because its so normal - women would probably be subjected to some stares or crude comments maybe? Its so silly really when you think about it. There is a time and a place for it but on a beach where people tend to wear very little it shouldn't be a surprise or shock to see a topless person of either sex.

galwayredgirl

DMcL1971 wrote: »

The only reason that I even saw that they were topless was because I was walking the full length of the beach and one of the girls happened to stand up to apply more suncream while I was walking by.

LOL! :pac: