Germany Saunas

Villagio

Have you ever been to a Germany sauna, if so what was the experience like? I hear it can be quite intimidating for newbies with all the strict rules. Going to Germany next month and considering trying them out.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Maybe just read up on the differences in a German sauna
http://www.studentuniverse.com/student-blog/study-abroad/rules-for-a-german-sauna

Ve have vays of helping you.

Other sites containing such information are available.

Birneybau

A load of sheisse.

anncoates

Lee Nutritious Radial wrote: »

Maybe just read up on the differences in a German sauna
http://www.studentuniverse.com/student-blog/study-abroad/rules-for-a-german-sauna

"If your sauna happens to have a bar and a food station, you’ll probably see naked people drinking beer and eating bratwurst."

alchemist33

Villagio wrote: »

Have you ever been to a Germany sauna, if so what was the experience like? I hear it can be quite intimidating for newbies with all the strict rules. Going to Germany next month and considering trying them out.

I went to the one in Munich and had no bother. Bring flip flops - the floors are HOT!

El Weirdo

anncoates wrote: »

"If your sauna happens to have a bar and a food station, you’ll probably see naked people drinking beer and eating bratwurst."

Oo err.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

anncoates wrote: »

"If your sauna happens to have a bar and a food station, you’ll probably see naked people drinking beer and eating bratwurst."

That is zee Germans for you! Never underestimate what they are capable of.

bnt

Once you've conquered Germany, head to Japan and try going to the hot baths (onsen) there. You have to wash first before hitting the hot bath, and do nothing that could dirty the main bath's water. Some owners won't let Westerners in at all, assuming they know nothing and not even giving them the benefit of the doubt. As for tattoos - if you can't cover it with a plaster, don't bother trying to use an onsen.

Chinasea

Lee Nutritious Radial wrote: »

That is zee Germans for you! Never underestimate what they are capable of.

Oh gawwwd, this "zee" business is so pathetic and insulting.

German saunas and the naked bathing experience is so normal and perhaps liberating to the those un-accostumed. Make sure to take a towel to sit the raw bottom on. Enjoy, not to be missed.

Woshy

Just don't go in the "no textiles area" without being completely naked. An angry German will shout at you until you leave. I speak from experience!

Aongus Von Bismarck

Saunas are incredibly beneficial for both physical and mental health. Nothing is more reinvigorating than a deep, healthy sweat every day. A lot of Irish people get very prudish and immature when the topic of sauna comes up. A lot of people have hang ups about their bodies.

I had a custom made Finnleo sauna built into my apartment last year. It has become and essential part of my life at this stage.

Pinch Flat

I lived in Germany for a while, yeah they have absolutely no problems with nudity - not uncommon in public swimming pools to have people trapsing around In the nip in mixed areas. Also the wohnheim (student res) had mixed showers.

fryup

are these saunas mixed ? men & women?

Kevin McCloud

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I had a custom made Finnleo sauna built into my apartment last year.

The poor mans klafs.

Nodin

fryup wrote: »

are these saunas mixed ? men & women?

Steady there son. Get some tay into ye.

Pinch Flat

fryup wrote: »

are these saunas mixed ? men & women?

Yep

http://saunascape.com/2009/02/the-german-sauna/

Desolation Of Smug

bnt wrote: »

Once you've conquered Germany, head to Japan and try going to the hot baths (onsen) there. You have to wash first before hitting the hot bath, and do nothing that could dirty the main bath's water. Some owners won't let Westerners in at all, assuming they know nothing and not even giving them the benefit of the doubt. As for tattoos - if you can't cover it with a plaster, don't bother trying to use an onsen.

Unless you've handily also been inducted into the Yakuza.

First Up

fryup wrote: »

are these saunas mixed ? men & women?

100% Nobody bats an eyelid.

fryup

fryup wrote: »

are these saunas mixed ? men & women?

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Yep

so what if a hot lookin woman comes in, you'd get a boner well i would

Pinch Flat

fryup wrote: »

so what if a hot lookin woman comes in, you'd get a boner well i would

Not really. Been on nudist beaches in Germany ("baggersees" - usually old quarries that are formed into man made lakes with a sandy beach). No big deal - you go to the beach, have a swim, something to eat at the beach bar or a bit of beach volley ball. In the nip.

Drakares

Living in Germany, but never been to a Sauna here. As others said, beware the naked signs for whichever you decide to visit!

First Up

bnt wrote: »

Once you've conquered Germany, head to Japan and try going to the hot baths (onsen) there. You have to wash first before hitting the hot bath, and do nothing that could dirty the main bath's water. Some owners won't let Westerners in at all, assuming they know nothing and not even giving them the benefit of the doubt. As for tattoos - if you can't cover it with a plaster, don't bother trying to use an onsen.

Japan is the polar opposite to Germany. Men going to extreme lengths to preserve their privacy, even in the men's changing room. First time I was there I innocently treated it as you would in the dressing room or shower after a rugby match. Got some very strange and horrified looks.
I've noticed a creeping tendency towards obsessive privacy in my gym in Dublin. No idea why.

dimsumss

it will be odd until you have Foreskin Restoration surgury

First Up

dimsumss wrote: »

it will be odd until you have Foreskin Restoration surgury

Sounds painful.

Wibbs

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Saunas are incredibly beneficial for both physical and mental health.

Citations please.

Nothing is more reinvigorating than a deep, healthy sweat every day.

Exercise yes, but from broiling oneself? One addition to the practice of broiling oneself is to then jump in a cold water plunge pool, quite the thing among some Scandinavian types and it is very bad for the oul heart.

A lot of Irish people get very prudish and immature when the topic of sauna comes up. A lot of people have hang ups about their bodies.

So what? Just because one person gets their bits out and another doesn't, that doesn't suddenly equate to "prudish". Indeed vanishingly few cultures throughout history were into the full naked human body save for special occasions. It's a nonsense your nudist types love to propagate. And TBH I'm getting a royal pain in my (clothed) arse with the trope of "oh the Irish, they're so prudish and inhibited" bullshít. Maybe we feel less inclined to a need to display our shortcomings in public for some sort of ego vibe. Hey, you want to swan around naked, work away, just do it among "your own", ditto it's fine if you don't. Not all of us are exhibitionists.

Wibbs

dimsumss wrote: »

it will be odd until you have Foreskin ReReg Restoration surgury

FYP D.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Villagio wrote: »

Have you ever been to a Germany sauna, if so what was the experience like? I hear it can be quite intimidating for newbies with all the strict rules. Going to Germany next month and considering trying them out.

Live in Berlin go all the time.

Saunas are usually mixed and naked. You can cover up if you want, no problem, but you WILL see naked people.
Do NOT wear swimwear in the sauna (towel wrapped around your waist is fine)
ALWAYS sit on a towel, no skin in contact with the wood
Keep the door closed as much as possible
If a guy with a bucket of water comes in on the hour, it's going to get HOT
Bring a drerssing gown and flipflops (althoguh you may be able to rent/borrow)

Desolation Of Smug

"Germany Saunas". Lol.

"Ireland dancing"?

First Up

Wibbs wrote: »

Citations please. Exercise yes, but from broiling oneself? One addition to the practice of broiling oneself is to then jump in a cold water plunge pool, quite the thing among some Scandinavian types and it is very bad for the oul heart.

So what? Just because one person gets their bits out and another doesn't, that doesn't suddenly equate to "prudish". Indeed vanishingly few cultures throughout history were into the full naked human body save for special occasions. It's a nonsense your nudist types love to propagate. And TBH I'm getting a royal pain in my (clothed) arse with the trope of "oh the Irish, they're so prudish and inhibited" bullshít. Maybe we feel less inclined to a need to display our shortcomings in public for some sort of ego vibe. Hey, you want to swan around naked, work away, just do it among "your own", ditto it's fine if you don't. Not all of us are exhibitionists.

And not all of us are insecure.

Wibbs

First Up wrote: »

And not all of us are insecure.

Oh please don't start trotting out the usual and oh so banal "insecure" nonsense as an argument. It isn't one.

Desolation Of Smug

Wibbs wrote: »

Oh please don't start trotting out the usual and oh so banal "insecure" nonsense as an argument. It isn't one.

Wibbs is a nudie! Wibbs is a nudie!

Wibbs

Nope. 'Fraid not.

One eyed Jack

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Live in Berlin go all the time.

Saunas are usually mixed and naked. You can cover up if you want, no problem, but you WILL see naked people.
Do NOT wear swimwear in the sauna (towel wrapped around your waist is fine)
ALWAYS sit on a towel, no skin in contact with the wood
Keep the door closed as much as possible
If a guy with a bucket of water comes in on the hour, it's going to get HOT
Bring a drerssing gown and flipflops (althoguh you may be able to rent/borrow)

*sniggers*

One eyed Jack

First Up wrote: »

And not all of us are insecure.

Preferring not to walk around naked isn't a sign of insecurity, it's simply that you'd rather not walk around naked.

I wouldn't be particularly interested in mixing among a load of naked people myself tbh, they're not all Cindy Crawfords, and before you point out I'm probably no Adonis myself, I'll tell you straight out I'm not, nor do I care.

Aongus Von Bismarck

Wibbs wrote: »

Citations please.

I have no idea what some boffin in a lab has to say on the matter, all I can give is my own personal experience. Sauna has helped me in my flexibility, recovery and more importantly my mindfulness.

So what? Just because one person gets their bits out and another doesn't, that doesn't suddenly equate to "prudish". Indeed vanishingly few cultures throughout history were into the full naked human body save for special occasions. It's a nonsense your nudist types love to propagate. And TBH I'm getting a royal pain in my (clothed) arse with the trope of "oh the Irish, they're so prudish and inhibited" bullshít. Maybe we feel less inclined to a need to display our shortcomings in public for some sort of ego vibe. Hey, you want to swan around naked, work away, just do it among "your own", ditto it's fine if you don't. Not all of us are exhibitionists.

Just because I can look a man in the eye and have a reasonable conversation whilst we are both naked and perspiring doesn't make me a nudist. Its the simple practicalities of the sauna.

There is no denying that compared to continental Europeans most Irish people are ashamed of their naked form....though based on my recent trip home over the Christmas, I can see why.

MadsL

Wibbs wrote: »

Citations please. Exercise yes, but from broiling oneself? One addition to the practice of broiling oneself is to then jump in a cold water plunge pool, quite the thing among some Scandinavian types and it is very bad for the oul heart.

Citations please. The Irish rugby team had a hydrotherapy ice bath built at Landsdowne for exactly this hydrotherapy. Not many of them dropped dead.

So what? Just because one person gets their bits out and another doesn't, that doesn't suddenly equate to "prudish". Indeed vanishingly few cultures throughout history were into the full naked human body save for special occasions. It's a nonsense your nudist types love to propagate. And TBH I'm getting a royal pain in my (clothed) arse with the trope of "oh the Irish, they're so prudish and inhibited" bullshít. Maybe we feel less inclined to a need to display our shortcomings in public for some sort of ego vibe. Hey, you want to swan around naked, work away, just do it among "your own", ditto it's fine if you don't. Not all of us are exhibitionists.

Lets see. Of the top of my head Scandinavians, Germans, Central Europeans, Turks, Russians, Native Americans, American hippies, France and Italy all have forms of social nudity. It's legal to hike naked in the forest in parts of California.

The only really anti-nudity cultures I have experienced are the UK and Ireland.

The problem as I see it now is the fear factor that being nude=sexual predator. Many traditionally clothing optional hot springs in the US are starting to enforce covering up.

Not all nudists are exhibitionist, I'm suprised given the forums you frequent you would even suggest such at thing.

jester77

I go all the time. Saunas are usually mixed, a lot of places will have mixed changing rooms as well. Bring a towel and flip flops, leave the flip flops at the door. Absolutely no skin on the benches, always sit on your towel. No bathing suits, you'll only get kicked out. No leaving when the aufguss starts, if you can't handle it then don't go in. Start at lower temp saunas (60 degrees) and work your way up until you are familiar with the heat. Don't turn someone's else's egg timer over. Do an cold/ice plunge afterwards, most refreshing experience ever. Beware of FKK saunas.

MadsL

One eyed Jack wrote: »

Preferring not to walk around naked isn't a sign of insecurity, it's simply that you'd rather not walk around naked.

Problem is usually that people want someone else to cover up.

Saunas that do not enforce no swimwear rules force people like me to breath sweaty chlorine soaked crotch fumes. Great. I'm trying to get clean here.

Holsten

Buck naked and no one bats an eyelid. German's don't care at all, part and parcel of daily life. Wouldn't be for me but give it a whirl, you might like it.

Desolation Of Smug

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I have no idea what some boffin in a lab has to say on the matter, all I can give is my own personal experience. Sauna has helped me in my flexibility, recovery and more importantly my mindfulness.



Just because I can look a man in the eye and have a reasonable conversation whilst we are both naked and perspiring doesn't make me a nudist. Its the simple practicalities of the sauna.

There is no denying that compared to continental Europeans most Irish people are ashamed of their naked form....though based on my recent trip home over the Christmas, I can see why.

Does feck all for self-awareness, it appears.

Villagio

Desolation Of Smug wrote: »

"Germany Saunas". Lol.

"Ireland dancing"?

My phone's bad grammar, not mine.

MadsL

I hear you're a nudist now, Father? How'd you get interested in that type of thing? Should we all be nudist now? What's the official line the church has taken on this? Only, the farm takes up most of the day, and at night I just like a cup of tea. I mightn't be able to devote myself full time to the old nudism.

Venus In Furs

If I had the body of Victoria's Secrets model (and when I was a young 'un it wasn't bad at all) I wouldn't be letting just any strangers see it naked.
My naked body is for my and a select few's eyes only. Some of us just prefer to be private with our unclothed form. It's the people who think that's insecure and repressed are the insecure and repressed ones: why would anyone be so bothered about others not being liberal about being naked - to the point of just deciding its prudishness and insecurity even though they haven't a clue why, and why do they feel such an urge to look so libertine?

kowloon

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Just because I can look a man in the eye and have a reasonable conversation whilst we are both naked and perspiring doesn't make me a nudist.

MadsL

Venus In Furs wrote: »

If I had the body of Victoria's Secrets model (and when I was a young 'un it wasn't bad at all) I wouldn't be letting just any strangers see it naked.
My naked body is for my and a select few's eyes only. Some of us just prefer to be private with our unclothed form. It's the people who think that's insecure and repressed are the insecure and repressed ones: why would anyone be so bothered about others not being liberal about being naked - to the point of just deciding its prudishness and insecurity even though they haven't a clue why, and why do they feel such an urge to look so libertine?

Are you suggesting that saunas should not have "no swimwear" rules? No-one is forcing you to go to the sauna. On the other hand if I go to sauna that insists on being stupid and insists on swimwear, even if I cover with a towel I run the risk of being done for indecency.

You can see that those of us that prefer the correct form of the sauna are discriminated against therefore.

One eyed Jack

kowloon wrote: »

I imagine Aongus doesn't mean a man's eye in a Japanese sauna

Aongus Von Bismarck

kowloon wrote: »

One eyed Jack wrote: »

I imagine Aongus doesn't mean a man's eye in a Japanese sauna

This is the tittering juvenile and immature Irish attitude I was talking about. Just yesterday morning I had a chat about the ECB decision to implement quantitive easing while multiple penii were within the eye line.

People need to grow up and get over themselves.

Venus In Furs

MadsL wrote: »

Are you suggesting that saunas should not have "no swimwear" rules?

No.

I'm not talking about saunas either. I'm talking in general about this rubbish that gets peddled out about "Irish people" being prude about nudity bla bla zzzzzzzz.

MadsL

Venus In Furs wrote: »

No.

I'm not talking about saunas either. I'm talking in general about this rubbish that gets peddled out about "Irish people" being prude about nudity bla bla zzzzzzzz.

The UK is as bad I find.

Why do you suppose swimsuits are required in Irish saunas?

osarusan

First Up wrote: »

Japan is the polar opposite to Germany. Men going to extreme lengths to preserve their privacy, even in the men's changing room. First time I was there I innocently treated it as you would in the dressing room or shower after a rugby match. Got some very strange and horrified looks.

This hasn't been my experience at all, either in onsen or in gym changing rooms. There were no more efforts to preserve their privacy than in Ireland.

There was, however, more than one sneaky peek at my pasty white flesh and, gasp, abundant chest hair.

AlekSmart

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

This is the tittering juvenile and immature Irish attitude I was talking about. Just yesterday morning I had a chat about the ECB decision to implement quantitive easing while multiple penii were within the eye line.

People need to grow up and get over themselves.

Aongus,you're spot-on

Tell ya wha,if you're in there tomorrow,how about trying to get the Naked German's opinion on the Irish Irish Water thing ?....a spin-off of which,is the rapidly deepening hatred of Germany and the Germans amongst the Tittering,Juvenile and Immature Irish populace...many of whom also want to have Denis O'Brien made an honorary German citizen