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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 reveals the travelling public’s attitude toward covering up in various locations.
Every year, thousands of holidaymakers hop on flights to Spain, France, Italy and other beach destinations to spend a week or more lounging scantily clad on beaches and at poolside bars, but how comfortable are British holidaymakers with the notion of partial nudity, and do they live up to their prudish stereotype?
Over 3,000 people 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.
29% of respondents said that they didn’t want to expose their children to topless beach culture and 21% cited fear of overexposure to UV. Other reasons given for disapproval of topless beaches by males included “it causes offence”, “ogling men” and “encourages voyeurism”.
Despite the British being renowned for being reserved, when compared to other European nations, Brits ranked as one of the biggest advocates for topless sunbathing on beaches with 93% in favour. 91% of Italian and 91% of French respondents believed it was ok as did 82% of Swedes. Russians were less keen with only 67% in agreement, but it was the Germans who were the biggest fans with 99% of those surveyed saying that women should be allowed to sunbathe topless.
Benjamin Perez 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 London’s Tate Gallery in a bikini, and Barcelona’s new ‘bikini ban’ campaign is trying to encourage tourists to dress appropriately for the environment they are in.”
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
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