NBR: Boobs in Public (not breastfeeding)

peanutmuse · September 2013

Since Blurred Lines was a subject last night... (FTR, I'm in the camp that it's not about sexual assault -- just want to put that out there. Sure, I can agree that it's a bit raunchy, but saying that it's about sexual assault is ridiculous. ::steps off soap box::)

Anyway, after watching the unrated video again, I started thinking about why I don't find it offensive. It's probably because to me, what the girls were wearing was just like the things that a lot of women wore at beaches that I've been to -- not in the U.S. Nude thongs and topless. Plus, I thought it was kind of sexy, to be honest.

Now I'm not one to run around topless just because I can. But when I was in the Dominican Republic, a solid 25% of the women were topless and oftentimes wearing thong bottoms. I wore a Brazilian bikini and would have gone topless, except for the fact that my two girlfriends (with whom I was traveling) were very against me doing it. So I refrained to keep the peace with them. My husband fully supports me if I would like to go topless at a beach where it's permitted.

How do you feel about going topless at beaches? Would you do it?

hopeful808 · September 2013

I have never done it, but as long as it's allowed then I have no problem with it.

peanutmuse · September 2013

I wanted to add 2 things:

1) I totally respect modesty and understand that it's not for everyone.

2) The brunette in the video has a killer body, and pangs of jealousy were jabbing me in my ever-increasing midsection.

Oh wait, that was actually a kick. Nevermind.

gina0485 · September 2013

Personally, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable. I get skeeved at the thought of men who aren't my husband looking at my body. If I'm being fully honest, I'd be worried about a woman's judgment of my body as well. I'd feel more comfortable in my bathing suit, but it would not bother me if others went topless around me.

tootsscott · September 2013

peanutmuse said:
Since Blurred Lines was a subject last night... (FTR, I'm in the camp that it's not about sexual assault -- just want to put that out there. Sure, I can agree that it's a bit raunchy, but saying that it's about sexual assault is ridiculous. ::steps off soap box::)

Anyway, after watching the unrated video again, I started thinking about why I don't find it offensive. It's probably because to me, what the girls were wearing was just like the things that a lot of women wore at beaches that I've been to -- not in the U.S. Nude thongs and topless. Plus, I thought it was kind of sexy, to be honest.

Now I'm not one to run around topless just because I can. But when I was in the Dominican Republic, a solid 25% of the women were topless and oftentimes wearing thong bottoms. I wore a Brazilian bikini and would have gone topless, except for the fact that my two girlfriends (with whom I was traveling) were very against me doing it. So I refrained to keep the peace with them. My husband fully supports me if I would like to go topless at a beach where it's permitted.

How do you feel about going topless at beaches? Would you do it?

Just wondering why you would go topless? No tan lines? Would you still go topless at 7 months pregnant? Do you think it would be different if you we're 40lbs overweight? Just curious!

peanutmuse · September 2013

tootsscott said:

Just wondering why you would go topless? No tan lines? Would you still go topless at 7 months pregnant? Do you think it would be different if you we're 40lbs overweight? Just curious!

I don't care about tan lines, I wear so much sunscreen I barely get them anyway.

I wouldn't go topless while 7 months pregnant, but that has more to do with what I discovered while in Aruba. I wore a bikini on 2 days, and got a little sunburnt on my belly. Just a tiny, tiny bit -- but it itched like mad for about a week after. I wouldn't want to go through that again. I wore tankinis the rest of the time to cover my belly.

I honestly can't say whether or not I would do it overweight, because I've never been overweight.

I think there's just something so liberating and sexy and powerful about it.

peanutmuse · September 2013

MarBee1214 said:

Not trying to step on a soapbox at all...so I hope it doesn't come across this way...but DH and I both feel like there are a certain number of things that should be kept inside the relationship that no one else needs to see. He likes that he doesn't have to worry about a guy getting confused over my relationship status because I'm out in public without him with body parts hanging out. I like that I don't have to worry about other ladies ogling him and wondering if he's single at the gym because he keeps his clothes on. I feel like opening up like that in public without your spouse makes it look like you are "available".

I can respect that. I don't agree with it, but I understand the viewpoint.

HappyDoc · September 2013

I would have no problem going topless if that is the culture, but I doubt DH would be okay with it.

tootsscott · September 2013

peanutmuse said:

tootsscott said:

Just wondering why you would go topless? No tan lines? Would you still go topless at 7 months pregnant? Do you think it would be different if you we're 40lbs overweight? Just curious!

I don't care about tan lines, I wear so much sunscreen I barely get them anyway.

I wouldn't go topless while 7 months pregnant, but that has more to do with what I discovered while in Aruba. I wore a bikini on 2 days, and got a little sunburnt on my belly. Just a tiny, tiny bit -- but it itched like mad for about a week after. I wouldn't want to go through that again. I wore tankinis the rest of the time to cover my belly.

I honestly can't say whether or not I would do it overweight, because I've never been overweight.

I think there's just something so liberating and sexy and powerful about it.

Just playing devil's advocate. If its liberating and powerful, shouldn't you be willing to do it 40lbs overweight or not?

My standpoint is similar to @MarBee1214, and believe modesty is in most cases sexier. That's my opinion though.

tootsscott · September 2013

Sorry I'm mobile bumping, quotes didn't work!

LindsB314 · September 2013

Hmm, I don't think I would but I have not been to a beach where people do go topless so I can't say for sure. I think women have amazing bodies....they can make a human! Anyone who feels comfortable doing this and has that confidence, I applaud. Maybe I'll add it to my bucket list

Side note: I take dd to swim and all the mothers wear a one piece or tankini. I do not own one and am not going to buy one just for this. So I rock my 2 piece with confidence and love my growing belly

lolinshag · September 2013

I have some banging boobs so I have no problem putting them on display. Hell as soon as I was out of high school and going to Mardi Gras every year everybody saw my boobs anyway. I even have one friend who says I have sily-cone boobs, since they look fake but are all natural. The only thing I don't like people to see is my belly.
ETA: not my baby belly. My normal chubby one.

peanutmuse · September 2013

tootsscott said:Just playing devil's advocate. If its liberating and powerful, shouldn't you be willing to do it 40lbs overweight or not?

Certainly. But I was being honest. I have never been overweight, so I don't know how that feels and therefore don't know how I would feel in that situation. I'm not going to just say 'yeah, I'd still be ok with it' just to prove a point, if I truly don't know how I would feel.

When I see other women go topless - no matter what their weight, shape, etc. - I always admire their confidence. I hope that I would feel the same way about it if I was overweight, but I really just don't know and won't pretend that I do know.

alinafed · September 2013

I would do it if I had bigger boobs/liked them more. In Europe I have always seen people doing it (and even men going bottomless! and no I haven't gone to nudist beaches) and don't have a problem with the topless thing at all.

I also agree that that song is not about sexual assault.

mommygrams0730 · September 2013

I'm pretty sure that my husband is on the modesty side and would prefer me not to do something like that...however I feel like (and I could be way off here) in cultures where topless is the norm that the view on breasts is more artistic and not as sexual? Does that make sense? Obviously breasts can be beautiful but I feel like they are so sexualized in our country that it becomes an issue with whatever amount of breast is seen, regardless of why. In other areas where topless is more normalized the view is more a beautiful part of the body versus a sexual part of the body.

Like I said that could be way off, but I too feel like it'd be liberating to participate in a cultural norm of being topless at a place that views it as ok. Not sure if I could actually go through with it though.

ETA: I like the song and it never crossed my mind that it was about rape, and I'm usually one that likes it dislikes a song based on the words...

peanutmuse · September 2013

I have to go to the dance studio for a few hours, so I'm now doing a post & run... but I can't wait to read more viewpoints.

rowanthefrog · September 2013

No, I don't think I would feel comfortable. But I don't care if others do.

A

PreDempsey · September 2013

alinafed said:

I would do it if I had bigger boobs/liked them more. In Europe I have always seen people doing it (and even men going bottomless! and no I haven't gone to nudist beaches) and don't have a problem with the topless thing at all.

I also agree that that song is not about sexual assault.

This is my view point across the board also. I definitely don't have the confidence to do it myself.

I don't think the song is about sexual assult, but I still think it's garbage and hate it with the fire of a thousand suns.

citybeach · September 2013

I have no problem with it. It's common at beaches in Australia and Europe, and nobody thinks twice, everyone is accustomed to it. Nudity is even common in tv ads in europe, for soap products and such. I didn't really like the blurred lines video though. I have no problem with the song but don't think the video was very tasteful. JMO.

Rushley · September 2013

I would go topless on the beach where permitted. However, chasing around 2 kids topless may not be a pretty picture lol.

megngregk · September 2013

I have no problem with women being topless on beaches where it's permitted and the norm.

ccip82 · September 2013

I agree with ozzy. Topless beaches are the norm here in Europe. In Spain this past April I would have gone topless if I wasn't wearing a one piece. You see women of all ages, shapes, and sizes go topless here. It to me is NBD. I went topless before (not in the US) and it was liberating

I would go topless again provided I was somewhere where it is common place to do so...saggy post pregnancy/BFing boobs and all

jmdaisy2 · September 2013

Bookshelves said:

I guess I'll just add that the only ones ogling the topless ladies on my honeymoon were the people from cultures where it's not the norm. I try to abide by the norms of the society where I am, so no, I likely would never go topless on an American beach. Breasts are overly sexualized in our society, and that's unfortunate, IMO. The women I saw weren't worried about being stared at, because it wasn't shocking there. (This isn't to say the most conventionally attractive weren't admired; an attractive woman gets looks on the beach, top or no top.) ETA so basically what mommy grams just said

Agree, especially with the bolded. I've been bent out of shape a couple times when I didn't have anywhere private to just lay out and then I would think about it and be frustrated that I couldn't lay out at least in designated places (i.e. the beach).

& Yes, I would totally go topless on a beach where it was the norm!

AnnikaD20 · September 2013

I may have done some pregnant naked snorkeling off a nude beach in St. Maarten a few weeks ago. DH also may or may not have sunburned his butt cheeks that day. It was probably awesome. Hypothetically.

peanutmuse · September 2013

AnnikaD20 said:

I may have done some pregnant naked snorkeling off a nude beach in St. Maarten a few weeks ago. DH also may or may not have sunburned his butt cheeks that day. It was probably awesome. Hypothetically.

Flucking amazing @AnnikaD20. You're my kind of girl!

[Deleted User] · September 2013

I think the topless thing is def very European. When we went on our honeymoon, I was topless (even on the cruiseship) in Greece and turkey. My one issue was not getting the nipples burned. I learned somewhere long ago that once the nipples tan, they remain that brownish color and I prefer mine to be pink. Haha. Fast forward to this week, I've been rocking a tankini all week long because I don't want to expose my growing belly. I guess if I get back into the pre pregnancy shape, I'd think about going topless again. To each is own I guess. I don't judge one way or another.

ashleywiz · September 2013

In honesty, it would really depend who I was with. I think it would be so fun to be topless at a topless beach. I'm not a thong bikini person (not sure why but they make me giggle) - but I have to agree with peanut that it would be liberating and a bit of a rush. I'd feel so sassy!

Ok but back to my justification: If it were just DH and I, yep, I'd do it. Granted I know he'd give me boobie grabs instead of booty grabs for that duration, but he's never had an issue with anyone looking at me, etc. and vice versa. We recognize how gorgeous people are, and have had many convos (hello, we live in the land of bikinis and surfers....mmmmmm) about the people we see go by- while holding hands and completely secure. No comparison to each other- just recognizing the beauty (and some oh so interesting characters) around us.

Now...the group of friends we were around if a topless beach presented itself would be a different story. We have some very modest friends who would be very upset if I were to do that...and another group who would have their tops off and out the window at the first mention.

Disclaimer: pre-preg I'm not a super skinny mini, yes I work out like a fiend and am very proud of the body I've made myself, and it also have decent size boobs, but I have body insecurities I fight just like many other chicks. In dress, I err on the modest side 95% of the time.

peanutmuse · September 2013

ashleywiz said:

Ok but back to my justification: If it were just DH and I, yep, I'd do it. Granted I know he'd give me boobie grabs instead of booty grabs for that duration, but he's never had an issue with anyone looking at me, etc. and vice versa. We recognize how gorgeous people are, and have had many convos (hello, we live in the land of bikinis and surfers....mmmmmm) about the people we see go by- while holding hands and completely secure. No comparison to each other- just recognizing the beauty (and some oh so interesting characters) around us.

This is exactly how my husband and I are. Except for the part about living in the land of bikinis and surfers.

Morenajuliet · September 2013

I lived in Germany as a girl for a few years and since my parents never made mention of nude or topless areas being a big deal it was a non issue. I personally am not bothered by the idea of topless areas if it's in accordance with the rules but I know I would not go around naked. Also, this is just an insecurity but I would be jealous of DH being at a topless beach.. he's not a pig but it's just kind of hard to avoid looking at it while it's there.

In regards to the video, the video is stupid. I can just imagine all the dumb (probably male) producers sitting around trying to figure out what kind of video they could make to pull in the ratings...'I know, let's have girls walk around with their boobs hanging out'. There's really nothing interesting about the video besides the topless women.

BladeDancer · September 2013

I m in the opinion that if a man can go topless then so should a woman. I would totally go topless if given the chance. I don't care what anybody else thinks about how I look except my bf.

Unknown · September 2013

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jgraham80 · September 2013

I wouldn't just because I'm pretty sure no one wants to see this body topless

However, I absolutely say rock on to those that would. If it were the norm in the states, maybe there would be less people acting like ass clowns about BF in public.

BuckeyeMommy4 · September 2013

If I had the body and confidence, I totally would!

buckeyebride22 · September 2013

DH wouldn't mind if I did. He's very proud of my assets. I might have a few years ago when my cup size was only a D and my boobs were perky. They just keep growing and getting lower. Maybe after I have a reduction I would think about it? Never a thong though. That will never be a nice site on me.

Winnieella · September 2013

I wouldn't. I agree with those pps who talked about modesty. I also have some body insecurities and just wouldn't feel comfortable. But, if someone wants to do it, I'm not going to stop them.

As for the video, I didn't like. I also don't like Robin Thicke, so, I just don't listen to him.

nbbride06 · September 2013

I don't think I personally would, but more power to you if you if you are comfortable going topless. I've been to plenty of beaches in Italy where women were topless and it doesn't bother me.

ashleywiz · September 2013

So... I heard blurred lines a record number of times today(I spent a lot of time in the car today, which usually doesn't happen). I loved it more every time. Too damn catchy-- and no way is it about that ickiness mentioned last night. Also- I thought about a topless beach every time, too. Ha.

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