Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Topless Beaches, OK or not?

[Lynette]

As many of you already know, I grew up in a place where women being topless on a beach was no big deal. Almost everywhere I've been outside the US, it's that way too. Personally, except when I was in the US for school and such, I've never worn a top on any beach. Here on the isalnd where I live women walk up and down the beaches topless all the time. Nobody except maybe overly religious types seem to mind.
I could never understand why Americans seem to think boobs are such a bad thing when the rest of the world seems to be open to admiring them even in public. In the states, if a guy walks up to you on the beach and says "nice breasts" (even with a top on) most women will act genuinely pissed or embarrassed. Here, women just say thank you, take it as a compliment, and go on their way.
So, is being topless on public beaches a good thing? Bad thing? Or, what?And.why does American society seem to think it's so bad? Is it because when the English people(religious based puritans) who left England and settled in America brought all those old religious based principles with them? And to this day they've stuck? If so, it seems a shame that after two hundred years, American society hasn't been able to shed something like the sight of some bare breasts on a beach is a bad thing.
*KIISES*

[Isaac_Putin]

  
      So, is being topless on public beaches a good thing? Bad thing? Or, what?And.why does American society seem to think it's so bad? Is it because when the English people(religious based puritans) who left England and settled in America brought all those old religious based principles with them? And to this day they've stuck? If so, it seems a shame that after two hundred years, American society hasn't been able to shed something like the sight of some bare breasts on a beach is a bad thing.
                                                          *KIISES*

I don't know why people have to wear bottoms either. Quite frankly, if it's a hot day on the beach, what's the point of a swimsuit at all?

America has a problem with nudity because this is the country all the prudes fled to when their countries of origin weren't uptight enough for them - never mind religious persecution. Examples were the Puritans (anyone remember the "Scarlet Letter"?) and Calvinists (an offshoot of whom now protests military funerals because America is too "gay friendly").

And remember the classic definition of a "Prude" - Someone who has trouble sleeping at night because he JUST KNOWS that someone somewhere at there is having fun.

[closeup]

This is an excellent topic, but I think you two have pretty much covered it. The only thing I would add is that tits are tits whether they're on the beach or in the office or where ever. Even though a woman laying out topless isn't thinking about sex or turning-on bystanders, if she's got a nice rack that's exactly what a guy is thinking about. A guy could be at a strip club, five or six topless girls on stage, and when the non-topless waitress bends over to serve your beer, we're gonna be checking out her cleavage. It's the main reason for this whole website. You won't see a site called RateMyElbow.

[foghorn]

     As many of you already know, I grew up in a place where women being topless on a beach was no big deal. Almost everywhere I've been outside the US, it's that way too. Personally, except when I was in the US for school and such, I've never worn a top on any beach. Here on the isalnd where I live women walk up and down the beaches topless all the time. Nobody except maybe overly religious types seem to mind.
     I could never understand why Americans seem to think boobs are such a bad thing when the rest of the world seems to be open to admiring them even in public. In the states, if a guy walks up to you on the beach and says "nice breasts" (even with a top on) most women will act genuinely pissed or embarrassed. Here, women just say thank you, take it as a compliment, and go on their way.
      So, is being topless on public beaches a good thing? Bad thing? Or, what?And.why does American society seem to think it's so bad? Is it because when the English people(religious based puritans) who left England and settled in America brought all those old religious based principles with them? And to this day they've stuck? If so, it seems a shame that after two hundred years, American society hasn't been able to shed something like the sight of some bare breasts on a beach is a bad thing.
                                                          *KIISES*

if you're on the beach there ain't nothing wrong with it

[UncleBuck]

I personally won't go on a beach unless I can go "topless"

[randalthor]

Lynette,

You on a beach topless is ALWAAYS a good thing....

As far as why they're not popular in the US.....well remember this country WAS founded by Puritans escaping religious persecution sooo......

[Lynette]

This is an excellent topic, but I think you two have pretty much covered it. The only thing I would add is that tits are tits whether they're on the beach or in the office or where ever. Even though a woman laying out topless isn't thinking about sex or turning-on bystanders, if she's got a nice rack that's exactly what a guy is thinking about. A guy could be at a strip club, five or six  topless girls on stage, and when the non-topless waitress bends over to serve your beer, we're gonna be checking out her cleavage. It's the main reason for this whole website. You won't see a site called RateMyElbow.

Oh, I'm quite sure that guys are thinking it when I'm on the beach (I notice through my sunglasses when they're staring at me. Why else would my nipples get hard in 90 degree weather?). It doesn't bother me at all. I figure if it weren't good to look at... I'd have to worry. If they stop staring I'll be concerned about mysekf or them. But, what's wrong with that. Is American society so anal that they're concerned with what a man might think? What's next? Thought police? Since when is a man's lustful thoughts something to be discouraged? If that were so, every guy in the country would be arrested. LOL!

[closeup]

     Oh, I'm quite sure that guys are thinking it when I'm on the beach (I notice through my sunglasses when they're staring at me. Why else would my nipples get hard in 90 degree weather?). It doesn't bother me at all. I figure if it weren't good to look at... I'd have to worry. If they stop staring I'll be concerned about mysekf or them. But, what's wrong with that. Is American society so anal that they're concerned with what a man might think? What's next? Thought police? Since when is a man's lustful thoughts something to be discouraged? If that were so, every guy in the country would be arrested. LOL!

Could you just stand there on the beach causally talking to some guy if he developed a big boner while you were there. Without it being a distraction? What if the guy wasn't attractive or completly not your type? As much as nude bodies aren't nessasarily always sexual, a hard-on is. So aren't stiff nipples. Not that I think there's anything wrong with it but I imagine most woman wouldn't stick around talking to some strange guy on a topless beach if he walked up with a boner and a smile.

[Lynette]

Could you just stand there on the beach causally talking to some guy if he developed a big boner while you were there. Without it being a distraction? What if the guy wasn't attractive or completly not your type? As much as nude bodies aren't nessasarily always sexual, a hard-on is. So aren't stiff nipples. Not that I think there's anything wrong with it but I imagine most woman wouldn't stick around talking to some strange guy on a topless beach if he walked up with a boner and a smile.

Well, I'm guessing that you've never been on a topless beach from the sound of your comments. Oh, I'm sure guys look at me with a lustful little voice in their heads when I'm on the beach. But, I meet men on the beach all the time and I've never had that kind of a problem wwhile standing around carrying on a conversation with them. I've never seen a guy on the beach with a boner protruding in his shorts (at least not an obvious one).There's an etequette that both men and women tend to follow when on a topless beach. Women don't shake their tits in another woman's man's face, and men don't overtly oggle or make lewd comments. That's just the way it is. Most all women would automatically brand a guy with an obvious boner on the beach as a creep.
As for hard nipples... I don't consider them to be the same as a hard dick in public. We girls can always claim hard nips are the result of the cool, ocean breeze or something. Believe it or not, erect nipples aren't always the result of being sexually aroused.

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[Bobaloo]

     Well, I'm guessing that you've never been on a topless beach from the sound of your comments. Oh, I'm sure guys look at me with a lustful little voice in their heads when I'm on the beach. But, I meet men on the beach all the time and I've never had that kind of a problem wwhile standing around carrying on a conversation with them. I've never seen a guy on the beach with a boner protruding in his shorts (at least not an obvious one).There's an etequette that both men and women tend to follow when on a topless beach. Women don't shake their tits in another woman's man's face, and men don't overtly oggle or make lewd comments. That's just the way it is. Most all women would automatically brand a guy with an obvious boner on the beach as a creep.
     As for hard nipples... I don't consider them to be the same as a hard dick in public. We girls can always claim hard nips are the result of the cool, ocean breeze or something. Believe it or not, erect nipples aren't always the result of being sexually aroused.

That is a super hot pic. My god!!! If I was at the same beach you were at I would be one of the guys branded as a creep for sure!!

[closeup]

You're right, I have never been to a topless beach. I guess like most situations there's a right way and a wrong way to act. That being said, getting hard isn't much of a voluntary act, I can imagine a lot of guys end up embarassed.
The picture above is Exhibit A, seeing you spilling out of the top of your bikini is really hot and hard to look away from. You've really got the goods and know how to show them off.

[Lynette]

I still have never heard an acceptable explaination for America's childish view of bare breasts on public beaches. I'm sorry, but it sure seems that American society is lightyears behind te rest of the civilized world when it comes to this subject. It's a shame too. Iheard from one guy that it would hurt th strip club industry. I don't think that's a rational reason. Do you???

[Bobaloo]

    I still have never heard an acceptable explaination for America's childish view of bare breasts on public beaches. I'm sorry, but it sure seems that American society is lightyears behind te rest of the civilized world when it comes to this subject. It's a shame too. Iheard from one guy that it would hurt th strip club industry. I don't think that's a rational reason. Do you???

Because everyone is about themselves in America. It's not, wow, that girl has a nice body and she's trying to avoid tan lines. Here people say, I don't believe she's just flaunting herself around.. I'm so offended. Poor me, poor me. We have a way of being ridiculously conservative. One has to bo so super aware and considerate of every single other person or you risk offending someone or some group and then you make headlines and then you're a public enemy. American society thrives in scandal, which is probably perpetuated by news media and our fascination with gossip. Behavior out of the norm = scandal for some people. for others it's not a big deal. But it's not a good story to talk about the people who are not complaining.

That's my take on it. This post is more like a run-on thought than anything coherent. I hope it makes some sense to you.

[evade20]

I personally won't go on a beach unless I can go "topless"


                           

            

The problem with beaches...

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[Lynette]

Because everyone is about themselves in America.  It's not, wow, that girl has a nice body and she's trying to avoid tan lines.  Here people say, I don't believe she's just flaunting herself around.. I'm so offended.  Poor me, poor me.  We have a way of being ridiculously conservative.  One has to bo so super aware and considerate of every single other person or you risk offending someone or some group and then you make headlines and then you're a public enemy.  American society thrives in scandal, which is probably perpetuated by news media and our fascination with gossip.  Behavior out of the norm = scandal for some people.  for others it's not a big deal.  But it's not a good story to talk about the people who are not complaining.

That's my take on it.   This post is more like a run-on thought than anything coherent.  I hope it makes some sense to you.

Somehow, I get the feeling that there's are super powerful, religious, conservative groups in the US that either have the ear of politicians, or actually have the ability to pull strings in the government in the name of "God". These groups have their own moral standards and actually believe they have the right (and moral obligation) to control and manipulate everyone into their way of thinking. The so-called separation between church and state in America has become a joke to the rest of the world. Like most religiously based organizations they feel they can do whatever they wish and justify it with the bible. They are the biggest hypocrites the world has ever produced. Right or wrong, anything can be justified by biblical interpretation. The truly sad thing is that they make life so miserable for the vast majority by supposing they know what's best for everyone, then putting plans into action to attempt to create a society that is more to "their" liking. Majority rule in the states is completely at risk now, and there dosn't seem to be anyone stepping up to combat this ultra-conservative movement. The fact that the American president is a self-proclaimed "born again" chritian sure doesn't help either. How in the world can anyone believe that this man is able to make important decisions without his ultra-religious convictions getting in the way? There IS something wrong here. These are the types of people who think that women who want to just sunbath topless are doing something wrong. You can't believe some of the things I've heard coming out of the mouths of typical republican women on this subject, "they don't have any respect for themselevs, they are all sluts and whores, they should be arrested, they ought to be tattooed to show everyone how immoral they are". Try bsome of those comments on for size, but cosider that most of them are coming from church ladies who are either old or just not very pleasent looking.
It's all just a shame.

*KISS*

[diane26]

     Somehow, I get the feeling that there's are super powerful, religious, conservative groups in the US that either have the ear of politicians, or actually have the ability to pull strings in the government in the name of "God". These groups have their own moral standards and actually believe they have the right (and moral obligation) to control and manipulate everyone into their way of thinking. The so-called separation between church and state in America has become a joke to the rest of the world. Like most religiously based organizations they feel they can do whatever they wish and justify it with the bible. They are the biggest hypocrites the world has ever produced. Right or wrong, anything can be justified by biblical interpretation. The truly sad thing is that they make life so miserable for the vast majority by supposing they know what's best for everyone, then putting plans into action to attempt to create a society that is more to "their" liking. Majority rule in the states is completely at risk now, and there dosn't seem to be anyone stepping up to combat this ultra-conservative movement. The fact that the American president is a self-proclaimed "born again" chritian sure doesn't help either. How in the world can anyone believe that this man is able to make important decisions without his ultra-religious convictions getting in the way? There IS something wrong here. These are the types of people who think that women who want to just sunbath topless are doing something wrong. You can't believe some of the things I've heard coming out of the mouths of typical republican women on this subject, "they don't have any respect for themselevs, they are all sluts and whores, they should be arrested, they ought to be tattooed to show everyone how immoral they are". Try bsome of those comments on for size, but cosider that most of them are coming from church ladies who are either old or just not very pleasent looking.
     It's all just a shame.

                                                  *KISS*

Reading the first few lines of this post, Look at the election it aint hard to put two and two together.


Bush was told by many Christians he was the closest thing to God we could have as a leader.

As far as my thoughts I don't care either way,

BUt I dont think all beaches should be nude so that parents have a choice as to which one they want to take there kids to, we shouldnt have to be forced to take a pre teens to a nude beach. There should be a choice.

[diane26]

On another not as well I just thought about I surely dont think underage girls should be running around topless or naked either human curioisty especially when it is not the norm like here in the states people are gonna look, how many of us don't look ??

With that I think having nude beaches where teen and preteen girls are running around naked is setting up a breeding ground for pedophiles. No grow person regardless should be looking at underage children naked so I surely dont think that should be allowed.

[Gnappster]

On another not as well I just thought about I surely dont think underage girls should be running around topless or naked either human curioisty especially when it is not the norm like here in the states people are gonna look, how many of us don't look ??

With that I think having nude beaches where teen and preteen girls are running around naked is setting up a breeding ground for pedophiles. No grow person regardless should be looking at underage children naked so I surely dont think that should be allowed.

I agree with you on that point.
But the second they turn 18, they're fair game!

[thenewguy]

Maybe all topless beaches should just be 18+ for age limits to give adults some freedom but protect kids?

I don't mind topless beaches at all, but like everyone else said- I wouldn't take my young kids to them. But I would definatley go myself.

[diane26]

Yes 18 and up I could support. And I dont care who wants to come say we shelter children I am a pretty laid back mom and go with the theory life is rated R so I am not OVERLY protective of them, but as there parent it is UP TO ME how I want to raise them and I should have the right to do just that.

[penelope]

Yes 18 and up I could support. And I dont care who wants to come say we shelter children          I am a pretty laid back mom and go with the theory life is rated R so I am not OVERLY protective of them, but as there parent it is UP TO ME how I want to raise them and I should have the right to do just that.

Totally agree, its not a place for children, I have been to a couple and on the whole its nice, enjoyable and very relaxed, people just wanting to enjoy the sun on the whole of their body. BUT you do get those who are obviously there with a more perverted idea, i.e. one time we were happily sunbathing and chatting naked on the beach, looked up and only 20 feet away was a guy 'eating' the woman he was with!!! Not even a vague attempt to be discreet. Sorry, but that is SOOOOOOOOO WRONG!
I'm pretty relaxed as a parent too, but I think innocence should be preserved where possible, but I also think that those of us that know the truth of life must say 'there is a risk, and we should therefore minimalise it'. Ergo, kids don't belong on nudist beaches.

On a lighter note, the funniest time on a nudist beach is when a young policeman and woman approached us, they were extremely polite, and quite chatty, and were there to inform us that a mine had been found just off the coast, and would shortly be detonated under a controlled explosion, and not to worry. As I recall I think we made a few funny comments about big 'bangs' and off they went. I must applaude his ability to never lose eye contact, and make it look effortless, and both of them for not seeming embarassed at all!!!

[UncleBuck]

We have been to many topless beach's ...with our kids as well ..our son the first day was a little shocked but it was something that after the first day wasn't a issue anymore, it didn't bother him or our daughter.
If we didn't make nudity so taboo over here it wouldn't be an issue. Being nude is normal.. and this may ruffle some feathers but I think we may have less of a problem with pedophile fuckers if we didn't make such a big deal out of nudity... in the meantime they would be easy to spot on the nude beach and therefore easier to take out (I have absolutely zero tolerance for pedophiles they are the lowest life form)
I think we have to get over the stigma of nudes..it is funny that most of us have a European background but they seem to have evolved quicker than we have in that sense. To me and the whif nudity isn't a big deal

I say people get over it, be proud , be nude , we ALL are under our clothes

[Gnappster]

We have been to many topless beach's ...with our kids as well ..our son the first day was a little shocked but it was something that after the first day wasn't a issue anymore, it didn't bother him or our daughter.
If we didn't make nudity so taboo over here it wouldn't be an issue. Being nude is normal.. and this may stir some feathers but I think we may have less problem with pedophile fuckers if we didn't make such a big deal out of nudity... in the meantime they would be easy to spot on the nude beach and therefore easier to take out    (I have absolutely zero tolerance for pedophiles they are the lowest life form)
I think we have to get over the stigma of nudes..it is funny that most of us  have a European background but they seem to have evolved quicker than we have in that sense. To me and the whif nudity isn't a big deal

I say people get over it,  be proud , be nude , we all are under our clothes

 

*looks in pants* Ack! He's right!

[mountainlust]

I was talking with my friend just the other day about women being topless. I said that women should just start walking around everywhere (not just beaches) with their tops off (i think this was a tangent conversation about breastfeeding). I said that if it just started happening, sure there would be considerable reaction for a while, but slowly people would get used to it and it would become a norm.

A man can dream, can't he?

[diane26]

We have been to many topless beach's ...with our kids as well ..our son the first day was a little shocked but it was something that after the first day wasn't a issue anymore, it didn't bother him or our daughter.
If we didn't make nudity so taboo over here it wouldn't be an issue. Being nude is normal.. and this may ruffle some feathers but I think we may have less of a problem with pedophile fuckers if we didn't make such a big deal out of nudity... in the meantime they would be easy to spot on the nude beach and therefore easier to take out    (I have absolutely zero tolerance for pedophiles they are the lowest life form)
I think we have to get over the stigma of nudes..it is funny that most of us  have a European background but they seem to have evolved quicker than we have in that sense. To me and the whif nudity isn't a big deal

I say people get over it,  be proud , be nude , we ALL are under our clothes

 

Pedophiles are attracted to young children nude or not that is what they are attracted to so allowing nudity I do not see how that will lesson pedophiles.

America was established what 200 something years ago as opposed to the thousands of years other countries have been established that might be why we are behind on times.

But regardless we each should be fit to parent how we feel best if you are ok trotting the kiddos around the nudie beach than that is on you but the other parents that are not OK with it like myself should have the option to take my children to the beach and not have to worry about it.


Also Majority of sex crimes have little to do with a naked body and mainly have to do with a Control/Mental issue so not seeing people naked solves nothing.

[natalie]

     Somehow, I get the feeling that there's are super powerful, religious, conservative groups in the US that either have the ear of politicians, or actually have the ability to pull strings in the government in the name of "God". These groups have their own moral standards and actually believe they have the right (and moral obligation) to control and manipulate everyone into their way of thinking. The so-called separation between church and state in America has become a joke to the rest of the world. Like most religiously based organizations they feel they can do whatever they wish and justify it with the bible. They are the biggest hypocrites the world has ever produced. Right or wrong, anything can be justified by biblical interpretation. The truly sad thing is that they make life so miserable for the vast majority by supposing they know what's best for everyone, then putting plans into action to attempt to create a society that is more to "their" liking. Majority rule in the states is completely at risk now, and there dosn't seem to be anyone stepping up to combat this ultra-conservative movement. The fact that the American president is a self-proclaimed "born again" chritian sure doesn't help either. How in the world can anyone believe that this man is able to make important decisions without his ultra-religious convictions getting in the way? There IS something wrong here. These are the types of people who think that women who want to just sunbath topless are doing something wrong. You can't believe some of the things I've heard coming out of the mouths of typical republican women on this subject, "they don't have any respect for themselevs, they are all sluts and whores, they should be arrested, they ought to be tattooed to show everyone how immoral they are". Try bsome of those comments on for size, but cosider that most of them are coming from church ladies who are either old or just not very pleasent looking.
     It's all just a shame.

                                                  *KISS*

I don't see how majority rule is at risk when the majority of people don't go to church, don't believe in religion or go for social status more then anything else. Corruption of government and people high in power is what puts it at risk. I know you probably don't know this but the U.N. is trying to kick all religious groups i.e. the Vatican out of their meetings and agendas because the whole world is well aware of how hypocritical and corrupt religions reputation has been. The world is changing. Look at how many old grannies do sexy ads and are MTV videos. Don't worry it will come it will come.

[Lynette]

That maybe all true, but it's this powerful "moral" minority who works the system from within and is so well organizd now that they seem much bigger than they really are. Look at the nature of the complaints against Howard Stern to the FCC. Less than 7,000 complaints out of millions of listeners. But, they're SO vocal that the agency feels obligated to take action and fine him and his company to the point where the guy moves to another venue in order to maintain his first ammendment writes. This is FAR from the only example of well organized campaigns orcestrated by the moral minority in America proving that they think they know what's best for you and me. Personally, I resent them pushing their beliefs down my throat by "working" government officals to administer their agendas.

[natalie]

That maybe all true, but it's this powerful "moral" minority who works the system from within and is so well organizd now that they seem much bigger than they really are. Look at the nature of the complaints against Howard Stern to the FCC. Less than 7,000 complaints out of millions of listeners. But, they're SO vocal that the agency feels obligated to take action and fine him and his company to the point where the guy moves to another venue in order to maintain his first ammendment writes. This is FAR from the only example of well organized campaigns orcestrated by the moral minority in America proving that they think they know what's best for you and me. Personally, I resent them pushing their beliefs down my throat by "working" government officals to administer their agendas.

Well I'm definitely there with you about what they do to Howard. I mean how hard is it to turn the chanel? I personally think the whole moral thing is a sham. I bet those who proclaim themselves righteous the loudest have the dirtest closets.

[UncleBuck]

That maybe all true, but it's this powerful "moral" minority who works the system from within and is so well organizd now that they seem much bigger than they really are. Look at the nature of the complaints against Howard Stern to the FCC. Less than 7,000 complaints out of millions of listeners. But, they're SO vocal that the agency feels obligated to take action and fine him and his company to the point where the guy moves to another venue in order to maintain his first ammendment writes. This is FAR from the only example of well organized campaigns orcestrated by the moral minority in America proving that they think they know what's best for you and me. Personally, I resent them pushing their beliefs down my throat by "working" government officals to administer their agendas.

What she said

[Isaac_Putin]

Pedophiles are attracted to young children nude or not that is what they are attracted to so allowing nudity I do not see how that will lesson pedophiles.

America was established what 200 something years ago as opposed to the thousands of years other countries have been established that might be why we are behind on times.

But regardless we each should be fit to parent how we feel best if you are ok trotting the kiddos around the nudie beach than that is on you but the other parents that are not OK with it like myself should have the option to take my children to the beach and not have to worry about it.
Also Majority of sex crimes have little to do with a naked body and mainly have to do with a Control/Mental issue so not seeing people naked solves nothing.

I have been to plenty of different nude beaches, so let me clarify a few things:

1. True nudists think of a nude beach as no more sexual than a beach that requires swimsuits. For that reason, nudists do not feel like they are exposing their children to either sexual attention or pedophiles on nude beaches. And in the vast majority of cases, they are correct. There is very little overt sexual activity on nude beaches, and anyone who acted suspicious around little children would be very quickly overwhelmed and cordoned off/kicked off by the nudist beach regulars.

2. There are not a lot of children on nude beaches anyway. The reason usually is that there are actually VERY FEW nude beaches in the United States. So, it takes a lot of logistical planning to get to a nude beach in the first place. They are usually off the beaten path, and require an extra mile's walk down from the "regular" beach. Too much trouble to take kids with you when it is a physical pain to get to the nude beach yourself.

3. Nude beaches in the U.S. are an infinitessimal fraction of the number of total beaches. I would guess the percentage is like .01%. Not 1%, mind you but 1/100th of that. So, the idea of a parent being forced to subject their children to nude people on the beach is "hypothetical". The odds of it happening are a statistical impossibility.

4. In Europe there is much more nudity/toplessness on the beaches. Examples are Denmark, Germany, and Croatia. However, the attitude toward nudity in general in these countries is much more blase than here. It's not considered shocking or titillating there, as opposed to here. As I stated earlier, this is the country that was founded by the strictest denominations of Christian churches in western Europe.

5. The U.S. is still much more liberal on this issue than Muslim countries, such as Iran, Egypt, many parts of Indonesia, etc. In those countries, you have segregated beaches - men and women not even allowed to mix. And when women do go to the beach, it is not in a swimsuit, but a veil, and head-to-toe clothing. So, things could be a hell of a lot worse.