Gransnet forums

Chat

Going topless

(150 Posts)
Missfoodlove Tue 26-May-20 19:56:44

We established in a previous thread that hanging out washing is acceptable and not common.
So what about topless men?
My unattractive neighbour a retired teacher thinks it’s fine to wander around topless, in fine weather he goes out shopping, gardens at the front of the house and generally parades around the neighbourhood without a shirt.
I think it’s really uncouth, unless by a swimming pool the sea or a private garden it shouldn’t be allowed.
Your thoughts please.

Nannapat1 Wed 27-May-20 10:18:15

Can't see any problem on your own property. My DH goes topless when gardening or washing the cars in fine weather. He is toned and tanned but shouldn't matter if he wasn't. I don't think it's ok in shops, and restaurants though, unless poolside or beach side.
Must have missed the thread on hanging out washing. Why on earth would anyone find that unacceptable!

GrannyGravy13 Wed 27-May-20 10:20:39

My late Mum and I saw David Gandy in the flesh many years ago before he was a household name at a fashion show for M & S at Lakeside, Essex. She fell instantly ^ in lust^ with him and he was her pin-up till the day she died.

Toadinthehole Wed 27-May-20 10:23:57

I’ve seen topless men “ removed”, from my local supermarket. I personally think all people look better with clothes on, no matter what their bodies are like, away from poolsides, beaches etc. They just look ridiculous anywhere else. But to ban it?.....no, unless they’re being offensive in some way. Mostly, they’re just amusing ?.

Toadinthehole Wed 27-May-20 10:25:20

Obviously, in and around their own home is fine too.

Bijou Wed 27-May-20 10:28:35

I remember that some time back supermarkets in Spain refused entrance to men not wearing tops and in Lanzarote a taxi driver refused to take three young men without shirts.
Even on beaches I saw some revolting sights. Elderly men with fat bellies just wearing enough to cover their privates and fat old women going topless.
Last summer in town there were pregnant women with bare bellies.

Lizbethann55 Wed 27-May-20 10:29:05

suelindsey I am totally with you. I work in a couple of branch libraries , though furloughed just now. In each of them we have men who are old enough to go better coming in wearing vests in hot weather. They are both sweaty types and one of them obviously isn't close friends with his shower. He uses the computers for hours and likes the one near one of the book shelves. I never shelve or straighten those books until ages after he has left! Men should cover up in public, as should women.

trisher Wed 27-May-20 10:32:10

It's Ok in their own garden but don't want to see it elsewhere. You could try exclaiming in a loud voice about skin cancer in men occurring mostly on the chest and back.

Annsan Wed 27-May-20 10:32:18

I thought you were referring to women.....

Seefah Wed 27-May-20 10:34:33

I can’t muster up much objection to topless men - after having spent a lot of time in Croatia I’m just relieved they’ve got pants / shorts on! Years ago FKK beaches were dotted about and always in the loveliest spots !! For years I never bothered to figure out what FKK meant and thought it must be about drainage pipes running into the sea !

Taliya Wed 27-May-20 10:37:23

It's not the best look is it! If you are an older guy it's probably also flab and belly. It's his life though and we can find a lot of what other people do 'distastful' and annoying but that's life!

Keeper1 Wed 27-May-20 10:39:05

I agree going topless about town or village not a good idea but there seems to be some body shaming going on here.

Moggycuddler Wed 27-May-20 10:41:49

In their own garden or the beach, it's fine (especially if they look like Chris Hemsworth) but not to the shops etc. I don't think it should be illegal though, but it does look slobby out in public - unless they look like Chris Hemsworth, of course! I think some of these middle aged beer bellied blokes imagine that they do and want to flaunt it.

sarahellenwhitney Wed 27-May-20 10:41:55

MrGuder.
'found myself looking at the ones that kept their tops on'
Nothing like imagination grin

Grannygrumps1 Wed 27-May-20 10:44:39

He may go out shopping with no shirt on but many stores will not allow him in. Tesco make men where T-shirt’s and usually in hot weather keep them with the security at the front of the store and they have to pay for it and wear it before they walk around. The same goes for girls in a bikini tops. But I hasten to add it was a coastal store where I worked that this was common practice. But I do believe it’s not entry with no shirt at others.

DiscoGran Wed 27-May-20 10:48:05

Mmm, David Gandy.....
He lives next door to me too, (in my dreams) ?

Gwenisgreat1 Wed 27-May-20 10:54:23

What is wrong with washing on the line?? Do you prefer to shove them in the tumble dryer using precious electricity? Or flinging the washing over radiators causing mould to grow in the house?

GreenGran78 Wed 27-May-20 11:04:36

I have never heard of David Gandy, and Googled to see who this wonderful man is, who obviously causes sleepless nights among Gransnetters. Among the info was a quote from an interview. His most unappealing habit........”I fart a lot on planes.”

Has that increased his appeal? ?

LaRia44 Wed 27-May-20 11:07:48

Miss Adventure, so funny. I am enjoying this thread so much, but I must leave it to do a little work in the garden. I’ll be back later, hope I can find the thread again.

BlueSky Wed 27-May-20 11:08:44

I went topless on the beach abroad many moons ago like I'm sure a lot of you have. Now I would be most worried about breast cancer as well as other things.

Noreen3 Wed 27-May-20 11:12:08

When I worked in shops,one of the downsides to summer was having to serve men without shirts,a lot of them weren't a pretty sight.They should cover up in town.Some were sweaty as well,that was even worse.

NotSpaghetti Wed 27-May-20 11:12:33

I hate this body-shaming judgemental stuff - the “it’s ok to take their tops off if they are toned and honed” brigade.

This is objectification and I find it objectionable.
Sorry, just had to comment on this.

Personally I like all people, male or female, old and baggy, thin and wimpy, fat and lumpy or young and athletic to be clothed unless on their own land, on the beach or at the swimming pool.

seadragon Wed 27-May-20 11:13:50

I think there is scope here for a hairy men fan club.. I thought we had died out in favour of the 'everything waxed off look'.

Daisyboots Wed 27-May-20 11:14:18

My husband has been walking around the house and garden in just his shorts and sandals but if he is going to the communal dustbin 70metres along the road he puts a tee shirt on. When in England in the summer you do see some awful sights both men and women out shopping. Yet here in Portugal you rarely see any Portuguese shopping wearing skimpy clothes.

grandtanteJE65 Wed 27-May-20 11:18:07

I personally feel that both sexes should feel there is a difference between the kind of clothes, or lack thereof, that is acceptable on the beach and in a public street or any other place.

I find very short shorts on men I don't know embarrassing too, as I have often had a very good view of what should be kept private when they were sitting down in public!

I dislike seeing topless men in supermarkets etc., nor do I care for seeing scantily clad women either.

I know I am old fashioned about this.

However, I would definitely not welcome hard and fast rules about what people might wear or discard in public.

BlueSky Wed 27-May-20 11:19:58

NotSpaghetti usually body shaming is reserved for women. If you are young and slim then it's wow to go topless (or naked) otherwise god help you!