Topless in High Street - acceptable or not?

dotpocka

in usa public store pubs etc
no shoes no shirt no service
male or female

In the UK, the local where I used to live was covered in notices about the pub rules and the no shirt/shoes was one of many.

Mostly I don't care or notice what people are or aren't wearing but I once had the misfortune to sit next to a large, topless man on the bus. I was sat on the inside and the man was sunburnt, damp and sweaty and smelly. He took up more than his fair share of the double seat.

Maybe we should follow the example of the Italians.

“An Italian coastal town popular with UK tourists has brought in strict new rules - including a ban on walking through the streets in swimwear or while barefoot. Authorities in Portofino in Liguria say there will be on-the-spot fines for tourists who break the new rules.

From July 15, travellers will no longer be allowed in the streets barefoot, topless or in swimwear - and beachwear is also banned in the town's main square. Alcohol has been banned in the streets except for at hotels, restaurants and in specifically designated zones.

The rules also extend to a ban on sitting on the pavement or walls, while lying in the street and in parks is also banned. The rules are designed to cut down on anti-social behaviour and littering in a town that sees 100,000 tourists every summer.”

I would never have walked down a high street topless, and certainly not as I got older.

Of course, private viewings can be arranged.

grumppa How much do you charge.

And it's not just Portofino, which is such a beautiful place, more and more towns and cities are having to clamp down on topless, shirtless, shoeless, drinking, simply because there are those who will always push and push to do exactly what they want, where they want and to hell with anyone else.

I truly don't feel that just because you're not 'doing any harm' or some people can take the view that they're 'not bothered' by sweaty half-naked people joining them in supermarket queues or sitting with their dirty feet up on chairs in bars and cafés in towns, that one can talk about such behaviour being 'acceptable''.

What about 'appropriate?'

We know about appropriate dress codes, most of us have learned in life that moving amongst society and in public spaces, there have always been rules which need to be followed with regard to clothing. Wear what you like? Nothing wrong with that. But wearing nothing is entirely different. Look at the offensive and unpleasant behaviour of Kanye West and his "Wife". Whilst he's on the spectrum, what on earth is the matter with her? How can she genuinely feel that appearing in public all over Europe and forcing anyone in the vicinity to view all and every aspect of her naked body is the way to go. Where, if left unchallenged, do such displays lead?

It is essential to maintain standards, some standards. If you are in the street, why dress for the beach or for a swim? In France men cannot use a public swimming pool in shorts or cutoffs -even if they are recently laundered - or anything in which to swim that they might be able to wear in the street. So.......why then walk in the street in a state of undress and which for young women can often mean thongs and no bikini tops or semi-sheer beach clothes and bare feet. Why not drink in a bar or a café? That's appropriate. Why not reserve nakedness for your own home? Are you that desperate to exhibit yourself?

No service in shops in our town in France if you are half naked and shoeless. It doesn't matter if it's so hot that one has to stand too close in a queue alongside someone if that someone smells nice and is wearing summer clothing. But a bunch of tourists with their bare chests pressed over the cold cabinets? Why?

It's not appropriate, any more than sex in public, spitting in the street, being drunk in a public place, fighting, stealing, the list is endless. Laws and bye-laws exist and being fortunate enough to be blessed with sunny days should not affect anyone's brain sufficiently so that uncaring, selfish behaviour could so easily spoil the ambience of a town where the citizens take such pride in their surroundings.

Behave as you like in your home. (Grumppa has it right - private viewings!) In places that do not belong to you, follow the rules and just for once, show some respect for the people around you, and yourselves.

Well it makes me feel good about myself!!
At 72 I never expected to walk down a high street and know that my body looks better than those of so many of the young people that I see.
How did that happen? It’s a bit sad.

Most of the men I have seen bare chested ought to be well covered up.