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Tiny, Tight, Humiliating: Speedos Are de Rigueur in France

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mortified visitors can't believe it when continental pools insist that men wear tiny, tight Speedo swimsuits, writes Angelique Chrisafis in the Guardian. An Irish journalist was recently hauled out of a French pool and could only return in an "unbelievably skimpy" pair of Speedo trunks that were "bloody uncomfortable for me and anyone who had to look at them," he grumbled. Why the insistence on the booty-hugging briefs? Hygiene.

The French find American baggy swimming trunks as disgusting as many US men find Speedos. "I accept that some men feel very ill at ease wearing small trunks," said a Paris pool director. "But bigger swimming shorts can be worn elsewhere all day, so could bring in sand, dust or other matter, disturbing water quality."

Booty-hugging Speedos are the norm in most European countries.
Booty-hugging Speedos are the norm in most European countries.   (©feline_dacat)
Oo la la.
Oo la la.   (©albany_tim)
American male visitors can't use French pools unless they don a Speedo.
American male visitors can't use French pools unless they don a Speedo.   (©albany_tim)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
bewilderbeast
Aug 13, 2009 9:52 AM CDT
There's a problem with nudity? Issues, issues. Try repeating this softly while breathing steadily: A body is a body is a body. What someone else wears is for fashionistas and designers to carp about. Normal people should be unfazed.
astroyo
Aug 13, 2009 6:16 AM CDT
American men are so modest it's embarrassing. Women should be nearly naked, but men wear baggy board shorts that reach to their calves and make their legs look stumpy. All so they can hide their "shortcomings"! It's time men deal with their FEARS already!!!!!!!! Show your stuff guys, the way we women do!
zentenai
Aug 13, 2009 4:27 AM CDT
We're America. We're AFRAID of sex. Especially when it involves scantily-clad men. Women are fine, because we objectify them. (lol, no wonder the Muslims hate us)

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