Is it socially unacceptable to go barechested?

Would you (men only) go barechested in hot weather at outdoors in public places?

  • Yes

    Votes: 18 94.7%
  • No (this includes beach, pool and such swimming or sunbathing related places)

    Votes: 1 5.3%

  • Total voters
    19
Ha! Thanks Silly, never saw that!
We ALSO lived in a fish fly free zone for over 20 years, but around 10 years ago they started establishing themselves 40 miles west to OUR lake as well!
Used to be a Lake St. Clair thing exclusively, now they're EVERYWHERE in the south east Michigan lake areas.
 
and back to the topic, I'm sorry if my appearance isn't someone's favorite, but the idea of what is modest is so variable that most rules about exactly what to cover are just one group imposing their comfort level on someone else. I personally think all women prettier than me should stay covered because that's fair! On the other hand, women who are in exercise deprived have a tendency to be offended by the way my jeans fit...

Besides that, I just cannot function if I am over dressed for the temps. Wipes me out. So should I dress to make everyone else comfortable or so that I am most effective with what I am doing?

Other people's comfort is not your problem. They can exercise their right to look in any of the three alternative cardinal directions if they have a problem with your shirtlessness. If you're out running, dress however you feel most comfortable! Guys, if that means running shirtless, go for it! Women should be able to run in a bra only if they like. Now, I would prefer if people wear shirts at the grocery store or in restaurants ... I don't want to have to pick a guy's chest hair out of my cheeseburger.
 
I'm all for being shirtless as much as possible. But I'm warm by nature. If it is above 75ish I'll pull the shirt off for runs, basketball, mowing etc. Mainly because I've yet to find shirt that doesn't feel sticky or constricting.

And honestly after dropping a fair bit of weight over the year of running getting the occasional whistle makes me feel warm and fuzzy :)
 
If you're out running, dress however you feel most comfortable! Guys, if that means running shirtless, go for it! Women should be able to run in a bra only if they like.
I see some women occasionally in just a sports bra for a top. Not sure why that's taboo or inappropriate for anyone since you see much less on women at the beach (last I checked this was a public place too)... And just so there is no confusion I am agreeing with you, I know writing loses all tone so just want to make sure I am clear on what I mean.
 
I don't want to have to pick a guy's chest hair out of my cheeseburger.
I usually shave my chest before heading out for a shirt free burger & brew.
 
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They can exercise their right to look in any of the three alternative cardinal directions if they have a problem with.
I like how you put that. I was having a conversation with someone about it this weekend and I wish I had thought of that. They can choose to look away!
 
This thread got me thinking.

Any time I see a bloke running with his shirt off, my natural reaction is "wanker!", but I realise that is just a bit of prejudice at work on my part. I always assume that anybody running around without a shirt on is an attention seeking try-hard*, but I guess I should consider whether they just like the feel of running shirtless. It's probably a similar thing to people running barefoot when I think about it. I've never tried it. Maybe I should try it one day, or at least adjust my attitude a little.

As for swimming, I'll happily jump into a pool or the ocean shirtless, hairy back and all. My wife wants me to shave down, but men who shave their bodies disgust me, and I wouldn't know where to stop to avoid an embarrassing 'fringe-line'.

*That's not to say that some of the people I see running shirtless aren't attention seeking try-hards, of course. :D
 
Other people's comfort is not your problem. They can exercise their right to look in any of the three alternative cardinal directions if they have a problem with your shirtlessness. If you're out running, dress however you feel most comfortable! Guys, if that means running shirtless, go for it! Women should be able to run in a bra only if they like. Now, I would prefer if people wear shirts at the grocery store or in restaurants ... I don't want to have to pick a guy's chest hair out of my cheeseburger.


My only complaint with ladies running topless or in a sports bra is the opposite of being able to look away.... makes it hard to focus on the road in front of me at times when I'm doing this: :woot:
 
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My wife wants me to shave down, but men who shave their bodies disgust me, and I wouldn't know where to stop to avoid an embarrassing 'fringe-line'.
If I know I am going to be without a shirt on, I will shave my chest only, but I have a reason for doing that because in reality I would much prefer to just be hairy chested and not have to shave it at all (we as men are hairy creatures and shouldn't have to feel ashamed of that hair. Damn western culture.). Have you ever seen the episode of My Name is Earl where he's a kid getting picked on for his hairy nipples? Well, that's me. Seems I don't grow chest hair like a normal man and it grows in patches. Who want's to be embarrassed by that when being out shirtless? Thankfully the way my chest hair grows I don't have to worry about any fringe-line because I just shave the little patches on the chest and then everything else looks normal.
 
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Men who are clearly past puberty and have no chest hair look a little strange, IMHO. But then I tend to be attracted to short, furry men with meat on their bones!
I'm with you. I think grown-up hairy men are sexy. And yes, that describes my husband, so all is well. ;)
 
A real man wouldn't need those gloves, Bob. :D

I don't know why my hands get cold on the run, my feet never, just the hands. Small sacrifices I guess
 
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Yesterday's race was a sweaty one! The shirt came off at mile 1.5 and stayed off for the subsequent 11.8. I did sport a bit of a burn, but it faded by morning.

I know that nobody thought twice about my medium hairy, mesomorphic bod because a skinny guy with major butt hair (all I saw as he passed me at speed) and an over the shoulder lime green number that flossed his crack garnered all the attention. I just wondered where he hung his race bib.

I'm a big fan of "wear what pleases you" balanced by the old axiom "if they can't take a joke, f**k 'm."

Around my house I'm pleased to see that my kids don't get hung up with body stuff much. They're much better than I was at their age regarding body positive image and very low on taboo stuff. That's likely to change some as puberty rears it's snarling head, but for now, bodies are good and healthy.