As today (December 6th) is a national holiday in Finland (celebrating 90 years of independence!), I thought it would be fun to point out one way in which I have acquired a new form of, well…I guess you could say “liberation” while living here in Finland. Specifically I am referring to the fact that wearing a speedo is now (almost) within my comfort zone.
This sign is posted in about 5 places at the local pool…
The only people I know from my hometown in the US who always wear a speedo-type swim suit to the pool are either on a swim team, are a bit loony, are posers, or are any combination of those three options.
I think I would have easily understood if more people in Finland just naturally wanted to wear this kind of swim suit to the local pool (because after being naked so much in the sauna, a speedo actually seems like a good deal of cover) – but I am still struggling to find a good answer as to why it is required to wear it here?
Anyone have any good ideas?
In the mean time, it has helped me break free of old prejudices and fears (…although I suppose the true test of how long that lasts will be the first time I am in a public pool back in the US).
I suggest that men throughout the world should celebrate this day by wearing a speedo to a local pool.
Happy Independence Day! 🙂
The old ladies who run the pool told me that longer shorts are considered unhygenic. But, anyway, I think that once you’ve tried the marble sack, it’s hard to go back.
Even harder for me to get used to than the speedo was the female janitors cleaning the male locker rooms while the lockerrooms are in use.
I think the reason is, as Justus pointed, hygienic. There are people who first do gardening in their cotton trunks and then would go to the public pool wearing them. (Though there probably are as many who do gardening in their speedos or bikinis 🙂 Also, in past there has been a confusion in Europe what is a swimming trunk: many were wearing some kind of cotton shorts and still a piece of underwear under.
So, no worries about the bulging sack, as long as it is clean!
Only one word describes my feelings about speedos–SICK. 🙂
I suggest you keep with your American ways.
I agree with Becky: Speedo users are sick, sick people and should not be allowed to live in a civilized society where the level of your decency is measured by the length of your swimming trunks 🙂
Becky, could it be the only reasons that you think speedos are sick is because you have never seen me in one? 😉 ha!
On another even less serious note (if possible), wouldn’t it be really funny if the “old ladies who run the pool” really just made up that thing about “unhygenic” and secretly had more devious ulterior motives? Maybe when no one is in hearing distance they look through the glass at the men in the pool, give each other winks and high fives, and giggling say, “I can’t believe they fell for it!” 🙂
Haha
OK, ok – I’ll stop entertaining myself with bizarre thoughts now and go back to work.
It COULD be that seeing you in a speedo would change my life…. but I think I could consider my life fulfilled if I never saw you in one. 🙂
As for the old ladies though–you have a point there. 70+ year old women need some entertainment! But, please realize that unless you are trying to impress the old, old ones (which is messed up in itself), let’s stick with trunks!
I have to say i am an fin and i still do not especially like speedos type swimsuits.
Although there is some hygiene considerations (witch i do not especially want to go into)
To Becky its not his choice if you want to swim 🙂 u need wear them.
For Justus do not worry, i am sure the ladies in the pool have seen everything in they lifetime.
If a cleaner lady looks give her a nice wink.
Tero
Ha! This is a great post. Thanks for that. I have to say that in all honesty wearing a speedo here in Salt Lake Valley really isn’t all that awkward. Alot of men at my Gym wear them or Jammers (the longer version).Since I swim a lot it’s nice to be able to feel more freedom. You may think that’s an oxymoron but it really allows for better aerodynamics while swimming. Plus, they are so much more comfortable than baggy shorts and will dry faster too.
sorry Becky not everyone is so fashion-obsessed (or whatever your problem is) as you are. It’s downright ridiculous to swim laps in trunks, it slows you down so much. Swimmers aren’t trying to “impress” anyone when they work out, otherwise we wouldn’t wear caps and goggles either.
I agree with Becky: Speedo users are sick, sick people and should not be allowed to live in a civilized society where the level of your decency is measured by the length of your swimming trunks
by the way ,while you’re at it, check out these swimming goggles
Speeods are great, and i’m when i was date, i was swim wearing a speedo and my girl using a bikini, then, i’m kissing with them…