Concern wrote:HUbbette wrote:I live in the US, but travel quite a bit. Many years ago, in the late '70's I spent a school year in France (Montpellier, close to the Med.). Topless women were very common on the beach, and no one thought anything of it, except for the horny American students. I knew it had become culturally ingrained and totally accepted as a norm because I often saw older women topless with their daughters and/or granddaughters together with their families No one every thought anything of it...
Today, when I travel (some 30 years later), it is the same. But it is not only France, this is accepted also in Spain, Italy, Greece and many other countries. For your next vacation, stay close to home and visit the French Caribbean (Martinique or Guadeloupe), and you will see what I'm talking about.
I understand where you are coming from because, having been raised in the USA, I know that our culture is much less tolerant. Just look at our history of the pilgrams and puritans. Instead of having topless beaches, our country tends more towards violence. Just compare the crime rate in the USA to Spain. Maybe that's why you are concerned about sexual predators and your niece.
Anyway, I should'nt rant about politics. Bottom line, if it didn't bother your in-laws, you shouldn't let it bother you. Just remember "when in Rome,..."
Oh, by the way, I'm willing to bet that this was your first time on a Southern European beach?
FINALLY!!! We have one or two posts that makes good sense. Instead of those other "Look, breasts are natural. What's the problem?" posts. Thanks Hubbette for your enlightening post, makes me feel a whole lot better. I was starting to feel like a loony-bin after reading the other replies.
I can understand why you were upset, but as you've probably found out now, it's quite common to see topless females of all ages (including teenagers) on beaches in Europe, in fact it's not rare e.g. in France and Italy, to see them swimming and sunbathing completely nude. Men as well, of course. It's just accepted. Hope this is helpful.
Luv,
Puddy.














