Whether it’s a sunny session at my local lido during the summer or a few lengths at the leisure centre on a rainy day, I love a good swim.

Over the years, I’ve picked up on a few behaviours exercised by the general public, from ‘toe touching’ to ‘dry strokers’ and even ‘filth spinners.’

But one thing in particular stands out about UK pool-goers compared to those in Scandinavia or the Mediterranean — unlike our European mainland counterparts, we tend to keep our costumes on in the showers.

It makes sense, really. Us Brits are known for our prudishness, after all.

However, there are some outliers: people who were born brave and don’t care a jot about changing in front of strangers.

And while I envy their blasé attitude, not everyone feels the same.

‘People have become much more prudish’

This has long been a divisive topic among regular swimmers, some of whom are very passionate about keeping their kit on for a shower, and others who are completely comfortable stripping off.

Posting on the r/AskUK Reddit, @AngelusRex7 said they recently visited their local lido, and noticed ‘one of the older ladies stripped to her nethers [while] showering.’

They added: ‘I didn’t stare directly, but I was surprised to see this as this never happens in the UK as far as I experienced until now.’

After they’d got changed, they noticed someone else doing it, too, but before then, they’d only ever seen people engaging in a naked shower in the likes of Denmark, where ‘everyone’ stripped even before getting in.

In the comments, @jellical-cats recalled their experience of growing up in the 1990s, when they reckoned it was about ‘half and half’.

‘Now, it seems only the occasional older person will shower naked or change openly in the changing room,’ they added, which prompted @Dutch_Slim to argue that people have become ‘much more prudish.’

There were, of course, plenty of people who prefer to keep things hidden away, including @Tasty_Sheepherder_44 who said: ‘I like to keep my meat and two veg hidden away. People might think rationing is back.’

Another, @Flonkerton_Scranton, said if they could, they’d shower in a ‘full three-piece button-up suit’ if they could, with @alphahydra calling it ‘weird’ and @JakeThomasDad12 saying it wasn’t their ‘cup of tea.’

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On the other hand, @this-guy- called the practice ‘very natural,’ and ‘very human,’ noting: ‘We don’t have much of that these days.’

Making a case for the skincare aspect, @Imaginary_Ad5475 said they swim three times a week and ‘always shower’ in the nude.

‘Damn chlorine makes me itch so much I’d rather be naked for five minutes than itch all day,’ they added.

Awkward, or necessary?

While world-leading etiquette expert Jo Hayes reckons it’s normal to go au naturel in the pool showers, she still recommends erring on the side of caution.

‘It’s a rather confronting sight, especially if you’re new to the swimming pool scene,’ she tells Metro.

‘As unexpected as it may be, it’s generally considered acceptable in the UK, although I generally advise people against it.’

Jo stresses that good manners are about ‘behaving in a way as to avoid making others uncomfortable’ — so if there’s a chance you might be doing so, it’s best to keep covered.

Ella Foote, editor of Outdoor Swimmer, says it’s perfectly acceptable to be naked in single-sex changing rooms, but advises against it in open public showers, poolside showers, or anywhere without an element of privacy.

She explains: ‘There’s often a generational divide, as older swimmers more comfortable with their bodies tend to shower naked more frequently than women under the age of 30.

‘There are also anecdotal reports that men tend to be more open and relaxed, with women being more modest.’

However, Ella cites a more relaxed attitude from countries like Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as the Nordics.

‘Swimwear is often seen as unhygienic as it traps bacteria and is actively discouraged in some spaces,’ she continues.

As such, it’s typically best to shower naked, as it gives you the chance to properly remove things like chlorine, urine residue, sweat, and other bacteria much more effectively.

Still, as long as you soap up your body and cozzie, you should be fine. And you can always just hop in your own shower at home (albeit after a rinse at the pool) if you prefer to avoid an audience.

The main thing is doing what you feel most comfortable with. There’s no right or wrong, so it’s really your own judgment call.

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