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RCWarrior821
Guest
When summer comes…how should a catholic man dress when going to the beach? Is it ok for us to have our shirts off or should be try wearing something to cover up too?
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JimG
Guest
Refrain from speedos unless you are in a swim competition event.
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whatevergirl
Guest
lol agreed!!!
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whatevergirl
Guest
From a skin cancer point of view, men should wear tops on at the beach/pool. From a modest point of view…I mean, swimming without a top on is not immodest in my opinion, nor is walking around the beach without a top on, for a man. But, my dh now wears a tee shirt, to avoid sunburns, etc…so you might want to consider that as motivation to keep a shirt on. Also, there are longer short like suits that look great…very stylish. My dh and son wear these…and they are very modest. *
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MissMichal
Guest
When choosing swimsuits, I always ask myself whether I sould come out of the fitting room into the store in it. If I wouldn’t walk around in public in a bikini, why would that change if there’s water nearby?
IMHO, guys should wear a top while swimming. I’m a gal, and I will be wearing board shorts with a modestly cut tank suit this summer. You could get a surf rash guard or another quick-drying shirt, like those made by Under Armour. ****'s Sporting Goods carries Under Armour, and you can get long-ish swim trunks anywhere.
Pax,
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IMHO, guys should wear a top while swimming. I’m a gal, and I will be wearing board shorts with a modestly cut tank suit this summer. You could get a surf rash guard or another quick-drying shirt, like those made by Under Armour. ****'s Sporting Goods carries Under Armour, and you can get long-ish swim trunks anywhere.
Pax,
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Walden
Guest
I might be wrong, but are they called “boardshorts”? Those seem to be what the “in” people wear, and they’re longer than regular khaki shorts. I actually prefer shorter swimming shorts.
I’ll chime in as well to say that shirtless is entirely appropriate when swimming.
I have a very light skin tone so I too tend to wear a shirt when I’m just chillin out of the water,
In my opinion, about the only way a guy can go wrong is doing the speedo thing.
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whatevergirl
Guest
*Boardshorts…maybe. My son wears them, and my husband wears a shorter version…but still are kinda long. *
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jwatza
Guest
My boys usually wear t-shirts when not in the water and longer swim-shorts.
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LongingForLight
Guest
I think swim shorts at least as long as the shortest shorts you’d wear when not swimming and still feel modest, and shirts are optional. Women like the way a man looks without his shirt, but IME it’s usually like how they would admire another good-looking woman, except that they don’t wonder if his look might work for them 
However, some insecure women do seem to be trying to compete with men in the realm of objectifying others sexually, so I could definitely understand wanting a shirt if you are hanging out with a very “secular” or immature crowd.
However, some insecure women do seem to be trying to compete with men in the realm of objectifying others sexually, so I could definitely understand wanting a shirt if you are hanging out with a very “secular” or immature crowd.
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stringbeanduck
Guest
No. You can walk around the beach with your shirt off. Just keep some swim trunks on or anything that doesn’t shown and out line the reproductive element.
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Havard
Guest
If you’re going to be out in the water for a long time, “rash guard” shirts are good protection from the elements, and they offer flexibility for activities like surfing, water-skiing, etc.
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Cat
Guest
I’m really surprised that people believe a man without a shirt is immodest. My DAD walked around without shirt all the time, and we never thought anything of it.
Women aren’t generally “turned on” by sight like men are, so to me there is no reason why it should be considered immodest for a man to go shirtless.
And I’m not sure that just any old shirt will protect someone from sun damage. Maybe there are special shirts now that men buy nowadays? (We’re not beach people obviously–both blonds!)
I don’t get this at all.
As for speedos, the guys who SHOULD be wearing speedos always wear those baggy shorts that go below their knees, and the guys who SHOULDN’T be wearing speedos always do and we get to see the belly hangin’ out!
No wonder my husband and I prefer the ice rink to the beach!
Women aren’t generally “turned on” by sight like men are, so to me there is no reason why it should be considered immodest for a man to go shirtless.
And I’m not sure that just any old shirt will protect someone from sun damage. Maybe there are special shirts now that men buy nowadays? (We’re not beach people obviously–both blonds!)
I don’t get this at all.
As for speedos, the guys who SHOULD be wearing speedos always wear those baggy shorts that go below their knees, and the guys who SHOULDN’T be wearing speedos always do and we get to see the belly hangin’ out!
No wonder my husband and I prefer the ice rink to the beach!
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kage_ar
Guest
Most of the men I see at the lake, well, it is an act of kindness for them to WEAR a shirt 
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joseph123
Guest
You should wear something to cover up to protect yourself from the sun and as a courtesy to others because it just isn’t possible to unsee things.
As for modesty, the standards for men to dress modestly are so low I just don’t see how they can be broken.
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Cat
Guest
But…but…what exactly is immodest about a man without a shirt!!! To me, that’s like saying that a woman who shows her bare hands is immodest, or a child showing knees is immodest. I honestly do not understand this thread at all.You should wear something to cover up to protect yourself from the sun and as a courtesy to others because it just isn’t possible to unsee things.
I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps I have stumbled onto a thread in which all the participants are members of some very strict Catholic community with very old-fashioned modesty standards? But honestly, even by old-fashioned standards, it was acceptable for a man to be shirtless, at least in the U.S.
Is this thread by any chance populated by people who are not from the U.S., and perhaps have a different standard of modesty than Americans? In the U.S., the usual standard of modesty for a male is to not reveal his buttocks or his genitalia. An outline of these body parts (through thin fabric) is offensive, and also the actual baring of these body parts.
An exception would be for a ballet dancer or an athlete who wears tight athetic apparel (e.g., a male figure skater, a fencer, a gymnast, etc.). Often these men will reveal an outline of their male parts or buttocks through tights, but it is not considered immodest for a ballet dancer or an athlete.
Other than buttocks and genitalia, for a man, any other part of the body can be bared in a beach or home setting in the United States.
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Lucania
Guest
Yes. They are called Boardshorts. My son in law who surfs, wears them (hence the name). In fact, that’s what all of the young men wear around here. They are long . My DH also wears a little bit shorter version of them.
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joseph123
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Cat
Guest
I don’t agree at all. A man has nothing to be ashamed of because he is pudgy, hairy, or manly (especially manly!). God created men’s bodies, and they are very good! God said so! Stop being so critical of yourself or any other man.I agree and that is why I think it is virtually impossible for a man to dress immodestly at the beach. I just think it is courteous to keep a pudgy, hairy, manly form out of sight is all. It is an act of charity for most men, myself included, to remain as covered as possible.
Pudginess is certainly something that a man or woman should work on, but you know, when I see a pudgy man, I think, “This guy works at a desk for a living. He sits almost all day, and the only time he gets up and walks around is when he goes to the restroom. He’s probably taking care of a wife and children with his job. That means when he goes home, even though he would like to go work out and develop washboards, instead he chooses to spend time with his family and help his wife out and by the time all his responsibilities at home are taken care of, it’s time for bed so that he can get up and go to work at that desk job. GOOD FOR HIM! He’s a hero!”
My husband is currently struggling to lose weight, and after six weeks of doing two to three hours a day of vigorous workouts, combined with a low fat, low carb diet, he has lost approximately three pounds. At this rate, in two years, he’ll be at his ideal weight. Unfortunately, he probably won’t be able to get away with doing 2-3 hours of working out much longer, since it already takes too much time away from his work and call duty and eventually, the boss will notice. Oh, well.
Your post reminds me of some women who are ashamed of their bodies because they don’t look like supermodels. A lot of women are quite beautiful, but they can’t get past their tummy bulge (usually from having babies), their bubble butt (inherited), their cheesy thighs (inherited), their flappy arms (inherited), or their double chin (gravity). How sad for them. I am a hundred pounds overweight and yes, I would like to be healthier. BUT…health and beauty are two different things–I am beautiful right now just the way I am, and if I lose weight or if I don’t lose weight, I will still be beautiful.
I’m serious. Don’t be ashamed of having a man’s body if you are a man.
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TLM08
Guest
And if you cannot refrain… it’s critical to remember that the potato goes in the front, not in the back!
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jazzbaby1
Guest
I think it’s about time that men start thinking about their own modesty and I cheer for those who do. Maybe next male chastity will be taken seriously.
Also, while it’s true that women generally aren’t as visually stimulated as men some women are. Additionally, our Same Sex Attracted brothers are still men and to expose them to temptation that they may be struggling to overcome is hardly charitable. My .02, ymmv.
Also, while it’s true that women generally aren’t as visually stimulated as men some women are. Additionally, our Same Sex Attracted brothers are still men and to expose them to temptation that they may be struggling to overcome is hardly charitable. My .02, ymmv.
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