In Reply to: JBR posted by ger on Wednesday, 16. January 2008 at 21:46 Bali Time:
Being a larger woman, maybe not quite in the dimensions ger was talking about, but at some time in my life not far off, I was a little embarressed by the comments going back and forth. I know that here in Australia we are very concerned about body image, but in Bali I have, maybe naively, always felt a little more comfortable. This could be because I usually stay in hotels with many Europeans. I now know that when we go back I will be very self conscious. I do not wear string bikini's, but I do wear boardies and a bikini top (thanks climax!). Through no lack of searching I have been unable to find a rashie over a 16 and even 16's are rare, tankini's are usually too tight or roll up at the waiste making them uncomfortable and to find a one piece in an 18 that doesn't look like my grandmother would wear it is nigh on impossible. Reading this discussion I get the feeling that it is not just the bikini's that people dislike but the general body shape. I do not eat a great deal, I exercise, but my whole family has the same problem I do and we all have to work very hard every day to keep our weight down.
I understand that larger people swimming is not very attractive for most people, I don't find it attractive, and I am certainly not into PC, but sometimes it is a worthwhile endeavour to think about the people who are participating in this forum. Just because I swim in a bikini top does not mean I am being an exhibitionist. It just means that I should have the right to be comfortable while I am swimming just the same as anyone else. Sometimes too much skin is too much skin even if you are skinny, why is it only bad for large people to show it?
On the other hand though, we live in a free country, this is a free forum, and people should have the right to comment how they see fit. Sometimes even when you are rightous in your distain for someone else's opinion, it only makes it worse for others reading when you argue the point. This is one of those cases. I had read ger's post, commented on one part, but ignored the rest. This is ger's opinion, me telling them they are wrong is not going to change it. And as it is an opinion, there is no wrong or right.
Sorry for the long drawn out post and I am not looking for arguement, or sympathy, this is just something to think about.