Topless beaches, catcalls, a worry with my 12 year old daughter?
Apr 14th, 2007, 06:44 AM
#1
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Topless beaches, catcalls, a worry with my 12 year old daughter?
My family and I are going to Taormina, Sicily, Venice, Chianti, and Rome. We have a 12 year old daughter and someone mentioned catcalls were bad...Is this a concern?- Especially in Sicily?
Near Taormina should I avoid some beaches all of the time?
Or is this the case on all beaches some of the time?
Help!
-DLAfamily
Near Taormina should I avoid some beaches all of the time?
Or is this the case on all beaches some of the time?
Help!
-DLAfamily
Apr 14th, 2007, 06:50 AM
#2
hi DLA family,
in the great scheme of things, any hassle you may get will be as nothing to the wonderful things you will experience.
has she never seen breasts? [lucky you're not going to florence, what with David and all!] I've no idea about topless bathing in sicily, bit I wouldn't have thought that this was a reason to avoid the beaches. and you'd better avoid all the museums in Rome, for fear she spots something worse.
sorry not to be entirely sympathetic, but travel is supposed to broaden the mind.
regards, ann
in the great scheme of things, any hassle you may get will be as nothing to the wonderful things you will experience.
has she never seen breasts? [lucky you're not going to florence, what with David and all!] I've no idea about topless bathing in sicily, bit I wouldn't have thought that this was a reason to avoid the beaches. and you'd better avoid all the museums in Rome, for fear she spots something worse.
sorry not to be entirely sympathetic, but travel is supposed to broaden the mind.
regards, ann
Apr 14th, 2007, 07:26 AM
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DLA-believe me, I would be surprised if you encountered anything like that, particularly in Venice, on the Lido. There is some topless there, but really, not much. (at least not what I've seen-and I've never heard any catcalling). I've been to the beaches in Sicily, near Taormina, but like Traveler, I don't remember seeing topless there, except by tourists.
I would not give this a thought-you have a great itinerary, believe me, going from Venice to Sicily-you'll be too busy being thrilled at all that you'll see and experience to give this issue a second thought.
I would not give this a thought-you have a great itinerary, believe me, going from Venice to Sicily-you'll be too busy being thrilled at all that you'll see and experience to give this issue a second thought.
Apr 14th, 2007, 08:15 AM
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Sicily may be Catholic (as is the rest of Italy), but I've never seen any women hassled on the beaches there in the years
I've been going. A few giggles maybe, depending on who is going topless.
But all in all we're used to womens' breasts over here, as they aren't exactly a novelty.
Patricia
I've been going. A few giggles maybe, depending on who is going topless.
But all in all we're used to womens' breasts over here, as they aren't exactly a novelty.
Patricia
Apr 14th, 2007, 08:42 AM
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DLAfamily:
Your daughter is lucky she has parents who want her to experience Italy. She’ll be fine. She’ll see many wonderful things.
As for exposure to negative influences: She’s actually a lot ”safer” in Italy. They have nothing like American TV’s daily dose of grotesque rap and hip-hop videos.
Your daughter is lucky she has parents who want her to experience Italy. She’ll be fine. She’ll see many wonderful things.
As for exposure to negative influences: She’s actually a lot ”safer” in Italy. They have nothing like American TV’s daily dose of grotesque rap and hip-hop videos.
Apr 14th, 2007, 08:53 AM
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Wanderful, speak for yourself -There's nothing "grotesque" about rap and hip-hop-I've been taking hip-hop classes for a number of years-I absolutely love my classes, (leaving, in just an hour for my body jam class, btw) and as far as rap, some of the best is energetic, classic beat generation, thinking, political poetry. Love it too.
Apr 14th, 2007, 09:58 AM
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Well- since toplessness is optional no one is going to force you - or your daughter to go topless.
And in areas where topless beaches are common (I don;t know sicily) I have never heard any catcalls - or special attention of any kind from locals.
Although I have seen some gawking from American men - seems esp to be middle aged ones - who apparently have a childish breast fetish (or whose wives get dressed in the closet perhaps?)
And in areas where topless beaches are common (I don;t know sicily) I have never heard any catcalls - or special attention of any kind from locals.
Although I have seen some gawking from American men - seems esp to be middle aged ones - who apparently have a childish breast fetish (or whose wives get dressed in the closet perhaps?)
Apr 14th, 2007, 09:59 AM
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Dukey: I don't know... I've seen a few 12 yr olds that you'd never guess their age! but if she's with others, I really don't think you need worry. Now, if she were a little older and unescorted...I remember being 18 in Italy--no one would have hurt me, but they sure were pests.
DLA you've gotten pretty accurate description of the social norms, though I personally haven't been to Sicily.
I think this is a great learning/growing opportunity for your daughter to see that people around the world live differently, but that isn't good or bad--just different and that needn't threaghten your value system. Your family doesn't have to go topless.
Hint: How your daughter reacts to (potential) bare breasts pretty much depends on how you react to them.
And last thought. Italy may be Catholic, but men are men (Thank God!)
DLA you've gotten pretty accurate description of the social norms, though I personally haven't been to Sicily.
I think this is a great learning/growing opportunity for your daughter to see that people around the world live differently, but that isn't good or bad--just different and that needn't threaghten your value system. Your family doesn't have to go topless.
Hint: How your daughter reacts to (potential) bare breasts pretty much depends on how you react to them.
And last thought. Italy may be Catholic, but men are men (Thank God!)
Apr 14th, 2007, 10:12 AM
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I agree that the only remotely obnoxious behavior I've ever seen on a beach in Europe was gawking and snickering by pasty, middle-aged American men. Europeans are far more comfortable with nudity than Americans, and amen to that. Unless your daughter strips naked and does the tarantella I seriously doubt anyone will show any interest whatsoever.
You know, she may be offered a bit of wine in restaurants, too...it's a dangerous place, Europe..
You know, she may be offered a bit of wine in restaurants, too...it's a dangerous place, Europe..
Apr 14th, 2007, 10:39 AM
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I believe I have seen toplessness on regular Italian TV, either on commercials (especially advertising phone numbers for special services) and shows/movies. However, I've never seen nudity on a beach in Sicily or any other part of Italy. It just isn't the norm there. (unless there are naturist beaches, which I don't know of)
Now "speedo" type bathing suits on men of all sizes? That you are sure to see at the beach in Italy and throughout Europe!
Now "speedo" type bathing suits on men of all sizes? That you are sure to see at the beach in Italy and throughout Europe!
Apr 14th, 2007, 11:01 AM
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I have been to the beaches in Taormina and while I saw a lot of very skimpy Speedos on men of all sizes and ages the women were all in swimsuits. I was with my daughters and the catcalls never happened, either....nor in Rome or Venice (I haven't been to Chianti)- the only beach I can think of in Venice would be the Lido and that was packed with families. In fact, seeing families on the beaches from all over the world playing in and near the water was a wonderfully culturally enriching experience and something I still remember from the trip! She is a lucky girl!
Apr 14th, 2007, 11:48 AM
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<i>she may be offered a bit of wine in restaurants, too.</i>
This reminds me that in 1985 we were in Julien's in Paris with our young 13 year-old daughter. We ordered wine with the meal, and the waiter automatically poured wine for our daughter too, without asking us, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Since we always allowed her to taste what we were drinking, we did not have any problems with it.
This reminds me that in 1985 we were in Julien's in Paris with our young 13 year-old daughter. We ordered wine with the meal, and the waiter automatically poured wine for our daughter too, without asking us, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Since we always allowed her to taste what we were drinking, we did not have any problems with it.
Apr 14th, 2007, 12:44 PM
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I'd think the concern would be over sickening the young girl.
Think of the shock of having to look at hordes of fat old geezers in tight speedos and women who should be fined for exposing too much of that which is long past its prime.
Think of the shock of having to look at hordes of fat old geezers in tight speedos and women who should be fined for exposing too much of that which is long past its prime.
