Ever since I have been going to beach destinations, and there have been message boards, there are discussions with this question. Generally speaking, the answers, both the straight ones and the flippant ones are the same also. To me, part of the interesting thing about being on foreign soil is that I am learning from and picking up the cues from the people who live there. Otherwise, I would stay here!
I would never presume to go to a foreign country and plan on going topless. That is something I would decide do to based on the lay of the land once I get there. Not only is every country different (although I must say that I do see alot of commonality in regards to nudity), every destination is different and every section of the beach is different. Follow common sense with common manners. If you don't want to risk being ogled, whistled at, harassed or gotten into trouble - don't walk around nude or topless where others are not doing the same thing. I love being topless, I even love skinny dipping but, no way, am I walking around in front of strangers, in a foreign country. How can we presume that something that is not acceptable in most parts of N.A., would be acceptable in another country. (If you notice some of the comments above, you can see why it is not actually a good idea even here!) I understand how someone from a European country might be confused and think it is approrpriate, when it might not be. But come on now folks -- if you live in North American how common is toplessness where you and your kids hang out? Sure there are pockets or private places that you can get away with it, but it is not common on public beaches, is it??
That is why it is best to check it out once you get there. I don't think that throwing in a bathing suit top along with the bottom is going to put your luggage overweight.
Personally speaking, I find tan lines very sexy! So what is the commonality that I have seen after 30 years of travel 1) tourists are the ones topless unless you are in Europe 2) locals don't complain if people are discrete and 3) there are always creeps around who will pay far too much attention to your nudity - even if you are being discrete. In our North American minds, nudity still equals sex. It also seems like some people having a difficult time accepting that a woman might enjoy having her top off for comfort...not for display! So until we accept that we are all nude under our clothing...toplessness and nudity are still topics for discussion. Sorry this was long, I just got on a rant!!
Originally Posted by jon c.
Hedonism July 2-9, 2011 
