Why are swimming briefs not popular in US?

[mineistaken]

I was always wondering, what is up with US and swimming briefs? What made them unpopular or even funny/creepy in US while they are perfectly fine almost everywhere else in the world?

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.co...s-swim-briefs/ some old random article which is saying that jammers are the top notch thing there.
While I can slightly understand how briefs could be ridiculous to some people, those clownish jammers are even much much more ridiculous than briefs.

Ps: Personally I wear something like this when going to the pool:



But do not mind briefs as well.

Same as going to the beach (although light shorts are a good option then as well).

And jammers just look clownish, I do not think I have seen anybody wearing things like that in the pool:


(and no, I was not looking for the most ridiculous image, just grabbed one from wiki page)

[Rochard]

At our local pool we all wear "trunks"....

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by Rochard

At our local pool we all wear "trunks"....

That is what I am talking about.
I have seen a few pools in Europe where they have specific signs saying NO to the shorts. And YES to only briefs + square cuts (the ones I posted as my favorites).

I found an interesting article about "Freudian fear of showing off their junk":

Men in Speedos: American men need to get over their fear of wearing swim briefs.

Also one quote from that article regarding shorts:

My primary motivation is, in fact, safety. Dudes are getting waterlogged, and dudes are sinking. In the course of my far-from-extensive research, I spoke to legendary West Coast swimwear magnate Mr. Turk. He shares my conviction that ?board-shorts aficionados are drowning because their swimsuits are so voluminous.? A California lifeguard pal of Turk?s has been obliged, on more than one occasion, ?to pull guys out of the surf because they get tangled up in huge baggy shorts.?

Not to mention all the drag from the water you "carry" wearing those shorts.

[Horatio Caine]

I wear these all summer long

[VSKevin]

Hmm... trunks are pretty much the go-to here in the US (I think).

Probably something dong related.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by VSKevin

Hmm... trunks are pretty much the go-to here in the US (I think).

What about competitive swimmers? I am sure they are not dragging themselves in trunks.
That old article said it was jammers. Still the case? However dong is also visible in those I assume, since they are also "tight".

[SBJ]

in the US we are all fat slobs duh.. so we wear trunks not tight briefs

[crockett]

You are entirely too worried about mens shorts.. do you have something to tell us OP?

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by SBJ

in the US we are all fat slobs duh.. so we wear trunks not tight briefs

By the way interesting side note:

What Rochard called "trunk" is called shorts: Slazenger | Slazenger Swim Shorts Mens | Mens Shorts

And trunks are these: Slazenger | Slazenger Panel Swimming Trunks Mens | Mens Swimwear

Is that US vs UK English issue?

Ps: Very similar item like from the above link Slazenger | Slazenger Swimming Boxers Mens | Swimwear , but called boxers and not trunks, so maybe they just spew terms semi randomly

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by crockett

You are entirely too worried about mens shorts.. do you have something to tell us OP?

I am not worried, I am curious.
I am the type of person who can hear something new and then go researching the topic.

For example it sometimes happens that I am watching a movie, I hear something interesting or curious to me, I pause watching it and go on the internet for 10-30 minutes researching the very small or "unimportant" thing

Some unimportant random things I can think of that made me curious the same was as this topic:

* when some people shave they do not wash, instead they use towel to wipe it of. I understand doing that in hotels, but with your own towel? I mean fresh towel just became useless and needs washing. I firstly wash it with water and then use towel which remains clean.
* "hey, you came to the office in the same clothes as you wore yesterday" - wtf is this? Are you supposed to wash your clothes after one wear? I just smelled my jumper that I have been wearing for the 3d day in the row - still smells fresh as out of the washing machine.
* newspaper delivery boys throwing the paper on the lawn etc. Wtf, what if it rains?
* People who have doctor degrees getting called mister and saying "I am not a mister, I am a doctor". Since when a doctor is not a mister if he is a man? Mister is not a degree, it is what all men are.

[BlackCrayon]

if you wear tight swimwear and aren't surfing or diving you are looked at as gay.

do most men in europe wear brief underwear as well? i've always worn boxer underwear and so wearing tight swim briefs would feel uncomfortable i'd imagine.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by BlackCrayon

if you wear tight swimwear and aren't surfing or diving you are looked at as gay.

Yeah, but what is the reason? Why is this stereotype in place only in US?

Ps: surfing, diving or SWIMMING should be added, because it is definitely harder to swim in shorts, way harder. I am talking about swimming laps in the pool, not "swimming" in the beach though.

Originally Posted by BlackCrayon

do most men in europe wear brief underwear as well? i've always worn boxer underwear and so wearing tight swim briefs would feel uncomfortable i'd imagine.

Sure, brief underwear is even more common than brief swimwear.
Personally I like brief underwear because it leaves more skin "open to breathing". Just feels better. Especially during the hot season. Also it looks hotter for the ladies (opposed to swimwear you are not displaying your brief underwear to public so should not be stigmatic in US as well).

[shake]

Not sure, I think they are great!
<img src="http://www.diet-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/import/2893-fat-man-speedo.jpg">

[SteveHardeman]

I saw somewhere that it is because American men have larger cocks than Europeans. Apparently, all of the big-cocked Europeans came to America after the War of Independence and it's been evolutionary since then. It was on NatGeo, I believe.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by SteveHardeman

I saw somewhere that it is because American men have larger cocks than Europeans. Apparently, all of the big-cocked Europeans came to America after the War of Independence and it's been evolutionary since then. It was on NatGeo, I believe.

So they are ashamed of their big cocks?

[SteveHardeman]

We're a humble tribe. We don't like to brag.

[Sly]

I cannot imagine any scenario where I would be upset that men are not wearing less, tighter clothing.

[georgeyw]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

That is what I am talking about.
I have seen a few pools in Europe where they have specific signs saying NO to the shorts. And YES to only briefs + square cuts (the ones I posted as my favorites).

I found an interesting article about "Freudian fear of showing off their junk":

Men in Speedos: American men need to get over their fear of wearing swim briefs.

Also one quote from that article regarding shorts:



Not to mention all the drag from the water you "carry" wearing those shorts.

That is pretty funny to read.

Safety stand point? Have you ever worn real actual board shorts? They do not get water logged or create any type of drag, unless of course you are an olympic swimmer looking to break a world record.

Water logged and carrying water

Thank you, i really needed this laugh today.

[Spunky]

Gayest of the gay

[DBS.US]

Swimming briefs are very popular in the gay areas in the U.S.

[MiamiBoyz]

Because we are not assholes perhaps and want to wear those faggy shorts!

[SBJ]

Originally Posted by Sly

I cannot imagine any scenario where I would be upset that men are not wearing less, tighter clothing.

this is the truth!

[_Richard_]

LOL at the list of explanations on why we should wear speedos

keep on keeping on with those speedo body stretches.. ill stick with the stuff that i can wear home, thanks.

drowning by shorts lol.. they'll believe anything, wont they?

[nico-t]

its not just the US, here in Holland nobody wears speedos or those briefs. Everyone wears trunks. Been that way since i can remember.

[pimpmaster9000]

because speedo makes swimming briefs and not pillow cases

[CurrentlySober]

i wear pink frilly ladies panties when i expose myself publicly...

[Horatio Caine]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

because speedo makes swimming briefs and not pillow cases

How come uncle Predrag didn't get that memo?

[pimpmaster9000]

Originally Posted by Horatio Caine

How come uncle Predrag didn't get that memo?

predrag has the "horatio canes mom" mustache and chest hair going on...but horatios mom has a hairier butt...much hairier...like a lot...native tribes live there...and hunt...a lot...

[Horatio Caine]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

predrag has the "horatio canes mom" mustache and chest hair going on...but horatios mom has a hairier butt...much hairier...like a lot...native tribes live there...and hunt...a lot...

If you add "sleeping with German tourist for $5.00" you'd have your entire blood line summarized with that.

which women are the hairiest

Once again, you and albanians have lots in common

[JFK]

Originally Posted by VSKevin

Hmm... trunks are pretty much the go-to here in the US (I think).

Probably something dong related.

Repressed sexuality

[PR_Glen]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

What about competitive swimmers? I am sure they are not dragging themselves in trunks.
That old article said it was jammers. Still the case? However dong is also visible in those I assume, since they are also "tight".

of course not, but nobody wears streamline suits at the beach unless they want to look like an idiot. For men that is.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by Sly

I cannot imagine any scenario where I would be upset that men are not wearing less, tighter clothing.

Who is upset? Just genuinely curious.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by georgeyw

That is pretty funny to read.

Safety stand point? Have you ever worn real actual board shorts? They do not get water logged or create any type of drag, unless of course you are an olympic swimmer looking to break a world record.

Water logged and carrying water

Thank you, i really needed this laugh today.

So you are a bigger expert than the names quoted in the article? Cool.

As for water drag - I am by no means a fast swimmer, pretty average even in terms of amateur swimming (worse than worse in terms of pro swimming) and it surely feels that you are a little bit slower in shorts.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by nico-t

its not just the US, here in Holland nobody wears speedos or those briefs. Everyone wears trunks. Been that way since i can remember.

Trunks like this:
Slazenger | Slazenger Panel Swimming Trunks Mens | Mens Swimwear

Or shorts like this:
Slazenger | Slazenger Swim Shorts Mens | Mens Shorts

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by nico-t

speedos or those briefs. .

It is not "or", by the way. Speedo is just a brand name of swimwear
I laugh when some people mention iphone instead of phone, but this is even on another level (wrongly used as synonyms). Would make some little sense if speedo only produced briefs, but they also produce shorts as well.

[crockett]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

I am not worried, I am curious.
I am the type of person who can hear something new and then go researching the topic.

For example it sometimes happens that I am watching a movie, I hear something interesting or curious to me, I pause watching it and go on the internet for 10-30 minutes researching the very small or "unimportant" thing

Some unimportant random things I can think of that made me curious the same was as this topic:

* when some people shave they do not wash, instead they use towel to wipe it of. I understand doing that in hotels, but with your own towel? I mean fresh towel just became useless and needs washing. I firstly wash it with water and then use towel which remains clean.
* "hey, you came to the office in the same clothes as you wore yesterday" - wtf is this? Are you supposed to wash your clothes after one wear? I just smelled my jumper that I have been wearing for the 3d day in the row - still smells fresh as out of the washing machine.
* newspaper delivery boys throwing the paper on the lawn etc. Wtf, what if it rains?
* People who have doctor degrees getting called mister and saying "I am not a mister, I am a doctor". Since when a doctor is not a mister if he is a man? Mister is not a degree, it is what all men are.

You would get a kick out of Colorado. I dunno if it's coming from California or just a CO thing, but all the hipster dudes that run are now wearing spandex pants.

You see these dudes with hair buns beards and spandex pants running pants everywhere now..,

[L-Pink]

I swim naked.

[pimpmaster9000]

Originally Posted by Horatio Caine

If you add "sleeping with German tourist for $5.00" you'd have your entire blood line summarized with that.

which women are the hairiest

Once again, you and albanians have lots in common

wow thats such a bona fide link you posted, a poll from some random forum

[nico-t]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Trunks like this:
Slazenger | Slazenger Panel Swimming Trunks Mens | Mens Swimwear

Or shorts like this:
Slazenger | Slazenger Swim Shorts Mens | Mens Shorts

it's the 2nd one, and not only in holland. I rarely see guys wearing those tight things.

[Horatio Caine]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

wow thats such a bona fide link you posted, a poll from some random forum

You don't need a link. Turn the lights on when you humping your cousin Bogdana.

[mozadek]

Most Americans, including most of this board are too pudgy to pull off wearing Euro style briefs.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by crockett

You would get a kick out of Colorado. I dunno if it's coming from California or just a CO thing, but all the hipster dudes that run are now wearing spandex pants.

You see these dudes with hair buns beards and spandex pants running pants everywhere now..,

Spandex pants sounds similarly ridiculous (or even more, have to see the picture) as jammers
In fact, most of the hipster things are not my thing

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by mozadek

Most Americans, including most of this board are too pudgy to pull off wearing Euro style briefs.

Many are fit as well. However we might speculate some theory from your post - those who were too pudgy invented the stereotype of it being "gay" etc and it spread to non pudgy guys as well.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by nico-t

it's the 2nd one, and not only in holland. I rarely see guys wearing those tight things.

I see that in the beaches, but not in serious pools. I swear I even saw signs in some pools saying NO to the shorts.

[Sid70]

Extended insight.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

keep on keeping on with those speedo body stretches.. ill stick with the stuff that i can wear home, thanks.

Ding ding! Accidentally you nailed one of the main reasons why shorts are being banned in many countries' swimming pools:

"Small, tight trunks can only be used for swimming. Bermudas or bigger swimming shorts can be worn elsewhere all day, so could bring in sand, dust or other matter, disturbing the water quality. By banning them outright, we're not forced to stand there measuring what can be defined as swimming shorts. I accept that some men feel very ill at ease wearing small trunks, but others don't mind."

Why Speedos are still huge in France | Fashion | The Guardian

[NatalieK]

Originally Posted by Horatio Caine

I wear these all summer long

think of the tan lines

[Horatio Caine]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Why Speedos are still huge in France | Fashion | The Guardian

Come, they are French.
They also wear these

[Penny24Seven]

It is hard to hide it when you are hard wearing those. You go to the beach and get a chubby. I mean how do you hide that?

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by Brian837

It is hard to hide it when you are hard wearing those. You go to the beach and get a chubby. I mean how do you hide that?

Now you may be on to something real (Although assuming there are women around and you get a boner it negates all the "dass gay" thing )