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Proper swimwear please!


With the wide range of swimwear available, including designs for the modest, there is no excuse to jump into a pool fully-clothed, writes PEGGY LOH

I WAS rushing to join my group when a large sign at the hotel swimming pool caught my eye, stopping me in my tracks.

I was rather amused but clearly, choice of clothing to wear in the pool was not a laughing matter for the management of the resort.  When I spoke to the general manager about it, he smiled in sad resignation.



For far too long now, some guests had ignored pool rules that included wearing proper swimming attire. In our tropical climate, clothes are often soiled and soaked with sweat. Unfortunately, at the sight of the inviting swimming pool, guests were known to simply jump in, fully clothed in denim jeans and collared T-shirts or sarongs and tudung!

This is both inconsiderate and unhygienic. In fact, it is absolutely offensive to other guests who wear proper swimwear because sweat-soaked garments swirling and spinning around in the water, turns the pool into a washing machine!

According to the GM, upset guests had approached him so often on the matter that he felt compelled to take action. When he politely reminded the inconsiderate swimmers, he became an unpopular enforcer of pool rules.

Since “a picture is worth a thousand words”, the management has resorted to using an illustrated signboard to indicate the preferred choice of swimwear that even the illiterate should understand.

Today, fashion designers have created a whole line of stylish and modest swimwear for women that come complete with a matching cap. If these prove too pricey, one can always modify leotards or use other lightweight fabrics to sew one’s own swimwear.

As for men, there is simply no excuse. Sadly, I have seen some young men trying to pass off their coloured briefs for swimming trunks!

So, the next time you go on holiday, take a minute to read the pool rules before you step into the water. And remember that “doing your laundry” in the swimming pool is a no-no!


This article was first published in The New Straits Times, Travel Times on 17 December 2007

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