the skinny on skin

There is no way to avoid the following topic when talking about Brazilians. Undoubtedly, this post will offend some of my readers. But it is what is. And to avoid cries of sexism, I will be an equal opportunity exploiter.

When it comes to recreational wear, Brazilians are far more interested in comfort than they are in modesty. We all know the cliché concerning the girl from Ipanema: "tall and tan and young and lovely." And much of that is true. Young Brazilians are some of the most attractive people in the world. And when they are around a pool, they can wear less than most Americans wear as underwear.

But the girl from Ipanema's mother and grandmother (and father and grandfather) get in on the act, as well. During the two weeks of this cruise, I was impressed with how men and women in their 60s and older were willing to wear only slightly more clothes than their grandchildren. And that was not merely at the pool. The same attire was de rigueur for the running track, as well. (Note the attire behind the dancing women.)

There is an old saw that when an American woman puts on a bathing suit, she sees her mother in the mirror. When an American man puts on a bathing suit, he sees a Greek god in the mirror. In Brazil, no one gives it a second thought.

The couple in the center of the photograph are two
of the Brazilians I got to know on this cruise. Truly delightful
people.

For those Margaret Meadites who are quick to assume that the presence of flesh inoculates community members from lust, I offer my own armchair sociology. This is one of the funniest pictures I took on this cruise. These two Brazilian brothers and their friends were surreptitiously taking pictures of young women in their bathing suits. You see the result. Titillation appears to be a universal sport.

Of course, the irony is that the boys are doing nothing more than what the rest of us are doing.


I could not help comparing my experience in Brazil with my visits to Mexico. My Mexican friends would have been scandalized by the acres of wobbling flesh on the running track. We have all seen our share of odd swimwear in Mexico, but no self-respecting Mexican would be caught dead wandering through a shop in the equivalent of a shorty nightgown.

The two guys are not
Brazilian. They are both
Argentinian and members of the cruise staff.
The fellow on the right is a former actor.

The lesson in all this? I will leave that for you, dear readers. All I know is that the Brazilians appear to have a very healthy attitude about their bodies. Age is not something to be ashamed of. It simply is.


As for me, I continue to buy baggy clothing.