It seems that a simple sign, posted with only the water enthusiast's best interests in mind can become a major clash of cultures, since at some point in time, most western men began blushing at the mere thought of a skimpy swimsuit.
The big baggy pant trend has definitely reached Estonia, but when it comes to swimming, ease of motion and form-fitting logic rules. I distinctly remember my Canadian-Estonian male friends tittering at the so-called "dick suits" witnessed on Pärnu beach and my Stockholm-born Estonian acquaintance had to postpone a recent visit to Kalev Spa's pool (
ujula) in Tallinn because of his stylish boardshorts and this very sign. The reason being that the bulky fabric can get caught in the
veekeskuse (water centre's) tunnel slide and for obvious hygienic reasons designated swimming attire and not the shorts you might've just played volleyball in are à propos. I think most ladies would agree: being bashful increases drag – get over it and make like Aquaman!
NB: Don't ask your man to don a
trikoo; they last did that by the water in the 1910s. An
ujumistrikoo / trikoo (bathing suit) is the one-piece suit women wear, although one-piece bodyskins can be seen in competitive male swim circles. Locally men wear
ujumispüksid ("swim pants") or simply
UJUKAD.
