Why German men?

Question

Why do you guys love to wear such short shorts? And sandals with socks? And at the same time! I'm so intrigued, I have to know, why? This is something that I've never seen before anywhere else that I've ever lived in the world. Don't get offended. I'm European myself, and in my country men don't do this.

Answer 1

As a German man, I often wonder why American men wear that kind of what we call "Bermuda shorts" for swimming. We wear tightly-fit "Badehosen". I often wonder what they wear under their Bermudas: egg-protectors against water impact? I really don't know. It'll be a riddle to me until I die, just like I will never know what the Scots wear under their kilt.

So that's to all Americans who are in Germany this summer: We have definitely no alligators in our lakes, and no prey fish that could bite your noodle. Allow yourself a little bit of nakedness, please. And don't wear these knee-long trunks when you jump into a public pool, please! It will make you immediately recognizable as American.

(btw, men and/or women going to town after having been swimming with unadequate dress I find equally disgusting as most people in the world would; but that's not the topic.)

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edit:

Wulf, I didn't intend to go into details in public. Would you please respect?

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@frackled, I think back in the 1950's they thought radiation makes for bigger b***s. -- Well, they weren't that wrong anyway. Still we call them girls "atomic", don't we? Tank Girl, anyone?

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@JR S:

> We all like you Alwin so I am sure their is no worries

So I feel, really.

> but also no reason to get upset or offended when he was just answering your question.

Well, that would be a topic of its own. As you might know, I'm German, and worse, Bavarian. We tell our feelings straight ahead, no matter who's left behind or feels insulted. We're from the country; pick a US comparison as you like. I like to say that I'm from the German Midwest, but US midwesternes may feel that this is an inappropriate term.

> If you did not want to know then maybe should not have asked??

*grunt* I didn't ask. I answered.

Answer 2

I know the thumbs down will come and get me but I couldn't care less. This is so true. SHORT shorts. I guess it doesn't bother me, I don't care what people wear. It's a German man thing I guess. And to the person above me, American men do not ever where shorts this short. It's not a bad thing, it just is.

Answer 3

You should ask this men...German women also don't like it...but I'm often travelling and I've seen many people in other countries wearing terrible clothes too and all this American tourists visiting our town doesn't look much better with their shorts, sneakers and baseball caps.

Think people in your country also wear strange things but you are used to see it and so it doesn't catch your eye anymore but you notice this 'new fashion' you can see in Germany.

Answer 4

not all men dress like this!

especially the younger ones under 40 rather were "flip-flops" and cool shorts!

in fact, the last to persons i saw walking around with white socks in their sandals were americans! they both live in germany now, though...

Answer 5

I have to concur with Daff here.  I too have seen it many places, be it Europe, Australia, the US, Canada.  I often see it.

I remember once going to a beach here in my state with my two European friends and I do not think he was aware that wearing skinnies is not really a go around these parts especially if you do not have the figure to fill them out well lol.  

I assume these people are just comfortable with themselves and not shy and don't care what others think.  Men in the US do not often do this either only a rare few do. I have seen it more overseas the same as with topless and nude beaches, We have very few legal ones in the US where you can go topless many places in Europe or free for all on other areas of Europe and Australia or the Bahamas and such.

I really think it has to do with their comfortabilitly and lack of interest in what others think. For me at first when they came here and went to the beach with me it was hard because every one was staring in shock at what he wore and he was oblivious to it but I was not nor was his wife and we spoke breifly and I explained why they were staring and she told him and they sat under a tree in the shade to be less seen.  I felt bad for him for he was just being himself but he also did not want to be stared at either. Tough situation.

So not offended. Seen my share of them.  I personally cannot stand skinnies or any tight shorts, but I also do not like them baggy and hanging off me like I just dropped a load in my pants lol. I am also not into that gangster look with the pants or clothes.

Thats just me though and I think I represent the average Amerian male.

OH and socks with sandals is a No NO in the US too typically though you can find the few back woodsman that may do it LOL. I do not think all German men do this either nor dress that way, only some do. I have seen many wear the same as I and were German or European.

@Alwin - I already sent you an email to answer the USA part of your question.  I will add it here also the others can see it too, under the Bermuda shorts is a kind of netting like fish netting but not made for fish of course and it is made to ft around your waist firmly so you are not loose and hanging as you are referring too. This is what keeps it all together and safe. The outside is to cover the netting because it is see through and the outside usually also offers pockets with water safe compartments so that we can carry our cash, keys or anything small but very important not to lose. IN far too many public places with locker rooms it is not safe to leave your things in them for most do not have locks I have been too and you had to have your own.  

Also we differ in that you have CO ED locker rooms where in the USA woman would never allow that for men here are raised differntly sadly not all but enough are so that woman do not feel comfortable enough sharing a locker room with men, I do not blame them here. Over there though it was no problem for me personally for I am not one of those kinds of men, Most Americans are not used to seeing topless beaches, or all nude men and woman sharing a sauna. These are not common here but they do exist. I think Americans in GENERAL are more prudish and shy than Europeans when it comes to s*x and sexuality.  This is just my view point of course. I have been over seas so many times now that I have never had a problem with co ed locker rooms, yes the showers were seperate but dressing rooms were not nor was the sauna and the beaches it is not abnormal to see a Woman topless.  This matter not to me, but most US men their first time or so are culture shocked not knowing it, I remember in Sydney Australia they had to warn us all esp those that had kids with them as we all went to Bondi and Mandley beaches that we will see woman topless their.  THis was a shock to many TEAM USA parents that brought their kids. NOW to me that is just ignorance, any American that does not know that most of the world is far less prudish and shy then us then they would have already been prepared for it.

Just wanted to add that for Alwin the first part, sorry cant answer the Scott part, I have it in my blood but was not raised there lol

@ALWIN - what is disrespectful about explaining the difference betweeen the two bathing suits, many do not seem to know so no I wont. This is necessary information so you understand and we understand. Knowledge cannot be stomped on so I will not refrain sorry my friend. Respect is a two way street you ask a public question like that be prepared  for an answer or don't ask it my friend. No worries, just if you dont want something public say so and we will know. but if you post like that its a question.

Answer 6

I personally thing that old most people who wear sandals and socks have fungus (you know the yellow nails etc) and just don't want to show it....

Also it could be a hand down from old times when people used t wear hole dresses to go bathing (remember 1900 ?).

Basically it comes down to diffrent kulture.

Aussies e.g wear thoungs (flip/flops) almost everywhere some run around barefoot ...comes down to who gives a S**t.

Answer 7

For the length of the shorts it is easy: to get as much tanned area as possible.

The socks issue is a bit more complicated, I can only guess:

Germans without socks do not feel dressed appropriately, some are said to even keep them on in bed.

Also I read somewhere that German men are not really into pedicure, so maybe the socks are meant to hide ugly feet ??

Answer 8

Because those Germans have a mind of their own.... I work for a German company!!!

Answer 9

Because Germans are awesome!! They also were capris which I thought were only for girls... oh well

Answer 10

short shorts as in skinnies? No idea. To show of the equipment, I guess. Not that women are usually that preoccupied with the other sexes wares when they are hanging out with friends by the pool (them having too much to do gossiping ;)) hey, I'm a girl, that's how I know), but they are trying, anyway. But me, I'm more impressed with a nice worked out abdomen, so this might just be me.

Socks in Sandals? My Mom's theory: When the socks come off, that's when they finally relax. GIve the guys three days into the vacation, and they won't wear anymore socks for the rest of it. Same as some guys don't shave as soon as they don't have to.

@Alwin: the ancient question of what is worn under the kilt should be (and hopefully is, for a lot of scotsmen) answered with: "Nothing. Everything is in perfect working condition." ;))

Come to think of it: Maybe that's why a lot of guys are so fond of what the Germans call "bermuda-shorts". They don't want anything to cut down the circulation.

And something else: What's this with naming clothes after places, anyway? the Bikini (ok, the Atoll consists of many islands, and they are all tiny), the bermuda (maybe the shorts are named for it because everything gets lost in the trianlge? IF so: NOT so good for the person wearing them, don't you think?)...

Answer 11

I am European too and understand what you are saying. The men in my family wear their clothes like that and I can't stand it! I guess it is just the style.

Answer 12

Czarina that is simply not true it is just not POPULAR in the USA. Bermuda shorts are as Wulf's and Alwin stated.

Wulf's definition of Bermuda shorts are correct and I see no offense in his answer if you did not want an answer than why ask it then? He probably would not have gone into detail if not asked, I don't see you berating the other one for mentioning Scott'??

I think the explanation makes sense. If one can explain why cant the other esp when put as a question.  We all like you Alwin so I am sure their is no worries but also no reason to get upset or offended when he was just answering your question. If you did not want to know then maybe should not have asked??

No big deal.