Why do women freak out when accidentally seen (by strangers) in their undergarments?

Question

..but wouldn't mind being 'stared at' in their swimsuits and bikinis.. (considering that both attires cover just about the same body areas)

Answer 1

"Why do women freak out when accidentally seen (by strangers) in their undergarments?"

When strangers in their undergarments see me, I only freak out if it's a 375 pound man in a thong. But then, I don't often hang around with strangers in their undergarments.

Isn't sentence parsing a wonderful skill?

Answer 2

Often, undergarments are see-through, while swimsuits generally are not.  Additionally, we often reserve these undergarments for being viewed by our significant others, and allowing a stranger to see it takes away from the privacy of the existing relationship.

Answer 3

Interesting questions. Here are some ideas:

- Modesty. Socially speaking, undergarments are private, "hidden" clothes and they are suposes to be occult from the public eye.

- Undergargarments tend to be functional, sometimes they are not as pretty or as attractive as the Victoria Secret catalog want us to think. So I rather keep them out of sight.

- Bikinis and swimsuits are thoughtfully chosen to be attractive and to compliment one's body. If I spend days (weeks!) looking for the right bikini, I want people to notice it.

- And finally, context. Bikinis are worn in places where all the people is, well, wearing bikins, swimsuits or shorts, so everybody is on the same page. If you catch me in my underwear and you are fully clothed, I feel vulnerable.

Answer 4

They lies in the context  --

"accidental"  sightings are quite embarassing, and sometimes there is a creepiness about them ( ie, peeping tom)

Wearing a swimsuit to a pool or beach is an intentional act.

Are you really so obtuse that you don't know the difference?

Answer 5

cause thats when your not expecting to be seen.

Answer 6

Quite simple really, you aren't prepared and the situation is different. Everyone is on the beach in their cossies and you've bought a flattering swimsuit, tanned your skin and got in great shape. However, the thought of a stranger catching me in my bridget jones style knickers with pale skin makes me shudder!

Answer 7

That reaction is an innate response passed down from the creatures we are evolved from. The physiological alarm system is invoked when a huge male lizard appears about to rape a female lizard. Males have the  flight, fight, or hump response, and females have an extra response, brace yourself.

Answer 8

I love it when men catch a glimpse of lace or silk beneath my clothes.  Sometimes I dress knowing I'm going to be showing cleavage when I bend over.  The thought arouses me!

Answer 9

Under what circumstances would anyone be seen in their undergarments by a stranger of the opposite gender, unless said stranger was a medical professional????

Are you standing outside womens' dressing rooms, straining to peek inside, waiting for a curtain to flutter and give you a huge - er, thrill?

Edit @Kitana:  I have a nice new pair of granny panties that have the ball-kicker from New Jersey's name on them.  I think that's an appropriate use, don't you?

Edit#2  @Kitana:  they're not "mine."  I bought them new just for the occasion.

Answer 10

You know I was just thinking that. Maybe because when we are in our undergarments we are not looking for strangers to look at us. And when we wear swimsuits we put it on intentionally and are ok with strangers staring.

Answer 11

Perhaps they were wearing "Granny Panties"...that is something that everyone should be embarassed about being caught in.

Edit: Baba, you are absolutely correct. Forgive me, as your panties are going to a wonderful cause. God save the Granny Panties!