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German beach bums: naked, wet and friendly

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German beach bums: naked, wet and friendly

It’s enough to make some choke on their choc ice – a new survey shows that not only are plenty of Germans happy to go naked on the beach, a worryingly high proportion may even try to strike up conversation with other holidaymakers.

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The news is sure to strike fear into the hearts of buttoned-up Britons and starchy State-siders, 98 percent of whom have never stripped off on the sand, reported Die Welt on Friday.

Just two percent of Brits and Americans have ever been in the buff on the beach according to the poll, for travel website Expedia.

It suggested the common stereotype of stiff and reserved Germans was no more substantial than a sandcastle at high tide.

A bulging 15 percent of Bundesbürgers were happy to forgo their bathing suits, more than any other nation, with the Spaniards a distant second on 8 percent.

The survey included respondents from 21 countries. Germans were most likely of all to take a beach holiday in the first place, with 49 percent preferring it to any other type of vacation.

And once they get there, Germans are determined to make the most of the experience.

While relaxing and sunbathing are the most popular beach activities worldwide, Germans prefer to swim, with a world-beating 82 percent prepared to dip at least a toe in the water. The country also scores highly for snorkelling and diving.

Naked and wet, the Germans then go in search of company, with 23 percent saying they like to make friends on the beach, way more than supposedly more outgoing nations like Brazil and Italy.

Once they get their trousers back on, Germans are prepared to reach deep into their pockets to finance these all-action getaways. Their average budget of €150 per day of holiday is €20 more than the international average.

With so much to pack in, it’s no wonder the average German beach break is relatively long, with their average duration of 9.7 days topped only by the Italians.

Inhibited Britons beware: friendly naked Germans may soon be coming to a beach near you, with 56 percent planning a beach holiday this year. Better put that windbreak up and pretend to be doing the crossword, then.

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