My experience is that this is true about a lot of things.
My grown son is in graduate school now and chose to attend a school much farther away from his friends than he has been before. He did this in large part to discover who he is when he’s unconstrained by the expectations of people who already know him.
If something makes you happy and causes no harm, go for it.
You did a great job describing exactly what I’ve experienced on cruises, especially Royal. Glad you had a good experience. It kills me the number of times you hear women say they wish their man would wear one or when guys say they wish they could wear one but are afraid to…..
I just got off a Royal Caribbean cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. I tell you it was a great trip. I was going to the beaches in Curaçao, Aruba, and Tortola. Before getting on the ship I spent four days in Puerto Rico. On the beaches of Puerto Rico nearly all the women were wearing thong bikinis. I saw only one man in a speedo type suit. Otherwise only board shorts. I wore thong swimsuits everyday day. I got a few looks but no negative responses.
On the ship I wore a thong on the pool deck. I did get a number of disapproving looks from men. The women were very friendly with me. I had many friendly conversation with many people. There was one gay couple that wore square cut and bikini cut swimsuits. They were great people. We shared many interests and were on a few beaches together. I walked up to the pool bar to get drinks. I rarely wore a coverup at the pool decks. Staff passed me by with a friendly hello. There were absolutely no problems wearing a thong on the ship.
In Curaçao I wore a thong with many other people at the beach. Nearly all the women were wearing thong bikinis. I was the only man in a thong. Between the soft sand and crystal blue water was an amazing experience. Only caution was the need to wear water shoes in the water due to the rocks below the surface.
I had two full days in Aruba. Once again nearly all the women were wearing thong bikinis while the men wore board shorts. I wore my thongs, a different one each day. Again it was a great experience. No one seemed to care what I wore and I made friends with those around me. Aruba was wonderful and I will return again.
Tortola/Virgin Gorda was the best. I did a tour with some of the most high energy young men in the world. They lead this tour with the motto of having fun. They liked my style. The beaches were beautiful with the best water I’ve ever seen. I wore a silver metallic thong this day. Again I was the only man in small swimwear. Every one had a good time.
I did see a few people sneak photos. It was to be expected. But most people were friendly, happy and respectful. I would do this all over again if I could.
For those of you that ask about wearing a thong on a cruise ship or in the Caribbean I say go for it. You will likely be the only man wearing a thong. At the same time you will likely be making new friends.
I do sometimes wonder if they’re envious that you have the confidence to go for it and they don’t. The only comments I’ve had from other men (and admittedly only a few times) are “I wish I had the guts to do that” or “I don’t have the confidence to do that”.
I’ve had those comments as well. Many times I’ve heard I wish I had your confidence.
What’s funny is that I don’t feel particularly confident. What is true is that, subject to local regulations, customs, and (increasingly un)common courtesy, I just don’t care what other people think. If there are women in thongs, that’s the green light on all of the above. It’s not confidence, it’s IDGAF.
This has been my experience, the envy and yearning to be as carefree as us who are bold enough to wear the thong. As I mentioned from my experience a few months ago, many are “stuck behind invisible rules they never actually agreed to”