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Naked in the garden - what to do?

Comments

spadoosh Posts: 8,732 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 4:17PM

onamissionEU wrote: »

Normally I would have no issue with this at all and it is certainly possible to "avoid" that area, there is no need to go around that corner unless wanting to go into the flat, BUT we have 2 small kids (4 and 6) and the makes me feel a little uncomfortable (not suggesting anything inappropriate). And it is my property at the end of the day! I am not sure I can stick a few sausages on the bbq now withought wondering what might be around the corner!

That said it was late evening, past the kids bedtime and more than likely a one off! I guess I should leave it for now and hope they stay inside in the future!

Treat it like a science project.

Remember a holiday i went on with my family, nan got invited and she invited her rotund friend. She decided it was appropriate to be topless sunbathing at the age of 73, i was 11. Needless to say i spent the rest of the holiday avoiding the pool and the beach.

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stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 5:03PM

When in rome ....

Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
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Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 5:04PM

onamissionEU wrote: »

Normally I would have no issue with this at all and it is certainly possible to "avoid" that area, there is no need to go around that corner unless wanting to go into the flat, BUT we have 2 small kids (4 and 6) and the makes me feel a little uncomfortable (not suggesting anything inappropriate). And it is my property at the end of the day! I am not sure I can stick a few sausages on the bbq now withought wondering what might be around the corner!

That said it was late evening, past the kids bedtime and more than likely a one off! I guess I should leave it for now and hope they stay inside in the future!

It's not 'your' property. They're renting it, and by all accounts tenants in Germany have extremely good protection.

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GwylimT Posts: 6,530 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 5:16PM

onamissionEU wrote: »

Normally I would have no issue with this at all and it is certainly possible to "avoid" that area, there is no need to go around that corner unless wanting to go into the flat, BUT we have 2 small kids (4 and 6) and the makes me feel a little uncomfortable (not suggesting anything inappropriate). And it is my property at the end of the day! I am not sure I can stick a few sausages on the bbq now withought wondering what might be around the corner!

That said it was late evening, past the kids bedtime and more than likely a one off! I guess I should leave it for now and hope they stay inside in the future!

No, while they are renting whatever property they rent is theirs for that term. Do you blindfold your children when they're in the bath?

If you can't accept a fairly usual aspect of a countries culture then maybe it isn't the place for you.

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ripplyuk Posts: 2,939 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 5:20PM edited 15 July 2016 at 10:28AM

I wouldn't mind or care about it. I'd be happy to chat to them the same as if they were clothed. You'll soon get used to it OP. If they're not embarressed, then why should you be.

I have a habit of walking about naked after a shower. I know I should close the curtains but it just seems like a hassle since its only for a short time. I keep wondering what harm could it cause just seeing a human body.

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gingercordial Posts: 1,681 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 5:38PM

You are in Germany where this is perfectly normal. I have German friends and they happily bathe naked in public in lakes and strip without covering up to do this. They wouldn't dream of wearing clothes in a sauna or hot tub and would think it very weird to be asked to do so! Children are brought up to think that nudity is natural and healthy so saying that you need to protect your children from this sight will not go down well. It is not sexual and will not scar them for life.

The only time I have been taken aback by this in Germany was when I was in a gym changing room. I have no problems with other women seeing me naked in there so I don't try to hide every inch with a towel (I don't flaunt it either). However in British changing rooms I've always found people studiously ignore each other when naked and pretend it isn't happening, but over there they will greet you as they come into the room even when you are standing there starkers! So if you do see your neighbours/tenants in the sauna again with no clothes on, do at least say hello.

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milasavesmoney Posts: 1,787 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 6:32PM

My daughter (American) was a foreign exchange student in Belgium in 1994-5. Her host family took her for a one month holiday, in Spain, and they all walked around the villa naked (except my daughter) while there. Father, mother and two teenage boys. They thought she was the strange one.

We had a Finnish houseguest last Christmas and she was explaining sauna culture in Finland to us. We were very surprised and she thought it was funny that it was odd to us.

This experience will broaden your family's concept of what is appropriate. I know it was a startling experience but now you know a little more (or a lot more in this case ) about a different culture. How exciting that you get to see life from a different perspective!!

Overprepare, then go with the flow.
[Regina Brett]
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glasgowdan Posts: 2,967 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 7:01PM

As long as they're not waving their wienerschnitzel in your face I would just ignore it!

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[Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie

14 July 2016 at 7:09PM

onamissionEU wrote: »

... The sellers asked us if they could retain use of the flat for half a year

... Fast forward a few months and we come to my problem

So it won't be an issue for much longer? Best just to forget the whole thing methinks ... or if you see them again, give them some good humour ... "hope it doesn't rain ..." .... "nice shirt ...."

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pinkshoes Posts: 20,522 Forumite

14 July 2016 at 8:44PM

Strip off and join in!

This is quite normal in Germany, as family nudity is an everyday thing.

I stayed with a German family on an exchange, along with a Canadian girl. We went to another relatives house for the weekend who had a swimming pool. Turns out it didn't matter that I hadn't packed swimming stuff!!! I declined the swimming and kept my nose in my book, trying not to look at the canadian girl as the whole nudity thing had us in stitches!!!

I felt so awkward, but the whole naked thing is just normal to them!!

Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')

No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)
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