To Speedo, or not to Speedo?

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To Speedo, or not to Speedo?

By The World ⋅ August 12, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

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Photo by Kameraad Pjotr, Wikimedia Commons

Top British theme park Alton Towers has banned men from wearing Speedos, those tight-fitting swimsuits that can leave, well, little to the imagination. Apparently, the management at Alton Towers thinks way too little of the imagination. They’ve banned Speedos in their pools because they are too revealing and sexually suggestive. Meanwhile, in France, Speedos are a requirement for swimming in public pools. Why? Well, because anything more is considered to be un-hygienic. The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on the great Anglo-French Speedo debate.

Click here for an article on Alton Towers’ Speedo ban…

Related news: French pool bans ‘burkini’ swim

So, do you Speedo? Or, do you prefer a bit more, shall we say, coverage? Leave your comments below!

Discussion

58 comments for “To Speedo, or not to Speedo?”

David

I live in San Diego and I enjoy wearing a speedo. I usually wear speedo for swimming, yoga, and sometimes the beach. Not many americans wear the speedo. Their missing out!
http://geographile.blogspot.com Mary Mactavishou

In non-public areas, like theme parks and privately run swimming pools, I think owners should be allowed to set any rules they like as long as they’re not discriminatory by gender, race, etc. For instance, if women have to cover nipples, men should also have to. If men can’t wear lycra, women should be disallowed from it, as well.

In public areas, my preference is not to have clothing laws except as required by safety, e.g. no wheelie skate/shoes in crowded public areas. But if we have the laws, they should be non-discriminatory as described above.

Daniel Ripley

I agree completely with Mary, with an additional comment, sometimes a swimsuit can be more sexual than complete nudity. But, declaring sexualized swim wear would be a most difficult ban to enforce.

http://lazyjulie.blogspot.com Julie Baker

As a woman who has been visually assaulted by speedos way too many times, I felt compelled to weigh in on this topic. Seeing a man’s genitalia, smashed into tiny nylon panties leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. Lest I be accused of sexism, I feel the same way about women wearing thong bikinis at the beach. If you are an Olympic swimmer, I get it. It makes sense. But at the beach?! Put some shorts on!

Bather

People go to the beach to take off their cloths and relax. If you don’t want to see that, just ____ off.
baltasar

if you don’t like what you see- why don’t you just look away?
Igidur

If it were up to you then Taliban style clothing would be okay in the western world, no? Should we be banned from swimming wearing anything except full body wetsuit? After all, those bikinis are very thin and reveal way too much when wet.

You conservatives need to give us all a break and stop imposing your ridiculous (and hypocritical) standards on everyone else.

terri blakley

I am a 58-year-old woman, and I can see no reason why men should not wear speedos. If people can enjoy beautiful female bodies (wearing bikinis), why shouldn’t we be treated to the pleasure of a beautiful and possibly well-endowed male body? I was also happy to hear that in Spain only people’s sex needs to be covered, and that they do not consider breasts to be “sex,” since they are not. Too bad we can’t have the same attitude here and in England.
Paola Guerrero

A group of friends and I just came back from a beautiful vacation in Mazatlan, Mexico. There was a very un-fashionable short Mexican man staying at our hotel, who opted to “speedo”. As unattractive as this was, he seemed so happy playing volleyball, swimming, and lounging out by the pool, that I say LET IT BE. I’m just grateful he was not wearing at “tanga”.
Peter

While I do not enjoy seeing most men in a speedo, I see it as terrible dicrimination to allow women to wear form fitting clothing where men are considered to be visually assaulting women by wearing them. What would happen if women were told, no form fitting cloting like the speedo for men? Imagine the outcry of sexism! If women can, men can. We are equals after all, right?

Me do not have to cover the nipple then neither should women. Frankly I too can consider myself to have been visually assaulted by women who wear less than appealing cloting both on and off the beach. But then again only women are victems of anything, right?

As long as the rules are sexually neutral, I have no problem. So women find some loose baggy clothing to wear as a bathing suit I suppose.

mark

i think peter has a point.

in the spirit of full disclosure, i should make it clear that i am a competitive swimmer. for my part, i am quite comfortable wearing a spedo in most company.

it is true that some men should think twice (or at least once) before dawning the spedo in puclic.i empathize with those having this experience; for my part, i have had my share of bad bikini experiences in florida. by and large, however, i am a big fan and a supporter of freedom of swim wear and equality for all. where does the tyranny end? i am definitely opposed to anything that might endanger the public popularity of the bikini, and that is the only direction i can see this going.

on a more practical note, spedos are designed for swimming with minimal drag. while nominally designed for racing, they are also useful for surf swimming, where baggy shorts could bring a modest person to an untimely watery end.

sure it’s a bit painful from time to time, but i propose we protect freedom of swim-wear. the upside of positive swim-wear experiences are too obvious; the bad experiences should remind us to do some sit-ups and find a good yoga studio.

Heather

Banning Speedos is not a solution to overexposure. As a young girl starting swim lessons, I saw a man above me on a pool footbridge wearing baggy, unlined swim shorts and got an eyefull of the family jewels. It sparked a lively discussion of anatomy when Mom picked me up.
http://www.momtrolfreak.com momtrolfreak

My husband wears a speedo to swim laps in the morning (we live in Chicago). I won’t let him wear it around people though. In my opinion, it just looks either gross or pretentious. The only people who wear speedos should be olympic swimmers. And i don’t mean people who LOOK like olympic swimmers, I mean ACTUAL OLYMPIANS WHO ARE BEING TIMED.

Tom

Just curious what is gross about your naked husband. Not really promoting speedos in public just want to know what is disgusting about it.

I lap swim in early am and wear a speedo too. Speedo was a requirement at Y when I took classes. I almost have a six pack and get giggles to make me self conscious from young women. I’ve found older women have no hesitation talking to you still.
Chris

I’m sure your husband is delighted to know you think he’s gross! I bet you would have your feelings hurt if he told you you look gross in a swimsuit! Do your husband’s feelings count?
Mark-USA

So the only women that should wear a bikini are bikini models that are being paid to do so. The only conclusion to your logic.

http://www.naturistsociety.com Paul

If you really think about it, I’m sure you know what is really the most appropriate mode of dress for swimming!!
Brian

When I worked as a lifeguard in college in San Francisco we had a “no thongs” rule. This on its own made sense, but then I got the background story. A year earlier there was a cross dressing swimmer that swam in woman’s bathing suits. This was a topic of discussion but not really an issue, after all this was San Francisco. Other patrons did however take offense when the swimmer in questions wore a lady’s one piece thong.
http://www.secretsofparis.com Heather

I’m an American living in Paris, and I just went to the public pools for the first time this week. I must say that I thought it would be horrible seeing men of all shapes and sizes wearing speedos (and we *all* have to wear swim caps), but once there, it was actually quite nice to have the equality between the sexes for once! If I’m going to wear a fitted spandex suit showing every curve on my body, men can do the same! (I think we should start calling loose men’s swim trunks “junk burqua’s”) Bodies shoudn’t be inherently “bad”, especially around families. Kids need to learn that they come in all sizes, and that just because some people don’t look like models, they shouldn’t be “covered up”.
Ed Farthing

I love my Speedos – and my AussieBums too. I do think folks should look in a mirror befor heading out and try to look good. Some clothes should not be worn by some folks :>)
izzy

I find it sad that so many are so ashamed and disgusted by the human body. It is a beautiful thing that should be celebrated rather than abhorred and hidden. I believe that any feelings of offense or disgust at seeing a person who is confident and healthy enough to wear a skimpy bathing suite must certainly originate from self-loathing or unreasonable fear; neither should be encouraged.
Seth D

I grew up playing water polo, swimming and diving. To me a speedo is a very natural thing to wear to the pool, the beach or a water park. I don’t understand how a woman can wear a bikini and yet a speedo is too offensive.
Paul Littlefield

Americans have become noticeably more prudish over the last 30 years or so, especially where attire for men is concerned. Go shopping for men’s short pants these days, and what you find is pants that end below the knee, with the crotch so low that one might as well be wearing a skirt.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with Speedos or skimpy bikinis, although my preference is that people of either sex not wear thongs in public. You won’t catch me wearing a Speedo these days, however; I don’t like to inflict this body on the public since I put on all this weight. But if you’re reasonably in shape–go for it!
Agnes Penmcovic

My husband is 85 years old and is still wearing speedos.
Gabriel O’Neill

I’m not one to wear a speedo, and I have seen some examples of out of shape men in such attire. However I don’t feel anyone has the right to dictate what other people wear as long as the clothing (or lack there of) is not outrageously offensive.
James McKain

Out of kindness to others, I, being 64 years of age and not in the best of shape, do not personally wear a speedo. It would look ludicrous. On the other hand, I live in the state of Vermont where there are no nudity laws and I can legally swim buck naked just about anywhere, and I do. It’s natural.
Brad B

I completely agree with Seth D on this one. I grew up around water my entire life. Even though I personally do not WEAR speedos myself, I see no reason why men need to change what they’ve been doing for a long, long time.

Just because someone glances around from time to time and catches an eye-full, that’s no reason to get all fussy. There are too many people in this world to be worrying about such a trivial issue.
Bre

Just like womens bathing suits they have many kinds of speedos for men. The most popular is a boy short. I dont like to see undesirable men wearing a speedo, but no one likes to see a woman wearing a thong if she shouldnt. Let them keep the speedo. It gives us all something to talk about at the beach :)!
Joe

I am an American who like wearing a speedo. It bothers me that so many people in my country are so crazy/uptight about seeing a man in a speedo. Women are in a bra and panties at the beach and men are supposed to wear huge shorts… Wh are people so disgusted by men’s bodies? I wish those womn who say how horrible it is to see a man in a speedo would put on a big baggy skirt and try to swim around… you endure the air bubble and the drag.

And for the guys who are speedo-phobic, try one and you will see how much better they are for swimming.
Petras

I have been wearing speedos all my life since I began swimming competitively in high school, college and graduate school. It feels so natural, whereas “trunks” are the shorts that are worn over speedos in-between swims. As any man knows (and women should), this discussion about “full package exposure” is ridiculous, because once you shower down or get into the water, there is considerable schrinkage of the male package. Unless you get a boner, your package remains very polite and unobtrusive in a wet speedo.
Sly S.

Glad this topic came up,
If a man thinks he’s got a nice body, then why should he hide it. Just because clothing for the masses have dictated that men wear long, baggy shorts for sports in the last two decades, that should not make anyone believe that that is the expected clothing for men. Speedos should not be associated with sexual aggressiveness, but rather with artistic beauty, just like it is done for women’s swim wear-well generally speaking. I wear those tight “boy-shorts” when I go out running on the streets-not just on the beach-in florida, and will continue to do so as long as I see women wearing the same skin tight shorts and passing me by.
So if you think that the British are starting an acceptable trend, well bring it on… and we will talk about it at a courthouse near you.
meh

inane discussion. prudes get over it.
http://www.squidoo.com/speedos-men straight_man

As a straight married male with children, I love the speedo my wife bought me two years ago, and wear it to the river and beach to go swimming with my wife and kids. I am so glad to have it.

I have spent my adult life worrying about what others think, and have missed out on the comfort and ease of movement that a swim brief provides, not to mention the looks of my wife from across the beach. My children find nothing strange about men wearing speedos.

That issue, along with a speedo somehow conveying ones sexuality, is poor attempt at rationalizing why men should cover up. Women of all sizes wear snug suits, and it is acceptable, just as it should be for men.
http://www.nileguide.com Alexi

As a lifelong competitive swimmer, I’m probably more comfortable with men in speedos than your average girl. And you know what? I’m glad. Because seeing the interesting (and bizarre, and unflattering) things people wear all over the world is fascinating! Let’em wear as much or as little as they want, and glory in the ridiculous spectacle that is the human race. (Plus, it might be the way some of them find potential partners, and we wouldn’t want to prevent that, right?
Ron

Swim naked that is what I learned over fifty years ago in our junior high swim classes. Give people a real choice, clothes or no clothes.
There is more nakedness than ever in the media and in the world and there is a corresponding rise in prudishness and complaining which I think is silly. The idea that we can return to some Victorian standard is offensive.
Jim

Who has a the bigger problem? The person in the small or absent swimsuit minding his/her own business lying on the beach, or the person who can’t stop looking at him or her while being disgusted and complaining about it?
Doogie

Even the baggiest of swimwear may not cover up things. Back in High School I had a couple of friends (one male, one female), who tanned well. They both decided to buy white bathing suits (and the guy’s was no tight). We all went swimming and when they came out of the pool, lo and behold, the bathing suits became nearly transparent and the “private parts” became rather public. They would have been better served with speedos…
kp

I enjoy the discussion.

I too it is an unfair double standard or prejudice to say men should not wear form fitting swimwear while saying it is okay for women.

I prefer wearing a “speedo” or form fitting swimming suit over a trunk style for the following reasons:
1) I do not get as cold (I have low body fat) and a speedo retains so much less water and therefore drys faster
2) I chafe less
3) I can move so much more easily swimming and getting in and out of the water due to reduce drag of water and air
I challenge everyone to compare wearing a form fitting swimming suit to a trunk style especially before saying men should not wear speedos.

What is the aversion to the male form? I can also say that female bodies in form fitting swimwear (one or two piece) is disgusting. I see no difference between a man in a speedo and a woman in a traditional one piece — they are both form fitting. So what a man has a bulge; women have two. I often see the outline of nipples and labia through women’s form fitting suits. I say to all women opposed to men swimming in speedos to wear a trunk style suit and compare for yourself.
BeachBum

Is there a bit of sexism here in the speedo debate? I have been visually assaulted (Julie Baker) way too many times having to look at FAT women wearing bikinis. If you want to debate this, I personally don’t think any woman above a SIZE 3 should be allowed to wear a bikini in public!!! A fat roll on a woman is a lot more disgusting than a man’s outline in a speedo. If you don’t like what you see in a speedo, don’t look. Actually, all people (yes, men and women) should be free to wear whatever they want and feel comfortable in at the pool or beach. Get off the high horse about the speedos! By the way, in the sense of equality, no woman should have to cover her nipples……….. ;)!!!!!!!
Tom

I personally think this whole debate is sad. Besides the reverse discrimination theme here, it really says that women like looking at other women and not men. It is also gives both men and women body image issues that are not necessary. Of course some modesty is required with age but I don’t follow norm of social policing lakes and beaches.

Laws do not dictate social norms. Topfree equality laws are rarely enjoyed. I do see a few women at beaches and think how self confident but I’m sure women will scorn her with looks.

I skinny dip in lakes and pools when I can and most women don’t care or enjoy it if you ask first. I always skinny dip in girlfriends pool or when I swim with neighbor at lake. I’ve been caught by by girlfriends mom before too but she just thanked me for not getting pool dirty with jeans.
Chris

The speedo debat is not reverse discrimination at all. It’s “old fashioned” discrimination but with a new target. Speedos resemble the bikini bottoms that women wear. It is not offensive or odd for a woman to have short hair or wear jeans, but many think that for a man to look like a woman is degrading. That’s because they think BEING a woman is degrading. The reason the haters don’t like speedos is the deeply ingrained sexism they are not even aware of.
John

As a child, we all wore speedo style suits. Nobody ever gave it a second thought. Why was it OK in the 60′s and 70′s to be in a speedo and not now? It’s not that our bodies have gotten any different.
And why is it that we can have billboards with guys in underwear, packages of underwear in the store with nearly naked guys, and in general pictures of nearly naked guys everywhere in advertising, but people get freaked out by someone in a swimsuit?!
And what part of the anatomy is “secret” anyway? We all gawk at the statue of David, and that’s OK. Anybody beyond the age of 2 knows what’s in their pants. Why are we so afraid of that? Will looking at male genitals turn you to stone? I think if the site of body parts really throws you, you ought to examine why, and not suppress and oppress others who don’t have warped fears of body parts. And if someone’s less than perfect body disgusts you, try looking at something else. What gives anybody the right to judge another’s body?
JT

I’m a 38yr old American male and have been wearing Speedo type suits for almost 10 years now. I try to wear them every chance I get during the summer. I’ll wear them to the beach if it’s not super crowded or if there are a lot of children. It bums me out when I can’t wear them. Swimming or catching some rays just isn’t the same wearing shorts. My wife doesn’t mind me wearing speedos, just as long as they aren’t too revealing. Bright colors and fabric types can make all the difference. I must admit, I really wouldn’t want to see the outline of a man’s genitalia in a speedo, but if there is just a bulge, who cares! I’m a speedo wearer and most likely will be for the rest of my life. Enjoy your life!
Geoffers

When I was a kid in the late 70s I was given my first pair of brief swimming trunks to wear at the local swimming pool. I remember feeling nervous and embarrassed about being virtually naked in public. But I remember being told to “stop being such a cissy and get on with it” and I totally took this on board. And why not? my brothers wore them and so did my Dad and when I got to school, so did just about everybody. It was sound advice as it turns out and I have been a so-called “speedo” wearer ever since (actually Aussiebums are my favourite these days).

I feel sorry for those men who are scared to wear speedos, it can’t be considered manly to have this particular hang-up. As for this women who claim to think men in speedos are “disgusting” you’re just in denial and anyway, men have always had external genetalia, it’s kind of essential for the survival of the species SO GET OVER IT!!!!!
Mark-USA

Are identical swimming uniforms provided to all the guest at Alton Towers so there is no questions about “Proper Attire”? Sounds like Islamic swimwear is the answer or maybe going back to the 1800’s where weights had to be sewn into the skirts of the ladies to keep them from floating up and men wore Capri pants and tank tops. If the swimsuit some Olympians wear to compete in are too offensive and not welcome, neither am I.
sam p

I am a competitive swimmer and triathlete from southern california and so for training and races I wear a speedo. My wife now prefers it when we go to the beach or for recreational swimming that I wear a swim brief style swimsuit. I usually don’t wear speedos outside of swimming laps, but I now wear the “square cut” style suit when at the beach(Daniel Craig as James Bond wore one in Casino Royale so you get the idea). Do I wear boardshorts still? Of course. I surf and play beach volleyball all the time.

Offering this as a break to the typical speedo stereotype. There are plenty of folks on both sides who shouldn’t be wearing what they do to the beach. If swim briefs caused more people to get in shape then why not? In fact this style of swimwear was popular in the 1950s and is actually coming back in fashion (check out latest high end clothing designer’s swimsuits). My wife is a fan of that.
iggy

I find it humorous that things go full circle. I often swam nuke in lakes with girls present. it was only inappropriate for girls to swim nude. It might be a mid-west thing but no one plain didn’t care. I even remember going over to a friends house and told to strip down by his mom. You might think I’m joking but it was 70′s as others wrote here.

I don’t like offending women and don’t speedo now, but I am very offended by board shorts for beaches as they are just gross to me.
Jim

I think that speedo phobia represents a disturbing double standard. Men are considered less masculine if they show their bodies. Femininity on the other hand is all about putting ones body on display.

Its silly. I think everyone should have the right to swim in comfortable attire without mocking etc.

I also think the kids issue that some bring up is outrageous. No child cares. The adults foist their fears of the male form onto kids.
lexie

I don’t know why, but I have always been bothered that women are displayed everywhere – tv, movies, magazine covers, billboards – in bikinis or bra and panties and you can see every bit of their body even though it is “covered” by tiny pieces of fabric and that is ok (by society’s standards)! Yet, most men, my husband included, do not agree with men being displayed in such forms. I am tired of being a woman in this world of expected objectification. Yes, I can wear a cover-up to the beach and not wear a bikini, but do you not already have an idea of what I am not showing because other women will openly display it? I just wish for equality – if there will be women in bikinis, let there be men in speedos. If there be nude women all over (whether it be just the upper part or both upper and lower parts of the body) let the males in full nudity also be shown.
Speedo Tone

It’s almost like Speedo haters want to emasculate men by ridiculing their very maleness. Even shame and embarrass them perhaps by using humiliating names, “budgie smugglers” and “banana hammock” spring to mind. Totally mindless. It’s just a brief item of clothing to be worn when the absolute minimum is comfortable. Bodies need to have fresh air, sunshine and freedom of movement for health. Speedos are perfect for just that reason. All the people who think that seeing the inevitable bulge of male genitalia is offensive are merely small-minded prudes. The human body is a wonderful creation in all its shapes and sizes. We should glorify in the diversity of the body, not cruely cover it up and try and remove any hint of sexuality. I always wear Speedos and will continue to do so, in spite of sly comments and sniggers from narrow-minded individuals.
http://cameraimprov.com KM In losangeles

I actually feel more modest in a pair of speedos than boardshorts because everything stays put. The feeling of being worry free and not having to constantly adjust the garment makes me feel more confident and comfortable than I do in a pair of shorts. Many people aren’t wearing speedos to show off their bodies or sexaulity but merely for comfort… and no, I am not obese in the slightest, 100% straight, and am only 20years old. As stated above by Speedo tone “Bodies need to have fresh air, sunshine and freedom of movement for health and Speedos are perfect for just that reason.”
Alex from PA

I am from Russia, and now I work in Pennsylvania. Previously I lived in France, and I visited almost all European countries. Everyone in Russia wears speedos. They told me this ‘fashion’ is common only in the post-USSR countries, but visiting beaches and pools all over Europe (France, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Ukraine) I saw that men can wear either shorts or speedos there (an only exception is French pools: in some of them shorts are prohibited).

Now I have a dilemma. In Pennsylvania public pools me speedos attract too much attention. I hear people discussing me, my sexual orientation (though I visit pools with my little son), my provocative behavior. First time I even did not realize the problem, but then I saw I was an only man wearing speedos at the beach. It surprised me because previously I attended a pool belonging to the university where I work, and nobody worn shorts there. So now I am thinking about buying swimming shorts for avoiding the public disapproval, but I don’t believe the shorts might be convenient.
JimPerson

After reading this thread, all I can say is Hear, Hear.
(I am male)
Steve

I like wearing a small bikini at the beach. My wife likes me to wear a small bikini. I am very fit and in my late 40′s. I like to get a tan when I go to the beach. I don’t want the tan to start at my knees. Many women wear a bikini as small or smaller than mine. If it’s Ok for a woman then it should be Ok for a man. I am amused at all the women who say that seeing a man in a bikini is “disgusting”. I would hate to be her husband lol I enjoy the beach and yes I enjoy seeing women in bikinis. I am not offended by a man wearing a bikini.
rick

I like Speedos. They allow you to move through the water better. They
are lighter and dry faster. Let’s face it, they do take some daring to wear in some places in the US.
But it’s nice to be daring sometimes. They give you an incentive to stay in shape.
Adrian Becker

Well, everyone is entitled to express their own opinion and thoughts. My opinion is that people who ridicule swim briefs are just plain closed minded and immature. To say they are “gross” is just gross to hear that! Growing up in the 80′s, swim briefs were acceptable. I think swim briefs are less popular now due to the “hip-hop” and “baggy” fashion influence.

I think adequate swim briefs for men have their place and time. I’m a 6’0, 31, athletic muscular straight male from Southern California and wear square-cut boxer shorts at pools and board shorts at the beach. My GF loves how my square-cuts fit! I feel more masculine, sexy, and attractive. I think these type of swimwear looks better in people in good shape.

I also have a swim brief that I wear for “play” only in private with my GF. She loves how they fit and she encourages me to wear them at the pool! I don’t think I would want to do that due to the “hostile speedophobia” society we live in!. Swim briefs in other parts of the world are ok, but the USA is so up-tight for that. It does not make sense! Women can wear next to nothing, but men are not allowed to wear anything less than board shorts. How ridiculous! The USA has become a super macho hypocritical double standard society. It’s very sad. No wonder why the rest of the world doesn’t like us…go figure!!!

To stereotype swim briefs as homosexual is so stupid and ridiculous. I say to men who have the body and feel good in swim briefs, go for it! If women can nearly show their entire body nude in a tiny bikini, then men should be allowed to wear swim briefs! Don’t mind those immature people who don’t like it. If they don’t like it, too bad! Tell them to look or go somewhere else! The USA is a free nation, so wear whatever you like as long as it’s adequate.

SWIM BRIEFS FOREVER!!!
Mike

I think the new square cut shorts from aussiebum are great. I’m 38 6’1″ 170 and my wife loves them. I have had several girls ask me where I got them and would like to have their BF wear them. Seems to be ok in places like South Beach, still trying to get more acceptance in CA.
Greg

I see nothing wrong with a man wearing a Speedo! It they our comfortable in then be it! It ones person’s choice to do what they want no one else. I am 35 year old male and I wear my Speedo proudly and honestly do not care what others think. Everyone do your own thing and stop worrying about others!

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