Another summer season is upon us and I’m reminded, as I visit the California coast, how little many beachgoers know when it comes to common courtesy at the beach. Having grown up a few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and then, eventually, moving across the county to an area in close proximity to the beach, I feel I may offer a, somewhat, knowledgeable perspective. I’m making the following suggestions because over the years I’ve, on too many occasions, seen beachgoers act with disregard for the people around them. The beach experience is much more intimate than most other public situations and since it’s a seasonal endeavor and often during vacation, many tend to be less considerate. Here’s what I would advise while at the beach:
1. Use care when walking past others. People don’t want sand in their face, or on their towels, or in their lunch. Flip-flops can greatly increase the amount of sand that gets flung around, too. So, walk softly and carry your flip-flops.
2. Don’t walk on other people’s stuff. It’ll get sandy or possibly break. I know this seems obvious but you would be surprised. And unless you want to risk hurting some kid’s feelings I would try to avoid stepping on any sand castles.
3. Wear a swimsuit that’s appropriate for your body type. Perhaps a bikini just isn’t the right call. Maybe a wrap is the way to go. Plenty of people wear T-shirts, too. And just because ‘you got it’ doesn’t mean you should flaunt it. You may have a lovely shape but that doesn’t mean you need to go out in public looking like a Brazilian street walker. Don’t be afraid to be tasteful. Grooming is never a bad idea either--especially, for those of you from overseas.
4. If you erect an umbrella realize that it can turn into a flying spear of death with virtually no warning. Even on light winded days a sudden strong gust can uproot your shade and mortally wound a fellow beachgoer. So, make sure your umbrella is securely planted.
5. Don’t distract the lifeguards. Yes, they’re good looking and athletic but they have much more important things to do than give directions or chitchat. Not having they’re full attention on the water could mean someone’s life; or, more importantly, a costly lawsuit.
6. Use care when shaking out your towels and blankets. Be conscious of wind direction and others in your area. Perhaps walking to the shoreline or to the back of the beach where there may be fewer people is a better place to shake off the sand. Again, sand in the face is generally frowned upon.
7. Don’t feed the sea gulls. For one, if you feed them they won’t leave you alone. Two, once you put food in them…eventually, the food’s coming out and much more quickly than you’d imagine. In other words, if you feed the sea gulls you are increasing the chances of getting crapped on.
8. Clean-up after yourself. Throw your trash away. If you dug a hole fill it back up. No one wants to get cut by a soda can or break an ankle in a hole that was left open.
9. If you see a kid that looks lost then they probably are lost. Help them find their family or at least get them to a lifeguard. Their siblings may not care but I’m sure their parents would appreciate it.
10. Don’t be an imposition. Just realize that most people don’t want to hear other people’s conversations or listen to a neighbor’s music when they’re at the beach. They don’t want to get hit by someone’s kite or noise making, mini-football thingy. They don’t want to hear about exploits from the previous night or wait for a mob of children to stop playing in the showers so they can rinse off and leave. They don’t want to listen to how well you fight or how much you can drink. They just want to relax and get some sun—maybe take a swim or read a book. And they don’t want to be imposed upon.
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