Local acceptance

[NASmith]

We have recently returned from Tobago. Having done some home work in advance of our trip we understood that ladies going topless or the wearing of camoflage clothing were both forbidden. To our surprise we found that at our hotel ladies were sunbathing topless almost every day and that a number of the locals wore camo clothing as a matter of course. Comments from regular visitors would be welcomed.

[Lisa Keith]

Hi there,

It never fails to amaze me that you see a large number of locals here wearing camouflage, yet when a friend of mine (a visitor from the UK) wore a pair of pink/blue mix camo shorts, he had no end of people stop him and point out that it's not allowed. Camo clothing is a fairly common sight, and I've often wondered about it myself. I'm surprised that the rule is not better enforced island-wide, or scrapped altogether. The shops sell lots of camo clothing as well as bags, hats, etc!

As to the topless issue, to be honest, I've seen it once or twice, but - literally - only that. (I'm the first to admit though, that I don't get out nearly as often as I should!). Usually the stares from those around them is enough to make the sun-bather self conscious. I can understand it if you were on a very sheltered cove, and away from anyone who might be offended, but it does surprise me if you say it's on a hotel beach, as I'd have expected that the management would ask the person to cover up in case of offending people. Each to his own, but I'm guessing that if the hoteliers aren't getting complaints, they're probably thinking 'why rock the boat?!'

Lisa.

[Ronald]

Hi

As I´ve travelling to T&T since late 80´s i might give you some personell info.

Military-style items with any kind of camo.
If they haven´t changed the law in T&T, it´s still strictly forbitten to use any kind of camo items if you aren´t a military. I have personally seen peoples, incl kids, arriving to Crown Point Airport dressed in camo clothing in some kind. I´m not only talking about Army-camo type US or UK, there are many different types, I´m talking about any kind of camo.
They had to go to the bathroom and change clothing before they wore alllowed to go to the passport control, same rule for adults and children!
I also know that Polise, Army and Security prevent the use of camo, but sometimes you still see peoples on the streets dressed in some kind of camo. But sometimes they go out hard, they even closed down a shop in Port of Spain who did sell camo-style T-shirts, pants and hats, they arrested peoples who were walkíng around in any kind camo without beeing a military.
For a visitor from any country, my advise is; never have ANY kind of camo clothing, not even for the children. You never know the level of security at that time you arrive.

Topless sun bathing.
As far I know, it´s strictly forbitten in T&T and also into mostly Islands in Carribian, but maybe not in the French and Dutch area.
I have seen some new femal vistors on the beach in Tobago be topless as they use to be at home, but only maybe once or twice. Mostly they are Scandinavians, Germans, Frech or Italians. The life guards mostly doesn´t say anything as "we don´t want to make problems", not even locals use to say anything, but as Lisa say, their eyes talk!. But I always use to walk over to give them my advice and mostly they didn´t know how it is in T&T.
Some beaches, as in Crown Point, also has many different types of vicitors. You will see; T&T-peoples, visitors from other parts of the Carribenan, South-Americans, Europeans, peoples from UK, US Canada and much more.

But you also can see them as christians, muslims, hindu and much more, and you see very clear that even young girls from T&T often have a T-shirt over their bathing chlothes. If you are a visitor in T&T from a foreign country, you simply have to accept their laws, as well unritten laws, as you aren´t at home, never mind if you like or not.

If visitors stay on a hotel wich has an "own" part of the beach or a private beach or a private pool area, that´s different. Than the hotel maybe deside as Lisa say "as they aren't getting complaints, why rock the boat."

Ronald

[NASmith]

Hi there,

It never fails to amaze me that you see a large number of locals here wearing camouflage, yet when a friend of mine (a visitor from the UK) wore a pair of pink/blue mix camo shorts, he had no end of people stop him and point out that it's not allowed. Camo clothing is a fairly common sight, and I've often wondered about it myself. I'm surprised that the rule is not better enforced island-wide, or scrapped altogether. The shops sell lots of camo clothing as well as bags, hats

As to the topless issue, to be honest, I've seen it once or twice, but - literally - only that. (I'm the first to admit though, that I don't get out nearly as often as I should!). Usually the stares from those around them is enough to make the sun-bather self conscious. I can understand it if you were on a very sheltered cove, and away from anyone who might be offended, but it does surprise me if you say it's on a hotel beach, as I'd have expected that the management would ask the person to cover up in case of offending people. Each to his own, but I'm guessing that if the hoteliers aren't getting complaints, they're probably thinking 'why rock the boat?!'



Hi Lisa


The topless ladies were all around the hotel pool area. Some looked great and others rather less so. I enquired in the hotel office and they said that they knew what was going on and just shrugged their shoulders. Myself? I am all in favour. We nearly did not go to Tobago because of the ban. Funnily enough my wife did not choose to join them despite the fact that we both sport all over tans.

Norman

Lisa.

[Paul Tallet]

Erm ... I don't understand this.

If people choose to be naked they do it for a reason ... either they like an 'all over' tan or they are just Naturalists that like to be naked. I have no objection to it and I have sunbathed naked myself simply to get an 'all over' ... but not in Tobago.

But NASmith's comment that 'some people looked great and others rather less so' worries me and seems to defeat the point of why people choose to be naked and does not provide any credible argument for being naked in a country where this is obviously a sensitive issue.

In Tobago there are laws that ban nudity. There are also many different Religions practised in Tobago, some of which do not condone public nudity as Ronald quite rightly pointed out.

I am not having a go ... I am simply saying that we should respect the laws and cultural issues wherever we go in the world ... so I keep my underpants on when I am in Tobago

Regards

[SandraK]

This has to be a wind up ! And as we all know Pete you don't own underpants.

[Carol Townsend]

Cough! May I refer you to the waffle thread?

[David Watkins]

I totally agree with Paul.It IS against the law of the country,so the law should be observed.
The other matter Paul raised is local sensitivities.Practically every "variety" of Christian church is present in Tobago,as well as Hindu,Muslim,Buddhist,Ras-ta-Farian,I could go on,all of which do not condone public nudity(or even partial nudity).
It is also frowned upon(tho' not illegal)for men to be bareback in towns/villages and bars restaurants and shops
David

[Andy K]

The topless ladies were all around the hotel pool area. Some looked great and others rather less so. I enquired in the hotel office and they said that they knew what was going on and just shrugged their shoulders. Myself? I am all in favour. We nearly did not go to Tobago because of the ban. Funnily enough my wife did not choose to join them despite the fact that we both sport all over tans.

Norman

Norman,

even though you may "sport all over tans", the (english speaking) caribbean is not a paradise for that, as you know and as it was explained in the comments above.
Inside a hotel area, "topless" may be tolerated at the discretion of the management of the hotel.
They will determine if "topless" could offend other clients or members of the staff, as they are supposed to know their clientel and co-workers.
If the management does not tolerate it, they will display a sign with "dress codes", as we can see it in
the country in numerous places.
Even the Trinidad & Tobago Yacht Club, which is a private members club without access for the public, has a dress code "Gentlemen are not allowed bareback in the bar and restaurant areas at any time".

Visitors should refrain from tanning (half) naked on public beaches. It is likely to attract
unwanted comments or actions, from either persons who feel offended or persons you may not want to attract at all.

As for camouflage clothing, it may be a fashion style, but i observe in T&T mostly a certain "type" of
local people wear it (exemptions from the rule allowed). Locals may not want to interfer with those persons, but they may feel free to tell a visitor "something". For whatever reason we still have the law against wearing uniform style clothing, it must be observed.

I hope your vacation in Tobago was otherwise relaxing and interesting and you will come back here again.