Is it normal - the ab dilemma

63% Normal
9 Comments

I am very self concious of taking my shirt off in public. Even when it's hot I usually keep it on.
It's because I have a very athletic and well developed physique, and find that guys like me who take their shirts off in public are spoken about as douchebags and show-offs.
It's not that I'd give a shit about what anybody says, but due to them (and this attitude seems to be endorsed or reflected in most places I've seen) I'd just feel uncomfortable without my top on.

Voting Results
63% Normal
Based on 19 votes (12 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • theguy123
    8 years ago

    A friend of mine has this problem and I thought it was a joke at first (totally average physique here).

    Really it comes down to this:

    Secure men won't care.
    Secure women will think you're hot.
    Insecure men will think you're a douche.
    Insecure women will think you're hot, and a douche.

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  • Koda
    8 years ago

    I think this is a valid concern (this coming from a guy who has never had abs and doesn't plan to), but I bet most people won't agree with me. For some reason, people find it easy to understand when a woman with nice breasts feels judged for "showing off" when she wears a low neckline, but can't seem to get that some men with "attractive" bodies feel judged when they're not completely covered up. In a word, it's them, not you. Keep your shirt on when you want to, but if it's hot and you want to take it off, don't let anyone judge you for it without giving them a piece of your mind (and making them aware of the double standard). After all, you keep fit for yourself, not for the rest of the world.

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    • [Old Memory]
      8 years ago

      The women around me go running in sports bras. I mean I understand comfort, but cmon already. You know what you're doing and so do we.

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  • JD777
    8 years ago

    If it's hot and a normal place to go shirtless, like the beach, pool, boating, doing outdoor work on my property, etc. I go shirtless. If a guy is self-conscious about their body, all power to them to wear a shirt, but seems pretty weak and lame for them to dislike every shirtless guy when it's an appropriate time to go shirtless. I could give a rip what they think in that case.

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    • green_boogers
      8 years ago

      Sounds like women secretly love your beef cake physique, but misinterpret your distain for fabric as blatant vanity.

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      • JD777
        8 years ago

        No, I've never heard women say they thought a guy was vane for going shirtless at the pool or beach. But I have heard them make fun of guys who are too embarrassed to take off their shirts there.

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  • [Old Memory]
    8 years ago

    I understand what you mean OP. I tend to think guys who go running shirtless are douchebags.

    Although if I'm on a backroad, nobody around, I tend to take my shirt off. Just until I get back to crowds of people.

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  • neonclam
    8 years ago

    You don't see anyone else, skinny or fat, take their shirts off. You can't handle a light cotton t-shirt?

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      Actually, I do see people going topless. You probably don't live in a very hot place.
      And yes, I'm very temperature sensitive. Usually a shirt is little enough to avoid overheating, but sometimes it isn't.

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