To speedo or not to speedo that’s the question. The answer it seems depends on what side of the ocean your on. This conundrum happens to me every time I hit a Mediterranean beach destination. At first, I was like, no way would I consider putting my American body in this banana hammock. Then, I thought, if I’m supposed to be this jet set guy and such a world traveler shouldn’t I behave like one?
So, there I was in St. Barths and literally every where I looked were great looking European guys in speedo’s. They looked fine. So, I said screw it. I’m going to give it a try. My wife goes topless why can’t I rock a speedo. Well, the answer to that question will be very obvious when you see me in this Ralph Lauren store in St.Barths. I suppose some things just don’t translate. I’m sticking to my board shorts.
Speedo from Jet Set Life on Vimeo.
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I reached out to our Twitter followers yesterday and posted the following question.
Q- Why (in your opinion) can a European rock a Speedo (if you think they can) & an American not so much?
Here are the answers i got over the past 24 hours (names have been removed to protect the innocent and the guilt). Enjoy!
• Pure confidence, better diet, no shame!
• Geographical and cultural context. Speedos are more giggle-worthy to US’ers in the US than in Monaco.
• It’s all about confidence….I think…eh, I’m not so sure…actually, I dunno. See, Americans don’t have confidence…
• Europeans Rock a Speedo and Americans cannot because of lack of sexual confidence embedded by Puritanical moral rigidity!!
• Speedos can be rocked, but few do it. Europeans seem to have more comfort with their bodies than US men.
• Speedo? Americans are overweight. Overweight European would look as bad.
• More American’s “try” to look sexy in Speedos, while European’s don’t “try”, it’s just natural for them.
• Twinkies and American beer. :)
• I think it just has to do with being in shape. Michael Phelps rocks a speedo just fine!
• It’s all about confidence. Like going topless. If you feel uncomfortable doing it, you make other people uncomfortable.
• Because they (Europeans) don’t care and Americans do. It’s all about the attitude.
• I would not rock one in America but I would rock one over seas.
• It’s borderline confidence/arrogance
• If a man puts on a speedo in the US & isn’t fit, it’s weird. I’d say Euro’s can b/c they usually don’t care if they’re accepted.
• Europeans do that whole “gel” thing with their hair. For example, basketball coach, Pat Riley, could rock a speedo.
• At the root, it’s all about attitude (what Euros have) and Puritan morals (what Americans have).
• I think it’s because of how open Europeans are about their bodies and sexuality, and how insecure and closed Americans are.
• It’s more about fashion/style. In Europe, a speedo is accepted fashion. In NA, it’s poked fun at.
• I think it’s because the European is more self-confident
• No one should rock a speedo. :)
• Americans are taught to be ashamed of nudity, and so are self conscious by showing that much skin. Europeans are not.
• Rocking a Speedo is all about confidence. Although, the U.S. is winning the obesity race, so that might be it, too.
70°F Sunny and Blue Skies
Next Trip: 
Rob – YOU ROCK in the Speedo but as a TRUE AMERICAN will not feel that comfortable wearing it SOOOOO stick to your regular suit UNLESS fully INTOXICATED!!!! THEN, Roll with it!!
the picture u posted isn’t really speedos [we say 'speedos' rather than 'a speedo'!] it’s more a sunga which is way more common in europe/south america than speedos … sungas are just really short tight shorts whereas speedos are usually left to swimmers & old italian lotharios [think 60+] a la roberto cavalli / flavio briatore etc..
Flaunt the speedo. I’ve done fair traveling and seen less than impressive gents sporting the hammock. I myself have a fine blue number, no six pack, however I can still see my toes. Being a single guy, this is a huge risk but when back at the beach club it’s always ‘aren’t you the Speed-O Guy?’
Yes, yes I am.
Thanks for this important segment! A discussion of speedos ….always makes me laugh hysterically and out loud! Speedos rock for this very reason!
I’d like to suggest a Speedo segment in every destination….in the spirit of the traveling gnome! Its a subject that can’t be covered enough!
It brought me a good memories of the boys I went with to Jamaica on a spring break. We are so Americans when we made a bet that must wear speedo for a certain time.
We all made it and guess what? We end up wearing the speedo all week.
We are talking about 12 boys wearing speedo.
I think it’s that Americans see showing too much skin (if you’re a guy especially) as immodest and/or gay while Europeans see it as being open and confident.
The one thing I hate about America(And I’m an American) are the puritanical morals. They gotta go and should be confronted whenever possible. I love pissing off puritans. After reading this article I’m definitely wearing a speedo in public next chance I get.