Sauna Etiquette

In Sex and the City Season 3: Attack of the 5' 10" Woman episode, Charlotte gets upset by nudity in the sauna, although everyone else seems happy and normal to display their bodies. Internet resources noted that saunas are meant to allow you to absorb as much heat and to perspire freely, hence, you are advised to go in nude. For hygiene purposes, a towel should be laid across the bench so that your sweat does not drip onto the wooden bench. This is also to prevent bad smell emanating from the wood finishing in the long term. Out of curiosity, I have also asked my girlfriend what actually goes on in the women's changing room and sauna at the gym. Apparently, quite a few ladies would walk around in the nude to the showers, and also nude in the sauna.

Meanwhile in the male sauna, most guys would place their towel on their lap and sit bareback on the hot wooden bench (ouch!), thereby allowing sweat to drip all over. In fact, it is disgusting that certain people wipe off their sweat and sprinkle them over the bench and the hot stone heater. Yuks! No wonder the sauna smells bad!

Sometimes, people would go in wearing undies. Puhlezzz!!! Can you imagine the smell of dirty underwear and sweat in a hot and humid environment?? Occasionally, there are people who went inside the sauna fully clothed .... with socks and shoes even!

And I just don't get it. Guys in general are just so shy to go nude even in places that you're supposed to be nude! Even the girls are more liberal in their locker/changing room.

Loosen up! Let's drop our towels and lay it across the bench where it should be! Be comfortable with ourselves!

p/s Charlotte eventually overcame her fears and shyness.