The French and Underpants of swimming

[rupert the dog]

Just returned from a (mostly) wonderful 6 weeks in Italy and France, mixed camping and hotels. I was thrown out of a swimming pool in a campsite in Languedoc because I was wearing swimming shorts rather than swimming trunks! My shorts were Speedo, bought for the holiday, but apparently not acceptable in les piscines Francaises. Now bear in mind I am a, er mature gentleman, who would probably look rather silly (if not scary) in mini trunks - why do they have this rule? On the same day, a boy of about 7-8 yrs was also hauled out of the pool and was crying his eyes out because he wasn't allowed to swim.

Anybody know why they have this rather arcane rule?

[rupert the dog]

Uh?

[rupert the dog]

I repeat - Uh?

[rupert the dog]

Sorry I don't agree with most of you. As far as hygiene is concerned, surely the looseness of shorts is better than skintight trunks? Anyway, obviously I'm biased, and thwere was no way the French were going to make me go and buy a pair of skimpy trunks, because - why? So I went to the beach instead, but frankly what a load of bks - the Italians didn't mind.