# Men who do the "underwear towel dance" at the gym: why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 12, 2011, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072 "2011-04-12T10:24:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/41 "2011-04-12T17:04:14Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > But were you required to shower after PE class? If by “required” you mean socially, so as to not be known as the stinky kid who didn’t shower after gym - yes. If you mean the school/instructors demanded it - no. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/42 "2011-04-12T17:11:21Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > I reckon a similar thing is going on in the locker room. If you have a propensity to peep despite believing it’s wrong to do so, you’re much more likely to assume other people are going to be peeping at you, and that they do so knowing it’s wrong. So you deprive them of doing something you really would do given the chance. So it comes back to an old French proverb, one I’ve found applies to so many situations: “A man doesn’t look under the bed unless he’s hidden there himself.” ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/43 "2011-04-12T18:00:46Z")
I take pole dancing classes, which means I hang out with strippers. Nudity at the “gym” is pretty much de riguer. I’ve lost all modesty and have been known to whip off my shirt or change shorts right in front of casual acquaintances, where it’s really inappropriate. I’ve become so desensitized to seeing mostly nekkid strippers all around me, that I don’t think twice about changing in front of people. I can’t imagine anyone being rude enough to stare/ogle while it happens. Not that I’d notice if they did. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/44 "2011-04-12T18:44:09Z")
I have a message for towel-dance guy–You’re the only guy I can remember in the locker room. Everyone else is just background. But you stand out. I think, hmm… why is he so self conscious? The same goes for shower-with-underwear guy. I’ll be in the shower with 10 guys and I couldn’t pick any of them out of a lineup. But the guy with the underwear really stands out and is memorable. I see him in the workout area and think, There goes shower-with-underwear guy. It strikes me as odd that the techniques they use to be more discreet in fact make them much more noticeable. However, I really wish shaving-at-the-sink-naked guy would wear a towel. Or at least step back a bit so his junk isn’t pressing up against the counter. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/45 "2011-04-12T18:47:55Z")
Never seen this behavior. I go to the YMCA gym, not as often as I should perhaps. Been going for over 10 years. Could it be a regional thing? ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/46 "2011-04-12T18:54:53Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > Never seen this behavior. I go to the YMCA gym, not as often as I should perhaps. Been going for over 10 years. Could it be a regional thing? I think’s it’s more of an age thing; younger guys (in general) are more likely to do it that older guys. I can’t recall seeing anyone more than a few years older than me doing it. Certainly not anyone over 40. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/47 "2011-04-12T19:04:07Z")
I can understand the derision for the towel dance, but it’s possible to go too far the other way as well. If I go to the gym and am looking for a locker, you can be sure I’m going to avoid the aisle where the 55 year old naked guy is bending over to pick something up off the ground or using the entire aisle as his personal drying space. Would it hurt to be a little respectful of people wanting to use the same area? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/48 "2011-04-12T19:28:34Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > If by “required” you mean socially, so as to not be known as the stinky kid who didn’t shower after gym - yes. If you mean the school/instructors demanded it - no. Nowadays, the boys just douse themselves with Axe body spray. ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/49 "2011-04-12T20:52:23Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > With all the people using cell phones in locker rooms I can see why some men would be cautious. My gym has a rule against cell phone use in the locker rooms – and it’s followed, as far as I’ve noticed. I had assumed most gyms had the same rule. I think the PE observations up-thread are right about the biggest factor. My PE teacher in junior high was a former drill instructor, so we definitely worked up a sweat. Everybody showered after gym – no exceptions allowed. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/50 "2011-04-12T22:07:56Z")
I don’t - I’m 24, and when I took a swimming class in college a few years ago, I was literally the only male out of a dozen or so in the class who got nekkid in the locker room. The rest either waited for the one stall or just went home wet. But I do see it both ways - at my gym I see grown ass men (40+) who just strip to their underwear and then put their street clothes back on. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/51 "2011-04-12T22:52:44Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > If I go to the gym and am looking for a locker, you can be sure I’m going to avoid the aisle where the 55 year old naked guy is bending over to pick something up off the ground or using the entire aisle as his personal drying space. Would it hurt to be a little respectful of people wanting to use the same area? I hate those guys. And I’m sure as fuck not going to sit on a bench when I know you’ve had your nasty balls on there for the last hour, or however long it takes them to get dressed after they’ve had their thirty conversations with everyone in the locker room. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/52 "2011-04-12T23:54:43Z")
I don’t do the towel skirt dance if I’m just in a locker room full of guys, but I take my toddler daughter to the community pool once a week for swimming lessons, and we have to change in men’s locker room with a bunch of other dads and toddlers, so I consider it good manners to not show my wiener to other people’s kids. Some dads just get fully nude and it doesn’t bother me that my kid can see that, but I’m sure some people are bothered by it, so I play it safe and keep it covered up. It’s not like it’s a huge problem for me. I’d say it’s about 50/50 nudies to towelies in there. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/53 "2011-04-13T00:16:50Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Is it possible that those men feel the need to do that when you are around, since you admit that you peak. Some gay men (and other people) subscribe to the notion of ‘gaydar’ or the ability to pick out other gay men, by the same token a straight man may feel this also and tend to cover up if they detect it. > > This would make it much more apparent and often to a person trying to peak as their efforts would be continuously frustrated by the men they are trying to see. > > I do find it telling that you state that no one is peaking, then you admit that you peak because you are gay, but say that can’t be the reason. If you’re peaking in the locker room then they would definitely feel uncomfortable. It’s best to limit yourself to discreet peeking. ---
**Author:** ![SSgtBaloo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@SSgtBaloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSgtBaloo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/54 "2011-04-13T00:39:43Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > What I want to know is why the ugliest most disgusting guys come to the gym apparently for no other reason than whip their clothes off and hang out in the locker room, reveling in their manly nakedness? I’m sorry, I just thing that the look of disgust on your face is so comical. Next time I’ll use a towel. :evil grin: > [@shiftless](#): > > I sometimes wonder at the people who seem to have no inhibitions at all in the locker room. It’s one thing to not mind someone seeing your stuff but some people seem to be going out of their way to show it off. Is bending and squatting really necessary in a locker room? In all seriousness, when I find myself in a locker room, I’m more interested in changing into/out of my sweaty gym clothes and taking a shower (or using the sauna, if one’s available). If it bothers you that I’m naked, don’t look. For my part I do not “parade” around the gym and find it insulting that seeing naked, old and flabby me upsets you so. I’m not in the gym to provide (or derive) entertainment, but to change clothes, attend to my hygiene, and maybe sit in the sauna. I’m not the naked guy who shaves with his junk pressed against the sink, either. That’s just gross. Of course, I’ve noticed some guys who seem more interested in spending a lot of naked time in the locker room. Maybe they secretly thrill that they’re _nekkid_ and nobody can say anything about it because it’s okay to be undressed in the locker room? Who knows? I’m sure as hell not going to ask him. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/55 "2011-04-13T00:44:59Z")
I haven’t peaked since 1982. ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/56 "2011-04-13T02:41:23Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > I take pole dancing classes, which means I hang out with strippers. Nudity at the “gym” is pretty much de riguer. I’ve lost all modesty and have been known to whip off my shirt or change shorts right in front of casual acquaintances, where it’s really inappropriate. I’ve become so desensitized to seeing mostly nekkid strippers all around me, that I don’t think twice about changing in front of people. I can’t imagine anyone being rude enough to stare/ogle while it happens. Not that I’d notice if they did. 😉 Pole dancing skills acquired, all modesty lost…I guess there’s only one thing left for you to do 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/57 "2011-04-13T04:05:30Z")
Probably a combination of a lot of things. A greater awareness of homosexuality - the more you’re aware of it, the more you realize that being naked among others of your own gender doesn’t necessarily mean that no one’s checking you out. At a stretch, the kids from a Christian school that an earlier poster said had no problem being naked maybe hadn’t ever really thought that there were gay people in their midst. Fewer people having spent time in the military. You can’t be too body shy if you’ve been in the military. Less comfort or experience with any kind of communal living, of which being naked in front of others is surely a byproduct. Family sizes shrink, but houses grow larger - where siblings used to vie for space in the same bathroom on busy morning, now many kids have always had their own bathrooms, and may not have any siblings. I’ve read that colleges are having to build more single-person dorms because students these days are increasingly horrified at the prospect of living closely with someone. _That_ (if it’s not too much a hijack to say so) is what bothers me, more than whether or not someone does the “underwear towel dance”. It can be maddening as hell, but there’s something to be said for having a period in your life where you sleep on a bottom bunk and have to wait your turn for the bathroom in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/58 "2011-04-13T04:16:42Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > I’ve read that colleges are having to build more single-person dorms because students these days are increasingly horrified at the prospect of living closely with someone. A whole dorm for just one person does sound excessive! ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/59 "2011-04-13T05:36:25Z")
Any [article](http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-01-02/family/os-florida-students-shower-in-school-20110102_1_shower-after-gym-class-inspections-by-gym-teachers-practice-and-rigorous-competitions) about school showering I read recently Basically kids don’t shower at school anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072/60 "2011-04-13T06:47:47Z")
> [@sevenwood](#): > > It’s been a looooong time since I’ve been in a high school locker room, but I understand that this style of gang shower no longer exists. My high school was _built_ in 2002, and it had gang showers. They just weren’t used at all by PE classes. We weren’t even supposed to go into the locker room that had the showers (always referred to as the “ **varsity** locker room,” with a haughty emphasis on the “varsity”), let alone use the showers (not that I think anyone would have wanted to). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-who-do-the-underwear-towel-dance-at-the-gym-why/578072.md?page=4)