As a huge fan of beach life, I often find myself living by the coast somewhere around the world and have seen all sorts of international beach behavior. But, there is one habit that is international, and I know I regularly enjoy.
Beaches are busy public spaces, and everyone likes to enjoy them in their own way. But, with any large social area, there are going to be a few Karens complaining about other people’s behavior. Now, some of the things they gripe about, I can get on board with. But, in most cases, if they don’t like being around people, they should just go find their own beach.
Personally, I think the grossest beach behavior is littering. Respect the beach you visit. Smoke and drink, and eat all you want, but leave no trace. It’s so easy to collect trash as you make it and take it home with you. I have seen so many beaches at the end of the day looking like a Mumbai river, and it’s inexcusable.
But, according to a study made by Beach.com, most of us say we clean up after ourselves. However, more than 25% of people still admitted to littering on the beach.
Clearwater Beach, Florida, considered one of the most popular US beaches, has 15 million visitors annually. If 25% of them left one piece of trash behind, that’s 3.75 million on one beach.
However, the beach behavior most people are guilty of is a super innocent one.
A Drop In The Ocean
Many beaches don’t have adequate toilet facilities, and we all like a nice cold drink or ten while sunbathing. So, the obvious, and most common solution is to go pee in the sea. The Beach.com survey found that 70% of people admit to this beach behavior. The other 30% are lying.
Comparatively, only 18% of people think this practice is gross. I mean, it’s the vast ocean and just a little pee. With the amount of filth the US pumps into the ocean every day, a pee is nothing. We should be more concerned about the 1.5 tons of plastic the US pours into the ocean every year.
There are numerous other gripes people have with fellow beachgoers. But, most of them are to do with folks being typically antisocial. If you don’t like loud music, crowded beaches, or drinking, go somewhere else.