Why THIS picture will upset Brits: Survey reveals UK tourists are prudes on the beach finding women in thongs and naked sunbathers offensive

  • The issue of revealing skin on holiday seems to affect Britons most
  • 30 per cent of Britons said they are offended by topless sunbathing
  • 40 per cent said women wearing thongs on the beach is offensive
  • Britons least likely to go commando and make rude sand sculptures

The phrase 'Brits abroad' drums up ideas of loud and loutish behaviour of holidaymakers who have left all inhibitions at home.

However, research has revealed that British holidaymakers are actually more reserved than we might think, with our fellow European neighbours oozing much more confidence in the sun.

And it's the issue of nudity that sees Britons go into their shell the most.

Women wearing thongs on the beach appears to upset British holidaymakers more than their European counterparts

Women wearing thongs on the beach appears to upset British holidaymakers more than their European counterparts

How Britons' holiday habits compare with their European neighbours

How Britons' holiday habits compare with their European neighbours

Lastminute.com's 'Summer Snapshot 2015' surveyed 6,000 Europeans, looking into holiday booking trends and beach behaviours.

The results found that 20 per cent of British holidaymakers don't like to expose too much skin on the beach and choose to cover up with T-shirts and towels.

This is far higher than the number of French (seven per cent), German (seven per cent), Italian (four per cent) and Spanish (four per cent) tourists who feel the same. 

The issue of topless bathing is also contentious with Britons; almost 30 per cent of those polled said they are offended by topless sunbathing, while the same number said they wouldn't be happy with their own partner going for this all-over tan.

NAUGHTY NAUGHTY! 

Have gone commando:

UK - 5% France - 8%  Italy - 5% Germany - 11% Spain - 16% 

Have flirted with other beach-goers

UK - 18% France - 9% Italy - 10% Germany - 13% Spain - 11%

Have made rude sand sculptures

UK - 2% France - 5% Italy - 19% Germany - 2%  Spain - 21%

Only the French said topless bathing offended them more, while over half of the Italian and Spanish holidaymakers said they would disagree with their partner topless. 

In the bid for the ultimate tan, it's not uncommon to see women opting for a thong on the beach. Yet this wouldn't go down too well with British tourists, with a whopping 40 per cent saying they would find it offensive.

Italy and Germany were much more supportive of the look, with only 13 per cent and 17 per cent respectively objecting to this. 

Britons are also least likely of Europeans polled to go commando on the beach or make rude sand sculptures. Spain claim the top ratings for both of these. 

And it's not all about a party atmosphere while we are away. Forty-one per cent of Britons abroad get annoyed by loud music on the beach.

Holidaymakers from Germany, Italy and Spain are more tolerant of this, with only France objecting from more than Britons.

Matthew Crummack, deputy CEO of the lastminute.com group told MailOnline Travel: 'lastminute.com's research into the holiday behaviours of Europeans sees that Brits are not quite as brash and obnoxious as people perceive us to be. 

'Our survey showed that our nation's holiday makers are in fact the least likely go to the beach commando, flirt with fellow beach-goers or build naughty sand sculptures, when compared to the other more mischievous Europeans.' 

Britons are more likely to cover up on the beach with T-shirts and towels

Britons are more likely to cover up on the beach with T-shirts and towels

HOLIDAY HABITS REVEALED... 

A study has revealed some disturbing truths that may make you think twice about going for a swim in the hotel pool on holiday.

Almost half of Britons have admitted to giving in to the forces of nature and relieving themselves in the sea or pools used by other holidaymakers.

But Britons aren't the most prolific in engaging in the act. The research revealed that two in every three Americans admitted to urinating in the pool or the sea; Canada claimed an unwanted second place polling 58 per cent.

Almost half of Britons surveyed admitted to relieving themselves in the hotel pool or the sea (file photo)

Almost half of Britons surveyed admitted to relieving themselves in the hotel pool or the sea (file photo)

Travelzoo's 'honesty survey' asked more than 9,500 adults across the UK, US, China, Canada and Germany to own up to their worst holiday habits, with the information released in a handy infographic.

In more shocking news, Germans were found to be the most likely to have a wandering eye on holiday with 10 per cent admitting to cheating on their partner contrasting with five per cent of Brits and just two per cent of Canadians.

Britons and Germans are also as bad as each other for trying to bag the best sun-spots, with a third of respondents admitting to making the early morning towel run to reserve a sunbed on the beach or by the pool. 

 

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