Why is it North Americans view the sport of swimming in speedos differently from Europeans and Asians? I could barely find anyone in speedos at the local pool. Occassionally there's the odd guy, but it seems only the gals who wear spandex/nylon swimwear. Why is this the case in such a forward nation?

not alot of people wear speedos in Norway either, unless they are competing, since it obiously means less resistance in the water.

Its probobly because they are uncomfortable, atleast i think they are.

Ok. Take your pic...
1) Show you bulge
2) Don't look as cool.
3) In the USA look at peoples view on homosexuality and nudity etc. You just need to look at the US version of FHM compared to the UKs to see the HUGE difference.
4) Watch 300, look at peoples reactions on IMDB to the men in pants, come tell me what you think.
5) If you live in the Deep south it's a given.

It depends where you're swimming. If you go to the local olympic pool, you'll probably see more speedos than if you go to your hotel's pool.

Average people don't wear speedos. I believe it has a lot to do with the various insecurities of us Americans...but that's part of our culture.

Wear what you want and don't let people bother you. For every hairy and over weight guy, there are many more over weight and women past their prime in bikinis.

I am a minority among ladies who do like men in speedos (as long as they aren't fat and hairy)!

So, wear speedos to the beach, the local pool and every where!!!

I hate DT's. They use to make us wear them in school and we all hated it.

We had to wear them on the swim team. No one liked them because they are uncomfortable.

Most Americans think they look stupid. And nearly every male that wears one is over-weight and overly hairy.

The sport of swimming vs casual swimming is completely different. Those who are competitive swimmers wear them. Other than that, there's really no purpose in wearing one unless someone just wants to.

That's it, "unless someone just wants to." Isn't that enough?

It is interesting what you offered, but I think I would much rather wear a bikini (or spandex/lycra once piece) over some loose fitting cotton as I'm not a good swimmer. If gals can exhibit their bodies, so can men in speedos - swimmer or not, hunk or not! Do it for the tan or just to show off their bods, or may be the individual finds them, comfortable! Hell, isn't America home of the brave and land of the free? [Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, esp. when it comes to speedos for men.]

The thread was in terms of the sport of swimming. A sport indicates some sort of competition. I'm assuming we're talking about competitive swimming since we started with teh sport of swimming. In the sport of swimming, it is necassary to wear a speedo.

If you're just pool lounging, then it's not necessary to wear a speedo unless one just wants to.

One can show off their physique just fine as the swim trunks only cover from hip to knee. However, if one wants to show off their groin, so be it. I think most of us could care less what one wears at the pool. I don't like the way the look; I don't find them comfortable, so I don't wear them.

A bit off topic but I love wearing bright hawaiian shirts. I've heard over and over again that only fat, middle-aged party guys wear bright hawaiian shirts and they look stupid. However I wear them because I love them. It's a to each his own kinda' thing.

I love wearing a wetsuit, espeiclaly one that hasn't been broken in. It makes me feel all springy and superhero-esque.

If I could, I'd wear one everywhere I went.

Evo, now that I think about it, just about every hawaiian shirt-wearing-lover I've met was a science teacher. What the eff is that?

Look at what you've done; you've planted in the mind of all middle aged, overweight men to wear speedos and Hawaiian shirts. Now that's a sight. Well, at least their not in clashing Hawaiian shirts and animal print Speedos.