Posted on February 02, 2010 by admin

Beach days can be precious, and few and far in between. It is important to recognize some common-sense behaviors that will ensure everyone, yourself and those around you, enjoy their well-deserved beach day!

1. Observe locations of those already situated on the beach. Place your beach paraphernalia a minimum of 15 ft. from anyone already in an established spot.

2. Beware that the tide will come up at some point; remember that when deciding on a location. If you are too close to the water, you will eventually have to move. By that time someone will most likely be behind you, and it’s rude to expect them to move back for you. It’s even more rude to get closer to them. You could try to look for a high water mark, or check a tide chart or ask some locals.

3. Remember that your voice carries in the wind, so there is no need to yell at your children at a higher octave than you usually do when attempting to lather them with sunscreen.

4. Pay attention while inserting your umbrella into the sand and to the direction that the wind is blowing. Umbrellas are best secured when inserted at an angle, so the wind blows against the umbrella, not underneath it.

5. Keep radio volume to a minimum. Again, noise travels on the beach.

6. Do not smoke. Depending on the wind conditions, smoke and other fumes either linger around people or can travel for quite a distance.

7. Avoid feeding seagulls at the beach. It may be exciting for your children, but seagulls are vulture-like birds at the beach. Feeding them will only keep them hovering. It is very important to keep your food covered and do not feed the seagulls. If you wish to feed birds, please wait until the nearest park or desired allowed place to do so.

8. Avoid walking too close to other people’s towels while wearing flip flops. It will flip the sand right onto their towel and that is incredibly rude. Remind your children not to run on their way to the water. Sand flies when children run.

9. Encourage game playing to be taken place near the dunes and away from the crowds. Only obnoxious people play ball over others heads while they are trying to relax. Also, your game playing should not involve footballs that make noises. People do attempt to take naps while suntanning and it would be obnoxious to them, hearing whistling sounds every five seconds.

10. Flip flops should be removed as soon as your feet hit sand. Parading around the beach while looking for a place to sit and wearing your flips is rude: all you are doing is annoying those around you and flicking sand everywhere.

11. Behave as if you are in someone else’s backyard, not your own. Many beaches charge people to be there and you can easily ruin their day by acting inconsiderate of others. Be quiet, be considerate, and keep a distance from your neighbors.

12. Make sure when shaking the sand from your towl never shake it near people and always face away from the wind but not towards people.

13. Letting your children run wild amongst the crowds is rude.

14. Sitting too close to people is extremely rude. Even if it means walking farther down the beach, do not sit on top of other people if possible.

15. If you commit any sort of beach foul, apologize profusely. An apologetic rude person is better than an ignorant one.

16. Women – don’t go topless in the Middle-East and Asia, the local culture will find the display of breasts offensive.

17. Don’t stare at those who decide to wear revealing tops, or unstrap their swimsuit tops when sunbathing. Or atleast don’t make it obvious.

18. If you choose to stare at strangers at the beach, do not make it obvious, choose dark sunglasses, if possible, choose a pair with reflective lenses; and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

By Anonymous