At the urging of Big Fat Daddy, I submit this revelation to the state bound population of the US. Those in Europe will probably read this and go "duh!". But you have to understand that this nation was settled by some puritans and the strain still runs through the population to a degree.
I spent most of my youth living near an ocean, so swimming was always a summer activity. But when we moved to Germany at the start of my junior year of High School, the nearest ocean was several countries away. needless to say, it was no longer an option to "go to the beach", but swimming was still mandatory for us. So we found "The Sand Pit". It was an old quarry with steep sides (so not a lot of beach), and very cool water! And clean too! A very good swimming hole that most of Frankfurt was aware of and availed themselves of.
For the non-traveling Americans, you should know that swimming spots in Europe are "clothing optional". You were not required to wear bathing suits, nor required to shed them. It was your option. Needless to say my first trip there was a shock (a delightful one for a 16 year old boy), but it quickly became old hat. Some people were nude. You expected it, and did not really notice them unless you think about noticing some hot chick in a bikini - this was the same way. Except the bikini was not there. But most of the time you did not see or notice who was wearing a suit and who was not. It was natural.
So I thought nothing of inviting my girl friend to the sand pit with me. Besides, while I was a newbie to European customs, she was half native. An American GI father (in the AF no less Tova!), and a German Mother, this was not the first time she had been stationed in German. So it did not phase her at all.
Did I mention there was not a lot of beach? if you did not get there early, you had to walk around the pit to find a spot to put your towel. Most of the sides were not scalable and there was really only one way down and up. So we got there mid morning and started our trek to find a spot. Stepping over people as we walked in single file. No big deal, everyone did it.
About half way around, I heard a voice. Sounded familiar. I looked down to see a friend, Mike. He was with some of his friends and just in the process of "going native". "hi Mike", I said innocently. And thought nothing more of it. My Girl friend, right behind me, saw him as well, and said Hi was well. And we moved on to a clear spot.
That was on a Saturday. On Monday, I was back at school doing what most school kids do - yakking before class and being bored at class. My first class afer lunch was French (smart, huh? Living in Germany taking French? You can see I was a sharp cookie). I got there a little early so I could socialize. About a minute later Mike walks in, sees me and jumps me! "You fink! You rat Fink! Why did you do that? You Embarrassed me?' He was on me like white on Rice. I was stunned! What did I do?
"You told Barbara to look at me! You Embarrassed me! I was so embarrassed for her to see me nude!"
At this point, I was rolling on the floor - in laughter! I looked at him and told him I did not call attention to him, I just said hi! And neither Barbara or I thought twice about him after we passed! But he was not buying any of that. And continued to accuse me of making him the object of attention. And I still could not stop laughing. Poor Mike thought that since he was with only "guy" friends, that no one he knew of the distaff persuasion would see him and his first attempt at going native. he really was embarrassed, but for why I dont know. I doubt Barbara even saw anything more than his face, which she recognized and did what any polite person would do. Said Hi.
But forever after that, he became known as Native Mike! I hope he has lived that down by now. It has been quite a few years. And after the first shock of it wore off, he was able to laugh about it. I wonder if he has told his grand kids yet?