Written on May 10, 2024

 

Last night, after finishing my workout at the neighborhood 24 Hr Fitness, I stepped into the steam sauna. Afterward, as I was showering, a young Black man peeked through my curtain and said he had something to tell me. I thought, “What kind of person does this? Is this guy a creep?” But I told him to go ahead and say his piece.

 

He asked, “Hey, why were you naked in the sauna earlier? Don’t you know that’s not allowed?”

 

I replied, “I’ve been using this sauna for over six months and have never worn anything inside. What are you talking about?”

 

He looked at me wide-eyed and suggested we ask the reception desk. So we did. The staff member stared at me in shock before saying, “Wait—what? You’re supposed to wear at least a swimsuit in the sauna. Have you been going in there completely naked this whole time?”

 

I responded, “Well, I shower naked before entering the men’s sauna. Why would I put clothes back on? That seems ridiculous. Is this really how people do it in America? I’ve lived here for 44 years, and I’ve always gone in nude…”

 

The first time I ever used a sauna in the U.S. was 37 years ago when I was living in Long Island. There was a community swimming pool with an annual membership fee, and after taking my kids there one day, I noticed they had a sauna. I thought, “Wow, what a great find!” So the next time I visited, I went inside—only to see that everyone else was wearing swimsuits.

 

I grumbled to myself, “Americans are so weird. Sure, the swimming pool is mixed-gender, so swimsuits make sense, but the sauna is men-only. Why are they covering up out of embarrassment? Their bodies are just as good as mine—why not just walk in?”

 

 

Thinking back now, I wonder what all those other guys must have thought when they saw me over the past 44 years. I can’t help but laugh. Still, I slept well last night. I never get stressed over things like this. The past is the past, and feeling guilty won’t do me any good. Let’s all live with peace of mind!