Phuket Opinion: Semi-naked is not an option

PHUKET: We’ve all been there – standing in front of the refrigerated dairy section in a local supermarket, wondering if the locally-made unsalted butter tastes anything like the imported variety when suddenly a mountain of skin reaches up for yogurt, displaying a dark bush of underarm hair and way too many freckles.

“Hey mister, this is my local supermarket! If you want to walk around semi-naked, do it at home!” my inner voice screams, but of course I say nothing, give a disdainful look and trundle off in search of anything that will put a distance between me and this uncouth shopper.

Seriously, this supermarket is nowhere near the sea, so why are there people walking around in nothing but shorts or bikinis? I know Thailand is famous for its mai pen rai attitude, but when will we/they draw the line when it comes to shoppers’ attire?

In the UK recently a certain chain of supermarkets banned people from entering in their pajamas. Signs were posted reading, “To avoid causing offense or embarrassment to others, we ask that our customers are appropriately dressed when visiting our store (footwear must be worn at all times and no nightwear is permitted).”

Surely we could attempt something similar here along the lines of, “To enter this store, please make sure you are wearing at least two separate items of clothing”.

To make matters worse, the shirtless brigade often seem to arrive as a couple or a group, as if being naked together makes it all right. Admittedly, some of the ladies wearing two items of clothing are able to attract my attention for an instant, but then I give them a disdainful look too, distance myself from them and go off to buy some pomelos.