Culturally Correct Nudity Evelyn Hannon D epending on where a woman is in the world, she learns from her elders which parts of her body must be kept covered in public. I n India, a female's upper arms are considered sensual areas of the body and therefore should not be exposed in public. I n North America, when sunbathing at the beach, a woman is more apt to remove the top rather than the bottom of her bikini. I n Mali, West Africa, women will more easily expose their breasts than their thighs.
Shorts seem to be acceptable only for the times when women take part in sporting events.
I n France topless sunbathing is considered the norm. Neither men nor women think anything of it. O utside the big cities in Egypt, local women might swim entirely clothed in accordance with their religious beliefs. I n Rio, even grandmothers wear bikinis. A one-piece bathing suit is unheard of.