To swim or not to swim, that is the question!

It is 5 am here so our activities for the day haven't started yet. First before
I start the whole sordid story, let me tell you that Angela our guide, who works
directly with Kelly R. on care packages and info etc... is absolutely wonderful.
Now for the story:

We wanted to go swimming yesterday as the hotel has a pool and spa. We had been
told upon arrival that we would need swim caps and goggles. SO Angela took us
to an area to purchase them where we could barter. So for 8 people we purchased
the caps and goggles for 50.00 USD. Not exactly how we wanted to spend 50$, but
hey we wanted to swim. So then after a lunch from KFC we head to the pool. As
soon as we arrive we are told the usual spiel about showering and shoes etc..
and we then head out of the ladies locker room to the pool. No husband or boys
are in sight. I notice Brian standing outside the pool area and motion him
over. He procedes to tell me that he and the boys are not allowed to swim
because his suit is not Chinese standard. Now he and the boys wear typical swim
suits. They have long trunks with liners and drawstrings. It seems that this
pool wants them to wear very short suits (almost speedos). At this point Brian
goes to call Angela, who has actually stopped by to check on us. She proceeds
to speak with the staff who explain that this pool is part of a high-end club
and that it would be embarrassing to them if the "men" wore leisure shorts to
swim in. "Didn't we have anything tighter for them :) Angela translates for us
that it is a cultural thing for Americans to wear these suits and that they are
acceptable everywhere in the US not to mention other parts of Beijing, Changsha,
Nanjing, Yinchuan city, Hefei and Guangzhou. We know because we have swam
there. No help! Next a manager from the hotel is called and he speaks very
good English. He reiterates the spiel about embarrassment and images blah blah
blah. Brian then explains to them that we have already spent 50$ that we
haven't had to in other parts of China and Beijing!!!!! We tell them that we
will switch hotels if half the family is allowed to swim and half isn't. Now
the female side of this family encompasses 2 bikini's and 2 tank suits and
varying degrees of coverage. No issue there :) Finally a suggestion of
purchasing a suit from them is brought up. Problem-my husband wears a large in
the US. So now we have the boys swimming but not the husband. Next Brian is
told that he can swim from 2-5pm in the pool (when club members are not there)
and spend any other time in their spa (no embarassment there I guess). Finally
an agreement after an hour plus of confrontation. So Brian goes to the
whirpool/spa area and our family begins to relax. Angela bless her heart, goes
out and somehow finds a larger suit and brings it back to us. She didn't have
to do this, but that is how wonderful she is. She is very approachable, fashion
savvy and has a wonderful sense of humor and she is compassionate beyond
compare. Needless to say we have never experienced this kind of prejudice or
judging based on suits that cover more than uncover. On a side note- Ashlyn is
drawing all kinds of attention in her bikini and Brianna is drawing all kinds of
attention with lighter hair and Blue eyes. Both wear bikinis and have nice
bodies but Ashlyn was more appealing to the teenage boys at the pool :) So
there you have it-new experience-new thoughts-crazy world :)!!!!!!!!!!!!