On a scorching summer day, heading to the beach to enjoy the cool waters and admire the beautiful scenery of the sea and the sky is truly a great joy. However, the beach is a public space and often crowded with visitors, so it is important to adhere to relevant regulations and etiquette to avoid any inadvertent offense.
According to a report by The Huffington Post, etiquette expert Nick Leighton stated, “Even when you are outdoors, you are not alone, and your actions will undoubtedly impact others.”
Addressing common impolite behaviors seen at the beach, etiquette experts like Leighton provided the following guidelines:
Jodi R.R. Smith, the general manager of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, emphasized the importance of maintaining a distance of at least three steps between your belongings and others’ on the beach to allow for personal space.
This distance should allow others to walk between your towel and others without kicking sand onto anyone’s belongings. If the beach is crowded and you have to be closer to others, be mindful not to kick sand onto them while walking.
Diane Gottsman, author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, highlighted the importance of respecting others’ space on the beach. She advised observing the body language of others – if someone is wearing headphones, they may not wish to engage in conversation.
Smith mentioned that while it’s fine to bring comfortable amenities from home to the beach as long as they do not obstruct others’ view, items like umbrellas or tents should not disrupt others’ enjoyment of the ocean.
To respect others’ space, maintain a distance from fellow beachgoers while engaging in activities to prevent balls or other items from flying towards them and to allow ease of beach usage.
Leighton advised, “When playing any games, find a secluded area away from the crowd. Some people may feel anxious about frisbees flying overhead.”
Gottsman suggested setting up volleyball nets away from the crowd as well as playing sandy games in less populated areas to avoid disturbance.
Etiquette expert Juliet Mitchell noted that shaking towels or clothes full of sand near others or into the wind is impolite, as sand from your mouth, eyes, and body may affect others.
Before leaving the beach, adopt a “clean up before shaking out” approach – walk away from the crowd before shaking sand-covered blankets and towels; the windier it is, the further you should go to prevent sand from reaching others’ eyes.
Smith emphasized the importance of returning sea creatures like starfish to the water before leaving the beach, as interacting with nature is a crucial part of the beach experience.
Leighton pointed out that sounds like music and loud phone conversations can easily travel beyond your blanket area and disturb others, so being mindful of volume and content in conversations is essential.
Mitchell stressed the importance of being mindful of language, especially in the presence of children, by showing respect, consideration, and maintaining civil manners without the use of profanity or engaging in arguments.
Smith advised that if smoking is allowed at the beach and you wish to smoke, move to a far-off area from the beach to do so, ensuring the proper disposal of cigarette butts to prevent harm to birds, animals, and children.
Mitchell urged people not to litter, especially intentionally, and to clean up their area before leaving the beach.
Leaving the beach dirtier than when you arrived is not only rude and illegal but also hazardous.
Both public and private beaches have rules and guidelines for use that must be followed.
Gottsman urged compliance with signs that indicate safety measures for both oneself and others, as setting boundaries is essential. Stay within designated boundaries like swim lines or other demarcations to prevent harm to yourself and others.