{"id":19590,"date":"2016-06-21T12:00:23","date_gmt":"2016-06-21T12:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=19590"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:53:25","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:53:25","slug":"expedia-2016-flip-flop-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/expedia-2016-flip-flop-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Expedia 2016 Flip Flop Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer officially is upon us, which means it\u2019s time to slather on the sunscreen, grab a trashy novel, pour a Solo cup of rose, and hit the beach. The day after solstice also means it\u2019s time for Expedia\u2019s annual Flip-Flop Report\u2014a (usually humorous) look at beach behaviors around the world.<\/p>\n

In particular, the study looks at which country\u2019s residents are most likely to disrobe fully, what beach behaviors are least appropriate, where the most attractive beachgoers can be found, and more.<\/p>\n

Basically, the report is a rundown on worldwide beach gossip. Which is precisely why I love it so much.<\/p>\n

Austria takes the cake<\/strong><\/p>\n

And this year\u2019s report certainly packs a punch. For the first time ever, the Flip Flop Report found that respondents from Austria\u2014motherland of Arnold Schwarzenegger\u2014are the most inclined to get naked when visiting the beach. Apparently, Austrians don\u2019t like to just go topless; they like to get completely<\/em>\u00a0naked. One benefit to this approach: No tan lines! One downside: Potentially nasty sunburns.<\/p>\n

The Austrian finish is super-exciting because in four previous iterations of the Flip Flop Report, people from Germany won or tied for first place in this particular category. In 2016, the Austrians edged their European counterparts, 28 percent to 25 percent. We Americans finished third at 18 percent.<\/p>\n

(In case you\u2019re wondering, the world\u2019s most modest beachgoers are found in Asia; only 2 percent of Malaysians and South Koreans, and 3 percent of Thai and Japanese respondents have gone au natural.)<\/p>\n

Flip Flop data indicated American respondents largely disapprove of toplessness or nudity at public beaches; an almost unbelievable 62 percent said they were \u201csomewhat or very uncomfortable\u201d with that level of exposure. Also, 77 percent of American female respondents said they would \u201cnever\u201d go topless at a public beach. I have to be honest\u2014this latter number in particular surprised me, especially because I\u2019m not sure I agree. Again, people, I give you the benefit of nude sunbathing: No tan lines!<\/p>\n

\"Expedia_FlipFlopReport_2016_Nude+Attractive_v2_final\"<\/p>\n

Beach etiquette<\/strong><\/p>\n

You know how Expedia publishes studies about etiquette on airplanes and roadways? Well as part of this Flip Flop Report we look at etiquette on beaches, too. Specifically, we asked respondents to gauge the most annoying beachgoer behaviors. No. 1 on the list with 48 percent of the vote: \u201cThe Slob,\u201d a.k.a., the guy (they\u2019re usually men) who doesn\u2019t clean up after himself and leaves garbage on the beach.<\/p>\n

For Americans, the other least popular beach personas were \u201cThe Inattentive Parent\u201d at 44 percent, \u201cThe Loud Mouth\u201d at 37 percent, \u201cThe Encroacher\u201d at 35 percent, and \u201cThe Boozer\u201d at 34 percent.<\/p>\n

\"Expedia_FlipFlopReport_2016_Etiquette_final\"<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s the fairest of them all?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Depending on whom you ask, Flip Flop findings indicated the most attractive beachgoers (other than moi, of course) can be found in Europe. Worldwide, 24 percent of respondents said Europeans were the hottest beachgoers, with Caribbean (17 percent) and American (14 percent) beachgoers in the mix.<\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, American respondents were a bit self-absorbed; 46 percent of respondents from this country said the most attractive beachgoers can be found on U.S. soil, in Florida and Hawaii.<\/p>\n

Personally, I was shocked that California didn\u2019t crack the top two.<\/p>\n

\"Expedia_FlipFlopReport_2016_Fears+Sunscreen_final\"<\/p>\n

Other findings<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Flip Flop Report also pulled together data on a number of other somewhat random beach-related stuff. A quick rundown:<\/p>\n