Rich Meier, thank you for sharing those experiences. I can relate to such comments and suggestions. Interesting how some women, like your step daughter, compare their breast sizes to ours. Of course, then their next step is easy. We would feel and look much better in a bra just like they feel and do. And if we have large feminine nipples, like you and I and women do, then a bra is also essential for our modesty.
What you shared about comments you received at the pool reminded me of an experience I had as a young teenager. We had an extended family swim outing. I was swimming topless like all the other boys when my uncle commented quite loudly for all to hear that I need to wear a bra. My mother was there, and I expected her to stick up for me and reprimand her brother, but instead, she laughed and said I was probably the same bra cup size as her.
I almost expected, and almost even wanted, her to get one of her bathing suit bra tops and have me put it on. It would’ve been nice to be covered up like that. I remember when this was going on, I had the strong impulse to hold my hands in front of my breasts, you know, the way a woman or girl does when she is caught bare breasted, feels vulnerable, and wants to preserve her modesty. However, I had the awareness to restrain myself because I knew that would just bring more attention and ridicule.
By then,I had been teased about my growing breasts for quite some time, the most common being told I needed to wear a bra. When my breasts had first started developing, I was oblivious, and when they started becoming obvious and the teasing began, I was in denial. I had progressed to embarrassment and shame, but never really thought of the suggestion that I need to wear a bra or something I should act on.
However, when my mother said we were probably the same bra cup size, that started me thinking about wearing bras.