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[scriver]

Baring one's breasts to breastfeed is not comparable to people showing one's penis or vagina

Why isn't it?

Because neither breasts nor breastfeeding are penises or vaginas. It's apples and oranges. Why do you think they are alike?

the polite thing for you would striving to get over your prudishness and stop being bothered by the potential of catching a glimpse of someone's mammaries doing what they're supposed to do.

As you say, it's a two way street. But the polite thing for me to wouldn't be for me to change how I look at the world, but to tolerate other people and their respective views. And that's the real two-way street.

That's nor politeness, that's the bare minimum expected from you to function in civilized society. "Not doing anything special" is not how you meet people halfway either.

[smeeprocket]

I'd like to add I support women being allowed to be topless in public in situations where it is okay for a dude.

Just not breastfeeding *shudder*

[TD1]

Because neither breasts nor breastfeeding are penises or vaginas. It's apples and oranges. Why do you think they are alike?

Because as a penis has a function that it is rude to display in public, so too do breasts.

That's nor politeness, that's the bare minimum expected from you to function in civilized society. "Not doing anything special" is not how you meet people halfway either.

What, toleration is the bare minimum? As such, you could argue everyone should conform to what you feel appropriate because it's only polite.

No, I won't change my mind based on somebody's opinion- I will change it based on my own, and tolerate what is tolerable.

I'd like to add I support women being allowed to be topless in public in situations where it is okay for a dude.

Just not breastfeeding *shudder*

That's irrational. It sounds almost like a phobia, and doesn't really contribute much to the argument :/

[smeeprocket]

Because neither breasts nor breastfeeding are penises or vaginas. It's apples and oranges. Why do you think they are alike?

Because as a penis has a function that it is rude to display in public, so too do breasts.

That's nor politeness, that's the bare minimum expected from you to function in civilized society. "Not doing anything special" is not how you meet people halfway either.

What, toleration is the bare minimum? As such, you could argue everyone should conform to what you feel appropriate because it's only polite.

No, I won't change my mind based on somebody's opinion- I will change it based on my own, and tolerate what is tolerable.

I'd like to add I support women being allowed to be topless in public in situations where it is okay for a dude.

Just not breastfeeding *shudder*

That's irrational. It sounds almost like a phobia, and doesn't really contribute much to the argument :/

I already said my point was irrational. I honestly think breastfeeding in public should probably be acceptable, I just don't like it. Not in restaurants though, please no. Having babies in restaurants at all is bad enough, you know they are going to start screaming or squealing at some point.

Plus the parents get angry for some reason if you start shaking the little monsters. :/

[Sheb]

To be honest, "It makes some people uncomfortable" is a terrible argument. Lots of people are uncomfortable when they see gays kissing for example.

Honestly, I think people should have the right to go around naked if they want to.

[TD1]

Depends on your standpoint, I guess, as with everything

I personally would find it rather disconcerting seeing naked people everywhere, and not because of sexual reasons. I don't suppose I know the real reason, just it would make me feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

[smeeprocket]

My only argument would be that I am rather fond of clothes. Maybe I am just too much of a traditionalist.

Also, tbh, I look a lot less imperfect with clothes on, and I would be perpetually humiliated walking around naked.

[Frumple]

I personally would find it rather disconcerting seeing naked people everywhere, and not because of sexual reasons. I don't suppose I know the real reason, just it would make me feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

... it's called socialization and your cultural mores. That's more or less all of it, though, barring potential environmental issues. If it actually became common in your society, it wouldn't take too terribly long for it to become just a thing to you. There's nothing deep seated to it, just familiarity.

As for the breastfeeding thing, y'all do realize there's (several) fairly simple means to cover up and continue breastfeeding anyway, right? If bared breasts are that big of an issue for folks, just offer government issued shawls or something. Prudes get to stfu, kids get what they need, everybody wins.

[TD1]

I personally would find it rather disconcerting seeing naked people everywhere, and not because of sexual reasons. I don't suppose I know the real reason, just it would make me feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

... it's called socialization and your cultural mores. That's more or less all of it, though, barring potential environmental issues. If it actually became common in your society, it wouldn't take too terribly long for it to become just a thing to you. There's nothing deep seated to it, just familiarity.

As for the breastfeeding thing, y'all do realize there's (several) fairly simple means to cover up and continue breastfeeding anyway, right? If bared breasts are that big of an issue for folks, just offer government issued shawls or something. Prudes get to stfu, kids get what they need, everybody wins.

As I said, when the solution is so simple I don't see the point in not indulging in keeping people comfortable.

[Antsan]

Which can be construed to be an argument for walking around naked being socially acceptable: It might lead to people being less irrationally uncomfortable (and thus more prone to mistreating their bodies) with their physique.

To the whole breastfeeding thing: That's just idiotic. With penises and vaginae there is the reason of hygiene. No such reason applies for breasts.
When there is a reason for making people uncomfortable that reason in most instances can be removed without major negative repercussion in probably less than one generation via allowing women to breastfeed their children in public. I mean, what the hell? Politeness for the sake of politeness itself is not a good reason, especially if it leads to an oppressive environment.

As I said, when the solution is so simple I don't see the point in not indulging in keeping people comfortable.

Yeah, no, that only leads to more reasons to be uncomfortable in the future when you could be mentally more free instead.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Because it's an extra hassle that isn't particularly necessary? This idea that we have to appease everybody's feelings with legislation makes more problems than it could ever solve.

"It could make people uncomfortable" is not a compelling interest to legally codify something.

[TD1]

I'm not saying we should have legislation against it- after all, if a woman wants to feed her baby in public it's her decision- but what I would like is for the woman to consider the feelings of others as she does this. That's not too much to ask.

I'm only as close minded as you, Antsan. Everybody has their mind closed to one thing or another.

That reason in most instances can be removed without major negative repercussion in probably less than one generation via allowing women to breastfeed their children in public.

This can be said of absolutely anything. "Expose people to death, and it will become commonplace in less than a generation."
You're working under the assumption that your view of breast feeding is the right view. As am I.

It's not oppression, either- the woman can choose to do it if she wishes, but it's rather out of taste to subject people to a sight they don't want to see. Constraint, where constraint is possible, is a reasonable request.

[Descan]

My only argument would be that I am rather fond of clothes. Maybe I am just too much of a traditionalist.

Also, tbh, I look a lot less imperfect with clothes on, and I would be perpetually humiliated walking around naked.

... Then don't? Don't like it, don't do it. He didn't say "I think everyone should be naked!" after all.

[Sheb]

How would you feel about a Muslim guy going around asking British women to cover their hair?

[Frumple]

It's not oppression, either- the woman can choose to do it if she wishes, but it's rather out of taste to subject people to a sight they don't want to see. Constraint, where constraint is possible, is a reasonable request.

It kinda' isn't. That same line of reasoning leads to complete concealment and whatnot. Constraint, where constraint is necessary (significantly beneficial, if one prefers a less loaded word), is a reasonable request -- hygiene, public safety, etc. Not where it's merely possible.