Marilyn Pellini & Barbara Beauchemin - July, 2009

Beach Etiquette

As in every aspect of one’s life, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways of behaving. There are many situations that call for good manners and acts of kindness.  So, it should not be surprising that there are even rules of etiquette and ‘good and bad’ ways of conducting oneself at the beach. Surely there are times at the more crowded beaches that it is nearly impossible not to spin a little sand onto your neighbor as you tiptoe around the edges of blankets laying side by side.  Most people can understand an error and a pronouncement of ‘sorry’.  It is often more difficult not to insert yourself into the conversation going on around you, but do be careful and avoid both these pitfalls for obvious reasons, unless you are suggesting the best seafood restaurant in the area or a route home that will avoid the heavy beach traffic. People are always appreciative of a helping hand.


One of the authors tells the story of visiting her in-laws at their New England beach cottage on a foggy, cool summer weekend. You know, the kind of weather that has you climbing into an already damp bed. By the time Sunday morning arrived everyone was in a crabby mood so she grabbed a book, beach chair and warm sweatshirt and headed to the beach to read. The beach is a short walk from the house, and once down the dune-lined path the beach stretches to the right and left as far as the eye can see. Not a single soul was on the beach, so she plunked down her chair at the water’s edge and was soon totally engrossed in her novel. Moments later two young men appeared on the beach carrying their beach towels and she wondered where they might be going. They soon began spreading the towels not five feet from her and planted themselves on the sand to gab and laugh. It would have been rude to immediately get up and walk further down the beach for the desired solitude, but after a few minutes of their boisterous conversation that’s exactly what she was forced to do. Now for our first admonition, try not to sit too close to the next group of people if at all possible and certainly do not set up your chairs and umbrella where it will obstruct someone’s view of the ocean, swimmers, boats and gulls. The sea has a truly calming effect that everyone wants to enjoy. There is something so peaceful about watching blue sky meet the turbulent white water and rolling waves. Everyone wants to fill his eyes with this tranquil scene the whole daylong. Next we advise you to play your radio softly and try not to shout. There are people who would just love a chance for some extra shuteye and certainly not everyone enjoys the same radio music or programs.

When taking children to the beach, watch that they are not walking on other’s blankets, a definite favorite of the little ones. Their feet get very hot from the sand and this is perhaps the reason they seek a cool blanket, but instead, for their protection and the comfort of others, have the children wear their beach shoes until arriving at their designated spot.

We’re reminded of another story told to us by a friend who went off to the beach one sunny, summer morning with her husband. As it was still fairly early, they set their umbrella firmly in the sand and spread their towels to get some early morning rays, knowing the umbrella would be handy when the noonday sun climbed in the sky. The next thing they heard was a woman exclaiming to her husband, “Look honey, some shade”, and they proceeded to deposit their chairs and belongings in the shadow of our friend’s open umbrella. This almost resulted in a confrontation, before the people were convinced to move their belongings to another location.

This was a bit extreme, but certainly many of us have experienced being hit by a football, Frisbee or inflated beach ball carelessly tossed. One is often startled, and these flying missiles can result in injury. Often there is a remote area at one end of the beach where ball playing would not disturb anyone, so make the trek to this isolated area and have all the fun you want.

Public display of affection is another fundamental rule of beach etiquette to avoid. Nothing makes people feel more uncomfortable than watching a scene that should be taking place only in total privacy. Try to put yourself in the other person’s place, and desist from PDA.

Our beach has stopped placing trash receptacles on the sand, as they attract bees and gulls and only encourage people to come close to depositing their trash, but not actually succeeding, which exposes everyone to this unsightliness and bad smell. Carry In, Carry Out we believe to be a great beach policy.

Then there are people who insist on changing their baby’s dirty diaper on the beach. Just the sight you need while eating your yummy lunch. There are always a number of children in a state of total undress, which is in conflict with the way people wish to raise their children, believing that clothing should always be worn in public.  This is just another example of how consideration of others makes life in general far more pleasant.

One of the most amazing and unhealthy problems at the beach occurs when there are people around you who are smoking. Cigarettes, cigars and even pipes are seen dangling from the corners of their mouths. It is surprising that this bad habit is not banned on public beaches with what we know about smoking, especially near young children. People are no longer allowed to smoke in a ballpark even though that too is outdoors, so why should smoking on beaches be allowed? Hopefully it will soon be outlawed. As you look forward to the summer season opening to its full-bloom, we encourage you to have lots of fun and good times, but remember to support the rights of others to enjoy the quietude of these very special places, the warm, serene, carefree beaches these United States.

All Photographs, Writings and Other Content Copyright 
©Barbara Beauchemin,© Marilyn Pellini,
© Tom C. Marshall and San Diego Beachlife Magazine®

Tom C. Marshall
PO. Box 70053
San Diego, CA 92167
Email Publisher@sdbeachlife.com
(619) 222-5489