Since we all live at the beach, and I can say I've lived on the beach 2 years now, I would just like to make a few notes on the do's and don'ts of going to the beach. It's not that I don't like the business all these tourists bring or the comfort some locals show quite clearly, I just believe that in a public place there should be some common courtesies in tact. If we were in a public pool, would you want the person next to you randomly, and secretly, urinating? I think not.
Urination
I think it's safe to say, there are people who pee in the ocean. I get it, it's a big salty ocean and all the other fish and mammals are doing it. So why not? I don't have a problem with the urination so much as how obvious and courteous people are when the do it. Is it necessary to swim out 100 yards while life guards are whistling and yelling just so you can have a safe distance, no. Is a nice 20-foot perimeter between you and other people possible, I think yes. Also, if you're going to take care of business while in the ocean with a bunch of friends, fair warning is not too much to ask for, whether it's a head's up or "fyi I just peed over there," your friends will appreciate knowing where to swim and where to avoid. Thanks.
Kids
This brings me to the next topic, not just children peeing in the water, but kids in general. I love kids, don't get me wrong, but I do have a few suggestions for certain parents. First of all, if you go to the beach with your children, you're responsible for them, so don't get mad at the life guard when they try to pull a fishhook out of a little boy's foot because he swam too close to some fishermen. While that's an extraordinary example, this also includes not getting wasted drunk while the kids play in the beach as well. Second, if kids are around, you have to be courteous. I don't care how many four letter words make up your vocabulary, a little restraint when you're right next to an impressionable 6-year-old is very much appreciated. And finally, parents, I'm not an expert so I can't place an exact cut-off age or height or weight. But, if your child looks more like a teenager than a baby, they're probably too big to be running around naked, no matter how hot it is.
Nudity
Now I realize that some beaches are topless, some are nude beaches, and we're all just trying to cool off and get a nice tan. However, being completely naked on Wrightsville Beach is not necessary (yes it's happened before). To that effect, underwear is not always sufficient, whether you're running and it's just too hot for actual clothes or you ran out of bakinis and think a bra and underwear will do. I know sometimes you think it LOOKS okay, but please do us all a favor and buy a $6 WalMart bathing suit that will actually cover you. Speedo's: sometimes funny, sometimes just cruel to the person who opened her eyes to a 200lb gorilla-man trying to look European. I get the cultural or confidence thing, but it's just a pet peeve I'd prefer not to see.
Smoking
As my last beach pet peeve, I'd like to bring up smoking. As a smoker (and a non-smoker during the months my quitting last me) I sympathize with the urge to smoke and have definitely smoked on the beach myself. The problem is when a child, family, or other people who don't smoke are sitting downwind from you (usually the wind comes from the ocean, so that would be behind you). I realize you may have found the perfect arrangement of sand for your body and don't want to move a muscle, but it's your habit and you should be the one to get up and walk a few feet.
Parking
I just have one thing to say about parking: please don't block the residents out. Lugging 3 beach chairs, an umbrella, boogieboards, surfboards, skimboards, coolers, towels, and the rest is indeed a great feat. There is, however, no reason to use that as an excuse to block someone's driveway when they may need to get to work or come home. Being close to the beach is great, which is why people live there. People who don't should find the public parking spots that were set out for them. Wrightsville Beach, especially around holidays, certainly could use some more parking spots, but that's just what it is and it shouldn't be too much to ask to respect other people's property.
These complaints may hold some people to too high of standards or they might be just ridiculous, but as a common beach-goer some things needed venting and hopefully some obnoxious people will see this and realize they're being rude or find some common sense.
