If it helps, my own BF, who crawled in the tub with me in the aisles at Home Depot, to be sure it fit us both, has only been in it with me like 6 times in over a decade. This is our private master bath I'm talking about! Some people just aren't 'tubbers'. I am He's not. It's okay.

Hmm, well, I actually DO hate hot tubs and it has nothing to do with body image or swimsuits. (I even hate baths in general, I always shower). It's because the steam and heat make me feel dizzy and nauseous. Maybe you could say that?

I'm with Diana. I tried a hot tub once and I felt like I was suffocating. Never again!

Totally sympathize. I am SUPER self conscious in a swimsuit. That and not being able to nap spontaneously are two of my worst regrets.

At Sundance we had a hot tub but I was not about to strip down in front of a bunch of directors, producers, and starlet-wanna-bes. So I just claimed (which was true) that I didn't have my suit, and declined the suggestion to go nude.

Going back to Elizabeth's question about whether or not people would notice (my comment about people not noticing was a bit tongue in cheek regarding the level of cocktails that may or may not be involved!)...I don't think it's a question of people noticing. I think it has more to do with whether or not people really care all that much (to MPJ's point). I would never think twice if I were at a gathering and someone didn't want to get in a hot tub. If you treat it as no big deal, I don't think anyone else would really think much of it one way or the other. Know what I mean?

I see what you mean, Christy. People might notice, and fleetingly wonder why a person doesn't want to join in a group activity (not just hot tub soaking, but anything, really -- softball game, board game, whatever), but nobody's going to stay awake at night thinking about it. It is true that we tend to focus only on what pertains to ourselves.

*I* would notice if only one person -- particularly a woman -- did not get into a bathing suit. But then, I have special radar for anything that hints at an eating disorder. Once you've been there, no matter how long ago, you never forget, and you can never not notice.

Go to the African dance class, Lyn. You'll have a blast.

Are they all psych residents? You can tell them you have boundary issues and then they can all psychoanalyze each other in the hot tub while you go shake your sillies out.

Ok, right off the bat I can tell you, I can relate. When I was fairly new at my current job, I had to travel with this group of tub crazy people. Ehhh, really I don't see why my boss need to see so much of me, at all, so I politely declined for over 2 years. Just be upfront and say that you are not interested. I have to spend weeks at the time with people and I have learned that honesty is the best policy.

I vote for being honest. Not "accidentally" forgetting your suit. Just tell them that you're happy to spend time with them, but you don't care to use hot tubs. No need to say more than that. Hopefully, you can sit nearby and sip at a fruity cocktail and be sociable.

Oh; we definitely psychoanalyze each other - especially the seniors who are doing their psychoanalysis training - and they're not shy to tell you their opinions! Sometimes they are quite hurtful, so I don't think I'm missing out on much.

There is also cross-country skiing, and I'm also bringing my camera, so hopefully nice pics are coming up!

When I'm asked to do something I don't want to do, I just say, " No thanks". If they persist, I repeat. Really, it's nobody's business why you don't want to do it, and it's rude of them to try to force anything on you.

I am a fan of hot tubs but it would still be a bit strange to get in one with a bunch of co-workers. Maybe because they have a "sexy" connotation that I wouldn't want to associate with my professional colleagues?

In any case, I vote for the "no thanks, I just don't like them" with no further explanation. If they press you on it, then they are being very rude and invasive, IMHO.

Despite my hot body , not really, this is what I hated most about conference : there was always a beach or swimming pool or "bathing suit" event.

This is what I would do for the hot tub, (" I get headaches in that kind of heat. But I will dangle my feet in ......) Then I would either wear a tunic or show up in shorts and hang for a while. Once people started getting tipsy, I left.

I think it is obvious from the number of responders on this thread who share your lack of love for the hottub that it isn't uncommon. My partner refers to it as people soup. I think honesty is the best policy in this case. Just say you aren't a fan of hot tubbing and leave it at that.

Lyn, you said: "I've never received snarky comments from men, but some women feel free to tell you that your abdomen is too fat or your arms still are waving after you've said goodbye ... and that makes me sad inside."

That makes me sad too. I'm really glad I don't know those people. Please tell me they're not mental health professionals.

For the record, I do agree with everyone who's saying to just be honest and say you don't like hot tubs. I think that's really the only approach that will work.

And I'm sorry that you've had women make open criticisms of your body. That's horrifying. I've never had that happen (all of my body criticisms have been my own!). But you are simply lovely, and don't forget it.

Thanks lovely ladies, (still chuckling @ People Soup; which is what my dad calls it too), I'm off on my trip! I will try to keep all your wise words in my mind ... don't worry, the snarky people are not mental health people, but they are other residents - but their personal personas and their professional ones are very separate and they are nothing short of being excellent with their patients, although they are sometimes quite mean to their coworkers.

Like my dad says ... you can tell how good a person is by how they treat their underlings, and not their superiors (although in this case, I think they're my equals!)

Elisabeth is brilliant: Tell them you're not into yeast infections. Keep 'em ALL out of the hot tub. Mwahahaha!