Is it appropriate to ask a stranger to put sunscreen / sun block on your back?

[CuriousSteve]

A little conundrum I've been having.

When you're alone at the beach, is it appropriate to ask a stranger to rub sunscreen on those impossible to reach places.

On a practical level, I'd say yes. It's essential in preventing skin cancer and a little bit of embarrassment or awkwardness surely outweighs the risks of not wearing anyway.

But then it does seem a little strange to ask a perfect stranger to run their hands over you while it is applied.

So is it a yes or no?

Thoughts please, guys and girls.

[blackwaterhattie]

I would- but then again, I'm in the healthcare field. I touch people all day long- sometimes on their bidness ends, even, so putting sunscreen on a stranger wouldn't hurt my feelings at all. However, I can see that other people may not feel comfortable rubbing all over a random. So I would say it's okay for you to ask, as long as you are okay with people telling you they'd rather not, No fair getting irritated with them. Also, don't they make spray sunscreen now? You can spray it on your back? Or bring one of those rubber spatulas (like what you scrape batter out of a bowl with) with you. You can slap some sunscreen on it and then smear it around on your back,. It's not gonna get rubbed in good, but it's better than nothing- just in case nobody wants to give you a hand. (ha)

[PerpetualNerd]

LOL I've never asked a stranger before but I would do it if someone asked, esp. if they weren't sleezy about it. If he made a joke of it I'm sure we could share a giggle over it too.

But I grew up near the beach and with skin cancer ads everywhere, so I guess that might make it a little different.

[washize]

I don't think its a big deal, as long as the person asking doesn't have a skin condition/fungus.

I would hope that a stranger wouldn't try to chop me up, rob me, or rape me after I helped him/er put on sun block lol

[kangaru]

Lol!

[martyfellow]

You'd be asking for trouble asking any stranger to do this. They might sic the copson you, even.

I'm afraid you'll have to use a mirror and do it yourself!

OPf course, it's a great idea to ask a girl 'friend' to do this, since yu can gauge by her reaction if she's got romantic inclinations toward you.

butr a total stranger? Not in today's climate.

[Anonymous]

That's why you typically don't go to the beach alone. You usually go with a family member or friend already, but if you must..then sure I don't think they'll mind. I mean, if they're really that scared of doing that then have we really lost faith in humanity to look out for others well being?

[autumn555]

id do it...well depends if their all creepy and weird about it but if some girl or guy just said hey would you mind putting this on my back id say yes...ive asked someone to put it on me before and he did

[38darlene]

Yes it's OK I don't see the problem . The only place I can't reach is a small spot in the middle of my back.

[DaveLondon]

Only if they're reasonably good looking with a great sense of humour about it. Then you've made a holiday friend x