The fine for walking in swimsuits in Abkhazia has grown twenty-fold

Why such a tightening of morals, who will monitor the transparency of tunics and the length of swimming trunks and whose heart will be calmed by this, we learned from the Abkhazians themselves and their guests.

Until August 1, there was also a fine for “obscene appearance” at Abkhazian resorts, but only 300 rubles (the official currency of Abkhazia is the Russian ruble). According to the Abkhaz Ministry of Internal Affairs, this amount did not frighten tourists who wanted to embarrass the local population by walking around in swimming trunks and swimsuits. Therefore, from the first days of August throughout Abkhazia, by decision of the country’s parliament, the fine for appearing in bathing attire anywhere except the beach has increased by as much as 20 times: now the shameless will have to pay 6 thousand rubles. According to the deputy head of the Abkhaz Interior Ministry Beslan Chkadua, from now on, any citizen who notices such an offense can dial “02” and name the place where he sees a person in swimming trunks. The militia outfit will arrive and react in accordance with the law.

For those who are obtuse, it is explained that streets, stadiums, squares, parks, all types of public transport and catering, and in general all places, except those designated specifically for swimming, are considered public places. And by “obscene appearance” is meant the absence of full-fledged clothes on the torso. Violation of this standard is punishable, according to the Code of Administrative Offenses, with a fine. A relapse – multiple “malicious” violations – can lead to imprisonment of the local police department.

– Why exactly 6 thousand rubles? – I ask Astamur, an employee of the Pitsunda police department.

– This is 100 minimum wages in Abkhazia – a huge fine! And before there were five minimum wages, which is also a lot. This is done in order to reach out to violators. Maybe even a ruble punishment will stop them.

– Is everything so running?

– Yes, for me, a 34-year-old married man, it is unpleasant to watch crowds of wet women in swimsuits in shops, cafes and on the embankment, even if they are beautiful. And as for men in shorts, I generally keep quiet. We don’t take it that way.

– And who is more indignant – men or women?

– Women. They are afraid that their husbands will look at half-naked tourists.

– Who will take care of the clothes of the guests and charge them 100 minimum Abkhazian salaries?

– Special foot patrols, they are now recruiting young guys.

25-year-old Nusa is a promising employee of a Moscow bank, lives and works in the Russian capital, but was born in the Abkhazian New Athos, where all her relatives live. I wonder if she thinks the fine for swimwear in the resorts is obscurantism?

“You see, it’s not customary for us there,” Nusa shakes his head. – As I imagine the face of my mother, who ran into a stranger in only shorts in a store, I immediately feel unwell, although I am very far from my native places. I think tourists should just be respectful. It’s not that hard to get dressed properly before going out into the city.

– Tourists are now tormenting tour operators with questions: how transparent is the tunic for a fine? What does “urban view” mean?

– I think it’s better not to go into details, but to accept the main thing: you can’t be half-naked. Do not go out in front of people in such a way in which you would not go out, say, in front of your grandparents.

In Runet, the Abkhazian initiative is actively supported by the residents of Dagestan: they also have the height of the season – and tourists in shorts appear in the most unexpected places.

– Well done Abkhazians, banned! – Praises the new fine Farid from Makhachkala. – We should do the same. And then our guys are scolded for making remarks to tourists, but how else to stop this? In our country, many women even put on hijabs, but here the tourists are without skirts. And our men can be understood. His sister or fiancee walks along the same street and comes across men in shorts. They do not want to hear remarks, let them dress decently themselves. Or let the authorities impose a fine on us too.

The experience of “foot patrol” for “obscene appearance and behavior” is available only in Turkmenistan today. True, the majority of the local population considers their “national morality patrols,” looking for candidates for a fine, to be parasites.

“Oh, we can’t do a lot of things,” says Yazgyul, a resident of Ashgabat. – Women are not allowed without a national dress and headscarf, they cannot dye their eyelashes and eyebrows, and in general it is impossible to go to a beauty salon. Men only in long pants can also wear ordinary city shoes. We have it not because of religion, it is our national morality. But it would be better if these patrols of only men were engaged in some useful business …

It is curious that in Soviet times, so-called medical beaches were quite calmly practiced in Abkhazia – places where women and men swam and sunbathed in separate zones, but naked, without swimsuits and swimming trunks. This type of recreation was especially liked by the Germans, who loved to spend their holidays in Gagra and Pitsunda. Then, 50-60 years ago, the authorities, among other things, lured Western tourists to themselves in this way, but they did not even think about fines for such “shamelessness” – on the contrary, they welcomed it. Well, the current tightening of morals will only cause rejection among tourists – which means that the budget will only lose weight. Indeed, at the expense of several fines issued to vacationers by vigilant policemen, the treasury is not particularly replenished.