Okay, be honest...

[Bluetree]

Downside to goggles are the racoon eyes from them - they leave semi permanent indentations in my face (back in the day the skin "popped" out faster)

I showed up for a meeting with a client with indentations around my eyes! What a way to leave an "impresssion."

Yeah, I know what you mean by Chlorine Skin. Sometimes I'd swim in the morning and go running in the evening. As soon as I start building a run-sweat, here comes that chlorine smell!

[JmcG]

As for the goggles - how else would you swim and know where you're going and make sure you're not bumping into people (unless you like having chlorine stinging your eyes by opening them under water)? I always wear goggles and a swim cap - what's dorky about that? That's what we wore when I was on the swim team - plus the swim cap makes you that much more hydrodynamic! If you ever do a triathlon, you have to wear an authorized swimcap that's usually color-coded per your age group and may or may not have your # on it.

As for changing in the locker room - the pool I swim at, people are free about their bodies! Especially the older women. I think it's great. Some people will wipe down their bodies with a towel, then put it on their head and stay in the nude while putting on lotion, their makeup, etc. Nobody stares and nobody cares. Oh, and there are no shower stalls - it's one big open area with about 10 shower heads all in a row. People talk and carry on lively conversations while showering next to each other!