The Russians Have The Right Idea
 

Take a look at this vid:

http://www.shutterstock.com/video/cl...l/2703116:0/gg

There's a few skimpy suits and it looks like it may be the norm on Russian beaches.

skimpy...
 

LOL - yes it is but that is the Sea of Azov Ukraine (they might not take kindly to the Russian label but if it's the Crimean part then they've just lost it to Vladimir Putin anyway)

Speedos and butt massage machine on beach, Sochi (Black Sea resort Russia): http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...a-11382583.jpg

Russian males don't have any problems wearing swim briefs. The men prefer the swim brief to other swimwear.

Other Countries
 

Similar for Italians. Seems strange to me that Italian men will wear very brief suits to the beach, but insist on long slacks in the city.

Other countries
 

With the Italians, it has to do with custom. Wearing skimpy briefs on the beach is the custom for men all over Italy, and likewise, wearing long slacks in the city is the custom. It may seem inconsistent, but it really isn't - it's adhering to the cultural traditions of their country.

Quite so....
 

The sense of correct style is important to the Italians and "city" is the key word in that post. I don't think you will find Italian men reluctant to relax at a beachside bar in short shorts and reveal their long tanned legs.

It could be that Italian men associate wearing brief swimwear with being on holiday at the beach not for the weekend off in the city during the rest of the year.

Funny, as that's my dress code too! I just don't think it's appropriate to walk around town in shorts.

Actually here in California, there are a lot of guys (maybe the majority I'm happy to say) out in short running shorts and shorter causal wear is making a comeback.

Here's a photo from Serbia:

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-1720...2061330-5&ws=1

The swimming event is from the Serbian Orthodox Church, traditionally Epiphany with competitions to retrieve the Holy Cross from Danube river in Zemun.

Speedos and square cuts seem to be the norm.