The black ring forming within a swimming pool when someone, well, “relieves” themselves is a myth, but it’s pretty annoying and common, according to 3,800 U.S. respondents to TripAdvisor’s beach and pool etiquette survey. The world’s largest online community released survey results last week.

Sixteen percent of travelers surveyed called urinating in the water annoying yet, 53 percent admitted finding it acceptable to pee in the ocean if other swimmers aren’t near. We suppose when you gotta go, you gotta go.

“With summer in full swing, ’tis the season for some annoying behavior on the beach and at the pool,” said Michele Perry, vice president of communications for TripAdvisor. “Travelers would do well to mind their manners and take other travelers into consideration.”

Mind your pees, err, “Ps” and “Qs” during your next summer vacation by avoiding these annoying habits:

No Beach Chair Hogging – Eighty-four percent of travelers agree people should not be allowed to toss stuff on a chair to save it and only return hours later. Saving it while running to the restroom is fine but not keeping it reserved yet unoccupied all day is not cool.

No Puffing on the Tobacco Stick – Eighty-two percent believe smoking should be prohibited around the pool and 62 percent would like to see it banned on the beach.

Shower’s there for a Reason – but it’s rarely used. Sixty-nine percent find it acceptable to cannon ball into the pool without first rinsing off but 31 percent think it violates pool etiquette not to shower.

Keep Your Distance – Thirty-eight percent of travelers believe there should be sitting no closer than 20 feet away from another beachgoer yet 22 percent believe 7 to 10 feet is acceptable.

Cover Up the Marble Sacks and Dental Floss – Twenty-four percent of travelers say beach and pool etiquette is violated when women wear revealing bikinis and 35 percent agree it violates etiquette for men to wear those Speedo suits.

Not Feeling Oh, So Pretty – Sadly, 22 percent find U.S. travelers to be the worst beach and pool etiquette offenders with Germany in at a distant second (only seven percent).

Now, who’s ready for the beach?

Photo: TripAdvisor