Actually, a lot of sailors can't swim, so that's really no excuse. I've met a lot of NEWFIES who can't fucking swim, and their whole culture is still sea-oriented. Ever notice how superstitious the traditional sailor is stereotroped to be? That's why, most of them had the sense to be terrified of the water. But they went to sea anyway. Because the romance of the open ocean is different from simply being afraid of the water, I guess, for the ones who were actually attracted to the life.

And none of us can flap our arms and fly, but we still get into airplanes/learn how to use them.

Actually, a lot of sailors can't swim, so that's really no excuse. I've met a lot of NEWFIES who can't fucking swim, and their whole culture is still sea-oriented. Ever notice how superstitious the traditional sailor is stereotroped to be? That's why, most of them had the sense to be terrified of the water. But they went to sea anyway. Because the romance of the open ocean is different from simply being afraid of the water, I guess, for the ones who were actually attracted to the life.