This approach makes a lot of sense, particularly when you live nude at home, as any unannounced visits by family and close friends will not lead to surprise that you're naked and will hopefully mean you can remain nude. I get that some may live where nudity can be a bigger issue but as I see nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about being a nudist there is no reason to deny or ignore my preference to live clothes-free. If we don't hide the fact this may help to normalise nudity.
My neighbors on both sides of our home know of our nudity. I told them if they look over the wall be prepared to see what they might not want to see. Seemed to work so far.
That approach seems to work well with most naturist friends who've told their neighbours. I think that its far better to be upfront about our way of life than to have to sneak around your own property afraid that your neighbour might see more of us than they expected. I'm in the UK, where it is legal to be naked provided that the behaviour is as we'd expect at a club, but not everyone understands the relevant laws and its still best to be careful. I sympathise with those who live where nudity is not accepted as easily.
My friends with 'understanding' neighbours make me think that moving home again wouldn't be such a bad idea. More houses overlook various parts of the outside space here. There is a space where nudity is discreet, but as I don't know some of the people that back onto here I prefer to avoid hassles. Visiting friends' places where nudity is possible anywhere on their land does underline how much more free they are to live this way at home, anywhere.
While our laws may be more accommodating of our preference to be clothes-free, even some of the police still claim not to be aware of our right to be nude in public, despite them supposedly being reminded of this right. When this is the case it is harder to get the message across to those who insist (wrongly) that public nudity is not permitted here.
I agree, one bad police report or story not only destroys what we've built up but also here in the states if a child should see someone nude they could get lable as a "petofile or put on the sex offenders list. And all of this not knowing the true story. We still have a whole lotta work to do.
There are subtle signs that would inform most when entering my property that I am a nudist. My “Beware of Nudist” sign at the entrance has provided some comical relief to my neighbors, however, no one has objected or made any complaints. I am very considerate of my neighbors so it’s not like a parade around the property. It’s funny when I meet new neighbors… they’re like “I’ve heard about you” with a smile on their face!!
The tan line absence at the gym shower room were never a problem, the fitness center had a couple tanning beds. But years ago my wife and I saw our first completely shaved couple a Turtle Lake resort, and loved the look. We've been shaving our genitals ever since. Then I started using a towel wrap to and from the shower and locker and facing away in a corner, I did not feel like explaining.
We talk openly about naturism, though sometimes not defining it, leaving it vague - some confuse it with naturalism, and we correct them only if we think it won't ruffle them. When asked as to whether we're nudists, we say Sometimes. But then we cite Lee Baxandall: Naturism is nudism with a social conscience - not just pure hedonism.
Yes absolutely. All my friends know and always have done. All my employers know - I usually include it in my CV/Resumé. I only share with strangers if they ask or the topic comes up. Or of course if they encounter me nude while out walking. Keeping these things secret does us no favours - it perpetuates the sniggering and stigma. Let's get it out there in the open and not hidden away like some dirty little sin. I don't give a damn what people think.
We're open with family and friends. In my retirement, I serve as a disaster volunteer, coordinating volunteer agencies. Many of these agencies and their members are faith-based. I limit my disclosure to these folks to only a few that I know well. I'm aware of which faiths are more liberal in regard to nudism.
We don't hide it nor do we bring it up for notice. When we go to a naturist resort for example we want people to think that it's a natural choice, just like any other type of resort. Our friends and family know that we are nudists, it honestly doesn't come up much.
I have no trouble telling most people that I am a nudist. The reaction is usually quite nonchalant … but then again I live in Quebec and feel that we are far more open than in most of the neighbouring provinces (and probably more than most of the U.S. as well).
All my family and friends know I'm a naturist and I am open and honest with them. If someone I do not know ask me then I am happy to share information on being a naturist/nudist.
You ask 3 quite challenging questions. Number one - Have you “come out” as a nudist to friends or family? Yes. But when I told my mother at age 11 that I wanted to run around naked like the nudists I'd heard about, she had an existential meltdown. Later as an adult I admitted my interest to partners and family with varying responses from horror to tacit acceptance (so long as I didn't make them join in). Question two - How do you decide who to tell—or not tell? I have always tried to be open and honest. For the whole of my life nudism has been promoted as (a) a sort of spiritual cult or (b) something degenerate that artists, hippies and other free-thinkers do in their communes or (c) a wonderful tool to sell cars, holidays and, of course, sex. To know what nudism actually IS requires a willingness to engage physically, emotionally and spiritually. Question three - What kind of reactions have you received? Responses have ranged from existential meltdown to open-minded curiosity but rarely acceptance. I have found that very few people have wanted to go beyond the sensory thrill of taking off all their clothes in company with others. Only a minority engage emotionally and even fewer engage spiritually.
I've been very open about my being a nudist. I have club bumper stickers on my vehicles. If someone asked what I did over the weekend I tell them I spent it at the nudist club. Reactions vary from shocked to curious and everything in-between.
As others have stated, hiding doesn't help the greater public understand us.
While we may get this variety of reactions to being open about our nudism it has to be better to take an open approach to this preferred way of living than to deny or hide it. There is no shame involved in being nudists, denial can add to the idea that we're up to no good when we socialise clothes-free, while being open about it can help to broaden the understanding of why nudism is such a great way of life.
I don't hide that I am a nudist. If they ask, I will tell them. I am not scared.
same
We tell selective people, mostly family and close friends. However, I NEVER deny it if asked or questioned about our naturist life style.
This approach makes a lot of sense, particularly when you live nude at home, as any unannounced visits by family and close friends will not lead to surprise that you're naked and will hopefully mean you can remain nude. I get that some may live where nudity can be a bigger issue but as I see nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about being a nudist there is no reason to deny or ignore my preference to live clothes-free. If we don't hide the fact this may help to normalise nudity.
My neighbors on both sides of our home know of our nudity. I told them if they look over the wall be prepared to see what they might not want to see. Seemed to work so far.
That approach seems to work well with most naturist friends who've told their neighbours. I think that its far better to be upfront about our way of life than to have to sneak around your own property afraid that your neighbour might see more of us than they expected. I'm in the UK, where it is legal to be naked provided that the behaviour is as we'd expect at a club, but not everyone understands the relevant laws and its still best to be careful. I sympathise with those who live where nudity is not accepted as easily.
I wish it were that way here in the States. I got lucky with the neighbors I have, anyplace else and they would problably call the authorities.
My friends with 'understanding' neighbours make me think that moving home again wouldn't be such a bad idea. More houses overlook various parts of the outside space here. There is a space where nudity is discreet, but as I don't know some of the people that back onto here I prefer to avoid hassles. Visiting friends' places where nudity is possible anywhere on their land does underline how much more free they are to live this way at home, anywhere.
While our laws may be more accommodating of our preference to be clothes-free, even some of the police still claim not to be aware of our right to be nude in public, despite them supposedly being reminded of this right. When this is the case it is harder to get the message across to those who insist (wrongly) that public nudity is not permitted here.
I agree, one bad police report or story not only destroys what we've built up but also here in the states if a child should see someone nude they could get lable as a "petofile or put on the sex offenders list. And all of this not knowing the true story. We still have a whole lotta work to do.
There are subtle signs that would inform most when entering my property that I am a nudist. My “Beware of Nudist” sign at the entrance has provided some comical relief to my neighbors, however, no one has objected or made any complaints. I am very considerate of my neighbors so it’s not like a parade around the property. It’s funny when I meet new neighbors… they’re like “I’ve heard about you” with a smile on their face!!
People will comment on my lack of tan lines then I tell them
The tan line absence at the gym shower room were never a problem, the fitness center had a couple tanning beds. But years ago my wife and I saw our first completely shaved couple a Turtle Lake resort, and loved the look. We've been shaving our genitals ever since. Then I started using a towel wrap to and from the shower and locker and facing away in a corner, I did not feel like explaining.
We talk openly about naturism, though sometimes not defining it, leaving it vague - some confuse it with naturalism, and we correct them only if we think it won't ruffle them. When asked as to whether we're nudists, we say Sometimes. But then we cite Lee Baxandall: Naturism is nudism with a social conscience - not just pure hedonism.
I'm a nudist and the only one that knows this is my property manager and I wish he'd join me sometime.
Yes absolutely. All my friends know and always have done. All my employers know - I usually include it in my CV/Resumé. I only share with strangers if they ask or the topic comes up. Or of course if they encounter me nude while out walking. Keeping these things secret does us no favours - it perpetuates the sniggering and stigma. Let's get it out there in the open and not hidden away like some dirty little sin. I don't give a damn what people think.
We're open with family and friends. In my retirement, I serve as a disaster volunteer, coordinating volunteer agencies. Many of these agencies and their members are faith-based. I limit my disclosure to these folks to only a few that I know well. I'm aware of which faiths are more liberal in regard to nudism.
We don't hide it nor do we bring it up for notice. When we go to a naturist resort for example we want people to think that it's a natural choice, just like any other type of resort. Our friends and family know that we are nudists, it honestly doesn't come up much.
Have let the family in on my "secret" as well as select friends. If someone came right out and asked, I thin I would be open (not totally sure) :)
Only my partner knows. I don't think my friends would mind, but it has never come up. I wouldn't deny it if it became a talking point.
I have no trouble telling most people that I am a nudist. The reaction is usually quite nonchalant … but then again I live in Quebec and feel that we are far more open than in most of the neighbouring provinces (and probably more than most of the U.S. as well).
All my family and friends know I'm a naturist and I am open and honest with them. If someone I do not know ask me then I am happy to share information on being a naturist/nudist.
You ask 3 quite challenging questions. Number one - Have you “come out” as a nudist to friends or family? Yes. But when I told my mother at age 11 that I wanted to run around naked like the nudists I'd heard about, she had an existential meltdown. Later as an adult I admitted my interest to partners and family with varying responses from horror to tacit acceptance (so long as I didn't make them join in). Question two - How do you decide who to tell—or not tell? I have always tried to be open and honest. For the whole of my life nudism has been promoted as (a) a sort of spiritual cult or (b) something degenerate that artists, hippies and other free-thinkers do in their communes or (c) a wonderful tool to sell cars, holidays and, of course, sex. To know what nudism actually IS requires a willingness to engage physically, emotionally and spiritually. Question three - What kind of reactions have you received? Responses have ranged from existential meltdown to open-minded curiosity but rarely acceptance. I have found that very few people have wanted to go beyond the sensory thrill of taking off all their clothes in company with others. Only a minority engage emotionally and even fewer engage spiritually.
I've been very open about my being a nudist. I have club bumper stickers on my vehicles. If someone asked what I did over the weekend I tell them I spent it at the nudist club. Reactions vary from shocked to curious and everything in-between.
As others have stated, hiding doesn't help the greater public understand us.
While we may get this variety of reactions to being open about our nudism it has to be better to take an open approach to this preferred way of living than to deny or hide it. There is no shame involved in being nudists, denial can add to the idea that we're up to no good when we socialise clothes-free, while being open about it can help to broaden the understanding of why nudism is such a great way of life.
Almost all of my friends, relatives and coworkers know it.