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.
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.
There are subtle signs that
People will comment on my lack of tan lines then I tell them
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.
Almost all of my friends, relatives and coworkers know it.