I understand. It's a difficult problem. Since many naturists/nudists are afraid to talk about it, everyone else thinks there are many fewer naturists than there actually are. So the general view, at least in the U.S. is that naturists/nudists are a sort of secret cult that must hide their activities. Vicious circle. Perhaps the best we can do is persuade a percentage naturists who can overcome their fears and let others they trust know about their interest.
Sure, that's a possibility. There can be many reasons why people are secretive.. But there are also people who're new to naturism and really like it. Some in that category will figure out that to get the most out of naturism they will benefit by persuading others to try it too. Enough LGBTQ people eventually figured out it was in their best interest not to be secretive. People in various Western European countries figured this out about naturism decades ago - but it wasn't a quick process.
Maybe it's just me, but I find approaches like numbers 3,4,&5 more effective. I just sort of inject the notion, leave it, & move on. Often (months later) someone will ask, "What was that clothing optional beach you were talking about....?"
Your comment about 'network effect' reminded me that I know a number of people who definitely do NOT think of themselves as naturists, but.... If they take their clothes off for any reason, they tend to stay off until there's a reason to get dressed again. I usually make a vague, encouraging comment and move on.
Then there're what I call 'motorcycle people'. I.e. They'd never in a million get onto a motorcycle themselves but at the same time don't see anything wrong with motorcycles and are confused as to why some people DO have a problem with them. I've met people who're like that with nudity. I usually just throw in a comment about how I've been to nude beaches and not having a wet swimsuit stick to you is kind of nice.
Sorry for the rambling but it seems these're ways to normalize nudity with out suggesting the person you're talking to needs to contemplate taking his own clothes off......
Every naturist has their own level of comfort discussing naturism with others. That's fine, but it can change over time - and the more discussion the better. Keep in mind the possibility that the more you talk about it, the more benefit there may be to you as well as to naturism. When you just "move on" and say no more, you may miss the opportunity to have a friend join you occasionally in naturist activities. (A naturist woman might be more comfortable at a clothing-optional beach if she's with a friend, even if the friend remains clothed.) At least, maybe some friends will be OK if you're naked in their presence. Of course, if the other person indicates verbally or by body language that they don't want to hear more about it, then definitely move on.
A "network effect" is when people who know each other start sharing ideas with others they know, so that the idea is spread to more people. Same thing whether the idea is a new movie, a new recipe for paella - or that nudity's OK. What matters is that communication between people who respect each other is usually more persuasive than just seeing an ad or reading a news article. And the more people in the network who adopt the idea, the stronger the effect. Think of how rumors spread faster the more people have heard them.
Regarding the people who are comfortable being naked but don't consider themselves "naturists", that's their choice and it's fine. Many people just don't like being labeled. But people in this category won't be of much help in making naturism in the form of SOCIAL nudity stronger and better accepted in society because of having more active participants. A large portion of the general population likes to sleep naked. Yet most naked sleepers certainly won't become even clandestine naturists. And hardly anyone objects if they know a friend prefers sleeping naked. Engaging in naturist activities - once people know what those actually are - should equally not be subject to disapproval.
You're absolutely correct that nudity can be normalized even if most people don't want to go naked. The key thing is to remove the social stigma and risks for people who do enjoy nudity. We just need enough non-naturists to start regarding it as just a simple personal preference rather than something improper or wrong.
Many years ago friends hosted dinner for eight people. Four of us had recently been on holiday in Greece together, the other couple had 'let the cat out of the bag' that we'd all been nude together at various beaches. We'd previously worked out from holiday destinations that we'd all been to probably meant that we liked being clothes-free, so we decided to go together. The female host mentioned that they knew we'd been naked together while away, it was a surprise but before we could react the fourth couple chipped in by saying how it was wonderful to be nude at the beach and while swimming. Our host was taken aback, realising that they'd followed up letting us know by saying they "couldn't do that", the 'secret' about nudity had been kept only to find that all of their guests enjoyed social nudity. The host couple, nor the four who'd been away together knew that the others liked being naked. We'd all known each other for some time, some had been student friends, two were schoolfriends, yet the 'secret' about the shared love of nudity had been maintained. We'd missed out on earlier nude socialising opportunities together.
On the other hand once we'd been 'outed' among this group we were in extended social circles too. Guess what, the upside of this was that we started being naked with other members of these circles, the downside.......I'll have to get back on that if I think of anything.
Many years later and a long, often slow process, of letting those who need to know that nudity should be expected if an unnanounced visit is made to this home has led to life becoming very positively more naked among and with friends. Naturist literature is left openly in this home, as it is at quite a few friends', naturist photos are visible around the home beyond the initial entrance, mixed clothed and nude socialising occurs at various friends' homes. Some of us were friends long before some were seen naked by others who haven't kicked their textile habits (yet!) We're still friends now some have revealed more of themselves. Nudity is not something that any of these people force on others, its very laid back and respecting of individuals. It works.
I know naturists that I see naked far more than I see clothed, but only at places like beaches. But they don't live naked at home and don't get why some of us socialise in our homes naked. It takes all sorts, naturism is a broad community. But, if you really like socialising nude, and wonder whether to 'out' yourself, I suggest that you do it before it is too late. Follow the suggestions in this article, I agree with it and its ideas, life is short, live it naked, more. I don't regret letting those who know that I want to be naked when I can be, making it clear that this is a lifestyle choice, not for some other reason.
When I lived in Michigan, there was nobody at all I could trust to tell them I was a nudie. There was one club about a hundred miles away in Wayne Country (near Detroit) and they said in very clear terms, "We d not want you! Go away." That's what being an 18 year old single male would get you.
Since I did not know any other nudies, I had no role models to help me figure out what all this nudism stuff was. I managed a job as a nude art model when I left for college, some skinny-dipping with a girlfriend, and a week with some hippies in the national forest but that was the totality of my social nudity. I didn't really have a clue until I moved to CA and there were clubs and beaches and c/o pool parties and hot springs and lots of colleges looking for models. It wasn't until then that I didn't feel uptight and strange and had a vaguely guilty feeling about it in the back of my mind.
Once I came out here I made sure that anyone who became important to me knew I was a nudie. That's a lot easier to do in a culturally diverse environment.
I'm not sure how you reach the lone individual who feels out of place because they enjoy nudity but nobody else they know would accept it. They may have to come to you.
During the past 30 years or so I've visited 5 different naturist clubs in California - as a "single male". I've never been refused admission. So I don't know whether the discrimination against single males has declined in general, or only in states like California. The discrimination, when it happens, certainly sucks. I don't know of an easy solution. But there are other ways to meet active naturists other than at clubs. Clothing-optional beaches and places like hot springs, for example. I'll be writing more on the topic pretty soon.
I understand. It's a difficult problem. Since many naturists/nudists are afraid to talk about it, everyone else thinks there are many fewer naturists than there actually are. So the general view, at least in the U.S. is that naturists/nudists are a sort of secret cult that must hide their activities. Vicious circle. Perhaps the best we can do is persuade a percentage naturists who can overcome their fears and let others they trust know about their interest.
Sure, that's a possibility. There can be many reasons why people are secretive.. But there are also people who're new to naturism and really like it. Some in that category will figure out that to get the most out of naturism they will benefit by persuading others to try it too. Enough LGBTQ people eventually figured out it was in their best interest not to be secretive. People in various Western European countries figured this out about naturism decades ago - but it wasn't a quick process.
Maybe it's just me, but I find approaches like numbers 3,4,&5 more effective. I just sort of inject the notion, leave it, & move on. Often (months later) someone will ask, "What was that clothing optional beach you were talking about....?"
Your comment about 'network effect' reminded me that I know a number of people who definitely do NOT think of themselves as naturists, but.... If they take their clothes off for any reason, they tend to stay off until there's a reason to get dressed again. I usually make a vague, encouraging comment and move on.
Then there're what I call 'motorcycle people'. I.e. They'd never in a million get onto a motorcycle themselves but at the same time don't see anything wrong with motorcycles and are confused as to why some people DO have a problem with them. I've met people who're like that with nudity. I usually just throw in a comment about how I've been to nude beaches and not having a wet swimsuit stick to you is kind of nice.
Sorry for the rambling but it seems these're ways to normalize nudity with out suggesting the person you're talking to needs to contemplate taking his own clothes off......
Every naturist has their own level of comfort discussing naturism with others. That's fine, but it can change over time - and the more discussion the better. Keep in mind the possibility that the more you talk about it, the more benefit there may be to you as well as to naturism. When you just "move on" and say no more, you may miss the opportunity to have a friend join you occasionally in naturist activities. (A naturist woman might be more comfortable at a clothing-optional beach if she's with a friend, even if the friend remains clothed.) At least, maybe some friends will be OK if you're naked in their presence. Of course, if the other person indicates verbally or by body language that they don't want to hear more about it, then definitely move on.
A "network effect" is when people who know each other start sharing ideas with others they know, so that the idea is spread to more people. Same thing whether the idea is a new movie, a new recipe for paella - or that nudity's OK. What matters is that communication between people who respect each other is usually more persuasive than just seeing an ad or reading a news article. And the more people in the network who adopt the idea, the stronger the effect. Think of how rumors spread faster the more people have heard them.
Regarding the people who are comfortable being naked but don't consider themselves "naturists", that's their choice and it's fine. Many people just don't like being labeled. But people in this category won't be of much help in making naturism in the form of SOCIAL nudity stronger and better accepted in society because of having more active participants. A large portion of the general population likes to sleep naked. Yet most naked sleepers certainly won't become even clandestine naturists. And hardly anyone objects if they know a friend prefers sleeping naked. Engaging in naturist activities - once people know what those actually are - should equally not be subject to disapproval.
You're absolutely correct that nudity can be normalized even if most people don't want to go naked. The key thing is to remove the social stigma and risks for people who do enjoy nudity. We just need enough non-naturists to start regarding it as just a simple personal preference rather than something improper or wrong.
Many years ago friends hosted dinner for eight people. Four of us had recently been on holiday in Greece together, the other couple had 'let the cat out of the bag' that we'd all been nude together at various beaches. We'd previously worked out from holiday destinations that we'd all been to probably meant that we liked being clothes-free, so we decided to go together. The female host mentioned that they knew we'd been naked together while away, it was a surprise but before we could react the fourth couple chipped in by saying how it was wonderful to be nude at the beach and while swimming. Our host was taken aback, realising that they'd followed up letting us know by saying they "couldn't do that", the 'secret' about nudity had been kept only to find that all of their guests enjoyed social nudity. The host couple, nor the four who'd been away together knew that the others liked being naked. We'd all known each other for some time, some had been student friends, two were schoolfriends, yet the 'secret' about the shared love of nudity had been maintained. We'd missed out on earlier nude socialising opportunities together.
On the other hand once we'd been 'outed' among this group we were in extended social circles too. Guess what, the upside of this was that we started being naked with other members of these circles, the downside.......I'll have to get back on that if I think of anything.
Many years later and a long, often slow process, of letting those who need to know that nudity should be expected if an unnanounced visit is made to this home has led to life becoming very positively more naked among and with friends. Naturist literature is left openly in this home, as it is at quite a few friends', naturist photos are visible around the home beyond the initial entrance, mixed clothed and nude socialising occurs at various friends' homes. Some of us were friends long before some were seen naked by others who haven't kicked their textile habits (yet!) We're still friends now some have revealed more of themselves. Nudity is not something that any of these people force on others, its very laid back and respecting of individuals. It works.
I know naturists that I see naked far more than I see clothed, but only at places like beaches. But they don't live naked at home and don't get why some of us socialise in our homes naked. It takes all sorts, naturism is a broad community. But, if you really like socialising nude, and wonder whether to 'out' yourself, I suggest that you do it before it is too late. Follow the suggestions in this article, I agree with it and its ideas, life is short, live it naked, more. I don't regret letting those who know that I want to be naked when I can be, making it clear that this is a lifestyle choice, not for some other reason.
I look forward to more writing like this.
When I lived in Michigan, there was nobody at all I could trust to tell them I was a nudie. There was one club about a hundred miles away in Wayne Country (near Detroit) and they said in very clear terms, "We d not want you! Go away." That's what being an 18 year old single male would get you.
Since I did not know any other nudies, I had no role models to help me figure out what all this nudism stuff was. I managed a job as a nude art model when I left for college, some skinny-dipping with a girlfriend, and a week with some hippies in the national forest but that was the totality of my social nudity. I didn't really have a clue until I moved to CA and there were clubs and beaches and c/o pool parties and hot springs and lots of colleges looking for models. It wasn't until then that I didn't feel uptight and strange and had a vaguely guilty feeling about it in the back of my mind.
Once I came out here I made sure that anyone who became important to me knew I was a nudie. That's a lot easier to do in a culturally diverse environment.
I'm not sure how you reach the lone individual who feels out of place because they enjoy nudity but nobody else they know would accept it. They may have to come to you.
During the past 30 years or so I've visited 5 different naturist clubs in California - as a "single male". I've never been refused admission. So I don't know whether the discrimination against single males has declined in general, or only in states like California. The discrimination, when it happens, certainly sucks. I don't know of an easy solution. But there are other ways to meet active naturists other than at clubs. Clothing-optional beaches and places like hot springs, for example. I'll be writing more on the topic pretty soon.