"Nudist Colony" - yes, quite an outdated term now. As kids we'd heard about nudist colonies and somehow gained the impression that they were some kind of weird cult that used nudity for some odd ceremonial practice or something similar - not that nudity of itself was the focus, because we already were comfortable with running around our Northland farm naked anyhow! And being naked has always been the norm for me and my siblings.
As for Nudist vs Naturist, I've preferred Naturist, mainly because it provides some context and reason behind being naked. But I'm getting to the point now where neither of those terms fits my lifestyle accurately. I tend to see nakedness as simply a choice of dress code, just like wearing shorts or a T shirt or overalls or anything else - just as it was when I was a kid. So "clothing optional" seems right to me. It doesn't matter to me if people around me are naked or wearing something - that's their choice. It's my body, and I should have the right to decide what, if any, pieces of cloth I hang on it!
Some great thoughts, Steve - well done. I like your closing "Imagine a world" paragraphs especially.
Thanks for your words. I share your view that clothing should be a choice, and that it doesn't matter what others wear or don't wear. I struggle with the reasons that society generally put forward as to why they don't accept nudity, and I guess I am trying to challenge some of that reasoning in my writing. I want to live in a world where wearing nothing can be a valid option.
We aren't fans of that term either. We prefer nude resort or clothing optional resort. Our home resort where we have been members for several years is OakLake Trails in central Oklahoma and is considered a clothing optional resort. The only places full is required are the two pools and hot tub.
Clothing optional is one of my preferred terms, but even within our local naturist community, some people feel that 'optional' does not fit the philosophy to which they subscribe.
It is an interesting quite debate with in our nude communities about this very subject. There are many that feel our resorts should be full nudity required at all times. That's great until you take into consideration how difficult it is/was for many members to get to the place they are with nudity. Especially true with the female members, many of which will get nude when and where required but typically wear a wrap or go top free only. Those ladies often times are there only to support their husbands desire for full nudity and not their own desires.
Agreed. My preference is for clothing optional. Not everyone needs to be naked all the time, and if it helps people new to the philosophy feel mere accepted, then that is a good thing. I believe that people should be free to wear or not wear what they like, it's about freedom of choice. We are supposed to be an inclusive and tolerant bunch of people.
Thank you for your feedback, you make some interesting and valid points. I think you're correct that a person's demeanour has a lot to do with how receptive they are in conversation, clothed or naked.
"Nudist Colony" - yes, quite an outdated term now. As kids we'd heard about nudist colonies and somehow gained the impression that they were some kind of weird cult that used nudity for some odd ceremonial practice or something similar - not that nudity of itself was the focus, because we already were comfortable with running around our Northland farm naked anyhow! And being naked has always been the norm for me and my siblings.
As for Nudist vs Naturist, I've preferred Naturist, mainly because it provides some context and reason behind being naked. But I'm getting to the point now where neither of those terms fits my lifestyle accurately. I tend to see nakedness as simply a choice of dress code, just like wearing shorts or a T shirt or overalls or anything else - just as it was when I was a kid. So "clothing optional" seems right to me. It doesn't matter to me if people around me are naked or wearing something - that's their choice. It's my body, and I should have the right to decide what, if any, pieces of cloth I hang on it!
Some great thoughts, Steve - well done. I like your closing "Imagine a world" paragraphs especially.
Thanks for your words. I share your view that clothing should be a choice, and that it doesn't matter what others wear or don't wear. I struggle with the reasons that society generally put forward as to why they don't accept nudity, and I guess I am trying to challenge some of that reasoning in my writing. I want to live in a world where wearing nothing can be a valid option.
We aren't fans of that term either. We prefer nude resort or clothing optional resort. Our home resort where we have been members for several years is OakLake Trails in central Oklahoma and is considered a clothing optional resort. The only places full is required are the two pools and hot tub.
Clothing optional is one of my preferred terms, but even within our local naturist community, some people feel that 'optional' does not fit the philosophy to which they subscribe.
It is an interesting quite debate with in our nude communities about this very subject. There are many that feel our resorts should be full nudity required at all times. That's great until you take into consideration how difficult it is/was for many members to get to the place they are with nudity. Especially true with the female members, many of which will get nude when and where required but typically wear a wrap or go top free only. Those ladies often times are there only to support their husbands desire for full nudity and not their own desires.
Agreed. My preference is for clothing optional. Not everyone needs to be naked all the time, and if it helps people new to the philosophy feel mere accepted, then that is a good thing. I believe that people should be free to wear or not wear what they like, it's about freedom of choice. We are supposed to be an inclusive and tolerant bunch of people.
Absolutely 100 % agree.
And so the argument of what defines a "true nudist" rages on.
Thank you for your feedback, you make some interesting and valid points. I think you're correct that a person's demeanour has a lot to do with how receptive they are in conversation, clothed or naked.