Ok, first up, I am not a fan of the term Nudist Colony, but you instantly knew the type of place I meant. There are several terms to describe places where people from all walks of life go, where they can embrace a lifestyle they enjoy with other like-minded people. Nudist Club, Naturist Park, Sun Club, take your pick. Even among those who frequent such places, there is division over the labels used to describe the activity.
This is a really comprehensive post Steve. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of people up in arms about the use of ‘colony’, but labels are generally superficial anyway.
I often find the term ‘like minded’ an interesting one. Right alongside the notion that naturism is a field leveller.
In a clothed environment I’ve found if you have an open friendly demeanour about you, most people are receptive to conversation.
I’ve had plenty of experiences where naturists are a bit stand-offish and not necessarily as like-minded as one would like to think.
It’s true there’s an aspiration for equality to thrive within Naturism. I’ve found however, that there is ample deeply ingrained cultural prejudices that tend to prevail.
Having said all this, I think what you will find is irrespective of background, naturists have an inclination to be slightly more open minded. Given they may have reevaluated their assessment of nudity at some point.
"Nudist Colony" - yes, quite an outdated term now.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.
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.
This is a really comprehensive post Steve. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of people up in arms about the use of ‘colony’, but labels are generally superficial anyway.
I often find the term ‘like minded’ an interesting one. Right alongside the notion that naturism is a field leveller.
In a clothed environment I’ve found if you have an open friendly demeanour about you, most people are receptive to conversation.
I’ve had plenty of experiences where naturists are a bit stand-offish and not necessarily as like-minded as one would like to think.
It’s true there’s an aspiration for equality to thrive within Naturism. I’ve found however, that there is ample deeply ingrained cultural prejudices that tend to prevail.
Having said all this, I think what you will find is irrespective of background, naturists have an inclination to be slightly more open minded. Given they may have reevaluated their assessment of nudity at some point.
"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.
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.