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.
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"Nudist Colony" - yes, quite an outdated term now.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.
I’ve seen debates about clothing optional before and arguments that people feel uncomfortable if they’re naked and others aren’t.
Personally I don’t understand that argument at all. If I’m comfortable in my skin and being naked, why should I care what others are or aren’t doing?
If anything I feel sorry for those not naked at these optional venues because of their hang ups or personal insecurities.
As to suitability, the opportunity clothing optional provides is for those in a relationship where a partner is supportive but not a naturist themselves. Likewise kids grow out of their ease with nudity as they hit teen years. There’s so much social stigma attached to it. If they thought it was cool, you wouldn’t be able to keep a stitch on them!
It’s interesting seeing attitudes in different circles change though. 10+ years ago people really got worked up about this stuff. “No true nudist wears clothes no matter what,” and other such nonsense :)
Indeed it does in certain circles. I could throw further controversy out there by suggesting nudists seem to focus on nudity itself. Being nude, being seen nude and seeing others nude. Often fussing over what it is to be a “true nudist”. Quite intimidating towards new comers who are sometimes treated suspiciously.
On the flip side, naturists could be said to lean towards the experience itself. The elements, the environment. Often seeking a healthier way of living but not always.
Remove all the labels and you’ll find there are some people you align with, whose values seem largely complementary to your own. Then there’s others who don’t.
Slap the labels back on and break out the marshmallows. There’ll be plenty of heat to toast them :)
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.
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.
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.
I’ve seen debates about clothing optional before and arguments that people feel uncomfortable if they’re naked and others aren’t.
Personally I don’t understand that argument at all. If I’m comfortable in my skin and being naked, why should I care what others are or aren’t doing?
If anything I feel sorry for those not naked at these optional venues because of their hang ups or personal insecurities.
As to suitability, the opportunity clothing optional provides is for those in a relationship where a partner is supportive but not a naturist themselves. Likewise kids grow out of their ease with nudity as they hit teen years. There’s so much social stigma attached to it. If they thought it was cool, you wouldn’t be able to keep a stitch on them!
It’s interesting seeing attitudes in different circles change though. 10+ years ago people really got worked up about this stuff. “No true nudist wears clothes no matter what,” and other such nonsense :)
And so the argument of what defines a "true nudist" rages on.
Indeed it does in certain circles. I could throw further controversy out there by suggesting nudists seem to focus on nudity itself. Being nude, being seen nude and seeing others nude. Often fussing over what it is to be a “true nudist”. Quite intimidating towards new comers who are sometimes treated suspiciously.
On the flip side, naturists could be said to lean towards the experience itself. The elements, the environment. Often seeking a healthier way of living but not always.
Remove all the labels and you’ll find there are some people you align with, whose values seem largely complementary to your own. Then there’s others who don’t.
Slap the labels back on and break out the marshmallows. There’ll be plenty of heat to toast them :)
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.