|
Frequently asked questions about nudism
- 1: What
is REC.NUDE?
- From the REC.NUDE charter: "REC.NUDE serves as a medium
for exchange of views, news, philosophies, and ideologies relating to the nudist and
naturist lifestyles. Here you will find discussions of locations to enjoy nature
naturally, notifications of legal proceedings affecting nudists/naturists, notices of
gatherings and trips, and spirited discourse on issues relating (most times) to
nudism." REC.NUDE is NOT a place to pick up someone.
Harassing/threatening mail or posts are NOT desired or condoned. See question 7
(and it's answer). Flames may be directed to ALT.DEV.NULL. General
cross-posting of messages in NOT encouraged, especially not with the various alt.sex
newsgroups. Threads get confused and the discussion quickly gets "off
track".
(Top of
Page)
- 2: What does CO, thong, etc. mean?
- AANR - American Association
for Nude Recreation (was ASA)
- ASA - American Sunbathing Association (obsolete, now the AANR).
- Bulletin, The - AANR's publication.
- Canuding - canoeing in the nude.
- CCBN - Central Council for British Naturism.
- CO - Clothing-Optional
- ESA - Eastern Sunbathing Association, AANR eastern region
- FANR - Florida Association for Nude Recreation, AANR Florida
Region
- FCN - Federation of Naturists.
- IMO/IMHO - In My (Humble/Honest) Opinion
- INF - International Federation of Naturists.
- N - Nude & Natural magazine, published by The Naturist
Society.
- NAC - Naturist Action Committee.
- Naturist - not to be confused with NATURALIST. see question 5.
- NIFOC - Nude In Front Of Computer. *
- Ob[xxx] (e.g. ObNude, ObBeer) - Introduces an on-topic
statement following an off-topic statement. "Ob" comes from the word
"Obligatory".
- PN - Pure
Nudism Nudists
- SWSA - Southwestern
Sunbathing Association, AANR southwest region.
- Thong - in this newsgroup refers to G-String style swimwear.
- TNS - The Naturist
Society for
nude
society pictures.
- Top-free - naturist preferred term for what is commonly
referred to as topless (topless has gained undesirable connotations from association with
strip bars).
- WSA - Western Sunbathing Association, AANR western region
- NOTE: nudists do no live in COLONIES -- that is an antiquated
term that should not be used.
(Top of
Page)
- 3: Why nude recreation?
- Some would retort, "Why not nude recreation?" A
more informative answer would point out that most naturists wear clothes only when
appropriate. If its 20 degrees and a blizzard outside, wearing clothes makes quite a
bit of sense! Conversely, it makes little sense to go to the beach to "take the
sun" and then cover some of the body with itty-bitty little strips of synthetic (or
even natural) cloth. The feeling of the sun, wind, and water on your body brings you
closer to the surroundings around you. Not having to worry about sand and salt in
clothing adds to your recreation (of course, wise use of sunscreens still applies here, as
much as on a clothed beach). When you add to this the growing body of knowledge from
researchers and sportswear industry leaders that dysfunctional dress - too tight or skimpy
swimwear - is damaging to health, it becomes clear that nude recreation is the logical
choice in many situations...
(Top of
Page)
- 3.1: But isn't it illegal?
- ...even with all this evidence, it boggles the mind as to why
many laws exist on the books to this day which mandate the use of bathing costumes; even
laws which do not apply to nude recreation are being mis-applied to innocent skinny
dipping or sunbathing. Although there are no U.S. Federal laws prohibiting nude
recreation on Federal lands except at Cape Cod, concurrent jurisdiction became the catch
phrase in the early 1980s, allowing state and local laws to be enforced by park rangers,
Bureau of Land Management officers, and the like. This insidious encroachment onto
Federal turf raises Constitutional questions and allows state and local jurisdictions to
limit or eliminate altogether many traditional sites suitable for clothing-optional
recreation. Western Europe is generally more tolerant, especially of top-free
bathing. Areas in public parks are specifically set aside for the purpose of CO
recreation. In light of all this, you've got to believe that naturism has much to
offer if its participants brave legal and physical barriers to partake. Try it,
you'll like it!
(Top of
Page)
- 3.2: Isn't
younger nudity sinful?
- Plenty of naturists find no contradiction with their religious
beliefs, Christian or otherwise -- in the US, The Naturist Society has a Special Interest
Group called "All-Together Christians". The perceived danger is that it
leads the weak to sexual temptation. Naturists just want Puritanical evangelists to
not make judgements that affect their
Russian.
(Top of
Page)
- 4: Won't I offend someone?
- "Offense"...the age old question (intent v. action).
Offense is in the mind of the beholder, true. But,
legal nudity questions turn on intent;
actions by themselves do not imply that any offense will automatically follow. If a
man intentionally exposes himself to the proverbial little old lady, there is clear intent
to do harm; the man knew that he would elicit a negative response from the little old lady
and intended to do so by his actions. However, if a group of people are skinny
dipping and have demonstrated a concern for others by either trekking to a remote area or
using a traditional- or designated (managed) area, then there is clearly no intent to do
harm. This is why naturists continue to press for management rather than banishment;
naturists would get the same treatment as other taxpayers and complainers need no longer
complain.
(Top of
Page)
- 5: What is the difference between a naturist
and a nudist?
- Some people will tell you nothing. Some people will spell
out the difference- in great detail. There is little difference in the two terms as
espoused by the American Association for Nude Recreation and The Naturist Society, the
US's two largest CO organizations in regards to
Family. Americans have been arguing the point since at
least the 1930s, while Europeans seem to have little problem using the terms
interchangeably. Most "naturists" feel a closeness with the outdoors and
are sometimes termed "beach people". Most "nudists" tend to
participate in social nudity via resorts, camps, and other similar settings, and they tend
to practice social nudity for its own sake. "Naturists" tend to be more
active in their pursuit making sure that clothing-optional recreation is always available.
NOTE: Some naturists/nudists do not participate in social nudity, and some do not
have or desire to have any "political" associations with organized
naturist/nudist groups. Some people who espouse naturist/nudist philosophy don't
like the labels. NOTE: Not everyone who goes to a "nude beach" or
"nudist resort" espouses nudist/naturist philosophy or ideals -- just as sitting
in a hen house doesn't necessarily make you a chicken, sitting on a nude beach does not
make one a nudist.
(Top of
Page)
- 6: Appearance concerns
- 6.1: What if I (a male) get an erection?
- Most males get erections. Now for the news: these natural
occurrences in most cases are periodic and predictable. Erections occur periodically
during sleep and as the result of internal stimuli (slam a cup of coffee and wait...).
They also occur naturally as the result of external stimuli meeting particular
notions of sexuality. Since each male has different criteria for being aroused, it
is difficult to assert that this erection was caused by that stimulus. This problem
occurs far less frequently you might think. Nude recreation is just not that much of
a sexual situation for most participants. As in any social setting, the Golden Rule
applies. If you get an erection at a nude beach or other social nude setting, you
and the group you are with are the best judges as to whether or not it is appropriate.
Naturists generally yield a bit of elbow room to avoid making you feel
uncomfortable; you should use your judgement to avoid making them feel uncomfortable.
If necessary, take a swim or roll over for a short while. In any case, just
use common sense and be considerate.
(Top of
Page)
- 6.2: What if I (a female) am menstruating?
- Again, this is a natural occurrence, and it is one of the
realities of the body with which women have to deal. If a woman is comfortable with
one, a tampon is the simplest method of dealing with that time of month. If an
external conveyance is preferred, then she would wear shorts or bikini bottoms.
For the most part, a woman should use what she feels is less obtrusive for
her personally; others aren't going to notice or object.
(Top of
Page)
- 6.3: I just had surgery and have a scar. What
will people think?
- Naturists preach body acceptance. Being nude means having
nothing to hide. There is no perfect body and naturists come in ALL shapes, sizes,
ages, and colors. Some have scars from surgery, some use wheel-chairs, some are
overweight, some are too thin, some have tattoos and other body adornments, and some are
"handicapped" by being "normal" :-).
(Top of
Page)
- 7: But doesn't nudity equate with sexuality?
- This hot potato receives much discussion. Many naturists
believe that the connection arises artificially in a society where many people see the
opposite sex nude only in sexual situations. Suffice it to say that the practice of
naturism and the pursuit of naturist values and philosophy allows one to place sexuality
into its natural perspective.
(Top of
Page)
- 8: Does one go naked all the time?
- No. That's why the term "clothing-optional"
exists. Clothing has its purposes - warmth and protection. Many naturists feel
more comfortable wearing some clothing while participating in active sports and there are
some activities that require one to wear protective clothing while participating in them.
But many activities - swimming, especially - can be much more comfortable and
enjoyable without the confinement of clothing.
- NOTE: As stated earlier, wise use of sunscreens is advocated,
as is the use of hats, and yes, even T-Shirts to shade/cover yourself to keep from getting
too much sun.
(Top of
Page)
- 9: What if I meet somebody I know from
work/school/supermarket?
- Remember they are there too, just as naked as you are. Be
happy to discover that person shares something in common with you.
(Top of
Page)
- 10: How do you explain to kids when nudity
is/isn't acceptable?
- It can be very confusing to kids that
nudity is acceptable in some places but not others. Some parents
worry about what their kids might tell others about you and how those
others might react. There are wide ranging opinions on this, and
bringing up the subject on the net is likely to result in an
interesting, lively discussion. Below is one such opinion which
could probably be tailored to meet the needs and circumstances of many
families: I have been very careful to raise my kids to believe
that it is perfectly normal and acceptable to be naked whenever they
want. I hope that they will grow up to be instrumental in
changing the way people think about nudity. I have tackled the
issue of "what other people think and feel" this way. I tell my
kids that "some people do not like to be naked, and it makes them very
uncomfortable to see other people naked. It is their right to
feel that way and you should try not to make them feel uncomfortable.
That would be rude. If you are at a friends house and you would
be more comfortable being naked, ask their mom or dad if it would be
okay. If they ask you why you want to be naked, tell them that
you are more comfortable that way and that you are always naked at
home with
nudism family. If they say no then you must respect their wishes. If you ever feel
uncomfortable or afraid when you are naked then you should put your clothes on and ask to
leave. If you have friends over to our house and you want to be naked, go ahead.
If your friends do not want to stay or do not want to come back after you are nude,
you will have to decide if you want to be naked or not. I will be happy to help you
explain your point of view to your friends." I never want my kids to think that
nudity is wrong in any way. For their protection they have known the proper names for all
body parts male and
nude female since they learned to speak. They have been told that if
someone touches them and it makes them uncomfortable in any way that they should go
straight to mom or dad and tell us. But I have always told them that it is okay to
be naked. As they get older they will have to deal with society's pressures. U ntil
then, I intend to show them how it could be. It is very complicated trying to
empower the kids to make their own decisions without bowing to society's pressures.
And we have to protect our children from those who are not mentally stable enough
to deal with nudity. I don't want my kids to be outcasts. They need to know
when to compromise. If they have the confidence and maturity to demonstrate
responsible nudity, then maybe they can help others deal with it. Perhaps they can
help our society overcome the stigma associated with nudity. --Contributed by Paul Dumais
Teen Girls Nudists.
But I have always told them that it is okay to be naked.
(Top of
Page)
- 11: Where can I find a CO beach/resort near me?
- This question is always welcome in REC.NUDE. Richard
Mathews' Beach FAQs and Part II of this FAQ give some directions and some sources for
finding out some of this information, but the readers of REC.NUDE are generally pretty
willing to give the latest information, also. Remember, when writing to a
naturist/nudist club/resort for information, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope
for the reply.
(Top of
Page)
- 12: What should I take with me when I visit a
nude beach or resort?
- Take a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, two towels (one to sit on),
sandals, sunglasses, and water to drink. It is also a good idea to have something to
read, something to eat, and something to play with (like a volleyball or frisbee or your
tennis racquet).
(Top of
Page)
|
