My husband and I were just discussing this a few weeks ago because my brother once told me he and his wife went to a nude beach (not sure how many times or if only once). My view is that there has to be an exhibitionist component to being naked in public. I personally would not want strangers looking at my naked body. My husband asked the obvious question---even when you were say, 22 years old? The answer is yes. It's about modesty. If someone wants to feel liberated, they can uncloth in their own abode, in front of their partners/spouses if theywish, and sleep naked at night. That probably adds up to a pretty large chunk of one's time.
I'll give you that one, SLS. I wouldn't let my naked bum touch anywhere that other people touch lol. I've met too many people to let that happen... eek. But beaches- yeah, nbd imo. Just don't sit on anything where anyone else has sat.
I think it's great to be comfortable in your own body, whether you are nude or clothed.
That said, I am not a fan of the idea of people riding the bus or going to dinner or teaching a class unclothed!
I am glad that there are places that people who prefer clothing optional can go and feel liberated. I wouldn't feel liberated if we all went without clothes.
From a hygeine standpoint, I am just not a fan of a clothing optional lifestyle.
By the way - anyone know what's the cleanest part of a movie theatre? The seat, the headrest, the armrest or the floor?
The floor.
You can't imagine what is on the seats in the movie theatre. I can't imagine if we had nude movie theatres!
Few times but not in the last 10 yrs-I have used the hot springs at Breitenbush. Clothing optional. New Age. You don't go around nude. Nude only use the tubs & steam room. I imagine you could sun bath in the field. Its in the woods by a river. I went during the winters when it was raining/snowing.
I know that my mom did this when she lived in Spain. She liked it (then again, she was a 5'9" super skinny blonde/blue eyed beauty so I can't imagine why she'd be comfortable in her own skin lol). I'd probably have no problem doing it. Clothes kind of bug me and after years of being in dance, swim, theater, etc, I've just kind of gotten used to changing and being nude in front of people. I think my boyfriend would join me- he's already a nude model and he's super comfortable with his body.
I agree that it would be liberating. I think Americans are far too uptight about the body and I've never really had that mentality. I don't think the body is something to be ashamed of or hidden. And no, I don't have a great body by any stereotypical standards (the pic of me and the dog is about 40 lbs ago).
ETA: I went to topless beaches in Puerto Viejo and Jaco, CR. Being there with professors and host families, I thought it inappropriate to go topless. I wasn't uncomfortable about the nudity around me though. Those who were nude/topless (there were a variety of stages of covering) didn't draw much attention. It was strange to me since it's a Catholic country, but hey.
-- Edited by romanigypsyeyes on Saturday 20th of August 2011 06:48:11 PM
No I don't mean showing your glorious bottom as you leap out of the shower to grab the phone. I mean going to nudist restorts or beaches. I have a female friend of mine who has told me great stories of how liberating and free she feels in the buff in a safe and secure nudist resort. She says it is not sexual and sexual type behavior in public is prohibited but that it is wonderful not to have tan lines any more. What do you think?
