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Absolute Naturists Nudism...one size fits all?
| I don't normally post new topics, that's one of SB's many strong suits, but I've been thinking about this a lot lately while reading many of the posts and replies and varied opinions on this lifestyle and thought ... why do "we" think there's a "one size fits all" nudist lifestyle. Opinions; they are like A holes, everyone's got one! Why do "we" denounce, trash or even argue with each other about the type of "nudism" each of us practices ... as though what we are doing is "not" nudism, is not what a "true nudist" would do or what others do that doesn't align with what I do. We have heated discussions on piercings, shaving, nude driving, nudity in public, nudity in view of neighbors, swingers ... the list goes on. We are all individuals and live and practice our lifestyle the way it fits us ... not everyone else, so why do "we", personally, think ... our size of nudism is the right size for everyone? :D | |
| If I didn't know better I would think that you FP had heard the same sermon in church yesterday. As people in general regardless of the subject we think are way is the right way and everyone else is wrong. | |
| FireProf.... You said that the way it should be. I find most don't practise it. They always have the opinion that they are right and the rest of us just fake it and say we are. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! | |
Once adjectives are attached to the word NUDIST (or to any other assemblage), one group of an already small populace becomes segregated from the rest. There is a natural human tendency to gather with like kind — and nudism may be the only common thread for some — but taken to the extreme, the results will be beneficial to none. A house divided against itself cannot stand. | |
| Why would nudism be any different that any other aspect of life? Those that are "different" are always going to be looked upon as different. We may be nudists, but we are people first, and people like to put others in categories. I've said before, I don't care what anyone thinks of me, or classifies me as. I am me, and I am here for me. Have a problem with the fact that I was a home nudist for 40 years? Oh well, that's your problem, not mine. Have a problem because I only go to resorts on weekends? Oh well, again. Have a problem because I have tattoos? Oh well... See? Even if I wasn't a nudist, someone would classify me because of my body art. Even here, on NCH, we are categorized: Single, Parents, Home, Conservative, Tattooed, etc. It's human nature. | |
| I am what I am, its taken awhile to understand it. I enjoy being naked when I can, I choose to shave myself. I choose to go to a nudist camp when I can. I am married and I am happy. Those who would cast doubts upon me are simply trying to pull me down to their level. I am comfortable with myself, it took awhile to get here but here I'll stay. | |
| No matter the common beliefs, views or whatever it is that bring people together as a group we are all still individuals. As individuals we are all a little different and will never be in total agreement about everything. Isn’t that a good thing? After all what would be the point of socializing if we all thought the same, because if that were the case wouldn’t we already know everything that was to be said. And while one size never fits all isn’t it great that each of us has a suit that fits perfectly and that we have had it since the day we were born. | |
| When talking about nudism with textiles I always have to explain that not all nudists are the same. Here in Florida we have nudist places to suit anyone, from naturist to concrete-jungle, from family friendly to public sex. But the different groups also mingle. | |
We need to be careful in the way nudism is defined. Though it is recognized that some nudists also participate in less than wholesome social interactions whilst naked, those events should not be included as part of a discussion on nudism. Even mundane words like LIFESTYLE have been hijacked to promote carnal happenings. Perception is reality and to introduce “public sex” as a type of nudist activity serves only to advance the agenda of our opponents. It would be tantamount to declaring all non-pork-eating people are of the same religion. | |
| I need to be clear here ... I have and will comment on topics and issues that will be perceived as "my way or the highway," in regards to Absolute Naturism, but when I comment, it's usually about "that" particular sub culture within the lifestyle. My opinions have always been that what works for me, may not work for you. What I do, you may not agree with, what my opinions are ... your's may vary slightly or drastically ... but I will never tell you that "your" nudist lifestyle is wrong or bad, that your opinions don't matter, or that I don't want to discuss anything with you because I think you're out in left field or bat from the left side or the plate or the right. Same goes for nudism: We all can't do what someone else is doing. I can't walk out my front door naked in broad daylight ... I want to but can't. I can be naked in my backyard 24/7 but some can't. I have my club 30 minutes down the freeway ... others are hours away. We do what we can and live as we can but ... the philosophy of this group is such that there's more to it then just the way you live. I wanted to make that clear. ;) Nudism isn't a one size fits all and whether or not we like it ... we are ALL categorized into some group and labeled whether we like it or not. I'm puzzled by those that hate to be labeled a nudist but don't mind being labeled a "doctor, lawyer, engineer, cop, fireman, nurse, CEO, CAO, comp. tech., father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, democrat, republican, Tea Partier, Independent, liberal, conservative ... there are all labels. If you don't consider yourself a "nudist", that's fine but those that don't mind being labeled a nudist/naturist shouldn't be chastised for not caring about the label ... by others that aren't nudits but... just like to be nude. This is where ... one size fits all doesn't work. We're all different. We are all different than our clothed counterparts. It's just amazing to me that we tend to be harder on ourselves, as a microcosm of society, then we should be. ;) | |
| I think I have some idea what's spurring this topic ;) There have been times when I've myself said to a poster: "Wait a minute...dude...what are you doing?!?" It's usually been in reference to some "risk taking" nude endeavour. My concern is not with the activity in and of itself; but the possible ramifications of said activity. I wouldn't let a friend drive drunk; likewise I would try to deter someone from engaging in law-breaking public nudity. It's not so much that it's "not nudism" as it is "nudism that can turn your day into a bad one." Sure, my unsolicited advice has been deemed unwelcome at times; but I would be a hypocrite if I ignored or encouraged behavior that has so frequently ended up in the "legal annals." Beyond this whole risk-taking business, I have never thrown any stones or passed judgement. I have been a nudist at very various levels through my life, and encountered people with equally various practices. Some things have worked for me; others haven't. And it's ok that it's been the same - or different - for other people. | |
| As in every other facet of life, in nudism one size definitely does NOT fit all. I have taken some chances by engaging in risky behavior (nude driving, walking to/from the maibox wearing only my open robe, standing in my front yard with my robe open) but I have NO desire to break any laws nor offend anyone. I only wish we could get clear cut answers from those who create, enforce, and interpret the laws exactly what is and is not allowed. As I've written before I asked those questions last year of the local Sheriff's Office, The District Attorney, and the State Attorney General and got no definitive answers. So, what are we to do? I personally wish we could all be free to wear or not wear clothing anywhere and everywhere without violating laws or offending anyone. As I said at the beginning, one size definitely does not fit all and therefore it would be great to act as individuals as long as no one else is harmed. Jim | |
| Nudony ... even though a small bit of what I was basing this topic on was the conversations we've had concerning naked driving, it was not the bulk of what prompted this thread. I'm on several sites and it seems like there's always some argument between nudists as to "what" is deemed "okay" and what isn't. Why one's opinion trumps another, why there is a wrong way and right way. YES ... obviously there are right and wrong ways in naturism and I'm not going to go into detail because I think, from all the posts, that everyone here is getting ... what I'm getting at! So ... let's keep the conversation going, appreciate the feedback and all your opinions. :D | |
| Ok...I stand corrected! ;) I call them "old schoolers", some call them "purists", and SB calls them "nudist nazis." Those are the nudist with ingrained and very definite ideas about what nudism is and isn't about; and how it should be practiced. They've been around since nudism started. The problem with that mindset is that it is exclusionary - it rejects other people's approach/viewpoint. In my resort days, I have myself encountered "purism" on several occasions - in a chastising or chiding manner. It can be a total letdown; particularily if you're a younger nudist looking for your "own way" in nudism. And then of course you've got people with little/no social nudity experience that want to voice their opinion about their perception of how it should be practiced. Now that's - almost - funny. | |
| IMHO, as almost everything in life, there is no nudism that fit all. Everybody is different and live nudism in a different way, but the fact of being nude. I think, apart of being nude, the common denominator should be respect. Of course, one should behave, but respect for oneself and others should be the rule number one. Good and bad are subjective, and what may seem good for someone may be bad for somebody else. As FireProf said, I would love to walk naked out of my home in broad daylight, I feel this is good, but society says the opposite. On the contrary. some nudist would say that this is bad. As an example, I am hiking nude whenever I can. To me, it's good. But I know that some nudists find this bad because they see this as a possible confrontation to textile people. I love being naked for what it is: being myself, and I love meeting other naked people from all walk of life, it's not for this that I am going to befriend all nudists. We may have nudism in common, but may disagree on many other points. I respect them though, as I respect people who view nudism bad. The only thing I expect from others is they respect me. Diversity is a richness! Having said this, I dream the whole world would respect the choice to be naked anywhere, anytime! | |
| "The problem with that mindset is that it is exclusionary - it rejects other people's approach/viewpoint." There's nothing wrong with being exclusionary. Words have meaning. If you don't exclude some meanings then the word stops having meaning or has its meaning changed. See "gay". It used to mean happy and carefree, now it means homosexual. What do you say to someone who calls themselves a "nudist" but enjoys getting together with other people to be naked and have sex? Or resorts like Hedonism or Desire? Are they nudist? IMHO, as a group "nudists" need to guard the terms "nudism", "nudist", "naturist" and "naturism" very carefully. There are those who would use those labels for other purposes - especially sexual purposes. One of the roles of organizations like INF, AANR, and TNS is to proclaim loudly what those terms mean - and do not mean. Now, I have no problem with a person being a nudist and a swinger, or a nudist and an exhibitionist, or a nudist and a whatever. But "nudism" is the enjoyment of non-sexual social nudity. Wikipedia has a decent article on the topic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nudism The general public tends to conflate nudity and sex - if you are naked around other people it is for sexual purposes. "Nudism" stands in stark contrast to that mindset. That is the purpose of the term - to identify non-sexual social nudity. If people who like getting together to have sex are allowed to call themselves nudists, then what does the family with children who enjoy being naked call themselves, or the people who like gardening naked, or ... you get the idea. Now, if we're talking "amongst the family" and bickering about differentiations like whether a person is nude only at home, or only at resorts, or only at the beach, or thinks everyone should be able to be naked everywhere all the time, or is happy to have places set apart for nudity, then, yeah, there's a lot of variety as to what "nudism" is. But there is a core meaning and a line that should be drawn very boldly. /rant off B^) | |
| If there is such a thing, I have never seen it! Would it be nice if there was a "one size fits all for nudists"? Would it be nice to have a "Nudist Manual" to follow? I hope we all smart enough to know that either one of those will never happen and thank goodness for that. I also think we all know that "like minded" is a crock of you know what in the social nudity arena. If we stop perpetuating ideas like this we stop perpetuating the pressures to be a "correct" nudist or play social nudity correctly according to Hoyle. Just be yourself and enjoy life. | |
| I think Jasen has it right. Eventually, there has to be a line in the sand. We've lost nude beaches because of offensive behavior, by those who in some way think of themselves as nudists. | |
| Eventhough I did not comment on Jansen's post, I also agree with his viewpoints and think he has it nailed down pretty well. Not sure what Rabbit is talking about. As I see it, our beliefs determine our actions which make our choices. You and only you are responsible for that and the consequences there of. | |
| Rabbit is talking about Jasen's 4th paragraph. | |
| Ah, ok got it(cleaned up a couple of words also,hope you don't mind). I think that is exactly what I was getting at in another topic. So in essence what most of you are saying and in agreement with is that there is no such thing as a single pattern of nudist or one-size-fits-all. yes/no or am I down a wrong path. | |
| I think it's obvious that there isn't a "one size fits all" for nudism. We have multiple "groups" of "types" within the nudist lifestyle. What I don't get and the reason for my initial post was ... "why is it that we have a problem with others that feel, "their", type of nudism isn't nudism or not considered part of nudism because "they" don't think the same way? There are "home" nudists, "social" nudists, "swinger" nudists, beach nudists, resort nudists, club nudists, going to the mailbox nude nudists, driving nudists ... the list is almost endless and yet ... we will have numerous posts against some of these things that ALL nudists do or don't do but because someone doesn't do something ... those that do, aren't really nudists ... does this make sense? Why can't we just accept them as "nudists" period and agree or disagree with what they might do or not do and leave it at that? This group was intended for Absolute Nudists. It had a reason, a specific demographic within the naturist community it was targeting. Why would someone come to this particular group and then either denounce or argue it's mantra!? It's not "their" kind of nudism ... fine, but it's our kind of nudism. I just got home and outta the sun after baking for the past several hours at our club. Wish we could have stayed longer ... great crowd but maybe my brains fried! LOL ;) | |
| yes it does make sense... afterall we all individuals and thats where the sea parts. Nudity is nudity, weather it is for an hour or for a day, weather it be social or private. To my view and my intent with this group has nothing to do with one size, it is about the true appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of being nude. If you do this, living nude will be just an extension when you are able. Fireprof, have a cold beer please. | |
| I'm definitely guilty as charged. In topics I've posted, it can appear that I'm questioning "who are the 'real' nudists?," but then understanding that I might not fit other's ideal of nudism or nudist ideal. However, with the understanding that variety is the spice of life and the vast differences in life experience amongst individuals, I've always emphasized the old saying of "to each his/her own" to correct myself when/if it appears that I'm being judgmental. To me, it just feels good living nude and living to be nude; a feeling of being truly connected to nature. | |
| I'm still attempting to craft a definition when textiles ask, "what is nudism?". I haven't seen a good definition yet that encompasses everyone who calls themselves a nudist. My best guess so far is "a person without fear of the human body.". I use this because some nudists never have the opportunity to be nude. However, they still have the point of view that nude is normal and not some type of perversion, even though they don't have the opportunity to practice. |
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