From prude...to nude

[simonsebs]

From prude...to nude (http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2008/04/21/Life/Gw.Expat.From.Prude.to.Nude-3337416.shtml)

Its always nice to read something like this. It shows that there is hope for the rest of the world.

[luvnaturism]

That's an enjoyable article, better written than so many. Thanks for posting the link.

[blackrebel]

nice article.

[nimrod]

Hey simonsebs, thank you for the article. You seem to have a nack for finding these and they are apperciated.

As for the article, I thought it was well writen and he seemed open to the idea of being a nudist, opening is mind from the prudish atmosphere of the U.S..

[Stu2630]

The attitude to nudity in Germany presents a very mixed picture, but the general view of Germans I have spoken to is that nudism there is becoming less fashionable and is in a slow decline. In the former East Germany, the phenomenon of nudism didn't really exist because if people went to a beach, they didn't even think about donning a swimming costume - they just went naked. In the west, however, nudism tended to be more "organised" - there were nudists (a lot of them) and there were textiles. By the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, the west had begun to move away from nudity and Germany followed suit. The former East Germany was pretty much obliged to do the same. Nowadays, you are hardly any more likely to encounter nudity in most German cities than you are to encounter it in London or New York.

For those who doubt what I'm saying, check this out:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aki3t28Yfmk8&refer=home

Stu

[NudonyII]

Hehehe...leave it up to Stu to hit us with a downer:p

Certainly, hailing from Europe myself, I have noticed a shift in nudist trend in some parts of western Europe over the years. As a kid, it was common to see nude people near almost any body of water, topfree women at public pools and at the park. More so in Germany, where one might find nude people at the park as well. The trend has receded a bit in terms of parks and the public pools. But that doesn't mean people are less inclined to go nude; it simply means people are going nude at more specific locations. Some people might call this segregration; I think of this more as "improved organization."

[Eric6420]

Well, there have always been people who were against nudity, at least since 2000 years. The thing is that in christianity and particularly for the puritains, any pleasure is considered a sin. Two or three centuries ago, in Geneva, under a calvinist rule, a cook could be send to jail for making food that tasted too good. Any pleasure could easilly become a crime.

Since a century, nudists have a little more visibility than before, but of course, in many parts of the World, nudity is still a taboo because the influence of christianity and islam.

However, I was reading an article this week about american teenagers who send naked photos of themselves to their prospect girlfriends or boyfriends. They seem to find that sending nude photos of themselves is normal and not a big deal.

In the long run, I think that more people will realize that nudity is fun and natural and there should be more places welcoming it.

[Boreas]

That is a great article Simon. It would be cool if more people would try this type of thing.

Stu, I anticipate that MoonShadow will pop in to accuse you of whirring. Your response is very predictable.

[Qikdraw]

That is a great article!

Qikdraw

[vanesa1017]

I will continue the applause, that was a very fun read. Thanks for sharing!

[Stu2630]

NudonyII

But that doesn't mean people are less inclined to go nude; it simply means people are going nude at more specific locations. Some people might call this segregation; I think of this more as "improved organization."

Excellent response. I totally agree with you. I'm all for nudity at "specific locations" and what you call "improved organization" (a.k.a segregation): bring on more of it, I say!

Do you mind if I quote you in further postings? :)

Boreas

Your response is very predictable.

I hate to disappoint. ;)

But look at what NudonyII says - nudism is simply taking itself to particular places and that's great because it means people like me can avoid it and so our enjoyment of the public domain is not destroyed for someone else's preference.

Stu

[Naturist4Ever]

>> nudism is simply taking itself to particular places

The (great!) article is far more about common sense (which no doubt you fail to understand) then nudism persee (re your comment on nudity in east germany).

>> and that's great because it means people like me can avoid it and so our enjoyment of the public domain is not destroyed for someone else's preference.

This was NOT the public domain. You are whirring it again, stu, whirring it. Just turn those words around - litterally.

[nakeduni]

Nice article. It takes five minutes to grow up and expand the mind.

[Freehiker22]

Nice article. I think I am not in favor of the segregation thing except perhaps as a stepping stone towards more acceptence of the nudity in general.

[Stu2630]

I am not in favor of the segregation thing except perhaps as a stepping stone towards more acceptence of the nudity in general

And I am in favour of nudists having more and better facilities but ONLY on condition they don't see it as some "stepping stone towards more acceptence [sic] of the nudity in general".

Stu

[steve1979]

welcome to trhe club freehiker

[Arlo]

Good article. I have been to several similar venues in Europe and certainly wish we and similar places here in the US.

[hankster]

Article brought back happy memories for me as it was while I was living in Berlin that I discovered social nudism. All inhibitions ended as I enjoyed getting naked is social settings!

[Freehiker22]

welcome to trhe club freehiker

Thanks for the welcome enjoy discussing nudim with like minded folks

[Freehiker22]

And I am in favour of nudists having more and better facilities but ONLY on condition they don't see it as some "stepping stone towards more acceptence [sic] of the nudity in general".

Stu

That is your opinion however as one of the textile majority I fail to see how your point of view is relevant to this discussion. It would be like an athiest discussing the gospel not relevant to my point of view. In other words I thank you for your comments however they have no bearing on how we view ourselves. You are on the outside looking in so to speak. Rather like a virgin talking about sex, how would you know?

[Naturist Mark]

And I am in favour of nudists having more and better facilities but ONLY on condition they don't see it as some "stepping stone towards more acceptence [sic] of the nudity in general".

Stu

I am in favour of stepping stones.

Week by week we lose more and more places we used to be able to use.

The only way to change that is step by step.

[hemster]

great story