How/why do you classify yourself as a 'nudist'?

[MaxUK]

Hi all,

Why do you call yourself a nudist??

I only ask because I have been to a few naturist beaches, sunbathed nude in my garden, skinny dipped with friends in Cornwall etc. but wouldn't consider myself a 'nudist'or 'naturist', just a very occasional skinny dipper/nude sun lover. I guess its as much about opportunity than anything else.

So - what in your view is the criteria for referring to yourself or to others as a nudist/naturist??

Max

[Vin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MaxUK:
...I have been to a few naturist beaches, sunbathed nude in my garden, skinny dipped with friends in Cornwall etc. but wouldn't consider myself a 'nudist'or 'naturist', just a very occasional skinny dipper/nude sun lover. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Hi Max,

I don't know -- this fits within my definition. I'd say you qualify as a nudist. Maybe it's mostly about self-perception and mindset.

Good question. It'll be interesting to see the answers.

Vin

[Dunsunnin]

I reckon a nudist or naturist is someone who simply enjoys not wearing clothes sometimes for no other reason than that. Maybe not all the time, but certainly now and then. I believe you are either a naturist, or you're not, just by subscribing to the above, or not, as the case may be.

[shãybare]

I consider myself a nudist because I am nude most of the time. I live in a secluded area and can go nude outside as much as I want. Everyone that knows me is aware of my lifestyle and that if they come over, I will be nude. If it is cold outside I may throw something on, but I don't like cold weather and don't go out in it if I don't have to. I live in eastern Okla and the weather is generally mild in the winter. Right now it is fantastic. I consider myself a nudistbecause I believe it to be a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally. Shaylin Yarberry, Nudist and proud of it.

[toofeelgood]

For some time I didn't want to classify myself as anything just me whether I am naked or not. Although, I do love to be naked all the time so I am a nudist!!

[Nude in the North]

I consider myself a nudist, not because of the amount of time I spend nude. But for the amount of time I spend wishing I could be.

Steve

[nudeM]

Simply put, if I did all the chores around the house, inside and out, wearing nothing at all, then I would consider myself as a nudist. Basically, I'm doing everything, as if I had clothes on, only I prefer to be naked. Last weekend, I barbequed some chicken, nude, but then I got a surprise. I used some new type of briquettes, and these "pop". I was getting ready to turn the meat, until one of the briquettes popped and a piece hit me very near the "sensative" spot. It didn't take very long to find some cover. There are times, one has to be careful.

[MaxUK]

Some good answers actually but Nude in the North -yours was very interesting !! What you are saying is that it's about 'thinking about' and 'wanting to be' nude even when you are not that defines your take on what a 'nudist' is.

I can see a bit of myself in that to be honest. I may have to redefine myself after the answers I've seen here!!

Max

[TXK NUDE]

Because I'd rather be naked than anything else! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[florida-david]

here are the things i think describe a nudist--
1. the desire to be naked over being clothed (its all in the mindset)
2. comfortable with our own body when its naked. i think this is acquired over time- as someone else said, its self-perception of ourselves as nudists
3. seeing a naked person is considered normal (no shock or gawking required).

here are some things that i wish described all nudists (my personal agenda)--
1. an OPEN mind (since we nudists are in the minority, shouldn't we have an open mind to different lifestyles, religion, thoughts, etc.?)
2. a sensitivity and caring regard for the environment (since we are only naked human animals, shouldn't we respect all the other animals in the world). this extends to gun control, sensitive environmental planning and design, littering, etc. I think nudists should be more in tune with nature than their textile counterparts.
3. a sensitivity and caring for others as people not sexual objects. i think a lot of people get into nudism thinking it's a sex club, but they quickly get disappointed and leave us (YEAH) realizing most of us are family orientd individuals.

that's it, maybe i can spark some interesting discussions since i think this is an interesting post /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

my avatar image disappeared, let's see if this gets it back

[Frank R]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by florida-david:
[QB]here are the things i think describe a nudist-
here are some things that i wish described all nudists (my personal agenda)--
1. an OPEN mind...
2. a sensitivity and caring regard for the environment...
3. a sensitivity and caring for others as people not sexual objects...

Well said David and I too would hope that most if not all of us would agree with you.

[MaxUK]

Florida David,

Interesting post, especially the bit where you said about nudists treating others as people, not sexual objects.

This is a very good point but one I think the majority of the population have a very hard time with. I have argued elsewhere that I believe there is no such thing as 'non-sexual' nudity, based on the fact that all of us, to a person, are surrounded our whole lives by images, statements, opinions, proclamations etc. that scream the opposite is true - that nudity has, at the very least, a 'connection' with sex.

In a nudist/naturist environment, the sexual 'connection' shall we say, is there per se - as a result of the social conditioning that all of us have experienced and live with in our lives.

It is a fact that genitalia are used for sex but the difference with nudists that I can see is that this connection is just accepted as another fact of life, like the fact that skin colour can be white, brown, black and so on.

So it seems to me the sexual element IS there with nudists, it just is not dwelt on, or 'connected' - like it would be (and is) in countless other instances where a person is naked.

That's where the beauty of naturism can come into its own - when naked people are just treated for what they are, not what their nakedness supposedly represents in the minds of others.

Max

[Suntied]

I'm sure it realy doesn't matter that I think I'm a nudist. I still have to get dressed to go out into the "real world" and I hate it. I hate clothes... they are anoying... they bind me... and they keep me from getting the exterior energy needed to keep me healthy. /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif That is what makes me a nudist/naturist... the love of the lack of clothes restrictions. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Oh, and the fact that nudity does not shock me or seem weird... by the way. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Nudity Rules!!!
/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif Suntied /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[bigbird]

I'm not too sure if I consider myself a nudist.

I mean, I have a nudist's view on nudity, and my wife and I practice it our homes, with close friends even, but the closest we've ever been to a nude beach is Hedonism III, a lot different than the family oriented naturism that INA represents.

[EricNY]

If you have the views of a nudist....you are a nudist.Everyone is just at different levels....Family,social, occasional,etc.

[fred950]

I concider myself to be a nudist simply because I do not like to wear clothes and I cannot think of very many logical, rational reasons why we should. Protection from snow and cold is about it.

[Bob S.]

I consider myself a nudist as I have passionate feelings for wanting to be naked. And I think that is part of it, the urge to be naked as often as is possible. Like what NitN mentioned, that even if one is not naked, if they are still thinking about the next chance to be naked while clothed, that is a sure sign that you are a nudist.

It also has to do with whether you prefer to have that label applied to you. How important is it to you? For me, I consider it to be a lifestyle, a major part of my life. For others, they may just enjoy nude recreation, but would not consider themselves as nudists. Someone could enjoy being naked at home, but would never dream of being amongst strangers. Someone could enjoy skinny-dippingm even with others, but would never dream of walking around without something on after emerging from the water.

As for the non-sexual nudity topic that Max expounded upon, I repectfully disagree that there is no such thing as non-sexual nudity. I see nudity as very much non-sexual and believe many others agree with that postulate and adhere to it. Using your logic, Max, there would be no such thing as non-eliminatory nudity as the number one reason that people (non-nudists included) remove their clothing from their genital areas is for using the bathroom. How coould one not think about that whilst naked?

And I would like to postulate another idea for the people who think about sex as soon as they see nudity. They might have some hang-ups regarding sex. But my opinion is that they may see sex in more than just nudity but also in other non-sexualized environments or events such as seeing two people kissing in public, noticing phallic symbolism in ordinary objects, etc. They may just have too much time on their hands and not know how to handle themselves.

Bob S.

[MaxUK]

Hi Bob S,

I thought you may have a different viewpoint from me on this! You posted:

As for the non-sexual nudity topic that Max expounded upon, I repectfully disagree that there is no such thing as non-sexual nudity

Well I guess my take on this is that there is no right or wrong - it's all in the eye of the beholder. There are a very many people who most certainly do make a link between nudity and sex, rightly or wrongly - that's just how it is for them. Many nudists would also come into this catagory - otherwise why would a significant percentage of pollsters express this view in the poll that someone (Steve Nudist??) ran a while back, on sexual aspects to peoples practice of nudity.

I don't for one moment think that naturism is somehow 'stained' by this state of affairs, but that for those that practice naturism, the realisation must be there that it is not all completely devoid of all things sexual, no matter how much they try and believe it is - the poll evidence for one would suggest otherwise.

Conversely, Bob - you don't make a connection at all - fine.

Max

[FireProf]

We, like some here, looked for "nudist and naturist" in the dictionary. Not much there to use as a reference on why we classify ourselves as nudist/naturists.

I can tell you that given the choice, we would rather be nude than clothed. We do most everything we possibly can naked. We understand that we can't be naked 100% of the time but we like to follow the "nude when possible, clothed when practical" motto. We can't shop and do most of the things we have to do in everyday life naked, but when ever we have the chance...we are naked.

We refer to ourselfs as nudists to our grown children and to those we talk to on the subject.

I'm taking a break from painting in the nude to reply to various posts....nude. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Gary Naturist]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bob S.:
... I repectfully disagree that there is no such thing as non-sexual nudity.

Bob S. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>A triple negative! Makes my head spin.

Gary

A double negative makes a statement positive. So a triple negative turns it back to a positive statement, right? I'm confused as to what he's saying.

Anyway, I love being nude and hate wearing clothes. That makes me a nudist. I will be LIVING permanently in a nudist resort as of the latter part of this month. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[gamblefish]

Yeah, and if a negative and a negative equals a positive, then why don't two wrongs make a right?

[hw]

In plane speak, gamblefish, two wright brothers didn't make a wrong, they made a right, other wise we'd not be flying. That being said, I have no idea what this topic is about. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[gamblefish]

Listen to the voices, hw...........

[hw]

gamblefish, I did listen to the voices and they said, "gamblefishes voices are even worse". /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Bob S.]

A double negative makes a positive, so a triple negative makes a negative. It's all basic algebra.

And two wrongs may not make a right, but three rights make a left. So, who's on first?

Bob S.

[Nude in the North]

"who's on first?"

What????

Steve

[hw]

Who's on first, what's on second, I don't know is on third.....I can't seem to remember where I don't give a da** is. And "Frankly, My Dear, I don't give a d***". Any more gamblefish? /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[FireProf]

So to get back on topic. I just had a conversation with my wife and asked her why we classify ourselves as nudists.

She said because we are nude wherever and whenever we possibly can and we become irritated when we have to wear clothes for a long period of time. I agreed. I get nuts when I have to wear clothes for too long. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[MaxUK]

Fireprof,

It would seem, by the definition of being a nudist you gave, that I may not be one then, as I am very seldom nude apart from wandering around our flat when its warm enough sometimes and the very occasional beach visit.

But I do think I'd like to be nude more, just don't really get many easy opportunities and can't really be bothered to go to the trouble of joining a club (wouldn't go without my partner anyway, and she's not interested apert from accompanying me now and then to the beach, topless)

I guess being nude is just not that big a deal for me - I can take it or leave it, although if the chance is there, I'll take it if I can. My life is too busy with other stuff for the pursuit of 'nakedness' to have too much of an influence over how I live it.

My feelings may change, but I don't consider myself a nudist/naturist at all. Just a fan of going 'au naturel' on occasion.

Max

[gamblefish]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hw:
Who's on first, what's on second, I don't know is on third.....I can't seem to remember where I don't give a da** is. And "Frankly, My Dear, I don't give a d***". Any more gamblefish? /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I don't give a da**? If memory serves, he is the shortstop. But then, you don't give a da**!!

Which is exactly what the fish (the not-gamble type) said when he ran into the cement wall...DAMN!!

[Vin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MaxUK:
...I can take [nudity] or leave it, although if the chance is there, I'll take it if I can. My life is too busy with other stuff for the pursuit of 'nakedness' to have too much of an influence over how I live it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>This is curious. You've almost described me here, but I _do_ somewhat consider myself a nudist.

Go figure. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif