What do you do when confronted while wearing a thong?

[davy]

There are places where being topfree and/or wearing a thong are legal but not too common, such as the State Park beaches in Ohio. My question is what is the best plan of action when somebody confronts you?

Last weekend I was sunning myself at one of my favorite beaches in Ohio. I had been there all day Saturday and most of Sunday (in pretty much the same spot), minding my own business, without any unfavorable incident. The area was moderately busy, but not excessively crowded. Late Sunday afternoon a guy came up to me and very rudely asked what the "h***" was I doing practically naked with my a** showing in public. When I pointed out I had been here all day, and it was a big beach and he was free to move elsewhere he got very belligerent. He told me my head was all messed up, I had no business being here, and that I had better "get my a** out of here quickly before he called the Park Ranger".

So what should I have done? I wasn't going to think of anything clever quickly. Tried to explain to him that it was legal? Ignored him? Moved to a different part of the beach?

He was much bigger than I and quite mean and nasty at this point, and I had not seen him before, so he may have had buddies around as well. I thought about just ignoring him. I didn't think I should move to a different part of the beach, because I was in a less-populated area, and it somehow didn't seem right to move to a more-populated area, especially when some of those people may have specifically chosen to avoid me by going there. Since it was close to when I was planning to leave, I waited about 5 minutes, then slowly gathered up my stuff and left.

Afterwards, I hated doing that because I was more or less acting as if I was the guilty one, when I wasn't. He clearly would take this as a "win" and will be encouraged to harass anyone else in the future. But I certainly didn't want to provoke any sort of incident that would give any of us a "bad name".

So what should I have done? Any ideas are welcome.

[davy]

There are places where being topfree and/or wearing a thong are legal but not too common, such as the State Park beaches in Ohio. My question is what is the best plan of action when somebody confronts you?

Last weekend I was sunning myself at one of my favorite beaches in Ohio. I had been there all day Saturday and most of Sunday (in pretty much the same spot), minding my own business, without any unfavorable incident. The area was moderately busy, but not excessively crowded. Late Sunday afternoon a guy came up to me and very rudely asked what the "h***" was I doing practically naked with my a** showing in public. When I pointed out I had been here all day, and it was a big beach and he was free to move elsewhere he got very belligerent. He told me my head was all messed up, I had no business being here, and that I had better "get my a** out of here quickly before he called the Park Ranger".

So what should I have done? I wasn't going to think of anything clever quickly. Tried to explain to him that it was legal? Ignored him? Moved to a different part of the beach?

He was much bigger than I and quite mean and nasty at this point, and I had not seen him before, so he may have had buddies around as well. I thought about just ignoring him. I didn't think I should move to a different part of the beach, because I was in a less-populated area, and it somehow didn't seem right to move to a more-populated area, especially when some of those people may have specifically chosen to avoid me by going there. Since it was close to when I was planning to leave, I waited about 5 minutes, then slowly gathered up my stuff and left.

Afterwards, I hated doing that because I was more or less acting as if I was the guilty one, when I wasn't. He clearly would take this as a "win" and will be encouraged to harass anyone else in the future. But I certainly didn't want to provoke any sort of incident that would give any of us a "bad name".

So what should I have done? Any ideas are welcome.

[Eric6420]

I do not think that there is a clear answer to that. It is a cultural problem more than a personal one.

If wearing a thong is legal there, I think that it is better to go to a crowded area, or an area where you are not alone wearing a thong.

Maybe to ask the people there what they think about people wearing thong would be a good idea. You would know if most people are on your side or not.

[davy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Eric6420:
If wearing a thong is legal there, I think that it is better to go to a crowded area, or an area where you are not alone wearing a thong. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

As far as i could tell I was the only one on the beach in a thong, and there were no top-free women. That is frequently the case, so most people there probably haven't seen it too often.

[Boreas]

Tell him he's welcome to contact the ranger if he is so concerned. It sounds likely that you would have been supported legally. Plus it would take the wond out of his sails to "agree" with him and not fight back.

[davy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Still_Boreas:
Tell him he's welcome to contact the ranger if he is so concerned. It sounds likely that you would have been supported legally. Plus it would take the wond out of his sails to "agree" with him and not fight back. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I thought about that, but frequently that attitude of the Rangers can vary. Many don't know the law, and there have been many reports (on this site and others) of "partial nudists" being harassed or worse by Park officials. I didn't want to risk becoming a "test case".

Carry a copy of the park's regulations with you so you can show you aren't doing anything wrong.

[Rabid_Clam]

if you were in fact leagal, then let the rude person contact the ranger. The ranger will do the work for you and enforce your rights. You could also ask the ranger for that persons full name, address and phone number, is a legal request the ranger would have to comply with. You can save that data so if he tried antying you would have what you may need to press legal charges.

[Naturist Mark]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rabid_Clam:
if you were in fact leagal, then let the rude person contact the ranger. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

He was legal.

The law in Ohio DOES allow topfreedom and thongs. You won't find that listed in park regulations because it is the result of court decisions - not legislation. I suppose you could carry a copy of the relavent court decision: State v. Parenteau (http://home.att.net/~saran/parent.htm). That ought to put a pause to the few park rangers unfamiliar with the laws they are charged with enforcing. More to the point - you can put notice to the ranger that they need to protect you from harassment from large angry thong haters.

Here (http://web.archive.org/web/20030622103210/http://www-hep.phys.cmu.edu/~brahm/legal_sum.html)
is a summary of state laws concerning topfreedom, thongs and nudity - but be aware that it may be out of date (it was written in 1998 and last updated in 2003) - this page is no longer online and can only be viewed via internet archive.

-Mark

[nudenwv]

do what i did when i got busted nude - wear a smile http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[NudeAl]

Discretion is the better part of valor.

I think you did what you could under the conditions you described. I think you may find it helpful in the future if you carry a copy of the regulations regarding what is legally considered indecent exposure in your locality. I would also suggest that you cultivate a relationship with the park rangers, if they get to know you as a person they are less likely to misunderstand your motives. I would definatly bring along some literature regarding nude sunbathing nude beaches etc. so you can show you are trying to make a concession to the demands of society.

Personally I do not think I look very good in a thong and I will never wear one. I would much rather hike a little further to a remote isolated beach to be able to enjoy total nudity alone rather than share a beach with those who don't undrstand that nude isn't lewd.

I think to some in our society seeing you wearing a brightly colored thong may, rightly or wrongly, make the assumption you are gay. You may be experiencing a bit of homo-phobia rather than gymno-phobia. That would do more to explain their violent reaction I think. But perhaps this is my own misperception.

[Buff Man in MI]

This is meant as a humorous reply, please don't take me seriously! The other folks already gave the sensible answers. I respond with the humorous when faced with someone who is belingerent and looks like they could pound me senseless. So here are 3 somewhat humorous responses (that might keep you from getting beat up).

Tell the guy that you dared your wife (or girlfriend) to take it off and go walking up the beach bottomless and you just put her thong on to surprise her when she got back. If he stuck around long enough he'd be able to see her come back bottomless in few minutes.

Tell him that it was a full bottom suit before you went into the water, then it shriveled up. You were laying on your front because that side shrank even more than the back side. Tell him to never buy a bathing suit using eBay.

Tell him to go away, that you are an undercover cop looking to bust up a gang of guys that "cruise" up at that part of the beach. Ask him if he always walks up to the "gay" beach. (Okay, that one might get you punched.)

[Nude in the North]

Tuff call. I guess I'd be cautious if I responded to him at all.
Even though people like that just burn me up inside, it is better to protect yourself than to Argue.
I'd get up and find a park ranger and bring him back with me to point out the feller that's harassing beach goers.
And as suggest above, show the ranger the rulings or any information you can to make him aware of the laws.

Steve

Was it legal to be there in a thong? If so, I would have told him to go ahead and call whoever he wanted.

[Bob S.]

If you feel threatened, it is best not to try to argue laws. I don't think he would have wanted to hear about that. It wasn't about the legality but his feelings.

Steve gave the best info. You should have contacted the park ranger and filed a complaint.

By the way, this would not happen to me. I hate thongs/speedos. Way too constricting. Board shorts or nothing.

Bob S.

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by davy:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Still_Boreas:
Tell him he's welcome to contact the ranger if he is so concerned. It sounds likely that you would have been supported legally. Plus it would take the wond out of his sails to "agree" with him and not fight back. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I thought about that, but frequently that attitude of the Rangers can vary. Many don't know the law, and there have been many reports (on this site and others) of "partial nudists" being harassed or worse by Park officials. I didn't want to risk becoming a "test case". </div></BLOCKQUOTE>When he said <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">...I had better "get my a** out of here quickly before he called the Park Ranger". </div></BLOCKQUOTE>you could say, "Please DO. Do it NOW. And when he gets here, be prepared to explain yourself when I report my side of the story, about the language you are using toward me."

He WON'T call any ranger, and that's the idea, not to actually get a ranger to come. He won't want to do anything in agreement with you, so this will frustrate him and hopefully end the confrontation. As the lady said, you want to take the wind out of his sails by agreeing with him, and maybe subtly turning the tables on his atrocious behavior at the same time. You wouldn't even have to mention the legality of your dress.

[naturalmanwa]

I think you should have contacted the park ranger and if you go back do so before you go to the beach area. Disgression is the better part of valor-even if you could have disabled him, why get the law involved? I usually carry pepper spray with me for aggressive dogs, as I have had a couple of bad experiences but have never used it since I started carrying it. This also works to defend your person if attacked by an aggressive drunk.

I would suggest going to a place where you can be nude and others are doing the same. I hate to wear anything out in the sun or even indoors, and most of us here do also. Why not find someplace more agreeable?

[nakednudists]

I don't know, don't wear thongs.

[DoctorSurferDude]

Find out what the State laws are regarding exposure and/or find out what that particular park's rules are.

Always have a pair of shorts on hand.....if you notice that a family is giving you worried looks or that you are being avoided like the plauge, it's safe to assume that you are underclothed. And even if you're not breaking any rules, it is (I guess) polite and courteous to slip on the shorts when others are put off by tanned butt skin.

I think you did the right thing with that guy....he seems like just an abrasive fellow, who would be apt to complain, so better to lay low and have him "win" for the day rather than him go make a stink and have the park rules changed. So...I feel you did the right thing. Another option would have been to just put on your shorts and just stay there.

[Gary Naturist]

As the Doc suggests, it's advisable to have a good idea of what the laws are regarding nudity and near nudity in your area.

I had a similar incident happen when in Hawaii. I was at a beach that I was told was unofficially c-o, but I was the only one nude there. A man arrived with three teenage kids in tow. After a while he came up to me and tore a strip off me for being nude.

I let him have his rant and then said that I would put on shorts. I did this because of his aggressiveness and because I was the only one nude and not sure of my situation. In any case, when someone is upset about my being nude, it usually takes the fun away, so I wasn't keen on being nude there any more on that occasion.

Gary

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">he came up to me and tore a strip off me </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Physically? Or is that a regional expression meaning something else?

[Jeff Brooks]

I hate thongs. They ride up you know where on me and I hate the feel. When and where nudity is not accepted I try to respect the norm.

Jeff

[KetchumMaine]

http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Tell him that everybody has a butt, and if he says he doesn't then he is full of crap http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif


But seriously, It is your call. You need to decide what course of action is best for you. Personally, I would have offered to call the ranger for him. When the Ranger arrived, I would have let him have his say, then complianed that the man was bothering me. He probably would have been told to leave you alone.

[Trailscout]

If someone complains about your thong, offer to remove it! http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Well, you deserve a better answer. The law on your side is helpful, but attitudes die slowly so it is wise to avoid a fight. Perhaps the ranger would settle this to your satisfaction and spare you a bloody nose.

[barbararuth]

I know this thread is primarily geared toward the guys, but I have an interesting anecdote as well. Many years ago, before my nudism days, I wore a thong on the beach in Cocoa Beach not realizing it was discouraged. It seemed obvious to me right away that I was the only one there with one on and felt a liitle self conscious. Within two minutes I was surrounded by three lifeguards (two of them really cute) who asked me to cover my cheeks.. one of them voluteering to "help" me. Instead of being flattered by the attention, I got really mad and left. As I started walking back to the parking area, I overheard an older lady calling me a slut in a loud voice. That really pissed me off and in spirited form, I confronted her and told her.."she could only wish to have a body like mine" and she promptly shut up!

I imagine things have changed since then and thongs may be more widely accepted now. I don't really know because I never go to textile beaches any more. Clearly, mine may not really a legal issue per se, but a cultural one. I hope we have evolved beyond the name calling and extreme judgements.

[John Spooner]

Here in Oz, "thongs" are footwear, being one of our icons along with Speedos and Vegemite.
So here in Oz, Davy would have had a piece of footwear covering his nether regions.
John S.

barbararuth,

I love your reply to the old crone! http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Had it been you the man had seen in a thong instead of davy, I'll bet he wouldn't have complained.