I'll cross that road when I come to it

[Gary Naturist]

I'm pleased with myself, so I would like to share my experience with everyone.

I live on a residential street of 50-foot lots, with houses on both sides. During 2002, I extended nudity on my property to my front yard, but only pre-dawn. Taking out the garbage, setting out the sprinkler, and even a couple of times going out on the porch to accept the morning paper from the delivery person.

I have been "caught" by neighbors a couple of times -- in one case, the guy gave me a wolf whistle; in the other, he said "nice body". (Why can't I get reactions like this from women?)

Our neighbors across the street were away for the holidays, and asked us to retrieve their morning paper. A couple of days ago when it was fairly warm and with no snow on the ground, I opened our front door (nude, of course) to pick up our own paper and thought "Why not theirs as well?".

I looked up and down the street and saw no signs of life. I also saw that, with trees and bushes denuded of leaves, I would be completely exposed to about eight houses on both sides of the street.

However, at this time of day, I feel quite comfortable being nude outdoors, for several reasons. I know that almost everyone is asleep. Also, I feel that people will be more accepting of nudity when it's dark out, and when it's only them and me -- they'll understand that I am not expecting to be seen nude.

Alternatively, because they know that some people sleep nude and may not immediately get dressed after getting up, they'll understand that someone might venture outside nude to do a minor chore like putting the garbage out.

Finally, some might guess that I am a nudist and not be surprised to see me doing something outside while nude at that time of day.

Having said all of this, I expect that if anyone were to see me walk nude onto the neighbor's property, they would have difficulty to rationalize my doing so for any reason.

I exited our house and walked across the lawn. I walked at a normal pace, determined not to turn the excursion into a streak. As I approached the street I felt very exposed because of the lack of foliage and the illumination of the streetlight positioned directly across from our house.

Crossing the street, I realized that I could be seen from quite a long distance away by anyone on our street, or passing by on a cross street. Nevertheless, I felt very comfortable in my nakedness.

I walked across the neighbor's lawn, up onto their porch and picked up the paper. Turning around, I saw that I had a very good view up of the houses on our side of the street (and vice versa).

On the return trip, I thought to myself: this feels natural -- this feels right. I arrived back on our porch and turned the doorknob. To my relief, I had not locked myself out. Mission accomplished.

Why did I do this? Why risk embarrassment if someone were to see me? Very simply, I wanted to expand the size of my nude world and to have a new nude experience. Do you relate to this?

Gary

[Gary Naturist]

I'm pleased with myself, so I would like to share my experience with everyone.

I live on a residential street of 50-foot lots, with houses on both sides. During 2002, I extended nudity on my property to my front yard, but only pre-dawn. Taking out the garbage, setting out the sprinkler, and even a couple of times going out on the porch to accept the morning paper from the delivery person.

I have been "caught" by neighbors a couple of times -- in one case, the guy gave me a wolf whistle; in the other, he said "nice body". (Why can't I get reactions like this from women?)

Our neighbors across the street were away for the holidays, and asked us to retrieve their morning paper. A couple of days ago when it was fairly warm and with no snow on the ground, I opened our front door (nude, of course) to pick up our own paper and thought "Why not theirs as well?".

I looked up and down the street and saw no signs of life. I also saw that, with trees and bushes denuded of leaves, I would be completely exposed to about eight houses on both sides of the street.

However, at this time of day, I feel quite comfortable being nude outdoors, for several reasons. I know that almost everyone is asleep. Also, I feel that people will be more accepting of nudity when it's dark out, and when it's only them and me -- they'll understand that I am not expecting to be seen nude.

Alternatively, because they know that some people sleep nude and may not immediately get dressed after getting up, they'll understand that someone might venture outside nude to do a minor chore like putting the garbage out.

Finally, some might guess that I am a nudist and not be surprised to see me doing something outside while nude at that time of day.

Having said all of this, I expect that if anyone were to see me walk nude onto the neighbor's property, they would have difficulty to rationalize my doing so for any reason.

I exited our house and walked across the lawn. I walked at a normal pace, determined not to turn the excursion into a streak. As I approached the street I felt very exposed because of the lack of foliage and the illumination of the streetlight positioned directly across from our house.

Crossing the street, I realized that I could be seen from quite a long distance away by anyone on our street, or passing by on a cross street. Nevertheless, I felt very comfortable in my nakedness.

I walked across the neighbor's lawn, up onto their porch and picked up the paper. Turning around, I saw that I had a very good view up of the houses on our side of the street (and vice versa).

On the return trip, I thought to myself: this feels natural -- this feels right. I arrived back on our porch and turned the doorknob. To my relief, I had not locked myself out. Mission accomplished.

Why did I do this? Why risk embarrassment if someone were to see me? Very simply, I wanted to expand the size of my nude world and to have a new nude experience. Do you relate to this?

Gary

[Rik]

quote:

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Originally posted by Gary Naturist:
[qb]Why did I do this? Why risk embarrassment if someone were to see me? .... Do you relate to this?[/qb]

---

Yes. Given the other thread you started on public nudity it's interesting that you say "why risk embarrassment?" rather than "why risk offending someone?". It's my view that most nudists feel the same way and it's the embarrassment factor which keeps them covered up rather than any real consideration for the sensitivities of others.

Rik

[RalphVa]

I can relate.

I used to get the paper nude in La (still do here; had to wear a ski parka this morning though). A couple times, the paper delivery person caught me. I'd just go on the other side of one of the big trees out front.

Other times, I'd sneak out front to do something quick during the day. Got caught once or twice doing that, too.

One morning, about 2:30-3ish (couldn't sleep) I decided to stroll down our street, which is really a one-way-in long cul-de-sac (near 1 mile), I went over about 3 houses and saw some people playing a card or domino game on their screened porch that stuck out to the right of the house. That spooked me. I walked back home and didn't ever do my walk down the street again.

Ralph

[steevo]

A SALUTE to you Brave souls. It's something I've always wanted to be able to do, but have been afraid of what might happen.
The more I read of events like this here, the closer I feel that somday it may come truefor me. So PLEASE keep shareing your experiences. I LOVE IT!
My dream is to some day, to sit on my front porch and wave to the passer-bys. Keep dreaming I always say.
Steevo here [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Gary Naturist]

Rik, you said: "Yes. Given the other thread you started on public nudity it's interesting that you say "why risk embarrassment?" rather than "why risk offending someone?". It's my view that most nudists feel the same way and it's the embarrassment factor which keeps them covered up rather than any real consideration for the sensitivities of others."

I know all my close neighbors, and none of them would be offended by seeing me nude. However, I would be hard pressed to explain to any of them why I'm nude on the neighbor's property. My reasons -- expanding my nude world, and having a new nude experience -- would only be understandable to some other nudists (and not all of them). That's why possible embarrassment was my concern.

If I know that I am not offending anyone, I would be comfortable being nude anywhere among clothed people, and would take the opportunity to do so. However, on the few occasions when my nudity has provoked a negative verbal reaction, I have been very upset -- essentially because the other person is upset.

Gary

[Hokienudist]

I'm not sure about this whole topic.

While like all of you i wish for a world in which public nudity is legal and wait for the day to do something like you described, i'm not sure what you did was such a good idea.

I have no problem with getting the paper in the morning nude if its on your front porch, but once you leave your front porch i think you need put something on. Once you open the door and walk outside, your in public and i think alot of people would object to you being able to go about doing these types of things in the nude.

We dont want to give nudism a bad name by abusing it.

[florida-david]

i think walking across the street to your neighbors house is not a good idea because if someone saw you, they might assume that your neighbor was ok with your lifestyle choice although your neighbor might not be. if you want to be naked on your own porch or go into your own yard to retrieve the paper, that is ok because it does not extend your beliefs onto others. it might put you into an embarrasing position but i don't think it should harm any rational individual. walking down the street, though fun, could get you into trouble. i would suggest walking in the woods or at a park (with shorts in hand). i went nude canoing on the lake behind my house last night and no one noticed since it was really dark. but two older people on their bikes were on an overpass when i went under and they did not even notice i was nude. we just said our hello's....

[Gary Naturist]

Hokie nudist, consider this the following.

If we do not venture out nude beyond our front porches, there's no way that public nudity will become accepted beyond our front porches.

Advances in the acceptance of public nudity have been achieved only by people engaging in public nudity (e.g. beaches, hiking, parks in Europe, rollerblading in San Francisco).

Keep in mind that old saying: It's better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. ("Better" meaning "more effective").

The idea is to do something in public, then look for acceptance (forgiveness) rather than first asking permission, which is (of course) denied.

Gary

[Hokienudist]

I dont think you should be out walking in the woods, canoeing, or whatever as long as your in a non-naturist place. Going naked in these places and people catching you gives nudism a bad name.

Keep nudism to nudist places or your property.