A quick sound-off about this week's cartoon

[owl tn]

Normally I find Ron Coleman's weekly cartoons to be funny, but this week I think he crossed the line.

Dunno, maybe I'm overreacting, but the admission of singles to clubs is a very controversial topic, is it not? Making fun of it in such a way as Mr. Coleman did this week is dragging us backwards on the path of societal acceptance. What sort of example does this set for any curious visiting textiles about what sort of lives we lead?

What do you think? Back me up or splash some cold water on me, whatever. Comments?

Alex

[owl tn]

Normally I find Ron Coleman's weekly cartoons to be funny, but this week I think he crossed the line.

Dunno, maybe I'm overreacting, but the admission of singles to clubs is a very controversial topic, is it not? Making fun of it in such a way as Mr. Coleman did this week is dragging us backwards on the path of societal acceptance. What sort of example does this set for any curious visiting textiles about what sort of lives we lead?

What do you think? Back me up or splash some cold water on me, whatever. Comments?

Alex

[Peter Stokes]

I had the same uneasy feeling as you, Owl. I think Mr Coleman misjudged his subject matter and his audience on this one. I don't know about the US but here in the UK naturist clubs generally have a real down on single men based on some sort of sexual presumption; I didn't find this particular cartoon humorous, it just reinforced a stereotype we're trying to dispel.

[nudeM]

I think he is trying to state what we are already experiencing, too many singles can be a problem. I, too, do not find this particular cartoon very funny at all, when in fact, we are trying to eliminate this problem.

[Guest]

I was offended when I saw it but didn't say anything because it's been there for nearly a week, and no one else said anything about it. I figured that either no one noticed it but me, or I was the only offended by it.

I usually enjoy the cartoon and look forward to the next one, but I would think this one is offensive to all single men. It reenforces the common belief that all single men are at the nudist venues to ogle and harrass the women and make them feel unconfortable.

[Nude in the North]

I agree with what you are saying about the cartoon sending the wrong message. But I get the impression that it's the "old couple" complaining.
Maybe the intended message is that limiting singles is an "outdated" Idea.

Maybe his next cartoon will suggest limiting old couples.

Then the one following that could show an empty beach.

The caption could read, " I suppose we could limit the Seagulls".

Steve

[greensunshine]

Ok Guys,

Time for my input [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

I for one found the cartoon to be fitting considering the ratio of single males to single females...like I don't at times feel like I stick out when I am in a crowd of nudist...I being the manority and you guys being the majority...it can get a bit over whelming at times (ok, to be honest with you, most of the time). I have been victum way to many times to having you guys act like you have never seen a naked female body when I am attempting to enjoy some sun out on the beach.

No offense, but how many of you never saw a naked female before you had sex or read your first X-Rated magazine or the beach before joining this BB??? With the majority of the comments, I have read so far, that is what I am seeing in your comments regarding this topic [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Greensunshine in the Pacific NW [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

PS

Being a female nudist is a whole tougher than any of you will ever be able to comprehend...Not only do we get to put up with attitudes like I have just read, but we also get to put up with the media saying to us...in order to be attractive, We Do Need to Cover UP!!! NOT

Bet if the tables were turned none of you would be complaining...

[Naturist Mark]

I agree that the cartoon seems unfair to single guys, but what is fair to single women?

The sad thing is that I've seen what the cartoon portrays happen. At resorts that do no strictly limit the numbers of singles (meaning unaccompanied men) there is a huge imbalance between single men and women. An unaccompanied woman is so rare that she will often find men politely introducing themselves. Not in a gang as shown in Coleman's cartoon, but serially.

I isn't that anyone is being harassing, or that any one guy is doing anything wrong, or is in any way being other than a complete gentlemen. Let me reiterate: I am not saying that these guys are acting wrong in any way, individual behavior is exemplary- any other kind can lead to expulsion.

As a single guy I don't want to see any policy that keeps me out. Besides, it is not just the single guys who overplay the attention to unaccompanied women.

I'm at a loss to suggest a solution. I don't think there are rules to fix this. You can't prohibit decent, polite behavior. I don't think limiting singles is fair.

Perhaps guys need to just step back a bit. I believe in being open and friendly when meeting new people. But sometimes, especially with the single gals it would be better to let them take the initiative.

-Mark

[EricNY]

Very well put, Mark....I can fully understand how a single man must feel, but I can only imagine what a single female must feel like.

I know that my wife sometimes feels VERY uneasy when she is the only female around.

[Suntied]

I don't feel that the toon is inappropriate or offensive to single nudists. I've seen men act that way towards women with CLOTHES ON! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

As I was raised in a textile world (as we most all were), the secret that was kept from us was the naked human body (women too). Without making Greensunshines little red face [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img] any redder, I would like to say that if men and women were able to just get past all that society, the media, and our parents have put into our heads (brainwashed) [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] about the opposite sex, then there wouldn't even be an issue here. Sure we have sexual instinct, but would a clothes free world lead to a society of orgies, or would we have a better planet to live on.

OK, the planet comment was a bit much, [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] but I think it isn't the single males fault... I think it is SOCIETY! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[EricNY]

It is unfortunate that there are a few men that have made it tough for the rest.....it is also unfortunate that many women also put us ALL in the same catagory

[Guest]

And some of you people wonder why I'm so afraid of approaching women at the resort?

[Doug H]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jon-Marc:
[qb] And some of you people wonder why I'm so afraid of approaching women at the resort? [/qb]

---

Hear! Hear! Unfortunately, the sensitivity of women on the subject is not only well-known, but well-based, and not just in nudist circles but in the big, wide world.

Personally, I think it's a case of the women becoming less highly sensitive, while the men learn to keep their distance for a while. That combination could help both sides in the long run.

Doug H.

P.S. the same applies at miniature wargaming tables. I have simple policy. Don't hit on any girls 'til they've been around long enough to realize that you're a wargamer first and lonely guy second. By then, she might actually believe that you like HER and not the fact that she's a girl who wargames.

Doug H.

[NudeAl]

You know this is all very interesting to me. I'm an old married guy, I've been married so long I don't knkow what I'd ever do if I was single. My wife has single friends that are our age (35-45) and one their complaints is that there aren't any real men left. They say that there has been so much publicity about sexual harassment etc. that men are afraid to act like men. I'm not sure what is meant by that but to me it implies that women like men to be assertive and make the first move but just be polite. On the other hand I have heard about guys getting yelled at for opening the door for a woman at a store, crazy. I'm just glad I'm married and don't have to worry about this issue to much. I know I will still be the kind of guy who opens doors for women, especially my wife.

[R.M.GREENMAN2]

I wonder if a single man with children would be treated differently.