Some are 'TURNED OFF' by nudism "because"

[sqmlr]

I was in a pivate discussion on here and the thought came to me ,
What would be the most revealing topic for me as one newly investigating the possiblity of becomeing a nudist /naturalist.
The idea of members recounting there former or current dislikes about nudism in general or specific trends among resorts. As well as ideas either brought to this forum or personal accounts from those outsiders who were unable to make the move to this way of living /thinking,
I am continually amazed at how the internet can make understanding new ideas so much easyer for me 'at least' i would not have ever had this opportunity otherwise, "to ask such detailed questions and enjoy the diversity of reactions/respoinces."
thanks again,

[sqmlr]

I was in a pivate discussion on here and the thought came to me ,
What would be the most revealing topic for me as one newly investigating the possiblity of becomeing a nudist /naturalist.
The idea of members recounting there former or current dislikes about nudism in general or specific trends among resorts. As well as ideas either brought to this forum or personal accounts from those outsiders who were unable to make the move to this way of living /thinking,
I am continually amazed at how the internet can make understanding new ideas so much easyer for me 'at least' i would not have ever had this opportunity otherwise, "to ask such detailed questions and enjoy the diversity of reactions/respoinces."
thanks again,

[Trailscout]

I was disappointed to see many obese nudists lolling about on cots. And there are plenty of others fat and thin who are often chain-smoking by the poolside while the volleyball court goes begging for attention.

People who take care of their bodies can play sports well into their senior years. I have some older relatives who enjoy an active life, (and quit smoking too) so I know it can be done.

[Atlanta Runner]

I got to thinking about this and just a couple of things came to mind. I have become a much happier person and more in tuned with myself, my enjoyment of the outdoors and my understanding of people from a social standpoint as well as their personal barriers dealing with modesty and body shame. I tell you, reading people's opinions on here has really opened my eyes and afforded me some good friendships with others who live near me.

What still turns me off about nudism is the constant relation being made (by both nudists and non-nudists alike) between the enjoyment of life without any clothes and sex or focus on body parts.

The other thing is not as much a turn off as it was a disappointment to find that nudists are for the most part a very similar cross section of the population and no matter how forward thinking or open minded they profess to be, for the most part they are still pretty judgmental and open minded to the standpoint that others adhere to the same political, social and religious mindset that they do.

[NudistGuy47]

I have been thinking also on this subject and have drawn my own thoughts together.

I do enjoy being nude when I can, but accept that life exists on many planes and many of those planes require one to be clothed. I have stated my motto before and it still holds. "Nude when possible; clothed when practical." The constant obsession of being without clothes is one I can not understand.

One thing that really gets to me is the distrust of the single guy in many nudist circles. I have tried to talk with others at my club only to be dismissed quickly when they find I am single. I am a complex human being with thoughts that run much higher than a constant focus on sex or trying to get something from someone. When people have gotten to know me, they find we have many things in common, but the intial brush-off will continue to get my goat.

One other thing I find disappointing is the complaining that no one is in their area or they know no place to enjoy nudity in nature or social settings. The internet provides so many opportunities to search for information. I find those who say they have no opportunities to get to know others who share the interest annoying as there exist so many avenues for information. It just takes initiative to get the information and then to make the first move.

I am with Trailscout and AR on a couple of points. I find the same people (myself included) playing volleyball or swimming actively in the pool at my club. There are many who could get up and move a bit, but choose to sit and do nothing. As AR stated, the cross section reflects society. The part of being judgmental hit the nail on the head. I touched on that in the above paragraphs.

[NudePete]

Most of my experience with social nudity is from the local C.O. beach. Being a public beach it is frequented mostly by men, often older and obviously retired. Everyone is well behaved and so on, but there is still a sort of "locker room-like" look to the place. I can see how this might turn off some.

It is encouraging to see that the proportion of females is slowly increasing, as the average age decreases. Perhaps when I am ready to retire...?

[Borntobenude]

quote:

Originally posted by Atlanta Runner:
The other thing is not as much a turn off as it was a disappointment to find that nudists are for the most part a very similar cross section of the population and no matter how forward thinking or open minded they profess to be, for the most part they are still pretty judgmental and open minded to the standpoint that others adhere to the same political, social and religious mindset that they do.

If nudists are just regular people, the only difference being that they're not compulsively attached to clothing, then I fail to see why one would expect them to be any better than anyone else in this regard.

[NudistGuy47]

I was thinking after my post and the thought expressed by Borntobenude came to mind. Just because the clothes come off does not mean the mind is changed!

[DoctorSurferDude]

When I initially started nudism at the age of 19 I was disappointed that there was nobody my age, and that nearly all nudists were my parent's age or older. I was disappointed that the respect and equality of males to females is not practiced on the beach and therefore not present on the beach. I was disappointed that resorts are predominantly white RV savy people (uncomfortable to minority visitors at times).

[oddbutterfly1]

I may be a little slow here, but I have the impression that you guys have a problem with people that are overweight going to nude resorts.

I hope not. I am one of those that have a few many lbs. on. It is that kind of negative thinking that stops a lot of people from going in the first place.

Luckily for me, my b/f is smarter than most. He has taught me to accept myself and love myself for who I am, not what I am.

We are nudist at home, and go to many local lakes, river and woods to enjoy the sun and the breezes.

I have only been a naturist for a year and a half and wished I had done it long ago, but I didn't much like myself then.

I am also very open with people that I am a naturist. I am very proud of my new life and have nothing to hide anymore. I find that most people are very accepting. If they weren't then I really don't need them in my life.

Sorry if I have been wrong in my statement, or took the post the wrong way.

Connie

[BackpackerBrian]

My initial challenges when I became a nudist, at age 20 or 21, were the abscence people in my age group, the un-naturalness of same naturists (read: silicone and high-heels) and being hit on by swingers at the club, or stalked at the local nude beach.

Fortunately, naturists are pretty friendly people, and once I had a good group of friends, those turn-offs were minimalized.

Today I may have one more "turn-off" if I was 21 again. When I joined Paradise Lakes yearly associate dues were $35; today they'd be more like $135. What college kid can afford that?? Naturism is becoming an industry, and perhaps too focused on business.

[namedun]

I too find it a bit frustrating that I'm the only nudist I know in my age group. I find it difficult to socialize with other nudists when they are on average at least 20 years older than I am, and have little in common besides being naked.

[Trailscout]

Connie, I can't speak for everyone, but I will address my own comments about obesity. I don't like obesity because it robs us of the ability to participate in many of the things that make life enjoyable and ultimately it is almost sure to rob us of many years of our lives.

One of my dearest friends is about 30 or 40 pounds overweight. I would marry her just the way she is, but we have other problems and responsibilities that keep us miles apart. But my acceptance of her as a person doesn't mean that I don't secretly wish that she would find a way to lose that weight. I am afraid that it will take her from this world years before I am ready to let her go. And she can't join me when I go hiking or camping, something I would like to share with her.

I have been badly overweight myself and am almost back to my ideal weight. It was not easy and there were times when I was worried that I would not get there.

Nudism teaches us to take care of our bodies, to live in harmony with nature. A lot of people don't mind being nude, but don't seem to otherwise care for their own bodies. I would like to see a revival of some of the values that made nudism a distinctive philosophy when it first came to this country.

None of my remarks were meant as a personal snub to you.

[Nudony]

I don't know if this is on topic or not, but one thing that still freaks me out are what I call "hyper-defensive" women. These are the women who automatically assume that if they catch you looking in their direction, you MUST be a gawker.
I have gotten anywhere from a negative attitude to an outright "evil look" from several women over the years, just because the caught me looking in their direction, unexpectedly. And then I end up feeling guilty, even though I haven't done anything wrong. Ironically, I have years of practice in 'non-staring", having grown up in France and been around many topless female friends. I simply don't stare.
If I'm reading a book, hear a noise and look up to find a woman in front of me bending over to pick up something: it's an accident! If someone throws me a ball, misses and it bounces off a lady's butt: it was an accident! Some of the reactions I've witnessed were unbelievably negative.
In all fairness, I can understand how negative past experiences with pervs or residual body acceptance issues can cause "hyper-defensiveness." But I still think that jumping to conclusions and reacting so strongly is uncalled for. The experiences I've described are not that common; thank goodness, because it can ruin a perfect day of nudist fun.

[lovebeingnude]

My wife has a few "turn offs" regarding nudism.

She really hates dining with naked people, especially topless women. We recently went to Eden Bay for a vacation. One dinner she sat across from a topless woman who was wearing an interesting necklace that hung between her breasts. It was frustrating for my wife when she would engage in conversation with this woman and inadvertantly follow the necklace down with her eyes to the woman's breasts. So, she tried to avert her eyes to other things.

She also imagines she is being gawked at a lot. So, I only take her to resorts when few people are around (such as weekdays). And we tend to keep to ourselves.

And, then she has body issues...