I think we have many stepping stones to cross for making naturism more acceptable around the globe and also for find naturism easier for ourselves. I hope ANW helps many people - maybe it helps Gortuk24 - to find more naturist opportunities in their lives and to be socially naked even if it isn't face to face in the real world. 

It is very sad that naturism has to deal with stigmas anywhere - it may be tougher in the USA than in say Germany but it is still a battle even in the most accepting of countries. Would it not be so ideal if naturism was the norm is swimming pools and teens grew confident with nudity in mixed situations because of such behaviour. 

The thing that makes it tough being naked with any one is that we just aren't used to it. The silly thing is is that after that first moment there is no issue. Once you stand socially naked with a stranger, friend or family member you have done it and that is it. From then on there is no surprise, worry or concern. Every time we meet some one dressed, or with a new hairstyle or with different make up or jewellery we are showing a new aspect that can be disliked, mocked, not seen to be to their taste etc but once you are naked it is pretty much the same evrytime after that so there is no more judging to come.  

Anna is correct when she says the first time being naked with someone is the toughest.  While we all have an idea what everyone looks like naked, that first time is confirmation but also seeing the variations in individuals.  After that, the mystery if there ever was any is gone.  Naturists don't experience this as much because we've been seen by many individuals.  Yes, family members may be problematic especially if it's a case where they are just learning (or have recently found out) that one of their own is a naturist.

In my case, I really don't worry about it much anymore.  Any reluctance I may have is because I don't want to make someone else uncomfortable.  I feel my nudity is a statement that I am comfortable with who I am.

I think with people you have known for sometime it is more of a shock seeing them in differently in anyway. If I grew a beard my family would no doubt be surprised, curious and possibly hate it - where as strangers won't care at all. There is also the question of realising something new and unexpected about someone and having to re-evaluate. My family and friends all had ideas/thoughts/worries etc when I decided to become a vegetarian 30 odd years ago. Strangers once again may be for or against the idea of vegetarianism but would not have any care about me being a vegetarian. The same with naturism. 

Strangers won't be shocked to see me naked because they aren't used to seeing me dressed and the won't be shocked to hear that I am a naturist because they don't already feel that they know everything about me. 

On a pure vanity side or self conscious side there is that fear of what if my family are surprised at how I look naked - it is much easier to to be naked with people who you couldn't care about whether they think you are toned or flabby, muscular or  weedy, and those parts of us that are generally considered "rude" our genitals and breasts seem to take a great part in how we worry about being judged while naked. It is a foolish attitude that we do not worry about with strangers in a naturist setting but those that don't yet have that naturist attitude can pull us into having those concerns again.

I would only be uncomfortable being naked in front of someone if they were uncomfortable. For me, it's all situational and personal and respecting others' comfort level. I'm perfectly fine being nude in public, like at our club for example. I'm fine with nudity with friends and family if they are fine. I'm obviously fine with nudity at home.

John24- I know exactly what you mean but I think if our parents were naturists then they would have had different attitudes and personalities so I guess the knock effect of reinventing your parents as naturists would also have reinvented them in other ways. Much as my parents were and are lovely - they did have some faults and I do think that if they had been naturists it would have removed some of those faults and helped us all as a family. 

Marc - I get where you are coming from too - it is hard to be naked with someone who is uncomfortable with you or the situation. I also wouldn't want to be naked with someone I felt uncomfortable with. People I don't have feeling at all for like strangers is fine, people I like is fine too, but individuals that I don't get on with - then being naked in front of them would seem unnatural - maybe simply based on the fact that we don't like removing barriers with people we don't trust - the barriers protect us.