Hi, you can be a naturist, in my opinion, and no one else ever see you naked. Most naturists in my experience do not even think they are nude around other people, after they have actually done just that, got nude in a social setting. I am actually quite shy, although some might dispute that. Years ago, I used to win quite a lot of naturist trophies, miniten, tenniquoits, those sorts of sports. As a result, I was often interviewed by various papers, some were just local, others were nationwide. As a result, I was once approached by a TV programme called Lion Red Sports Cafe. This was a live show, broadcast in a studio attached to a bar in a hotel situated right on a wharf in Auckland. The show flew myself and my partner to Auckland, limo from the airport to the hotel, hotel for the night, all meals and drinks, and then limo back to the airport the next day. The studio was literally through a curtain off the bar, and had an audience of several hundred. I was put through the makeup procedure and then taken down to the bar. I asked where do I get naked, and they said right here, that is, in the bar. There was some discussion whether I was going on naked or with a tee-shirt. Naked the produced eventually said. So, here is a 120kg guy getting naked in a bar full of patrons all enjoying their wines and beers. One of the bouncers spied me getting my gear off and heading in my direction. He was stopped though by the director who said I was part of the show. So, here I am naked, wrist bands on, head band too, sneakers and my miniten bat. Oh, I did have a bum towel. You can imagine the bar patrons all having a laugh as I was ready to head on to the stage. I heard my name being announced and through the curtain I went. A famous ex-all black was the main compere, along with a couple of other well known personalities, Lana Cocraugh? being one. I was introduced and invited to sit on the couch. I sat next to very famous ex-All Black, Eric Rush, who did not know where to look. It was lots of fun, and I was asked lots of very good questions. At the end of the show, I went back into the bar and spent an hour at the bar, everyone buying me drinks, and still naked. As you can imagine, when word went around that Murray was on TV, naked, many VCRs were turned on to record the event.
I am surprised to see that I never responded to this. I don't know how it got past me. I'm with Marc H, in that I am comfortable being naked in front of anyone who is comfortable with it.
I can still be naked in the presence of my daughters; unfortunately, as they are all now married, I can only be naked if their husbands are not around because they are decidedly anti-nudism. One won't even come downstairs in his own house, with only my daughter present, without a shirt on. When she chided him for it, he replied that you never know when someone might come to the door. They live in the country, with a long driveway. A car cannot approach the house without them hearing the crunching of gravel. She, on the other hand, will walk around her house naked and it makes him nervous. (sigh) Another husband only found out recently, after 12 years of marriage, that his wife (our daughter) used to attend naturist resorts with us when growing up. She laughed as she told me that he wasn't shocked at the thought of her being naked; but at the thought of my wife and me being naked in her presence as a child. So, that's what I'm up against.
I would answer the front door naked if I could do so without getting an over-the-top reaction. I often feel frustrated, when home alone and naked and just think about the fact that in my own home, I would have to put something on if a stranger came to the door. Technically (and legally) I could do so. But if there was an adverse reaction, I know the attention would embarrass my wife. So, for her sake and out of love, I avoid the potential for an awkward incident.
Regarding Anna's question as to whether I'd be comfortable naked when others are dressed... Last October we went to our daughter's house in Michigan. Our first morning there, her husband left for work at 6:30 am and would not be home until 2:30 pm. Everyone else was still asleep, so I got naked and sat down to read. When my daughter and 3year old granddaughter came downstairs, they stood looking at me for a few seconds, and my daughter said, "When I told Lexi that Poppy was probably awake, she asked, 'Is Poppy naked?' So, I said, well, let's go see; and here you are." (we often Skype and I'm always naked then, so, the little one, who is also happier naked than dressed, got no surprises.) I was there all day with only those two and my wife, so, I didn't get dressed. until about 2:15. It was the best day of the visit.
Side note: My daughter has a home business that involves clients coming to her home for service. One day a few weeks ago, after a client left, Lexi asked, "Are there any more clients coming today?" Mom said "No." and Lexi said, "Good. I want to be naked." and had her clothes off by the time she had the sentence out. She is now officially my favorite grandchild.
at May 15, 2026 4:09 AM BST 
Thanks for your recent thoughts Murray and Sam. I love the story Murray and it is maybe a fascinating insight into acceptability. When someone is invited to be naked it makes the idea easier for them and more acceptable to others. What would happen if some just appeared in a bar full of dressed people and stripped off without any cause? The bouncers initial reaction is probably very telling.
Sam - there is lots to pick up from the various points that are all diverse yet compacted into your immediate family unit. The almost paranoid fear from one in law, and the chosen concern of another. The knowing recognition of the wise and untainted minds of children, followed by the honest and sensible approach of Lexi.
Your daughters obvious comfort with nudity yet it being something that isn't part of their life is very positive and yet somehow a faithful, representation of the idea that no matter how we feel we still have to get on with life around others that feel differently and the simplest way is to be relaxed about nudity in principal without it being anything more than that. Your wife's logic of not wanting grief or embarrassment and your only respect of that.
All of these things build a picture of the reality that we all deal with in life. We live in a world where it is not easy to simply be naked, lots of influences and influencers exist and we just have to accept that, and hope things get a little more accepting. Though while very reasonable people fear being shirtless in their own home it is hard to imagine how we find the answer. Where do these concerns come from and how did they ever enter into our society?
The is an aspect of this topic that I feel is relevant in relation to the discussion we were having about beaches on the Live Meet this week.
That is the importance of being seen naked by others.
For example - with beaches - when we stay out of the dunes and use beaches openly as naturists our comfort and attitude towards being seen - and the ability for others to see us - is a great way of promoting naturism, making others aware of naturism, encouraging naturism and inspiring naturism. A lot of naturism is about not being seen. Events, venues and clubs that place us behind closed doors and hedges. To a certain extent it creates an idea of naturism being a furtive and even shameful practice - sadly painting a mental image of stripe clubs with blacked out windows.
Being naked in front of others removes the hidden aspect of naturism, and at its best educates and creates a great trust in naturism. What better way of allowing people to see that naturism is OK than by being happy to show them that it is OK.
It is also important that we can be naked in front of people to show them (and also at first ourselves) that all bodies are suitable for naturism and we should all be confident and comfortable with our bodies and with who we are. It is partly confidence building and learning to love yourself, but more than that, it is finding an inner peace with yourself and the world. Being able to not fear nudity places you in a situation where you do not worry either way about judgement or physical acceptability or suggestions that nudity means something else - danger, vulnerability, promiscuity, shame, exhibitionism, shock etc. It is not something we just teach others by being naked in front of them but it is also something we learn for ourselves, and it is that balance of not feeling concerned about being naked that is so beneficial to our understand of ourselves and our humanity. If the whole world could find this confidence it would be a happier and safer place to be.
