1. How comfortable are you being naked around other people?
I am usually pretty comfortable.
2. Is it different to be naked around family or friends than it is strangers?
My family and friends are not comfortable with nudity at all. The only people I've been nude around are strangers that eventually become friends while at resorts or other venues/events. My usual friends are textiles. I have had friends in the past I have been nude around, such as skinny dipping or changing in front of. I was comfortable then, those these were not nudist friends.
3. Are you happily nude at home in private but fear being naked in public?
I'm very happy nude at home, and I don't really fear being nude in public.
4. Are there some people you just could never be naked in front of?
I'd say family, and that's mainly since they are so averse to nudity. My mother will blush if I'm talking about baby bottles and casually mention the word "nipple". My father is a pastor, and he doesn't know I'm a nudist. Then again, we very rarely even talk for years at a time. My siblings know, but the conversation just never comes up. They also would be very uncomfortable with nudity in general.
5. How do you feel about being naked when some or all others are dressed?
I usually don't differentiate nude/clothed unless it is brought to my attention. Though if it is, I can get a bit uncomfortable if I'm the "odd man out". It just honestly starts to feel somewhat exhibitionist in a way if I let it get to me. But normally I don't pay it any mind. If others do, I get uneasy as well. That's a big issue I had with vid chats with AANR. I act and appear the exact same as if I were clothed, but when a big deal is made, it makes me look/feel like a creep. After those experiences, I'm a lot more self-conscious. In person is the same way.
If I'm at a resort I'm totally fine when all others around me are nude the entire time. Even if they were nude all day and put something on in the evening (especially if not all that cool), I start to feel a bit uneasy and out of place if it is brought to my attention but usually don't pay it much mind. If we see a naked person out and about when everyone else is clothed, they stand out. When in a nude environment and we see someone clothed, they stand out. Can't help but notice. One or two in a crowd isn't a big deal, but when I am in the minority, it starts to be uncomfortable after a while.
I haven't been to a nude beach yet. In the case of in public or places not designated as clothing optional...That's a different story. While I don't believe it is shameful, not everyone holds my views and I'd rather be respectful of them. I guess there's a time and place. Then again, it is also illegal to be publicly nude here and I'm speaking as an American. People tend to be more open when it comes to nudity in other places, hence it being legal to be nude in public. In the case where the majority of society holds different views, I wouldn't mind as much and would be totally comfortable being nude.
I noticed while visiting Germany they tend to be more relaxed with nudity, though it is opposite here and a big culture shock. If they're comfortable, I'm comfortable for the most part. There can still be times when I feel out of place if I'm the only one nude or one of very few.
at October 31, 2024 4:05 AM GMT 
1. How comfortable are you being naked around other people?
Very comfortable.
2. Is it different to be naked around family or friends than it is strangers?
I find it easiers around strangers as you've never seen those people clothed before and they probably never saw you clothed, so nudity seems normal. With friends and family who saw you clothed and whom you saw most of the time clothed, it feels a little bit weird in the beginning, then, just go with it.
3. Are you happily nude at home in private but fear being naked in public?
Happily nude at home and in public.
4. Are there some people you just could never be naked in front of?
None.
5. How do you feel about being naked when some or all others are dressed?
I used to feel uncomfortable, then now, I've moved past this and am now totally comfortable even when being the only one.
I wrote a community blog post about this very topic, Being Comfortable Naked, When Everybody Else is Clothed (https://anaturistworld.com/blog/46363). In this blog post, I wrote that "I realized I should not be fearful nor should I cover up simply because those around me were clothed" and "I won't pretend it's easy to be the only naked person when everyone around you is clothed. It takes immense courage and confidence to go against social conditioning and bare your body when others are covered up. Especially in public settings, it's natural to feel vulnerable or exposed being the only nude person."
However, when you realize that
then, you create your own freedom of being who you are. It may force people to leave your company and you may lose friendship. However, this is their choice not yours. Sure it may feel that you're "imposing" your nudity. But what you are imposing is the freedom to be yourself, and this is disturbing and uncomfortable for many who were forced to "act" in a society that relies on showing not being.
It is funny because this forum thread makes us think back to last year, and a members blog we wrote in the midst of playing our role as organisers in Wales. In the blog post we talked of how inaccessible naturism feels for people who are interested in trying it out. We talked of how the grass roots has been depleted and naturism is not seen, and at times difficult to find out about.
A Naturists Connection - Member Blog View - A Naturist World
We have encountered a lot of curiosity from those who know we are into a naked lifestyle, it surprises us how many people who have told us they would like to try it, as it is on their bucket list, and yet we hear from the officials of national organisations of how hard it is at times to gain acceptance. Anna is right, naturism is too busy being hidden behind high hedges, or hiding in the dunes.
It does make us ponder the old saying, “Seeing is believing.” How can you understand or experience something that is hidden, surely, we have to step out and guide others onto the right path if we are to make any progress at all? The LGBT and women’s movement did not grow behind closed doors, it brought its voice out into the mainstream to be heard.
It does appear to us that there is an attitude amongst parts of naturism that does promote the idea of we should be afraid to reveal ourselves as naturists. We have challenged that and have raised it with national bodies, like the posts on this forum, we have talked of coming out onto the beaches and allowing others to know it is a safe environment to be naked in. To a degree we did get some resistance, and we can understand why, but it is simple logic to deduce, that if naturism is not seen, it will not be heard. We also wrote a member’s blog about this which is here.
Do we Fear the Fear? - Member Blog View - A Naturist World
One of the things that has always baffled us, is that many members of naturist clubs attended closed naturists events and do to a degree enforce the idea that we all belong hidden, and yet those very same people will undress, get on a bike, and cycle around a major city once a year as part of the World Naked Bike Ride. They do not do so under the guise of being a naturist, they do in the name of saving the environment.
It feels like a double standard to us, firstly, living wearing as little as possible is great for the environment, as the fashion industry is the second biggest polluter on the planet, and yet these people never mention that, and continue to attend their secret events and clubs claiming naturism should be kept as a secret. We know this point of view unsettles people, because a great many fear the fear, but in many ways there are other ways to support those who take the plunge and step out for naturism.
We have always said the job of a naturist is to educate, to arm the public with the facts, we have never seen our role as one to convert everyone, what we have always tried to do is educate in a way that leads to acceptance, because ultimately, if we can win over people to accept that what we do is innocent, none sexual, and provided many health and self assurance benefits, then create an understanding with the public that will not only increase our numbers, but will also allow more people to step out and be seen as supporting naturism.
Beaches are one of the best places to start, where we can enjoy our time in the sun, free of shame, and allow others to see us that way, and as part of the naturist community, all of us should encourage, support, and participate in that.
How comfortable are you being naked around other people?
I don’t have any issue being naked in around others. I have come to realize that I feel comfortable naked than I do in clothes.
Is it different to be naked around family or friends than it is around strangers? Nope. All the same.
Are you happily nude at home in private but fear being naked in public?
Public is difficult due to local laws. I would be naked more in public if it wouldn’t end with me in jail. I will stick to around my house (inside and out), nudist club, beaches, and anywhere else I’m permitted.
Are there some people you just could never be naked in front of?
There is nobody that I wouldn’t be willing to live life naked in front of. I’m not ashamed to be naked. But going back to the previous question, I couldn’t put my family in jeopardy by going to jail just to be naked.
How do you feel about being naked when some or all others are dressed?
I don’t mind being the only naked one. In fact, when my parents visit from warm Florida in the winter months, I am often the only one naked as they hate the cold and Paige prefers to dress warm/comfy.
I feel very comfortable being naked with other naturists at a club or campsite. But I'm not so sure about skinny dipping events or bike rides or indeed hiking in the countryside. My biggest test will be in May when our club are hosting a visit from some Suntrekkers and we are organising some events for them amongst these is an archery session which is being conducted by my daughter-in-law who I have to say didn't blink an eyelid when I asked her. We'll see how I get on with that! My son and my 12 year old grandaughter will not be there, at least I don't think so!
