Matt, it’s wonderful to hear about your experience being naked among others. Family can often feel like the biggest hurdle because they know you so well yet might have no idea you’re a naturist. But with the signs you’ve put up around your home, just stay true to yourself. If they seem surprised or even a bit shocked, acknowledge their reaction, check that they’re comfortable with you being naked, and then simply continue being as you are. I think many of us share that same hesitation when it comes to revealing our nudist side—not because we want to show that we’re nudists, but because we simply are. As I often say, being a nudist isn’t about being seen; it’s about being—just being.

I would say, always be prepared to be surprised. Some years ago a woman friend came round for a chat. I had already told her that I preferred to be nude in the warmer weather, and taking a chance I asked if she was prepared for me to strip off. Her response was that there was no issue if I wanted to be nude. She and her husband later offered me the use of their house and garden to sunbathe naked, and since then I think they have seen me nude much more than dressed. They even took some photos of me to illustrate an article I had written for Naturist Life.

Philip, this is in response to your post earlier today. I have posted this elsewhere on the site (a long time ago); but it applies here also, though it is not as satisfying and 'happy' as yours.

When we lived in Texas, our neighbor across the street was friends with my wife. From across the street, the only window in their view was our dining room window, which only showed our table and part of a wall (this is for later in the story).

One day, I was down the hall near the bedrooms, when my 11-year-old daughter came sauntering down from the living room, just as I was about to head in that direction. So, she turned and walked in front of me to the living room. As we turned the corner, there was the neighbor, 5 feet away, chatting with my wife. Of course, they both looked up at us as anyone would, when someone enters a room.

I put my hands on my daughter's shoulders (for the sake of saving the neighbor any embarrassment) and I asked, "Why didn't you tell me that Janie was here?"  My daughter, being 11 only shrugged.

The neighbor on the other hand, chuckled, and said, "Oh, don't worry. I've seen your lily-white a** plenty of times through the dining room window."

I just turned and went back down the hall so, I guess she saw it one more time.  

There was another time, when I was sunning myself on a lounge chair in the rear yard as I read a book. My chair (hence, my feet) was facing our sliding glass door to the house.  I heard the door opening and thought nothing of it, expecting our 9-year-old daughter was simply returning from a friend's house. Well, she was... but she brought the friend's mom with her; a young woman who was coming out the door with my daughter. 😄 I slowly lowered my book to my lap but there was no pretending she hadn't seen everything.  The lady approached my chair with my daughter and squatted down, because she had been invited over to ask if we wanted one of their puppies. She didn't react at all to my nudity; nothing was said about it, and when we were finished, she went back home and nothing more was ever said. Now days, I wish I had been more assertive with my neighbors in being open about my lifestyle and inviting them to try it out.

(we got the dog)

Great stories Philip and Sam and good examples of the fact that people's logic kicks in when faced with nudity. Some where inside we all still know that nudity is not shocking and is our natural state.

When asked about nudity much of society may look for answers in side their heads that they feel they should voice, but when push comes to shove most people will forget that and react naturally and instinctively. 

I think part of what makes the human race consider nudity as unsuitable is because when not actually dealing with it in a natural situation they consider what it may mean: they look at threat, danger, sexuality, exhibitionism. So they feel they need to consider it with those negatives in mind. Worse case scenarios in play. But when they come across innocent casual nudity they instinctively understand there is no threat and react accordingly. 

The simple key to encouraging naturism and finding acceptance is for people to casually witness it in natural situations and build up a bank of awareness examples that over powers the threat that they consider in their cold imaginations. 

In general, certainly here, most people are not concerned if you're naked.  I'm frequently in situations where I'll be naked taking to people.  My naturist lifestyle is very well known and people don't seem to be concerned.   I guess if they were they wouldn't stop and talk to me.  

I think when people are actually confronted with someone living a naturist lifestyle they are less concerned than their indoctrination leads them to.  Often, if I'm in a group, I find it easy to ask, does anyone  mind if I relax or swim naked.  Almost without exception I get agreement to the request.

How do others find people reacting if they ask is ok if I .... "swim", "relax", or "whatever" without clothes?