It strikes me as much as I enjoy the conversations with like minded naturists, if we are to expand the lifestyle we need to generate conversations with people who are not already converts.

There are a large number of very powerful forces reigned against us but thats not a reason not to try.

Amongst which I would suggest are

1. Most peoples up bringing, that to be naked is bad if not evil
2. The medias continual portrayal of nothing but "perfect bodies" - mostly people who are paid to be naked
3. The inability to seperate nudity from sex - once again a cultural issue.
4. ingrained behaviours.

I can site many comments from within my own extended family indicating how ingrained it must be. 

My mother telling me I was evil for skinny dipping in the river. 
A daughter in law telling my grandson "to put trusers on" because we don't want to see that!.  She never did define what that was.
Another relative who said I couldn't possibly be naked because I'm fat. She wasn't and who other than her would have cared anyway.
A friend who said, I can't go swimming in case some one sees.

I'm not sure how we get people to over come such reticence but I'd be interested in thoughts on the subject.

Something I've learned from being a pastor and a Christ-follower who is not shy about talking about the subject with anyone, is that there will always be those who, as soon as you broach the issue, will shut down.  They either come right out and say "Not interested," with a palm held up, or they politely nod while their eyes glaze over.

Now, naturism is not a religion to me; but I think the same principles hold true, that there will be those willing to talk about it and maybe even interested in knowing more; but others (perhaps a majority) will shun the very topic of conversation due to preconceived notions.  Once people decide they know what there is to know on a topic, even if they are absolutely wrong in what they think they know, it can be near impossible to get them to consider differently.

  Therefore, in my estimation, if we are not shy about letting people around us know of our involvement and interest in naturism, there will occasionally be one or two who will say, "Tell me more about that," especially as they get to know us and realize that we are otherwise normal, intelligent folks with the same likes, dislikes, needs, wants and goals as they.

I have heard all listed arguments in conversations myself, except for "naked is bad/evil", which might have something to do with me living in Germany where such a view would only be held by the small minority of very fundamentalistic Christians.

All other points are opinions the majority of people here have, despite the the fact that the free body culture has a long tradition in my country and there might be more people accepting it than in other European countries. The "perfect body" issue has become more dominant during last two decades, especially with younger people who seem to be even more uncomfortable with their bodies than I was in my teens. And of cause, the equation of sex and nudity is very widespread, as well.

I consider trying to win people over who are vehemently rejecting naturism and social nudity to be rather pointless. For me, it makes more sense to discuss these issues with people who are neutral or reluctant, but not entirely negative about it. And I avoid being missionary about my lifestyle. Instead, I'd rather let it slip casually into a conversation. For instance, if I am talking about our last vacations/our last summer weekend, I would say "This beach was really beautiful and quiet, and you don't need swimwear" and then see how the people I talk to react. Or if it has been a hot summer day at work, I would sigh "if I was at home, I would be running around naked all day". This way I found out that two of my coworkers and one of my best friends and her girlfriend shared this habit.

I think it is important to portray our lifestyle as completely normal as it is, and to talk about it without making a fuss about it. If other people just accept it as another perfectly normal lifestyle, that would be a very important first step.

Fully agree, Skyclad; you better stated the point I was attempting to make with my rambling. People can't be brow-beat into accepting any new concept, especially one they have historically seen as inappropriate, twisted or even evil.  Also, even those who might be open and curious are less likely to respond favorably to a cold and sudden approach by a relative stranger.  When we get to know a person and have a genuine interest in them, then have an opportunity to drop it into conversation as you have suggested, even if they don't immediately demonstrate curiosity, it gives them something to think though on their own and possibly warm up slowly to the idea of pursuing the topic further.

Thanks guys, interestingly I'm not sure how I personally got here.  I grew up in a non-naturist household but by my early teens I was sleeping naked.  I'm pretty sure I tried it (probably out of rebellion) and it just felt so right.  Then it just seemed to grow from there to be more and more expansive until I spend the majority of my time (weather permitting) naked.

Certainly as I have aged I have become more self assured and I care way less what other people thinkwhich helps.  Plus there are less ramification as I have gotten older mostly I'm the boss when I'm working so people have to put up with me. 

That said I do think it would be better if more people were like minded but I also fear the presence of cellphones and peoples tendency to judge what they see then share it certainly doesnt help.