Sorry to hear about your sister.  I don't know which is worse, the silence or the ridicule.  I found it amusing that my daughter simply thought I was "eccentric" until she found out that my brother is also a naturist, partly because he learned I was.  To top it off, the younger of her two daughters (age 9) does not like clothes and is nude I've learned a good bit of time at home.

I think the worst any who hasn't tried naturism should think is that we are eccentric. Anyone who thinks it is perverse or evil needs to maybe look at themselves a little harder and ascertain why they have such uncharitable points of view. If anyone took the time out to ask questions and read around the subject then they would realise that it is a very positive and healthy lifestyle. People should always find out about things before deciding the rights and wrongs. Making wild assumptions often makes the person look rather foolish and blinkered.
     

I have told my dad, my brother, my next door neighbours. About being a naturist and belonging to a naturist club. And they have all been fine about it. My dad has told other family members and family friends, usually because I am not home, I'm away at the club.
I would tell more of my friends and work colleagues, but I am worried about the Mickey taking.
Which is a shame as I have just got back from a great weekend at my club, which included our annual funday. Whereapon myself and another member did the BBQ. And there were over fifty fellow naturists in attendance, including some newbies. There was live music. It was a brilliant weekend.
But I just wish I had the confidence to tell more people about it. And what a fantastic social lifestyle it really is.

On the Virtual Meet this week one of the contributers asked about telling others that you are a naturist. 

How do you go about doing that when it could create embarrassment, confusion, mistrust, shock and other such reactions?

As was pointed out - most people are actually quite accepting and more curious than mistrusting - but the fact is it isn't easy. 

It was mentioned that it is not something that naturists always have to bring up - you do not for example go around telling people what political party you vote for or whether you like red or white wine or hate wine all together unless there is a point to - but at the same time we should not hide from it. 

Steve mentioned that it would be easier if people all understood what naturism was - one big problem is that naturism is still a rather hidden life choice and misunderstood by many (and mis-promoted by people on the internet too) which can lead to a disclosure of your naturism being a rather drawn out discussion of how it is safe, suitable and sensible - not sexual, sleazy and sinful. Steve said that what we really need is to ensure that society has a better understanding of what naturism is to make the job of naturists "coming out of the closet" that much easier. And referred to this Forum topic https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/98/what-core-rules-should-exist-for-naturists-clubs with the idea that we need a universal description/guide for naturism that can help people understand exactly what naturism is and then also what it isn't. 

That national bodies, clubs and sites like ANW need to be working at ensuring that naturism is properly understood as a core part of their own "business plan." After all until we ensure naturism is trusted and defined and understood how can we properly promote it, how can we encourage more to take part and how can we expect individuals to feel comfortable about telling others. If I ran a doughnut shop could I expect customers to come to my door if they did not know what doughnuts are? If someone says "I like skiing" they do not then  have to explain what skiing is - it is understood and accepted - if the person they are talking to likes or hates or has never tried skiing or is afraid to is fine - because they know what skiing is. With naturism it is not so easy because a lot of people just do not know what naturism is and so it is simpler to not bring it up. 

Where do we go from here? Please share your thoughts on this topic and the best way to get people to understand naturism and how you tell people about your naturism.    

I have just created this topic that may be of use and interest

https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/229/finding-a-definition-creating-an-understanding