Conference moira::naturism

	>I realize that this notes file is public (within DEC) but 
	>I assume that it has a more limited readership than other 
	>notes files.
    Gerry, I made the opposite assumption...I may be wrong but I think 
    this notes file attracts more than the average notes files because 
    the topic is more interesting and/or controversial than most.  All
    I would suggest is that you NOT assume the responsibility of doing
    other people's worrying for them.  Just be yourself and let others
    be what they will be.    You may be suprised to find that they are
    less worried about nudity than you thought they might be.   I told
    my neighbors I was learning about nudity from this notes file. All
    my neighbors were listening to me talk about public nudity for the
    first time ever.   I assumed I was the only one there who even had
    a thought on the matter.   To my suprise, one of my neighbors told
    the group about being video taped while in the nude on one camping
    trip he was on.  Just be natural. That is what nudity is all about 
    anyway isn't it?
    
    Ken Enger

    There's that scene from Crocadile Dundee that comes to mind...
    
    If you have a secret about being a nudist, put an entry in this
    notesfile about it.  Then everyone (sort of) will know about it
    and then you don't have to worry about keeping it a secret! :-)
    
    I was very nervous about putting in my first entry here, but it's
    something that was important to me so I went ahead and did it.
    It's still not something that I talk about to everyone, but I've
    found that people are not as paranoid as I thought about the
    whole topic.
    
    There are things to think about...
    If someone gives you grief about your participation in this notesfile,
    then you can give them grief about being a voyeur and not
    participating.  Who's the strange one, the one who joins in or the one
    who sneaks around to "peek"?
    
    After a while, the concept of "coming out of the closet" becomes
    more comfortable.  It is something to be proud of, because you
    stand up for something that you feel is right.   Your friends don't
    have to agree with your lifestyle, but they would accept it honestly
    if they were your friends.
    
    (so this is what it's like to stand on a soapbox...:-) )
    
    Ben

    
    I agree with the previous replies.  Just be yourself.  I think probably
    everyone I work with knows that I am naturist.  And not because
    I told them, but because some of my other colleagues may have mentioned
    it to someone else.  Who knows ?  Who cares If they can't accept
    me for what I believe in, or what I might like to do, well, so what?
    It's my life not theirs.  As long as I don't impose on their own
    personal beliefs of right and wrong, I don't think I'm doing any
    harm.
    
    Some of my colleagues from time to time, mention something like:
    "Are you still a naturist?  or "Have you been to such and such a
    place recently", and I know that in some ways they're just teasing
    me, but yet sometimes I get the feeling that they're interested
    in what I have to say about naturism, and perhaps they might even
    use my information to their own benefit, while trying to avoid
    admitting that they themselves might have some naturist tendencies.
    (I'm only speculating - but it is possible).
    
    I too was somewhat nervous about putting my first note in this
    conference.  I was worried about what other people might think
    of me - but I took the plunge, and found out like Ben, that people
    are a lot more open to the idea of naturism than you might think.,
    yet still aren't quite ready to *expose* themselves (pun intended).
    
    Fear - in itself, is the primary reason people hold themselves back
    from ....taking risks.  If you can get rid of the fear, and take
    a chance, you often find yourself enjoying and experiencing things
    that you never dreamed yourself doing before.
    
    Strange as it may sound, naturism, or being nude outdoors, is the
    closest I think I've ever come to feeling...lack of any emotional
    or social pressures...it's the closest I've come to feeling freedom.
    
    Darrell
    

        
    Actually I am not very concerned about myself, the biggest issue
    is my kids. I can make choices for myself, but do I have the
    rihgt to make such  for my wife and kids?

    Actually, my family loves the lifestyle so it is not an issue.
    The issue is potential teasing of the kids, and my wife's desire
    not to be the topic of local gossip.

    - gerry

    Potential teasing from the kids ?  Whose kids ?  Yours or someone
    elses ?  
    
    If your kids are being teased by other kids, don't worry about it,
    kids are pretty good at defending themselves, and their true friends
    will stick with them no matter what.
    
    If your kids are teasing YOU, I'm sure you can take it, (but I don't
    think you meant it this way).
    
    And your wife being the talk of the neighbourhood ?  My wife wishes
    she could be that !  So what if they talk, really !  If someone
    should confront her some day, your wife could say, "Oh, did so-and-so
    really say that ?  Well, it's amazing what they'll dream up just
    for a little gossip!".  I've used this tactic before; they keep
    talking and they aren't sure what is true and what isn't, and sometimes
    the rumours get so out of whack, that it becomes hysterical when
    you find out for yourself what garbage they've dreamed up and passed
    around.

    Nothing to be concerned about (in my opinion).