Nudist or exhibtionist?
So I'm I think, 5 months into this site and have noticed a disparity in a "ground zero" topic. Simply... do people like to be naked because they enjoy the "thrill"? do they enjoy it because of the "freedom"? do they enjoy it because they're perverts?, do they enjoy it because it gives them the chance to look at naked people? , do they enjoy it because they have a bit of exhibitionism in them?
Some of the purists (I guess that's the word I'll use... and it doesn't seem to be the majority based on some of the responses I've read) state that if you're in it for the thrill or enjoyment of seeing nude people or like being an exhibitionist then you're NOT a nudist and that you're doing it for the wrong reasons. Some people report full out that they like the exhibition part of it. Some say they feel a "little exhibitionist" when they do it but they do it for other reasons.
As for me, I do it I suppose for most of the reasons up there. I'm not going to lie and say I don't enjoy looking at nude people..especially if they're attractive and built well. I'm sure I'll get someone here stating that nudity is about body acceptance, that it doesn't matter what people look like physically - and yes I can go with that and even agree with that, but does that mean I don't like checking out an attractive person - male or female? I can deny that all day long up and down but it would not be the total truth. There , I said it. And I DO enjoy being nude and feeling the breeze and the sun and being free of textiles..makes me want to scream and yell "oh man this feels so great". Heck yeah it does! And yeah a part of me does get a bit a cheap thrill of others checking me out so I guess I do have a bit of that dirty word "exhibition" . I DON'T feel I'm a pervert however. I don't think of naughty things I'd like to do with a certain nude person and I don't stand in the dunes and masturbate while checking out folks on the beach or at a pool.
I've seen a number of brief statements on TN where a mention is made of why we're nude and peoples different opinions of the freedom vs the exhibition thing ...but I have not seen a direct question like the one I'm asking. A simple idea of a poll to see "just what do most people feel that we enjoy getting nude for in the first place"? Thoughts?
I'm not one to get naked in an effort to get a thrill from other people seeing me. I certainly just enjoy not having the burden of clothes. I get frustrated when I feel like I can't strip down in my backyard for fear of offending the odd neighbor.
I've come to realize that I see all people as more beautiful when they're nude. Fat, skinny, tall, short, whatever I really appreciate people without their clothes. I don't think it's odd to say that we especially like seeing people we would otherwise find attractive but what I've noticed is that I find a wider array of body types attractive when they're nude. In fact, there are some people, myself included, who look much better naked than they do with clothes on. I just don't wear a lot of clothes well so...may as well be nude. Ha!
Interesting discussion. I think it is unfair to characterize "thrill" as necessarily exhibitionistic. It was a thrill for me to see the Grand Canyon the first time. It was later a thrill for me to stand at the edge naked. I was all by myself. I also like to be naked with other people and when I am alone, it feels really good.
As far as freedom goes, I feel pretty free with or without clothes, but that is based on a frame of reference of how I prioritize the things in my life. I wouldn't want my sense of freedom to depend on wearing or not wearing clothes, which I need to wear to accomplish a lot of the important things I do. But I love to be nude when it fits in, and I make an effort to find time and places for being naked.
My answer might be "all of the above"
I generally started being a home nudist for comfort, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that there was a little bit of a sexual zing from being naked. In our society, nudity and sex are closely intertwined. I can't completely separate them in my head. When I started being naked in places like saunas, it was generally not for sexual reasons, but for social and bonding. Still, I noticed other men's bodies and would sometimes enjoy when other men reacted to my naked body.
As I've been naked in more and more settings, some sexual and some not, I've gotten better able to separate nudity and sex in my own mind. I can go to a Korean spa, where sex is not permitted, be naked all day, and not be at all sexual. I can go to a nudist party where play is allowed, and be very sexual and enjoy some of the voyeuristic/exhibitionist parts of being naked among others. For me, context is key. I've also gotten less hung up on whether the sexual part of nudity is good or bad, and just let it be what it is. I never want to be inappropriately naked or inappropriately sexual, but I don't worry nearly so much about being right.
Just my two cents...your mileage will vary.
Thanks Duane, Jorgerine, Alfresco and AtlDavis ! Appreciate your thoughts! So so far it seems that most of you DO enjoy it more from the freedom aspect though a couple of you - and as I did - added there is a bit of a thrill with it too..