Diversity Rainbow!
We love and embrace racial and cultural diversity! We believe that the world is a better place because of it. As a result of this belief, we reject all forms of racism. We detest all ideas associated with white supremacy or the supremacy of any other race. We believe that nudity amongst all races should be encouraged. We would love to see much more racial diversity in the nudist and naturist...
- created by TonyKhiladi
50 shades of nude
Return to DiscussionsHaving spent many years in the Middle East, where Muslim doctrine shapes many aspects of life, it's clear to me that with cultural diversity we need to acknowledge and respect that nudity doesn't mean the same thing to everyone.
The locker room is a minefield. For example, regulations imposed by the Government in Dubai forbid public nudity in locker rooms to avoid offending some. So what happens? You try and read your 'audience'. Are they mostly liberal Westerners? Is the skin tone an indication of a faith and therefore an attitude towards nudity? You can get this badly wrong, in both ways. Countless times I have assumed an Arab guy would be very prude, only to see some coming out of the showers in the buff, proudly showing their wares.
Indian guys are particularly hard to read. This big country is extremely diverse and so are the attitudes. Looking at some profiles here, I have noticed the same general reserve in the amount of nudity in their pictures.
Now back in the UK, I will probably have to reset the dial towards something more liberal (although my local leisure centre imposes swimwear in the sauna, if and when it reopens). And showers are in cubicles, so I guess total nudity will be in the changing room.
It's not about exhibitionism, which is what public nudity is often mistaken for, but shedding all forms of pretense and separation. We're all the same, by and large, on the outside and nudity is the most obvious reminder. But that can't be at the risk of offending or hurting people's feelings.
What is your strategy in non-nudist settings like a multi-cultural changing room: reserve or gung-ho? Is it the law of the land or do you try and gauge your 'audience'?
Thank you for your advice as I need to recalibrate.
You raise several points in considering ethnicity and religion in what constitutes modesty. Age and sexual orientation and other norms are also relevant. I went to a gym by Chicago's Boys Town that was frequented by gays, though not designated as gay. My friend pointed out one yoman in his early 30's as being a gay porn star. I was naturally curious and surprised that he and his friends, though all extremely fit and photogenic, were modest with their towels wrapped around them the whole time like every mother in law's dream. Inquiring about this, I learned that the local "hot" gay culture considers their own nudity an asset they only wish to share for transactional purposes. They weren't prudish, only discerning.
The gym and locker room set up is also relevant. Swimmers are more likely to pull off their suits than weight lifters wearing ankle to wrist sweats. Social nudity is more natural with gang showers and modesty is encourged with stalls. A steam room or sauna offers an opportunity to linger vs. just showering and changing.
In my own experience, one's attitude towards nudity almost says more than the nudity itself. If it is casual and nonsexually suggestive in an all adult male environment, offense is rarely taken. I've found some men concerned about nudity in the presence of minors, such as if there is a boys swim club sharing the locker room. Although I disagree, I understand how some can see even nonsexual nudity as potential visual sexual assault which could get them in trouble., at least in the liability-focused US culture.