Naked Men's Group
This is a group for guys who like to be naked to talk about stuff specific to being male and a nudist. So if you are a man who prefers not to wear clothes feel free to join this group and contribute to a discussion. Any subjects are welcome as long as they're clean. No offence to the ladies but this group is just for us fellas. Cheers
- created by Nudeguy123
Nudist or exhibtionist?
Return to DiscussionsSo 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?
OK, now it's time someone got all pissy and say their opinion is the only "right" way, so it might as well be me. I am a man with a body and soul and am sexual. We are all men in a body and soul and are sexual. I agree with the postings here. Nudity can enhance our pleasure, sensuality and sense of vitality, just like a wool sweater and polarfleece sweats can enhance our sense of security and comfort in the first cold winds of autumn.
I used to think exhibitionism was negative, some kind of invading others' boundaries or objectification. Now I think it's just admiring and being admired for an outfit which doesn't include textiles. I like being well-dressed when the occasion calls for it and the key to that is looking good undressed, so I enjoy that too, both seeing and being seen. Is it sexual in nature? It depends, but that's as relevant as pigmentation (which I envy others for having as I am in short supply). The honesty of nudity is good and I can be aware of how I differentiate between what I find beautiful and attractive.
Mostly nudity is a form of dress and a form of honesty. We can bare our skin but can we bare our souls? We can be buff or less than buff on the outside and can we be vulnerable and present to someone from our inside? Nudity simplifies things a bit, so I might as well also consider the beautiful souls on exhibit, including my own, and know it is good.
I am nude 90% of the time at home. Since I am at home naked I would assume that makes me a nudist. However, I enjoy being nude at spas and resorts and don't mind being looked at. That might qualify as an exhibitionist. Either way, I enjoy being nude and am as comfortable chatting and fellowshipping naked as I would be in a textile situation.
I guess my answer to the question is all of the above.
I enjoy the freedom of being without clothes. It just feels awesome to me. Not an exhibitionist although I do have pictures on here. Just my part of being involved in this site. Just spent the weekend at a nudist resort and hated to leave.
Awesome question... For me its about living life without a feeling of confinement, As with many, I am dealing with a 9 to 5 in a suit and tie to support creature comforts (tv, internet, and food among other things). During my own time, I prefer to live life as I was born, without restriction of clothing nor strapped down.
I have never been one to put my body on display for gratification purposes or to get thrills from just being normal, natural and plain real. I am one that I for the most part have been comfortable in my own skin and tend to look at life through a different set of lenses. I have been to many places on the globe and find social behaviors interesting on many levels.
For me I am not one to put labels on everything, I find living life in a clothes free environment has many positive and benefits on so many levels. Healthy body image (acceptance), to lifestyle and healthy living. I have found that when all parts of the body have proper access to air flow, it helps cut down on bacteria and chances of infection. I am sure there are also other social dynamics that are benefits as well. Not just the oddities and strangeness that human behavior can go.
As mentioned look at things through different lenses. In short, no on the exhibition nor perverted intentions here living without clothing...
While only speaking for myself I am nude because I want to be. Many choices are taken from us in society and reclaiming one as basic as this feels good. No nudist can claim they are naked except by their own choice.
As to being free and accepted I'm not sure...most here have been friendly and open while others here have called my photos(non erect, face showing)ugly and shameful. Like I should be ashamed of any part of my body. Told to focus on face...my face is always naked, this is a nudist site and I want to be nude. So I don't always feel particularly free or accepted.
Of course I like it when you see me, otherwise I would cover up. And yes I enjoy seeing you too...I hope it is ok to look because I am human and seeing endowments that are attractive os a pleasure.
I may or may not think sexual thoughts at the sight of you and the sight of you seeing me but this IS a polite society and can keep my thoughts to myself if it is an inappropriate ace or time. Those saying sex must be separate from nudism seem silly...I may not need to have sex because I am naked but I need to be naked for sex...ok, ok rant over, we are all different with different opinions but in the name of freedom don't make me a slave to yours.
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.
That's what tends to happen. Speak of "thrill" in a nudist context; and some people want to immediately label it as "exhibitionism."
I still feel a "thrill" as I take my clothes off at the nude beach or resort; knowing that I'm about to be completely naked, that other people will see me naked, that I will be among naked people. This "thrill" comes more from a sense of liberation, and sensual 'feeling", than any sort of urge or compulsion for people to see my "parts" (which is technically was exhibitionism is).
It's the same with what some people call: "pushing the envelope." Which is basically being naked outdoors outside of designated nudist areas. Whereas some people are "thrill seekers" and thrive on the adrenaline rush of the possibility of getting "caught", a lot of people are just seeking to embrace nudity in new or fun ways. I think back for example to my naked hiking days in public parks, or my wife's "spur of the moment's" decision to take off her skirt and wade bottomless on an isolated stretch of a public beach; or my ex riding home naked in the car after a day at the resort, and not covering up after getting out of the car to walk up the driveway to the front door.
These can look like exhibitionism to the casual observer; when it fact exhibitionism had nothing to do with it. In none of these situations was outdoor nudity or "pushing the envelope" done for the primary purpose of "showing off naked."
Exhibitionism is more an act of taking the risk of being caught exposing yourself (varying degrees from a quick flash to all out strutting naked) in a location which is visible to the public. Exhibitionism is considered an act in which you are forcing the view of your degree of exposure onto others without their consent. Exhibitionism is typically viewed as a sexual thrill of the person doing it.
Nudism, to me, is an act in which your exposed body is visible only to you or those around you who have either given their consent or are engaged in the same exposure at a location where consent by others in inherently implied (nude beach, nude resort, nude party, etc.) and is not typically open to public view without notification or a disclaimer of what they may encounter by continuing to an area.
Being in a public location, such as at a state or national park, and stripping down when you're not expecting to be seen by others is not an act of exhibitionism. Is there a risk of being caught? Absolutely; however, there is no intent on exposing yourself to others so it is not exhibitionism. I would love to do what one person did and stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon naked to let my entire body enjoy the experience.
For me, I am a home nudist (since there are no nude beaches or resorts within a reasonable distance to my home in southwest Minnesota). I do go out into my backyard naked when weather permits but only do so when I know my neighbors aren't awake. When I have gone out through the front door, it is only when the risk of being seen is extremely low and, if a car were to pass by at that time, I duck behind something where I greatly reduce the chance of being seen. I will occasionally go out to a secluded area in the country to get naked during the day where I am able to feel, enjoy, and embrace the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the breeze on my body. If I had a nude beach or a nude resort within a reasonable distance to my home, I would visit there as well. Going to each of these is on my bucket list!
As for seeing other people naked, I do enjoy it. I enjoy it because it shows the real person with all of their perfect imperfections. There is much less available for someone to "hide" behind...such as clothes, jewelry, etc. People are allowing themselves to be seen in a much more equal manner. After all, it is much more difficult to determine someone's "status" (social, financial, or otherwise) when they are standing there just as naked as you are.
I think your understanding of the word exhibition is not correct with you thinking its dirty or perverted. I personally love the "freedom" of being nude, I like the way it feels compared to being covered up or confined by clothing. On the other hand when it is safe to do so and when it is okay to be sexual with the person I love, there is a thrill of being seen naked or sexually aroused. Though I do think that every nudist is an exhibitionist to some small degree. Just like how homosexuality isn't one side or the other, there is a slider scale of how straight or how gay you are. It seems there is the same scale for nudists.