To the overly suntanned older rebuenesque man who is a regular at the crystal crescent nude beach. I am a mid twenties female who was enjoying her time, going to to the nude beach on a hot sunny day. As far as I am concerned, clothing should be optional when in any beach setting. It was my choice to ease into it, and at first my boyfriend and I kept our swim wear on. Being nude with strangers is not something we are familiar doing but we aren’t uptight. Eventually I decided to be topless (there were clothed and non clothed people there) and my boyfriend went swimming naked. This was fine for us, but when you, sir, approached us the first time while we were still dressed, and said that we might as well leave if we aren’t going to get naked, and that we don’t belong there, was over the top, I was able to brush it off and ignore you. I figure you don’t have much going on in your life since your only sense of community revolves around being a nudist. To me, if that is the only way you’re able to relate to people, the only common link, something must be desperately lacking in your life. But what really got me, was the 2nd time you approached us, while my boyfriend and I were swimming and I was topless, we pointedly made ourselves removed from you but somehow you took our ignoring as a big welcome, and you plodded over to us, I asked my boyfriend to tit block me, the water was so cold that I wasn’t going to be able to handle being submerged for long, but no you came right beside me and told me I might as well take my bottoms off too as you googly eyed stared at me. I have never felt so visually raped. You are not welcome to comment on my body, or on the amount of clothing I am or I am not wearing. Fuck you, thanks to you I have no desire to be at that same beach again for dread of running into you. I’m positive everyone else on the beach was totally cool, being themselves and being free. I just wanted to feel the same way, but I went home feeling violated and disgusted. I hope the other nudists ban you from the beach as you’re giving them all a bad name.
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 6, 2008.
aWWW that;s awful! that;s why I’m too scared to go to the nudey beach…stupid pervy old men ruining body freedom!
Ick.
Yeah this is so not what a nude beach is supposed to be about. Having said that, I’m surprised that he wasn’t ogling your boyfriend instead, since that’s usually what one encounters out there. Or, uh, so I’ve heard.
There’s a reason why the least visually appealing people are also the most inclined to strip off and prance about without a care – because they don’t have to put up with gross old pervs like these ogling and making rude comments. This post made me feel unclean, and somewhat relieved to be on the waning side of life. I miss being young and pretty, but I sure don’t miss being treated like raw meat in a lion’s cage, just for walking to work.
ever been to wreck beach in vancouver? now THAT is a nude beach! and the naturist veterans there don’t put up with ogling and rudenessnoobs and pervs are shamed into behaving themselves, or are ‘assisted’ from the beach
You could have said “You are not welcome to comment on my body, or on the amount of clothing I am or I am not wearing” so that you wouldn’t be feeling like “thanks to you I have no desire to be at that same beach again”. You have a right to feel violated, but you also have a right to go back to that beach and stand up for yourself next time anything like that happens. Not that it’s his job, but your boyfriend could be a bit more assertive in a situation like that, too. Don’t deprive yourself of something you enjoy, or want to enjoy, just because of one dumb fuck. If we all did that, we’d never go anywhere, we’d just sit at the computer and… well, you know.
Dude… spaces…
agreed jammie. how is the naked body ‘inapporpriate for children’? way to set them up to feel all sorts of insecurity and body hatred! it’s a symptom of our obsession with sexualizing the human form that we’re all so worried about being naked, and people make comments liek ‘they don’t want to see that’. what they mean is they don’t want to see wobbly bits, cellulite, pubic hair, bellies, butts, thighs, breasts, and belly buttons. sure it may not be the most attractive display allt he time, BUT the human body is so much more than a sex object, and I htink nude beaches are a fun, safe way to get back in touch with our natural state.and there’s my hippy rant for the day.
Really Nicole.Why if I was born naked should I feel I have to wear clothes because people like you would prefer it? Despite the fact that society has deemed clothing to be the norm, wearing clothes is still unnatural. And I love Hedgy’s point. You are setting your kids up. Things are only unacceptable because we make them and make others feel that way.Point, my 5-year old daughter asked me the other day what it meant to be gay. I could have blown off the question or done something else to make it seem taboo or wrong. Instead I just told her its when a man loves a man or a woman loves a woman. I didn’t make it a big deal, neither will she. Because its not. Just like nudity.If you are that uncomfortable with your body your choice is to cover it. Don’t infrindge on other’s choices with your bias.
So should parents walk around naked in front of their young children? I think if they did that it would go against some kind of child protection law. There is nothing wrong with a naked body but there is a time and a place for it. And a public beach is not one of them. I will explain the facts of life to my child when I believe that they are able to understand such things. Which seems to be the “normal” thing since it isn’t legal to walk around in public naked. I think that we could learn to be a little more prudish. I, for one, am sick of seeing little girls walking around dressed up like skanks because their parents see nothing wrong with it. If their parents were a little more prudish, maybe these kids would have more respect for themsleves and others. And do you really think that every person who goes to a nude beach is there for the freedom of it? If they were, this bitch wouldn’t exist. And if you’re going to go to a nude beach, you should realize that some people aren’t there for the same reason you are. People have their own agenda and if you aren’t able to realize that, and deal with it, then you should probably stear clear of the place.
Oh, and I just want to say that I don’t think that nude beaches shouldn’t exist. It’s great that these people have a place to go when they want to do this kind of thing but they should realize that there are people who are going there for different reasons than them.
it would only be a problem if you SEXUALIZE your body and theirs. I’;m from a ‘naked family’ (mostly meaning my mother never seems to want to wear pants at home…). There was all sorts of casual nudity when I was growing up, including occasionally skinny dipping in our family pool. it wasn’t a big deal, it wasn’t sexual AT ALL, it was just being comfortable at home, in your own skin. is it wrong to take a shower with your small child? I used to bath all the time with my little brother- nothing wrong with it.as far as needing to get more prudish re dressing kids: that’s only if they’re dresisng in, again, a sexual manner. I agree, the constant sexualization of every aspect of the human body is over the top. but as I said before, there is more to our bodies than mere sex appeal.look no further than other countries, where different body parts are fetishized: here, a bare middrift is seen as provacative. in India, it’s not; but bare upper arms are. in many parts of south america, nudity in general isn’t a big deal at all- very large women who wouldn’t even dream of wearing a bathing suit at all here proudlyw ear a thong string bikini in brazil, because it’s abotu being comfortable in their skin. and in parts of Africa, women’s boobs swing free- they’re not a sex object.the point I’m making here is this: if you raise kids in a shame based way (cover up all the time) you’re going to end up with never nudes- people who see the human body only in terms of sex and appropriate. and if all you’re seeing is sex, you loose sensuality, and you lose comfort and enjoyment from your body. waht’s more, you focus on appearance, instead of what it can do for you, or how it feels- I think if more little girls, for instance, focused on how good sun feels on their tummies, they wouldn’t be focusing on how big those tummies may or may not be. and when they get older, they’d feel comfortable and confident in their own skin becuase their parents and other adults around them have taught them that regardless of what it looks like, their bodies are nothing to be ashamed of.
Nicole, it’s true no not every person is there for the nature. But most are. That’s why the pervy types are a piss-off. If everyone was there to be “sexy”, they would like the pervs just fineAnd there is no reason for a three year old not to see a nude body in a non-sexualized context. It won’t hurt them. Should you have sex or masturbate in front of your children? Hell no, absolutely not, and if you do you should be in jail. But if they see you get out of the shower, they’ll be fine.And I absolutely agree that parents shouldn’t let their 12 year old daughters dress like skanks. But that’s about over-sexualization girls that are too young to appropriately or safely attract that kind of attention.Nudist beaches are not about sexualization.It is clear that you don’t know the difference between “nude” and “in heat”. But they’re not the same thing. Think of a classic religious painting or staue versus a Playboy spread. Do you see the difference?
So you’re saying if a group of people want to get together in a designated spot (There’s lots of beaches for clothed people) and enjoy the freedom of being nude they shouldn’t because you don’t want to know they are?You have the choice to raise your children how you want. I’m not saying we should walk around our homes naked, but Nicole, just because someone makes a law does not make it right. And people who think that laws are right and should not be questioned are blind. And I am not talking about this law in specific. I am talking in generalities.I am not a nudist. But these nudist have compromised with you by staying on their beach and not walking around all beaches nude. Isn’t it more then fair you compromise with them by not judging them when they are doing something that doesn’t even affect you?Mind your business. It is their choice, not yours. They are not affecting you, while you are trying to affect them.
so because you seem to think there is a sense of shame in nudity Nicole, all others should adhere to your standards? We see little kids running around in the nude and that is okay, but for some reason there is a sense of shame attached to it when you get older? Take a look at societies like over there in Greece. Or Brazil. They are for more open about sexuality and nudity. Ask yourself this Nicole, if you saw this OP on the beach, what does she have that you dont? She has boobs, you have boobs. You have a vag, she has a vag. Wow, might as well hide it. Lets ban open toed shoes too? I mean since some people get sexual arousal from toes.Come on, we need to stop making a big fuss over everything. This is a beach. Here is a question nicole. Let’s say we have a bikini that covered most of a girl with A cups titties…… and we take that exact same bikini and put it on Ms. DDD cup titties. That bikini would likely expose the majority of the latter’s breast, are you actually going to suggest there is a ratio as to how much breast should be shown?Its no wonder women get a complex about thier looks and image when you are taught at a young age that all must be covered up. It isnt like we are saying you can go in to the bank nude, this is a beach were for the most part, most of you is exposed. Now, i am not a fan of speedos, but they dont hide how much meat dude is packing. Should we prevent our kids from seeing them too? (for comedic sake….. we should, but you know what i am saying.)
“With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.” Steven Weinberg
I walk around naked in front of my child all the time. Both myself and my husband bring him into the bathtub as well. There is nothing sexual or dirty about this; I want him to feel comfortable about his body, and not all ‘weirded out’ by the sight of others naked. This is NOT illegal! If I were closer to a designated nude beach, I would bring him there, too.Most of the creepy-types at nude beaches are the ones who think that nudity is always a sexual thing instead of about personal freedom, and dare I say it?…communion with nature (crunchy granola alert!!!)Bad Guy, kudos to you for your honesty with your five-year old! That was a sensible approach to a potentially sticky topic.
I didn’t know there were legal nude beaches in Nova Scotia. And at the risk of sounding like a prude, why would you want to take your clothes off in public? Seems to me you’re just asking for attention. I know you’re all going to say, “But she was there with her boyfriend and it was hot outside!” So? Go home, get naked there and you don’t have to deal with creepy old me. Or wear a bathing suit and go swimming. You’ll still get cooled off. I’m sorry, but I think people who go naked in public are just skanky. Same goes for the girls who walk around SGR with next to nothing on. And what about when you said “As far as I am concerned, clothing should be optional when in any beach setting.” COME ON! I would not want my children seeing that. Nor do I want to see it. You want to be nude at a beach, go ahead. But not all beaches. And when you do go nude, expect a little unwanted attention. Or wanted, if creepy old men are your type.
Prude. Nude beaches aren’t about showing off anything. Most people there are not show offs nor do most have a lot in the typical sense to show off anyway. They just enjoy the freedom, the nature, the non-judgment. These pervy types that arrive for the peepshow are the skanky ones and ruin that atmosphere.And children are only harmed by the sight of a boobie if they were raised to think boobies are shameful and dirty, and if the boobie is being, um, used in a sexual context.Only in North America and probably Asia are people so prudish about this.
” think that we could learn to be a little more prudish. I, for one, am sick of seeing little girls walking around dressed up like skanks because their parents see nothing wrong with it. If their parents were a little more prudish, maybe these kids would have more respect for themsleves and others. “the naked body isnt skanky. Its how you were born.
I get Nicole’s point on the teenage girls’ clothing. The slut-wear is much much more provocative sexually than any nude body. It’s designed to enhance certain curves and to provide teasing little peeks, and it is really inappropriate on a 14 year old girl.But bloody fantastic on Nicole Katzenberger.
Skanky clothes on teen-age girls: TOTALLY separate issue. Those are the thong-peek-a-boo, muffin-top-spilling-over-the-low-riders, bra-straps-under-the-tank-top, blonde-stripes-in-the-hair shop-at-the-mall types, and probably wouldn’t be caught dead at a nude beach.I’m willing to bet that most of the teen-age girls that would go to a nude beach are Berkinstock-wearing, no-shave-the-armpit, plaid-shirt-with-a-sarong skirt-types. Or not. Just felt like painting that mental image.
Okay, first of all, the bad guy – I said if they want to get together on a nude beach that’s fine with me. hedgy, I have seen my mom in her bra and undies, no big deal. I have also bathed with sibling. But if one of my mom’s friends came into our house and just took off her clothes and started walking around that would be a little weird to me. Also, when i reached an age where my body started to mature, I stopped bathing with other people. I’m pretty sure you didn’t shower with your brother when you were a teenager. I know the naked body is nothing to be ashamed about, i walk around my house naked (btw, I don’t have children.) But I would not do it outside because there are people who are uncomfortable with it. It’s a matter of respect. Also, I don’t feel comfortable doing it. Just the way I feel. And maybe you may think it’s because I was brought up in a house where we didn’t walk around half naked all the time but I believe it’s because I have enough respect for myself to not flant everything I have, knowing that there are people out there who are going to look at in a sexual way. I am comfortable with myself, I am not comfortable with others. And Homie, the human body isn’t skanky when you’re born, its how you present it later on it life that makes it that way. I didn’t completely understand nudist when I first commented on this thread. I do have a better understanding now. However, I still don’t agree with nudity in a public place that isn’t designated for that reason. You may be comfortable with it, but there are others who are not, and I think that should be respected.
“You may be comfortable with it, but there are others who are not, and I think that should be respected”im not comfortable with mullets or huge afros or mohawks. SHould they chop it?I have a question, have you ever played on a sports team? Were you sexually aroused when you had to shower after a game? That is nudity that is being paraded around in the locker room and none of the guys in there are my teammates. Let me guess, you are saying it should be hidden from the opposite sex. Gotcha.
Hey Nicole, you have shown that you didn’t mean to come off as quite so prudish after all. Remember that the Bitch was about a beach that IS designated as nudist. The OP wasn’t just walking around on any ole public beach.I’m with you on most points, but I still think that being naked in a designated nudist area doesn’t indicate a lack of self respect (many would argue the opposite.) That sounds judgmental and it’s why your posts have gotten so much response.
Yeah, and I don’t remember anyone saying that we should be able to walk into someone else’s HOUSE and get naked! Just at a designated beach where everyone is aware and consentual.
Actually, when i did play on a sports team, our school was too poor to have shower in the locker room. Not to mention, the town was so small you could walk home and change so everyone did that. Also, there was nudity when it came to a locker room for male hockey games and girls were not aloud in the locker room. Which, yes, I think is a good idea. Because there may have been certain guys and girls who were comfortable with that but others who were not. So should you force someone to be uncomfortable?
Sorry Jammie! I got some shitty news earlier and kinda took it out on the OP without really thinking about what I was doing.But I still think that even though the old creepy guy was creepy… I wouldn’t have expected as much. I guess I just don’t have much faith in people =)
No need to be sorry. I saw some middle ground and thought I should acknowledge that you weren’t being quite as black and white as it first sounded.And I do agree that if you go to a nude beach, you are probably gonna experience a couple of oglers, and it’s unfortunate but not altogether unexpected.
=) I may have caused a stir but it gave everyone something to do while they were at work! haha!
Got it, so because you are from a school where this isnt the norm, we all should be held to that standard. I hate to break it to you, but the shower after the game thing happens at a far higher percentage of schools/gyms/workout centers.Like fuck i would workout and go home sweaty and nasty and not shower because someone was not comfortable. Not to mention it would assume that i would have to go straight home after a game or workout to shower. Come on now. Your prudish thoughts shouldnt be jammed down our throats causing us to have to deviate from what we are comfortable with.Also, you didnt reply to the part about me not being confortable around Mullets, or goth people, should they be forced to alter thier expression or thoughts or views because i am not comfortable with it?
Homie, in a locker room it is excepted. Just like at a urinal in a male washroom. You asked me if I played sports and I gave you an answer. I didn’t say that you had to do what I had to do. As for the mullets and such, get real. There is a difference and if you can’t see it then I’m not going to respond to you again.
Good last point Nicole. Homie, you need to call off the hounds!
I accept that there is a difference, but the point is this…. what you might be offfended by, others arent.Hell, i had a white girl friend and that offended many of her older family members. They found it offensive. I am not about to go my entire life being ashamed of something that might offend others. Hey, i am not saying that they shouldnt have the opinions, but like you want to be respected, you should respect others. Now, you thing about someone coming into your home…. THAT IS YOUR HOME, you can call the shots there. But really, that is about it.
Tasha, the point i am trying to make is that too many people think that if something offends them, then others should adhere to it. In this case, we are making sexuality out of nudity. In the case of nude beaches, the vast majority are not appealing. Seeing them isnt the slightest bit sexual. To associate that with girls that dress like skanks with these people is a stretch. Today’s society is getting ridiculous with preaching one’s values on another. Another example is spanking our kids. Today’s soft hearts are jamming thier views of it being wrong to spank our kids. Ask your parents if spanking was common place when they were kids. Likely yes. But you get bleeding hearts that want to let thier opinion speak for how others do things.
I don’t think there is a difference. No one’s opinion should affect how someone acts.I personally feel our society should be mature enough to be nude in public. There’s a lot of things our society should be mature enough to handle.And I reread your post about the beaches and you did not suggest people should not have designated areas. So I apologize for suggesting you did, although we weren’t talking about public beaches. Just beaches in general.It just really makes me upset when other people’s opinion should dictate how someone should act. So it makes me very upset. 😛
“It just really makes me upset when other people’s opinion should dictate how someone should act. So it makes me very upset. :-P”this is my point. I would hate to lose the right to hit the beach and strip down, because someone that isnt at the beach is offended
buddy’s lucky it wasn’t my bf.. .. bc the second trip over he would be short a few teeth!
I remember being out there one time, basking, and a fleet of speedboats came up near the beach. I heard one of them yell “there’s women too!”. I just put my top on until they left. It felt gross, but I was in an appropriate place to do what I was doing, so I took some responsibility for my freedom and covered up. I could have ranted and bitched about them, but that shit is to be expected. I won’t let a couple of doucherockets keep me from hitting the nudie beach. I will say, though, if my husband had been with me and I had the same experience as the OP, things would have gone down a lot differently.