For me, the key word is respect.

I hike naked regularly and I also walk from the car park to nude beaches entirely naked without worrying too much if people see me on their way to and from the nude beach. I'm comfortable being naked and I don't believe that simply seeing a naked person causes harm. After all, we all have bodies.

That said, I also recognize that many people are not expecting to encounter nudity and may be surprised or uncomfortable. Whether I agree with their reaction or not, I think it deserves consideration. That's why I usually carry a sarong or wrap and will cover up if a situation calls for it. Not because I'm ashamed of being naked, but because I don't want to create unnecessary conflict or spend my day explaining myself to a police officer!

For me, there is a difference between being naked naturally while enjoying a hike or walking to a beach, and deliberately trying to expose unsuspecting people to nudity. The first is simply living as a naturist. The second feels disrespectful.

So my approach is to be comfortable, confident, and respectful. I don't go out of my way to hide, but I don't go out of my way to shock people either. Most encounters I've had have been perfectly uneventful, and I think calm, normal behaviour goes a long way toward showing that nudity itself is not the problem.

I second Marc’s sentiment about respecting others by not surprising them with my naked body in a public space. For me this means hiking on a trail in a forest or enjoying the day at an isolated beach.  I, too, carry a loose fitting garment I can throw on quickly and Patti will have a wrap usually nearby.  I view this as being respectful because a passerby has by definition not consented and I don’t want to assume someone to be nonplussed by seeing a naked man or naked woman.  Further, if I am alone hiking nude (Kevin, that is), I really don’t want to surprise someone who may misinterpret my intentions and feel threatened.

All of this takes a tiny bit of planning, some vigilance, and a good measure of empathy for others who with to enjoy nature a little differently than us.  

thanks!  Kevin 

In my experience very few people have a problem with encountering a naturist hiker. I have yet to come across anyone "shocked" or "intimidated" - a few have been disapproving, the pursed lips and fixed stare, but that is an entirely different thing. Most people return a cheery greeting - or offer a greeting first - and often make a merry quip or something. 

Agreed Jon - we have only ever come across people who greet us with a smile. Though maybe walking as a couple gives us a safer aura.