I think the answer to this question can depend a lot on circumstances. People in the USA for example may be much more concerned about telling people because the acceptance of social nudity seems to be different there than say in the UK. Members living in a smaller community or a more religious community may likewise fear reaction more than those living in a larger more mixed environment. Some people fear for their jobs. There seems to be a lot of teachers who are naturists (is there some sort of link between naturism and nurturing?) and many of these worry about the reaction from students, parents and school. An understandable fear, knowing how foolishly people can react sometimes, but it should not be a worry. Why should naturism change the way people perceive you as a human being or a worker? It isn't like you are telling people you do anything wrong. That is the big hurdle though - how do we get those that assume there is something wrong to change their minds?
I think most people in many countries just see it as a thing that some people do and because they haven't tried it simply think "It isn't really my cup of tea." It is only really a minority that consider that there is anything sexual or perverse about it. The concern is coming across that minority or living in a community with a larger ratio of that minority.
Until recently many of the open advocates for naturism were extremists and that doesn't help the cause. Leading those middle ground people to perceive naturists as not sexual deviants but certainly oddballs, troublemakers or pains in the neck.
The average naturist is a very normal person and as such textiles become aware of such people will link it to normal behaviour. However, the average person has no wish to stand out and push their beliefs and be noticed. (I read a quote from someone once that basically said that anyone who wants to be a politician shouldn't be allowed to be one). Those that wish to be noticed and have their voice stand out above others are maybe not the best people to support a cause, as their ego and self importance gets in the way. One of the things Steve and I thought when starting our internet naturist journey was that we are very average people, we have no wish for fame, and no wish to be noticed. We are doing this despite our own average-ness and anti-social wish to blend into a crowd. We are middle class, middle England, middle aged, middle educated people with 2.4 children, average bodies and average worries and concerns. To us the whole point was to say "look it is about normal people doing normal things and being harmlessly and positively naked."
I think what we need to do is just gently come out from the "dunes" and onto the beaches of society and say look it is just your brother, or your neighbour, or your work mate, or your friend. We are the people you already know and there is nothing fearful about it. The more of us who do that the more it will be seen as a very average acceptable thing. If at first the ones with little to worry about start the process, then as acceptability grows those who fear the loss of "face" in their job or community will find that the fear becomes less. It isn't an overnight thing but if handled right it may be a relatively short time period.
It also shouldn't be overly forced you don't want to walk up to strangers and say "Hi I am Anna and I am a naturist" but when the situation or conversation is right don't run away from it. If you would share your politics or religion or other personal views and habits with people then why not share your naturism. Get it out there and get it pondered and talked about. If someone knows you and trusts you they shouldn't suddenly change their perceptions of you because you sensibly go naked on a beach. If they do then what is wrong with them and do you need such narrow minded people in your life?
This post was edited by
Anna ANW
at March 16, 2026 8:22 PM GMT
