Sharing, going public, coming out of the closet, whatever you call it. I've done it from day one so over 50 years.

One thing I've learned is people who aren't the least interested in being a Naturist either try to joke about it or be outraged. I used to laugh along with the jokers, but I don't do that any more because I realised - hey these jerks are laughing AT me not WITH me. So now I meet the ridicule with a stoney glare and make it known I'm not going to tolerate being ridiculed. Jokers soon back down when their jokes don't get a laugh.

Mr and Mrs Outraged and Disgusted require careful handling because they can be vicious if provoked, especially if they are subscribers to the mythe that naked people are a risk to children. So I'm guarded with these people. Ignore them as though they don't exist, carrry on doing what you want to do in the knowledge I'm breaking no laws is one method. If that fails and a confrontation is inevitable, safety in numbers is good. You need to think ahead for that one. Whatever you do don't apologise, cower and comply with their outraged demands, don't throw insults back, stand you ground, look at them as though they are crazy (which of course they are), and be ready to defend yourself verbally with threats to call the police and physically by retreating to a safe distance. Then call the police. Too many Mr Os and Mrs Ds have gotten away with intimidation, harassment and even assault in the past. Which is why British Naturism is currrently campaigning to get Naturism recognised as a philosophical belief and added to the list of groups to be protected under the latest UK Legislation on Hate Crime. If you think this is an over-reaction I cite the true case of a man nude sunbathing on a beach near my home which is not an "official" Naturist beach but has been used by Naturists for many years. He was approached by a man who claimed to be of Romany origins and that if he persisted in being naked he would phone his Gypsy friends and he would be killed. Now that would probably not have happened to a 'man of colour', or an obviously gay or trans person, or a Muslim. But it did happen to a Naturist, and the antagonist for some bizzare reason thought his illegal threat to kill was justified.

“I have been sharing openly with more and more people that I am a nudist and I am spending a lot of time nude.  I am intentional about this because I want people to feel fine and let them know that if they come home without warning or if they are invited to spend a Sunday at home, I may be naked.” - Marc

We have never had any real life confrontations, I think being a family or a couple helps in that respect. Though I think it may be an interesting additional topic to add to the forum and I will do that in a minute. I guess another thought is that there is a big difference between telling strangers and telling family and friends. Family and friends should already trust the person you are not to be some sort of oddball. I considered this topic was more about telling people you know rather than strangers. However...

We have I guess told many strangers about our naturism through the internet (away from ANW and our old blog site). Though it is more like making an anouncement of our naturism and people have the right to ignore it should they wish. We have had many many people get in touch who have been really wonderful and positive. We have also had death threats, sadistic wishes and hopes for imprisonment sent our way. Then there are those who think we want sexual flirting and suggestions. A thick skin is needed to tell the general public about naturism. Why do we do it? Because maybe 1 in a 100 will be a genuine naturist who we connect with or some one who is going to rethink their ideas on naturism and maybe even try it. 

A former coworker (now retired) and I were never bashful at work about saying that we skinny dipped at home in our pools.  The reactions were varied and I think we were viewed as a pair of likeable eccentrics.  My neighbors across the street are very aware of my naturism and think nothing of it.  I have a long driveway (60 plus meters) and one night the husband and the older boy came all the way down it on a scooter (the kid's kind).  I was grilling on my back patio nude and they of course saw me.  I waited several days and when I happened to see them out in their driveway I went over and said that they probably had some interesting conversation with their son that evening.  The wife just told me that she had told them "Don't go so far down the driveway again!".  With the Covid quarantine I let them use my pool.  We text back and forth so that they know I'm not in the pool and we get along fine.  It's not for them but they're not at all upset with knowing that I go around the property nude.

“. . . the most valuable asset you have is talking to others about being a nudist.  By sharing you are a nudist with family and friends you normalize who a nudist is.  You might be surprised and find someone else you know is also a nudist!” – Kathy Watzel

All true