I have been chatting by email about rules of clubs and holiday venues with one of the Holiday advertisers on ANW. It has made me consider what rules should and shouldn't exist. Rules are needed, they are actually helpful. They help guide those that are unsure, give people that are treated abusively the backing to say "please stop" or to report the offenders and give the venues the option of removing offenders by saying "Look this is not right and it is against our rules so please stop or leave."

However some places seem over dictatorial and others seem out of touch. Many clubs complain about the lack of new members and many people don't join clubs because they just don't like rules. But rules are everywhere at all venues, campsites, clubs, schools etc. "Don't run around the pool," "don't talk in class, " "don't leave bags unattended." They prevent chaos, prevent harm and keep us safe.    

Some naturist rules like "No Swimwear in the swimming pool" seem to make perfectly good sense. Others rules like "No Single Men" may seem counterproductive and mistrusting and unfair. Some rules that aim to control the type and level of body decorations may seem like they are attempting to discourage aggressive or offensive body enhancements but how do we put levels on acceptability. I don't think clubs should ban photography but instead have a rule stating "no photographs of anyone without permission" - yes the rule would need monitoring but don't all rules?

Some clubs or campsites may choose to be men only, families only and present themselves as such. Others may say no alcohol, no meat or no smoking. Some may be Christian or for other specific groups. That is fine and it is really up to the individual club to decide if adding extra criteria is sensible or whether it limits the possible members out their too much for the area. This shouldn't be of much concern for this topic. Though I do wonder why when we have naturism in common we have to further segregate ourselves by sexual preference or religious beliefs etc. I think it is fine to have segregated interest groups in a worldwide site such as ANW for discussions and sharing. But to take a geographic area for a landed club and only look for naturists that are also vegetarians in that area seems to narrow the field too much.

Many people want to have a drink when camping, but no one wants a abusive drunk on a pitch next door to them - so maybe alcohol is OK but certain behaviour needs to be dealt with. For many, myself included, the smell of a single cigarette ruins the fresh air that a country campsite should offer. Does that mean clubs should ban smoking in the grounds, have designated areas away from tents, the pool and play areas, or just not care about the fusspots like myself?

Some rules we came across when researching the "Explore" section of ANW were rather barmy and certainly do not encourage friendships. "Don't ask members what they do for a living," "don't ask them their names." Seriously we really read this on several sites! Surely clubs should be encouraging friendships. Should naturism really behave in such a secretive way? If we cannot trust each other how can we expect non-naturists to believe that nothing odd goes on behind those large pine lined fences? 

So what I would like us to do here is to draw up a set of (10?) sensible and suitable rules that could be applied to all naturist clubs, campsites and venues to which they could then add their own twist should they wish (eg must be a practicing Christian, must own a RV...). I am sure some of us will disagree on ideas, and some may even believe that no rules are needed at all. It may make us realise what a hard choice these rule makers have in deciding the best options. It may on the other hand be very easy to all come to an agreement of the right practices - in which case we may just think "What is all the fuss about?"

So what do you think? We may even come up with a set of rules that we can suggest to federations, clubs etc to be taken up universally....

Yes - I think the premise of "Do not harm" should be the premise of any set of rules, laws or way of living for all across the globe and not just within naturism. If people refused to harm then we could put everything right from environmental damage, theft, abuse, murder, animal cruelty, bullying....the problem is peoples idea of harm varies from person and person due to attitudes, cultures, beliefs, personal tastes etc. Many would suggest that being naked in front of others is harmful, others would argue the complete opposite.

Nothing is black and white - just chosing one modern issue at random - child obesity. We have authorities deciding that children cannot have unhealthy food advertised to them. Some people think parents with overweight children should be punished and others see the children as lazy and blame it on schools attitudes to sports, or computers, or junk food being cheaper than fruit and veg. Schools fear putting children into competitive situations because losing is seen as harmful in itself! The faults and arguments are endless, let alone where the harm comes from and how it should be measured. 

Some people see no harm in mistreating animals. I heard once a well known TV presenter say that animals are put on this earth by God for us to use in any way we want to. Some see harm in smoking and alcohol, whereas others wish drugs legalised. Some think the environment is being harmed, others think it is nonsense. The public argue constantly about what is or isn't harmful with the virus. Isolation, masks, quarantine, injections...  

I guess what we need naturist clubs to understand is what is harmful within a naturist environment and what rules need to be created to protect us from that harm.

one naturist place i visited was very strict on the total nudity bit, even when it was cold and wet and rainy they'd expect you to be fully nude.

ok I'm all for the naturism experience but not with enforced hyperthermia or sun burn and heat stroke

 

The clothing optional situation is a tricky one. I completely sympathise with Naturelovers or others who may have partners who wish to be covered in some way. On the other hand some of the larger campsites in France have had complaints in recent years that a trend has developed for people becoming trendily and fashionably dressed away from the beaches - once something becomes trendy it does have a tendency to take over - others will follow suit so they don't feel out of touch and before you know it people start feeling uncomfortable about being naked around their pitches.

Maybe a rule could be that at least one half of a couple needs to be naked, otherwise why come to a naturist venue? As for families that is much tougher. Many campsites say that children can wear clothes around the site but still must get naked at places like the pool. Our children so far just don't wear clothes at all when camping, but that may change if they hang with some children that do wear clothes - the need to fit in is always a strong need. That is why for me it would be ideal if when at a naturist venue nudity is expected - but then what about those who have partners that will not join in? Ideally a partner spending time in a naturist setting would think that it is silly to not get involved - but we don't live in an ideal world.

Got to agree with what Edward said above.  Where people group together, for whatever purpose  or common interest, there must be rules. The reason for that, simply, is that it is in human nature to want to stretch the limits of what is acceptible and what is not.  Someone has said, if there were only three people left in the world, one would have to be a cop.
Now it can be argued, of course, that many folks are non-aggressive and polite and considerate of others, so they don't need the restriction of rules.  But the absence of rules would actually draw the element of people who don't care about politeness or consideration or thoughtfulness; and they are often the ones who are very aggressive in nature.
  The laws of any municipality are written to keep that element in check and provide consequences for violators.  People who are a law unto themselves and only want to live peaceably don't need them.  But take away the laws entirely and it would not be long before it would be dangerous to step outside your home.
 It may seem as though we've drifted from topic here; but I don't think so. Any naturist club is a community and the core, simple rules (eg, as listed above by Jimmy) must be in place for that sense of community to exist and survive.

EDIT:  Just let me add a thought about the "Do no harm" philosophy.  That works great for men and women in the medical profession; because they understand precisely what that means and how it applies to diagnoses and application of treatments.  But if that phrase is only tossed out in a general way, to encourage good behavior, the first problem you're going to get is people who want to decide unilaterally what is harmful and what is not.  There are just too many people in this world who have to have things spelled out for them unambiguously, or they will take advantage of every tiny loophole, to behave like unreasoning animals.