Many people don’t even know they know a Naturist, and assume that we are still that fringe minority on the far edges of society. In fact, we are their next-door neighbours, their work colleagues, the people on the next table in the pub, in the aeroplane seats in the row in front, in the car hire queue behind them at the airport … everywhere. We completely understand the fear of adverse reactions, but want to encourage you to help Naturism in the UK to grow and become normal. While it remains hidden, misguided and incorrect views of Naturism will continue. The more that people know about it, the better things will be.
Don’t stress about making everyone in your life aware, tell Just One Person. It’s probably quite easy to pick someone who would not be judgemental. Don’t assume it will be bad. You’ll probably find that you get a positive or sympathetic reaction. Feedback from those that have ‘come out’ suggests that you will feel better having told someone – it may actually be a relief!
If you need some more help in what to say, see the ‘How to Talk about Naturism’ download available from the BN website.
Here are some Just One Person experiences (edited for space reasons) from our members as posted on the BN members forum - we look forward to reading yours!
On a cycling holiday in Spain, when leaving a restaurant, I suggested the seven of us guys skinny dipped in the sea. It was dark and predictably I was alone to a chorus of laughs, but on return to the UK one of the people in the cycle group (but not on the holiday) said he would have done it because he and his wife often go to nude beaches on holiday and sunbathe naked in their garden.
I decided to trim the top of the hedge between our and the neighbours garden. I couldn't reach the far side and so popped round (clothed) into their garden to complete the task - my being in their garden was not an issue, we had agreed on it previously. I noticed the hedging had become quite "see through" in a couple of places. and decided that I would mention being a Naturist. My neighbour told me she had lived in Germany for some time and had used a beach with an FKK section and didn't seem at all concerned about me being naked in my garden.
I had to have an catheter fitted and was chatting to a pharmacist for some advice on care and maintenance regimes. I brought up how difficult it was to wear shorts over the pipe work and that being a Naturist made life so much more comfortable. She agreed - not only in the “mechanical” side, but also being comfortable in my own body would lessen the stress. Another lady there who had also had some surgery was talking about her forthcoming holiday. I told her I would be wearing a wrap for the long weekend to Liverpool Sun and Air. She asked if had I ever been to Maspalomas, she and her husband had been last year and "there were loads a naked people on the beach, it looked great, but I couldn't ...” gesturing to her Rubenesque figure. Obviously, I pointed out that any body is fine for Naturism. So two more people talked to, definitely no negativity at all.
I used to work with a woman who I bonded with over a deep love of conspiracy theory. We neither agreed or opposed them, but loved the sheer, swivel-eyed lunacy of some/many of them. She left, but we kept in touch to share further incidences of utterly crazy conspiracy theories. This was and is the extent of our 'relationship' until just a few days ago when she asked how I was managing in retirement. At work, I had never mentioned any interest in Naturism but yesterday I happened to mention that I had been skinny dipping. I'd forgotten that she had spent a year in Germany doing her degree, and she came back with the comment that “I used to love doing that in the Tiergarten in Berlin when studying” before going on to inquire if I knew about Berlin's Muggelsee, an FKK “beach” on the outskirts of the city and asked me to let her know if I was off skinny dipping in the future. “I miss that. It made me feel alive.’’ The moral of the story is, I suppose, never to hide your Naturist light under a bushel. You never know what allies or theoretical supporters are out there! Don't be afraid to tell “just one person”.
Not one person but two. I was walking naked along a local beach frequented generally by only Naturists when I heard my name called from the dunes. Then two people I used to work with came jogging down to the beach. I had no idea they were Naturists either. We had quite a nice chat and catch up with what we'd been up to.
Over the summer I’ve mentioned to a couple of my fellow mature students that we went to some nudist beaches on holiday. One chap replied telling me how he’d enjoyed doing the same a few years ago, and another student asked a few sensible questions about what it’s like etc, with the result that it’s now on their bucket list of things to do with their partner!
Looks like I’ve been “Just One Personed”. I was chatting to a work colleague who I’ve known for over 20 years now. I see him on a weekly basis and we were talking about a holiday he was booking for early next year. I asked where he was staying as we are looking to go to the same island next year. “You probably won’t want to stay here” he says “as it’s a Naturist hotel!” I smiled and said, “What makes you think that, we are off to Vritomartis in Crete this Sunday …” We then spent a couple of minutes chatting and googling each other’s holiday places. I keep laughing to myself every time I think of it.
On a cycling holiday in Mallorca, I mentioned to a lady in the group that I was going for a post ride dip. She said “That sounds wonderful” and asked if she may join me. After confessing it was to be a skinny one, she said “That’s fine” and that as a nurse she wasn’t at all fazed by nakedness but would keep her bikini for that day but would maybe embrace the freedom the following day. Next day, same routine after cycling and sure enough, she participated, even with other men beach fishing only a short distance away. She thanked me for introducing her to the freedom and giving her the confidence to try.