As far as bugs are concerned, I have come to appreciate the merits of Jungle Juice from my stint in the military. (99% DEET. It stinks but I love it.) But mosquitoes don't devour me like they do other people and when they do get me, I don't have a strong reaction. I'll stand there naked and once in a while I'll swat one and my fully clothed wife will need mosquito netting to survive. It takes clouds of the buggers before I get irritated. I think it comes from (secretly) running around naked in the north woods as a ten year old. Early exposure reduces the risk of later allergy.
No see-ums, black fly, and deer flies are a different matter but we don't have a lot of those out here. Too dry. High concentration DEET works against them. Permethrin is "natural" and also effective against them but keep it away from cats. It is lethal to them. I've heard good things about AVON Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus for people with delicate skin.
Bees are another issue we have. I take care not to disturb bees - brushing against a plant they are pollinating or getting close to an obvious hive entrance. If a bee lands on me I never swat at it. I blow on it or minimally shake it off. One doesn't want to do anything to it that might alarm it. No Africanized honey bees in our neck of the woods yet. I've been stung once in the last 40 years and it was because I stepped barefoot on a yellowjacket wasp in the mud.
We have lots of nasty plants here that will happily ruin your day. There are stinging nettles and thistles and cacti and yucca and poison oak and poodle dog bush. They are pretty obvious if you know what to look for but some people have ended up in a hospital because they collected a bunch of poodle dog flowers. They are very pretty. Also the pretty red leaves of poison oak in the late summer/fall. Nettles inject an acidic toxin that causes numbness or itching. it is best neutralized with baking soda but urine will do in a pinch. Yucca leaves have a needle sharp point on the tip that injects a toxin that causes pain but it eventually goes away.
if you realize you've been exposed to poodle dog bush or poison oak, the only thing to do is to wash the area with soap and water to remove the oils. (Ideally, dish or laundry soap.) Do it within a couple of hours. You can improvise soap in the field from native plants. Even without soap, scrub it thoroughly with water or a wet wipe. . If it starts to itch, usually a day later, take antihistamines and apply cortisone.
It may take several exposure to develop an allergy to poison oak or it may happen first time round. You can lose it after a long period without exposure and then regain it. Native American typically are not allergic but that isn't universal.
I have gotten to I weave my way through hazardous plants without even knowing I'm doing it.
I easily forgive him for not using a towel on a remote wooden bench.
The main reason I use a towel at a social gathering is to spare upholstery from sweat and body oils. The towel also goes onto plastic chairs because the feeling of plastic against skin is not comfortable. There is also the (small) possibility of transmitting/catching skin infections (scabies, ringworm, jock itch, et al.).
These risks apply to ANY degree of exposed skin, not just nudists. I once caught scabies from my desk at work because we were hot-swapping desks. It infested my hands and wrists. I got into sanitizing my desk after that. (That was once in my entire life.) We also know how easily athlete's foot spreads in a gym, hence flip-flops.
Some people might not keep themselves clean down there or they may have some variety of incontinence. He would know if this applies to him.
A wooden bench exposed to sun and air is not going to be a disease vector and he may be the only person who ever sits on it. (I'd still prefer a towel because of splinters.) It is also a situation where if you are concerned, you use a towel and what he does won't matter. (If he were to sit on a chair in my patio, I'd feel differently.) My solution is a washable cover on any furniture that isn't easily washable.. I don't worry about a towel when I'm sitting on my own furniture.
This reminds me of the people at the Bay to Breakers where a Golden Gate Park ranger threatened to cite them if they didn't get dressed. The ranger was later corrected by park management, unfortunately it was only after the event was over. I never met the guy but I think I would have got dressed but politely asked him to check with his superiors to put a stop to it then and there.
It also reminds me of the guy out by Altadena who was arrested TWICE by deputies for indecent exposure for hiking on the trails north of LA in the Angeles National Forest. Both times he was held in the police car until the deputies checked with their supervisor and discovered that it wasn't illegal. The sheriff finally issued a formal letter explaining that nudity was not illegal in National Forest land in LA County. Freehikers are advised to keep a copy of it with them in case they meet another ignorant deputy.
The "must sit on a towel" rule at nudist clubs is borne out of an unfounded mixture of urban legend and psychological perception of cleanliness. It's actually a complete nonsense based on ignorance rather than fact.
The bare buttocks are, in fact one of the places on the skin that harbour the least amount of bacteria, and the least number of different types. Your forearms and hands harbour more germs than your buttocks - and a far greater diversity. Maybe we should all wear gloves before shaking hands!
Even more surprising is that bare buttocks, more often than not, contain less bacteria and other germs than pants do! Bacteria build-up on cloth seats on buses, trains, airport waiting rooms, etc etc is infinitely greater than you'll find on any wooden park bench - yet people don't bat an eyelid when taking public transport.
Sit your bare bum on a seat. I'll have no problem sitting there after you!
In addition to bare bottoms not actually being a significant hygiene issue, consider how often that park bench gets pooped on by birds and insects and dusted by everything blown in the wind. A park bench isn't going to be any worse off from a bare bottom. It might actually be better off afterwards as some contaminants get carried away. :-/
Bare or not. I Hate Bugs! But. They love me. As for bare butt on outdoor wood bench. Sanitation or not. I am thinking splinters and spiders. I am glad the gentleman was released. I so hope one day the USA will grow up
Jun 1, 2023·edited Jun 1, 2023Liked by Jillian Page
lack of towel seems moderate issue which can be corrected if it's of utmost importance. If it's the naturism guideline in general, better that everyone follows it. However more concerning aspect of this entire episode is the absence of awareness of the laws on part of police officer who arrested Mr.Collins. The concerned police officer should face departmental inquiry & should be penalized if found guilty.
Surprised you should concentrate on the towel, lack of, issue, Jillian, given everything else the story involved - a naturist in public (I know the area, it’s very public), harassment by a police officer ignorant of the law, support (eventually) from other police officers, subsequent widespread support for Richard Collins from assorted members of the textile public - all of far more moment to “the cause” than a towel. And what started as a Facebook post and a local paper piece has been picked up by several national media (international if you’ve read it) thus pressing home the message far and wide that public nudity is legal.
The view of Hastings is fairly similar to the one you'd get if you sat on the bench used in the article by the faux pas committer. It is as if you checked out the town in 'satellite view' and then screen shot what you imagined the scene to be from the east hill steps.
The "very suspicious-looking plants and bushes" are predominantly Alexanders, apparently introduced to the UK by the Romans, the taste hints at celery and asparagus, at this time of year they are very common and can reach heights of 2m. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smyrnium_olusatrum
There is a lot I could say about the person who generated this self-publicity, and subsequently more of it here, enough has been said though. Equally so about the off-duty Metropolitan (London) police officer who is one of many who need to learn the laws of the country before being let loose to impose their personal interpretations of the laws.
I approach stories of people going nude in public areas with trepidation. They can be viewed as a threat or stunt, regardless of their intention. That can push perceptions of naturism in the wrong direction. “The naked guy walking around the town” becomes the focus, rather than the discussion of what naturism is all about. I get it -- one can lead to the other. But, not sure these type of stories help more than they hurt. It’s a mixed bag.
I find the lack of a towel of great concern. Depending on anatomy, one's anus or crack may touch the surface on which one is sitting. Furthermore, one may not have cleaned that area properly. I won't go into details about various gastrointestinal issues that may cause fecal matter, harmful organisms or other undesirable shed material to contact a surface. I personally have a chronic medical issue for which I would never sit with bare buttons on an unprotected surface. There are also the genitals to consider.
Though the man should not have been arrested, that fact is he was. This happens not infrequently. In the interim while waiting for exoneration one's name has been sullied. Perhaps to the point of losing a job, being ostracized by friends, family and the public at large.
Perhaps this is why some people don't try naturism. Yes, it's legal to be naked in public in some areas but all the public knows that, even law enforcement. The man could have, or may have, been detained in a prison cell. Being booked requires some very unpleasant and humiliating bodily examinations.
Often a response I hear from people is to hire a lawyer if you've been unlawfully prisoned or detained. That costs money. Lawyers aren't free unless you are being tried and then a lawyer might be appointed for you.
Detaining or arresting the innocent is and has been used throughout humanity as a way to harass and humiliate people. I know what I'm saying seems harsh but it happens everyday here in the U.S. Sometimes people die for lawful activities of a trivial nature.
What's a London policeman doing while off-duty in another jurisdiction? Common courtesy says call a local bobby, who would probably be familiar with the local situation. Then we would have nothing to chat about :-)
As far as bugs are concerned, I have come to appreciate the merits of Jungle Juice from my stint in the military. (99% DEET. It stinks but I love it.) But mosquitoes don't devour me like they do other people and when they do get me, I don't have a strong reaction. I'll stand there naked and once in a while I'll swat one and my fully clothed wife will need mosquito netting to survive. It takes clouds of the buggers before I get irritated. I think it comes from (secretly) running around naked in the north woods as a ten year old. Early exposure reduces the risk of later allergy.
No see-ums, black fly, and deer flies are a different matter but we don't have a lot of those out here. Too dry. High concentration DEET works against them. Permethrin is "natural" and also effective against them but keep it away from cats. It is lethal to them. I've heard good things about AVON Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus for people with delicate skin.
Bees are another issue we have. I take care not to disturb bees - brushing against a plant they are pollinating or getting close to an obvious hive entrance. If a bee lands on me I never swat at it. I blow on it or minimally shake it off. One doesn't want to do anything to it that might alarm it. No Africanized honey bees in our neck of the woods yet. I've been stung once in the last 40 years and it was because I stepped barefoot on a yellowjacket wasp in the mud.
We have lots of nasty plants here that will happily ruin your day. There are stinging nettles and thistles and cacti and yucca and poison oak and poodle dog bush. They are pretty obvious if you know what to look for but some people have ended up in a hospital because they collected a bunch of poodle dog flowers. They are very pretty. Also the pretty red leaves of poison oak in the late summer/fall. Nettles inject an acidic toxin that causes numbness or itching. it is best neutralized with baking soda but urine will do in a pinch. Yucca leaves have a needle sharp point on the tip that injects a toxin that causes pain but it eventually goes away.
if you realize you've been exposed to poodle dog bush or poison oak, the only thing to do is to wash the area with soap and water to remove the oils. (Ideally, dish or laundry soap.) Do it within a couple of hours. You can improvise soap in the field from native plants. Even without soap, scrub it thoroughly with water or a wet wipe. . If it starts to itch, usually a day later, take antihistamines and apply cortisone.
It may take several exposure to develop an allergy to poison oak or it may happen first time round. You can lose it after a long period without exposure and then regain it. Native American typically are not allergic but that isn't universal.
I have gotten to I weave my way through hazardous plants without even knowing I'm doing it.
I easily forgive him for not using a towel on a remote wooden bench.
The main reason I use a towel at a social gathering is to spare upholstery from sweat and body oils. The towel also goes onto plastic chairs because the feeling of plastic against skin is not comfortable. There is also the (small) possibility of transmitting/catching skin infections (scabies, ringworm, jock itch, et al.).
These risks apply to ANY degree of exposed skin, not just nudists. I once caught scabies from my desk at work because we were hot-swapping desks. It infested my hands and wrists. I got into sanitizing my desk after that. (That was once in my entire life.) We also know how easily athlete's foot spreads in a gym, hence flip-flops.
Some people might not keep themselves clean down there or they may have some variety of incontinence. He would know if this applies to him.
A wooden bench exposed to sun and air is not going to be a disease vector and he may be the only person who ever sits on it. (I'd still prefer a towel because of splinters.) It is also a situation where if you are concerned, you use a towel and what he does won't matter. (If he were to sit on a chair in my patio, I'd feel differently.) My solution is a washable cover on any furniture that isn't easily washable.. I don't worry about a towel when I'm sitting on my own furniture.
This reminds me of the people at the Bay to Breakers where a Golden Gate Park ranger threatened to cite them if they didn't get dressed. The ranger was later corrected by park management, unfortunately it was only after the event was over. I never met the guy but I think I would have got dressed but politely asked him to check with his superiors to put a stop to it then and there.
It also reminds me of the guy out by Altadena who was arrested TWICE by deputies for indecent exposure for hiking on the trails north of LA in the Angeles National Forest. Both times he was held in the police car until the deputies checked with their supervisor and discovered that it wasn't illegal. The sheriff finally issued a formal letter explaining that nudity was not illegal in National Forest land in LA County. Freehikers are advised to keep a copy of it with them in case they meet another ignorant deputy.
https://socalnaturist.org/campfire/nudehiker.html
The "must sit on a towel" rule at nudist clubs is borne out of an unfounded mixture of urban legend and psychological perception of cleanliness. It's actually a complete nonsense based on ignorance rather than fact.
The bare buttocks are, in fact one of the places on the skin that harbour the least amount of bacteria, and the least number of different types. Your forearms and hands harbour more germs than your buttocks - and a far greater diversity. Maybe we should all wear gloves before shaking hands!
Even more surprising is that bare buttocks, more often than not, contain less bacteria and other germs than pants do! Bacteria build-up on cloth seats on buses, trains, airport waiting rooms, etc etc is infinitely greater than you'll find on any wooden park bench - yet people don't bat an eyelid when taking public transport.
Sit your bare bum on a seat. I'll have no problem sitting there after you!
In addition to bare bottoms not actually being a significant hygiene issue, consider how often that park bench gets pooped on by birds and insects and dusted by everything blown in the wind. A park bench isn't going to be any worse off from a bare bottom. It might actually be better off afterwards as some contaminants get carried away. :-/
Bare or not. I Hate Bugs! But. They love me. As for bare butt on outdoor wood bench. Sanitation or not. I am thinking splinters and spiders. I am glad the gentleman was released. I so hope one day the USA will grow up
lack of towel seems moderate issue which can be corrected if it's of utmost importance. If it's the naturism guideline in general, better that everyone follows it. However more concerning aspect of this entire episode is the absence of awareness of the laws on part of police officer who arrested Mr.Collins. The concerned police officer should face departmental inquiry & should be penalized if found guilty.
Surprised you should concentrate on the towel, lack of, issue, Jillian, given everything else the story involved - a naturist in public (I know the area, it’s very public), harassment by a police officer ignorant of the law, support (eventually) from other police officers, subsequent widespread support for Richard Collins from assorted members of the textile public - all of far more moment to “the cause” than a towel. And what started as a Facebook post and a local paper piece has been picked up by several national media (international if you’ve read it) thus pressing home the message far and wide that public nudity is legal.
The view of Hastings is fairly similar to the one you'd get if you sat on the bench used in the article by the faux pas committer. It is as if you checked out the town in 'satellite view' and then screen shot what you imagined the scene to be from the east hill steps.
The "very suspicious-looking plants and bushes" are predominantly Alexanders, apparently introduced to the UK by the Romans, the taste hints at celery and asparagus, at this time of year they are very common and can reach heights of 2m. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smyrnium_olusatrum
There is a lot I could say about the person who generated this self-publicity, and subsequently more of it here, enough has been said though. Equally so about the off-duty Metropolitan (London) police officer who is one of many who need to learn the laws of the country before being let loose to impose their personal interpretations of the laws.
I approach stories of people going nude in public areas with trepidation. They can be viewed as a threat or stunt, regardless of their intention. That can push perceptions of naturism in the wrong direction. “The naked guy walking around the town” becomes the focus, rather than the discussion of what naturism is all about. I get it -- one can lead to the other. But, not sure these type of stories help more than they hurt. It’s a mixed bag.
I find the lack of a towel of great concern. Depending on anatomy, one's anus or crack may touch the surface on which one is sitting. Furthermore, one may not have cleaned that area properly. I won't go into details about various gastrointestinal issues that may cause fecal matter, harmful organisms or other undesirable shed material to contact a surface. I personally have a chronic medical issue for which I would never sit with bare buttons on an unprotected surface. There are also the genitals to consider.
Though the man should not have been arrested, that fact is he was. This happens not infrequently. In the interim while waiting for exoneration one's name has been sullied. Perhaps to the point of losing a job, being ostracized by friends, family and the public at large.
Perhaps this is why some people don't try naturism. Yes, it's legal to be naked in public in some areas but all the public knows that, even law enforcement. The man could have, or may have, been detained in a prison cell. Being booked requires some very unpleasant and humiliating bodily examinations.
Often a response I hear from people is to hire a lawyer if you've been unlawfully prisoned or detained. That costs money. Lawyers aren't free unless you are being tried and then a lawyer might be appointed for you.
Detaining or arresting the innocent is and has been used throughout humanity as a way to harass and humiliate people. I know what I'm saying seems harsh but it happens everyday here in the U.S. Sometimes people die for lawful activities of a trivial nature.
What's a London policeman doing while off-duty in another jurisdiction? Common courtesy says call a local bobby, who would probably be familiar with the local situation. Then we would have nothing to chat about :-)