May open forum
Nudism taking a hit in story about DoorDash driver. Also: beware of drone snoops
A naturist friend of mine has a small sign on his front door alerting visitors to the fact that nudism is practised in his home — though I’m not really sure why he needs the sign at all. Just in case someone wanders in, I suppose. But the lower half of the window on his storm door has some sort of blind, so even if he answered the door naked, callers would only see from the top part of his chest up. But I know that if he were expecting someone who was uncomfortable with nudism, he would cover up. Common courtesy, right?
I thought of him when I came across an article in the tabs about a U.S. DoorDash delivery worker who alleged she was informed the following by a male customer as she waited at the food delivery company for his order to be prepped: “Just to let you know, I am a nudist and WILL be answering the door nude.”
The driver was uncomfortable with that and refused to do the delivery. She was allegedly penalized by her employer, but she got feedback on social media with supportive comments like “Would never EVER subject someone to my naked body without their consent” and “This was not a nudist. This was a creepy, CREEPY, individual that just wanted a stranger to see this naked without consent to get their rocks off,” the report says.
In follow-up comments on social media, the driver said she wouldn’t be comfortable “being alone with a man I don’t know naked in a place I’ve never been before.”
She followed up: “If you’re going to order delivery, at least have the courtesy to put on a robe or just select leave at my door. I don’t want to see your entire c–k and balls when I hand you your hamburger.”
If the allegations are true, the practice of nudism took a hit that day — and continues to do so, given the coverage the story is receiving in tabs in the U.K. and the U.S. I read the article on the Metro site in the U.K. and then the New York Post site, which had more details than the Metro report.
It’s pretty weak journalism, though, and hardly worth mentioning here otherwise. It’s unclear where the incident took place — the report only says the driver did not disclose her location. And there are no names, except for the driver’s Reddit tag. The article states that they have reached out to DoorDash for comment, so it all seems to be based on a Reddit post, with some of the comments suggesting the customer had less-than-honourable intent. Still, DoorDash might have to respond, and so we may hear more about all this.
Regardless of the story’s validity, it has struck a nerve both in the tabs and on social media and serves as a reminder that many people are uncomfortable with nudity.
Sure, maybe the nudist was within his rights (I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt for now.) But would it have been so terrible to cover up for 30 seconds or have her leave the food at the door and wait for her to depart before retrieving it?
How many people will be turned off nudism after reading about it all on social media and in the traditional media — whether it’s accurate or not?
Beware of people snooping with drones
Drones may be one of the biggest curses of our time. Apart from the fact they are being used to kill people in various conflicts around the world, snoops are using them to invade the privacy of all sorts of people — including nudists on beaches.
You don’t really need to read beyond the headline of this report on the Cornwall Live site (or any of the other sites that ran it): TikTok social media influencers fly drone over Cornwall naturist beach. Drone snoopers are everywhere, even at the lake where I live. I’ve been out by the water sunning myself in the buff, only to hear first and then see a drone above looking down at me.
Naturists have long held that we should never snap photos of nudists without permission. It’s a cardinal rule of most landed and unlanded clubs, and I think most practitioners who go to nudist beaches would adhere to that principle.
But in this age of drones, there is no privacy. And no doubt that will turn some inquiring people away from exploring nudism and naturism.
Drone are not only being used by social media influencers to snoop on nudists: Authorities are using them to hunt for nudists who bare it all where the practice is banned. A Brazil paper has one such report: Florianópolis Beach Resort Turns to Inspectors and Drones to Hunt for Nudists. It’s worth remembering if you like to bare it all in a spot where nudity is not permitted.
Look, ma, no bug bites — yet
Speaking of being nude outdoors, it’s almost that time of the year again in my neck of the woods. There are only a few patches of snow left in the shady parts of the forest, and the mosquitoes and black flies have yet to emerge. So, we have a window of opportunity now for some serious naked time outdoors without losing a pint of blood to the ferocious little pests.
It’s one of my favourite times of the year . . .
The welcome mat
A warm welcome to all new members. Please feel free to join the discussions in the open forums and in the comments sections of various posts by Fred and me.
As always, the monthly open forums are designed for members to chat about all things nudism/naturism.
Just remember: don’t hit reply to this email (if you are reading it in your email box). Instead, click on the comment tab below, or go to the website itself and comment there.
Happy May, everyone!
— Jillian
In this litigious, hyper-sensitive world, I think it's poor judgement to answer the door naked outside of a nudist-friendly environment like a resort or a naturist zone like Cap d'Agde. If I were a delivery person, even though I am a lifelong nudist, I would be highly suspicious of the nude person's motives in being nude in what I would consider an inappropriate situation. Come on, show some common sense and some courtesy. Throwing on something to answer the door is not a hardship or even an inconvenience. What in the world are you trying to accomplish? Pick your battles - this is not worth it.
I’m frequently amazed - and do disappointed - how much newspaper “journalism” is just some no-hoper trawling through Facebook and Reddit and turning other people’s observations into “news”. And all without the least attempt to expand or follow-up.
A recent one in the UK red top Daily Mirror waxed lyrical about two men, new to the neighbourhood, who mowed their lawns naked. Only the Reddit handles were used, no location was specified but the spelling of “neighborhood” gave away it wasn’t a UK story.
It’s a sad commentary on today’s media that they think repeating unchecked stories from social media qualifies as “news”. But as the old saying goes, we get the newspapers we deserve.