October open forum
The world could learn so much from naturists, eh?
“Safety” and “the lack of the male gaze.”
Those are two benefits of naturism at CHM Montalivet in France cited by a writer in an excellent Sept. 29 Cosmopolitan article reviewing her naked summer vacation with her two girlfriends.
“What keeps us coming back is actually a lack of something — a lack of threat, a lack of self-consciousness, a lack of fear: not feeling like you need to be on guard,” writes Abby Moss.
One of her girlfriends mentioned the lack of male gaze, to which Abby comments:
“It feels great to feel so safe, so constantly unbothered. We have never been harassed, or even looked at in an uncomfortable way. Not once. You walk around with it all hanging out, and when someone (read: a man) speaks to you, they speak to your face. Nobody comments on your body. Nobody stares at you. Catcalling would be unthinkable.”
I have been thinking along similar lines recently about the benefits of naturism, and how non-judgmental we tend to be when we socialize with other naked people in public settings. Naturism seems to bring out the best in us. I’ve been thinking that naturists could teach our increasingly polarized species a thing or two.
But Abby makes one statement I’m sure many would disagree with here. After pointing out that there is nothing sexual about naturism, she writes:
“FYI, naturism is different from nudism, and it’s an important distinction. Nudism has a more voyeuristic side, and nudist resorts (there are plenty of these in France, too, as well as all around the world) tend to cater more to swinger communities and vacation-goers looking for hookups.”
Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with her, the article is a great read and is highly recommended.
So, speaking of summer naturism vacations: did you get a chance to bare it all at a special place this year? Do you have a winter naturism getaway planned?
And if you are living Down Under, have you planned a naturist vacation for your approaching summer?
As always, the monthly open forums are a chance for all members to talk about all things naturism and nudism. What’s on your mind?
And a warm welcome to all the new members!
— Jillian
Nudism? Naturism? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Whatever other differences she feels about the two terms, I don't see how voyeurism would be involved.
Thanks for highlighting this article. I had read it a day or two ago and was cogitating over some ideas for a blog entry in response. I find it interesting that many people who are new to naturism find it liberating and free from judgement, something that naturists have been trying to argue for many many years. This article is not the first, and won't be the last, where the writer discovers the joys of non-sexual nudity.
As one of your down-under readers, we are just emerging from our winter months and looking forward to the warmer summer months. My partner and I are just now planning a naked break to a clothing-optional venue in early January. We plan to supplement this with more frequent short stays (weekends) at naturist-friendly spots over the coming months and replenishing our naturism batteries.