Nudist or Naturist?

[itsniceout (deleted)]

I don't particularly like either title but I use both occasionally. They mean exactly the same thing - someone who likes to be nude. I think 'Naturist' was invented as a kind of excuse of a word because it suggests that the person is into nature and that nudity is part of that and is therefore justified, rather than 'Nudist' which implies the person is some sort of exhibitionist or oddball with a fetish.

IMO 'Nudist' and 'Naturist' are antiquated terms, they don't really belong in the 21st Century. My view is nudity on beaches etc should be simply accepted as an individual's preferred choice of attire - in other words I prefer being nude on the beach, why should I have to fall into a category with a name to justify it?

Fortunately, in a lot of places in the UK (and many parts of Europe) this is how it already is to some degree. So we're well on the way to nudity for recreation receiving general acceptance here. If you were to go nude on many beaches here, no-one would complain (so long as you didn't behave in a lewd or threatening manner) and on other beaches only a very small minority would complain.

Where possible if I'm talking to someone new and wish to tell them what I do, I will try to use a phrase like 'I like to go to nude beaches' or 'I like to be nude when I go to the beach' rather than use 'I'm a Nudist' or 'I'm a Naturist'.

[chazzyok]

`I like your attitude

[rick42]

I use the terms pretty much interchangeably although I tend to prefer naturists. The preference goes back to the definitions used in Europe in the early days of organized social nudism. A nudist was someone for whom being nude was an end in itself and enjoyed being naked whenever possible. A naturist, on the other hand, incorporated nudity into an overall, holistic lifestyle. For a naturist, nudity wasn't an end in itself but something that was practiced when and where it was appropriate. To me, being nude is one's "natural" state. It really doesn't have much to do with communing with nature although environmentalism and appreciating nature can certainly be part of the lifestyle.

I'm often a nudist but I'm trying to evolve into a naturist as I've defined it above.

[smileynude (deleted)]

G'Day

A naturist in basic meaning is to be a naturalist.

I would say that a naturalist is someone that is interested in the wildlife and flora of any given country, dressed or in the nude.

A nudist is someone that likes being nude, either indoors or out in nature.

So if you are a nudist that likes nature, then you wold be a nude naturalist, then.

So long as you are enjoying what you are doing, a term dose not matter.

Our long ago ancestors probably didn't worry about what terms was used to describe them, then.

smileynude

[twistedhalo1954 (deleted)]

`I am an at-home nudist. I would prefer to be a naturist....as in nude in nature, being able to go pretty much anywhere and be nude without fear of the law. I wouldn't necessarily wish to able to walk nude down the streets of a city (The air pollution would make my skin feel icky...) but to be naked in parks, on hiking trails or at a public beach would be heavenly.
I like to tell people that I wasn't born with clothes, so why should I be required to wear them simply to live my life? Most of them don't get it and never will. The only folks who ever truly grasped the concepts were my artist friends who preferred to draw or paint the nude figure.

Just my 2 cents...

[fseanb (deleted)]

I hope this clears things up:
feedback wrote: Please share your thoughts on what the difference is between being a nudist vs. being a naturist.

nud·ism (nōō'dĭz'əm, nyōō'-) Pronunciation Key
n. The belief in or practice of going nude, especially in secluded, se---lly mixed groups for reasons of health.
nud'ist adj. & n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

nudist:
noun
a person who practices nudity for reasons of health or religion

nud·ism (nōō'dĭz'əm, nyōō'-) Pronunciation Key
n. The belief in or practice of going nude, especially in secluded, se---lly mixed groups for reasons of health.
nud'ist adj. & n.

nudism
noun
going without clothes as a social practice

nudism
the practice of going without clothes, generally for reasons of health or comfort. Nudism is a social practice in which the sexes interact freely but commonly without engaging in s----l activities
Learn more about nudism with a free trial on Britannica.com.


nudism
the practice of going without clothes, generally for reasons of health or comfort. Nudism is a social practice in which the sexes interact freely but commonly without engaging in s----l activities
Learn more about nudism with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.


---[/size]
Naturist:

Na"tur*ist\, n. One who believes in, or conforms to, the theory of naturism. --Boyle.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

naturist:
noun
a person who practices nudity for reasons of health or religion [syn: nudist]

na·tur·ism (nā'chə-rĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n. Nudism.
na'tur·ist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Naturism
Na"tur*ism\, n. (Med.) The belief or doctrine that attributes everything to nature as a sanative agent.

naturism
the practice of going without clothes, generally for reasons of health or comfort. Nudism is a social practice in which the sexes interact freely but commonly without engaging in s----l activities

naturism
noun
going without clothes as a social practice [syn: nudism]

So now what do you think? why?

RSVP,
-sean- AKA fseanb

[ray1ray]

I understand the differences people are drawing between nudism as a enjoyable experience versus naturalism as a way of life.
Let's put it this way...if I could go outside and go boating or do my gardening or mow my lawn or drive to the convenience store nude in nice weather, I would do this all the time. But that's just not possible and illegal. So i'm a nudist...I'm nude when and where I don't offend anyone.
The bigger question for me is why I go to a nudist resort versus my backyard. Here is the answer.

Is being nude with nobody around like a tree falling in a forest with no one around to hear it? The answer to this question for me is yes. I enjoy the nudist resort experience much more than simply being nude alone on my backyard patio. After a lot of soul searching, I think I know why I feel this way.

If I am completely honest with myself, when I have time to be nude alone and outdoors, it is usually with the express purpose of fantasy and masturbation. (Remember, mowing the lawn is not an option for me). So, I usually imagine someone of interest accidentally catching me in the act and watching me get off from afar. They are surprised by my s----l tension and enjoy my hard sexy body. They get wet at the thought of joining me and they fantasize and masturbate themselves later. The one downside to this experience is that it is usually on a timer. There is that possibility I could be caught by a neighbor that I really dont want seeing me. So, I have to plan carefully, listen for unusual noises, stay in one small area and the longer I partake the higher the risk.

OK, contrast this with my nudist resort experience. I “get dressed to go to the resort with the anticipation of being nude ALL day. Naturally this means I can simply throw on a pair of running shorts and a t-shirt. Im already feeling free! I get a cooler with beer, water and snacks, grab a good book and a few towels. I know I will be able to completely relax. When I arrive, I step out of my car and out of my clothes. Amazing feeling! People of varied shapes and sizes are already there and sunning, swimming, or talking with one another. I find a good spot to lay-out my towel- just a place that wont invade others space too much. I lie down on my back and spread my legs slightly to feel mother-natures warm sun and gentle breeze across my whole body. After a few minutes, I get some sunscreen and rub it on my body. I am fairly quick about rubbing it onto my c--- and balls, so as not to appear as if I am being se---lly overt¦There is the nudist code of conduct¦no s----l expressions or acting out se---lly allowed. After all, it is a place for family nudity too and children may be around.

And this is the key to why I like nudist resorts so much. The restrictions to open s----lity - no erections, fondling or masturbation – mean increased s----l tension, for me anyway. Yet, at the same time I have complete freedom to move about the resort, swim, take a nature walk, play volleyball, whatever. So it is that switching on and switching off of s----l tension throughout the day that keeps me in a state of controlled arousal. Aroused but not erect. My wife talks about the release of tension from going to a spa. I have that spa feeling again and again at a nudist resort. My only concern in the world on these days is to make sure I am not leaking too much pre-cum as I soak in the sun. Meanwhile, all around me are people who share in the freedom of nudity, many for different reasons. Some are just pure exhibitionists for sure: they rub lotion onto their breasts again and again, stroke their inner thighs and buns gently, adorn their clits or c---- with jewelry, strut their swinging 2x thick 9 inch -----es, etc. Others are average folks: a little or alot overweight, couples enjoying time away, singles enjoying a full body tan and a good book. But the common thread is that we all share the wonderful feeling nudity brings – whatever the reason. And does it matter? As long as everyone respects each other, and I have never seen otherwise, a nudist resort is a fabulous experience that should not be missed. The worst part of the experience is leaving. Putting on clothes seems completely unnatural. The best part of the experience is the explosive ------ that I reward myself with at the end of the day. I have finished myself off on the resort in a private wooded area, on the way home in my car, and at home with my wife.

I may well be an exhibitionist, but arent we all sometimes, even if only in fantasy?

[fseanb (deleted)]

`Your not born with clothes, so why should you be required to wear them simply to live your life?

[uknaked]

`As far as I am concerned a naturist is someone who only removes their clothes, in a warm outdoor setting, beach, club, pool or wherever.
A nudist, which I am, just prefers to not wear any clothing at any time, unless necessary for protection or legal reasons (like work and shopping).

[thesiren]

`This is the most intense debate of terms since the trekkie vs. trekker controversy. I've been to a "Nudist" resort. It was great. I don't necessarily identify as either a nudist or naturist. I guess if I feel like being nude (and it's legal) I take my clothes off and if I don't I leave them on. Plus I'd be over exaggerating if I claimed it as a lifestyle because I really don't like to go without my bra for too long. I'm afraid my boobies will sag prematurely. (just a personal concern, not judging anyone's boobies.)

I can understand why someone passionate about it would want to identify themselves as a member of this sub culture and how with that comes a label. I don't, however, understand the difference or why the difference is so important. It sounds to me like just another case of people further segregating themselves into smaller, maybe more "enlightened" categories. Why do that when you all face enough adversity from other, less tolerant people?

[thesiren]

`P.S. Just coming from somewhat of an outsider looking in perspective... calm down ray1ray. All that c*ck and balls talk isn't helping the stereotype at all. Besides, there are ladies present.

[youbetcha]

Well I really don't care about the labels as long as all it takes is to be part of one or the other to be able to join in on social nudism. I'm not going to become a meenie greenie just because I enjoy social nudism in a natural setting.

[kairuhakubi]

`I always say 'naturist' cuz to me it also involves, yknow, being natural.. not hating natural things about your body, like your hair, your pheromones, your.. processes..

Remember, -naturalist- means you don't believe in the supernatural. Best not screw that one up.

[sarahnude (deleted)]

`I go for the term nudist. I always get undressed as soon as I get home and stay that way until I need to leave. I love to be NUDE. I do not care who sees me. It has nothing to do with nature. I live with my family who are not nudists but they have no problem with my nudity

[kairuhakubi]

`Oh and by the way, that bit about breasts sagging without a bra has been debunked. Not that it ever made sense to begin with (south american natives do just fine. -african- natives get saggy because they don't get enough protein. That's the problem facing women today, they tend not to get enough meat)