This week the Platypuses received a reminder about just how significant uniforms are in our culture. Last Monday there was Boy Scouts. Plenty of uniforms there.
ON Tuesday it was a different youth service organization... again in uniforms. Wednesday was a suit and tie (the corporate uniform) for a Chamber of commerce meeting. BY Friday there was fast food place where the staff were all attired in uniforms. Today a pro football game was on TV. More uniforms!
Why not trade these uniforms for the uniform of the human race once in a while: your bare skin! Go naked. Feel what it is to be human. Feel great too. And it doesn' t have to cost you any money.
This uniform is free.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Is the Term Nudist Colony So Bad?
We have been in the business of promoting nudist businesses for many years and we know the standard line: You can call it a nudist (or clothing optional or clothes free) club. You can call it a nude resort or nudist park. Even a nudist spa. But don't call it a nudist "colony." Ever.
"Ants live in colonies."
"Colonies went out with the American Revolution. "
And so it goes. We spent years trying to get the media to avoid the term. But now, upon reflection, we find ourselves asking, "Is it really all that offensive?"
Well, antiquated maybe.
Some folks think it makes us sound like part of a nuts and berries crowd. Or a cult of some kind. But the term also harkens back to a simpler time. When we were a source of jokes and those cartoon style postcards. A time when folks understood that we ran around in the woods with nothing on. Yet somehow understood that that's all that was going on behind the fence. That nudists were people who kept to themselves and weren't harming anyone. People who brought their kids to "the colony."
"Nudist colony" connotes a health regimen for some. A Peter Sellers movie for others.
Are we just waxing nostalgically? Tell us what you think.
"Ants live in colonies."
"Colonies went out with the American Revolution. "
And so it goes. We spent years trying to get the media to avoid the term. But now, upon reflection, we find ourselves asking, "Is it really all that offensive?"
Well, antiquated maybe.
Some folks think it makes us sound like part of a nuts and berries crowd. Or a cult of some kind. But the term also harkens back to a simpler time. When we were a source of jokes and those cartoon style postcards. A time when folks understood that we ran around in the woods with nothing on. Yet somehow understood that that's all that was going on behind the fence. That nudists were people who kept to themselves and weren't harming anyone. People who brought their kids to "the colony."
"Nudist colony" connotes a health regimen for some. A Peter Sellers movie for others.
Are we just waxing nostalgically? Tell us what you think.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Once Upon a Time Hi and Lois and Crew Were "Stripped"
We often talk about how the amount of nudity that artists put into their "strips" may be a bare-o-meter of societal attitudes. Nudist cartoons seem to be disappearing from our funny pages, though we see The Simpsons in the buff on our TV screens.
But here's a bit of historical trivia for you: Did you know that in the early 60's cartoonists Mort Walker and Dik Browne showed appreciation for receiving two coveted awards that year by drawing a "thank you" panel that showed the family bare so as to replicate the style of the trophies? It's true. Though tastefully drawn, with Lois partially draped, she shows her figure and the whole rest of the crew isn't wearing more than they were born (first sketched?) with.
Mort and Dik couldn't be accused of fearing the birthday suit after that panel, which you can find on a history of the strip by clicking bare victory trophy for cartoonist . Scroll down until you read about awards season / a year for awards. Sigh. We can't imagine a cartoonist would show their appreciation in this way in this day and age. We LIKED your style Mr. Walker and Mr. Browne.
Come to think of it, this discovery may earn Mort and Dik one more trophy ... a Walter award from the Bare Platypus team!
12/5/13 Update: The sbove link now takes you to the wrong page as new pages are added to the High and Lois blog. Look fot March 13 2013 entry and you should find it.
But here's a bit of historical trivia for you: Did you know that in the early 60's cartoonists Mort Walker and Dik Browne showed appreciation for receiving two coveted awards that year by drawing a "thank you" panel that showed the family bare so as to replicate the style of the trophies? It's true. Though tastefully drawn, with Lois partially draped, she shows her figure and the whole rest of the crew isn't wearing more than they were born (first sketched?) with.
Mort and Dik couldn't be accused of fearing the birthday suit after that panel, which you can find on a history of the strip by clicking bare victory trophy for cartoonist . Scroll down until you read about awards season / a year for awards. Sigh. We can't imagine a cartoonist would show their appreciation in this way in this day and age. We LIKED your style Mr. Walker and Mr. Browne.
Come to think of it, this discovery may earn Mort and Dik one more trophy ... a Walter award from the Bare Platypus team!
12/5/13 Update: The sbove link now takes you to the wrong page as new pages are added to the High and Lois blog. Look fot March 13 2013 entry and you should find it.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Our Thanksgiving Weekend Idea
Well, Halloween is two days past and Thanksgiving will soon be here. We'd like to give you an idea to think about. If you happen to get the day after turkey day off, then why not plan to spend it at home and spend it completely naked from the minute you wake until you turn back in for the night?
Now we know that some of you do those crazy black friday sales. And that others spend the day hanging lights and decorations, but hear us out for a minute. November is cold in many places but it is usually warm enough that you can still afford to crank up the heat in the house, or run an extra heater in at least one warm room.
You can set up a Christmas tree in the buff if it's stored in the attic instead of having to get a live one. You can bake holiday cookies nakey, and you can write out holiday cards nakey too.
Take time to enjoy peace before the rest of the busy holiday season takes over.
Why write about this now? You will need to do some planning so that someone else doesn't set your Friday plans for you. So start working on your"Sorry. Other plans" speech now so that you can enjoy nakey time about four weeks from now.
Now we know that some of you do those crazy black friday sales. And that others spend the day hanging lights and decorations, but hear us out for a minute. November is cold in many places but it is usually warm enough that you can still afford to crank up the heat in the house, or run an extra heater in at least one warm room.
You can set up a Christmas tree in the buff if it's stored in the attic instead of having to get a live one. You can bake holiday cookies nakey, and you can write out holiday cards nakey too.
Take time to enjoy peace before the rest of the busy holiday season takes over.
Why write about this now? You will need to do some planning so that someone else doesn't set your Friday plans for you. So start working on your"Sorry. Other plans" speech now so that you can enjoy nakey time about four weeks from now.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
South Korea's Nude Beach Dreams
Over the past couple of weeks the news has been abuzz with the story that the country of South Korea is considering a nude beach to boost tourism. This prompts a few observations:
First, there is a tendency among those of us in the US to think paternalistic (elitist?) when thinking about Korea. Maybe it comes from all those episodes of M*A*S *H* where the quaint, provincial village folk need the help of American soldiers and their technology to protect them. Yet now it appears the Koreans may be getting more with the times. And leading.
True, the US has a few legally sanctioned nude beaches... but not many. As a percentage of nude beach vs rest of the country, one long stretch of a single bare beach in Korea may make the relative amount of "naked land" great because the country is much smaller. That's the second observation.
The third point is more of a question. Will NORTH Korea try to catch up with a "me too" nude beach of their own lest their free Southern neighbors eclipse them?
First, there is a tendency among those of us in the US to think paternalistic (elitist?) when thinking about Korea. Maybe it comes from all those episodes of M*A*S *H* where the quaint, provincial village folk need the help of American soldiers and their technology to protect them. Yet now it appears the Koreans may be getting more with the times. And leading.
True, the US has a few legally sanctioned nude beaches... but not many. As a percentage of nude beach vs rest of the country, one long stretch of a single bare beach in Korea may make the relative amount of "naked land" great because the country is much smaller. That's the second observation.
The third point is more of a question. Will NORTH Korea try to catch up with a "me too" nude beach of their own lest their free Southern neighbors eclipse them?
Monday, October 28, 2013
Wives Who Won't Let Hubby See Them Naked
There is a recent news story reporting the results of a study from (where else) Britain in which one out of six women say that they have NOT let their husbands see them naked within the past year or more. Forty percent of these women acknowledge that it is harming their marriage.
Read the story at One in six wives won't let husband see them naked . The reasons these women won't bare in front of even their husbands varied but appear to be rooted in self image for about half.
When people say that nudism is wrong because nudity should be confined to spouses have you ever heard them speak out against covering up with said spouses and the harm it does to marriage? Didn't think so. We think anti-nudity goes way beyond considerations of morality, and we think studies like the one quoted here help prove that.
The Bare Platypus is NOT saying that you must go to a nudist club or nude beach or be nude with anyone other than your spouse and family if that's your code and calling. But we DO think you should be more comfortable in your own home and, if you don't make some efforts to be more comfortable there, you are missing out.
More importantly, it seems, your spouse is missing out too.
Need some help with getting comfortable about getting bare? Read our Platypus Tips for Getting Started Going Naked .
P.S. Be sure to vote in our latest poll about who bares more in your home.
Read the story at One in six wives won't let husband see them naked . The reasons these women won't bare in front of even their husbands varied but appear to be rooted in self image for about half.
When people say that nudism is wrong because nudity should be confined to spouses have you ever heard them speak out against covering up with said spouses and the harm it does to marriage? Didn't think so. We think anti-nudity goes way beyond considerations of morality, and we think studies like the one quoted here help prove that.
The Bare Platypus is NOT saying that you must go to a nudist club or nude beach or be nude with anyone other than your spouse and family if that's your code and calling. But we DO think you should be more comfortable in your own home and, if you don't make some efforts to be more comfortable there, you are missing out.
More importantly, it seems, your spouse is missing out too.
Need some help with getting comfortable about getting bare? Read our Platypus Tips for Getting Started Going Naked .
P.S. Be sure to vote in our latest poll about who bares more in your home.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Facebook Where Art Thou Priorities?
This story is old news by now but we are just getting around to commenting about it (hey it's hard to keep up when you run with webbed feet. )
Last week Facebook announced that they were reversing their policy and would allow the posting of such videos as the public beheading of a woman in Mexico. The company reasoned that the videos were intended to foster dialogue against human rights abuses and that it was not glorifying violence or making a spectacle of it. The Platypus wouldn't know as we declined to seek out the video. You can read one news story about this at Facebook OK's Beheading Video but not Nudity .
Here's what we don't get: In the same announcement Facebook "assured" the public that they would continue to ban nude images... including breast feeding mothers if the images triggered complaints. So all those 13 year olds who are now free to post public information about their private lives per yet another Facebook change in policy will, at LEAST be spared seeing how babies are fed. I mean, what would you find more troubling for today's youth? A bare breast or a live execution by axe or sword?
Facebook attempted to explain itself by saying, "it's because we get complaints about nudity," but the explanation only made things sound more strange. Did no one complain about the beheading live? Were women empowered by seeing a woman treated like that as opposed to sunning on a beach? Do they fear anti nudity foes more than officials from countries who, we understand, did raise objection to these developments?
We won't really try to argue the speech and political value of a live killing. As we said, we didn't see it and do not wish to see it. All we're saying is that a bare breast or tush never hurt anyone. And we can't understand why Mr. Zuckerberg's tower of Babel can't acknowledge that.
Last week Facebook announced that they were reversing their policy and would allow the posting of such videos as the public beheading of a woman in Mexico. The company reasoned that the videos were intended to foster dialogue against human rights abuses and that it was not glorifying violence or making a spectacle of it. The Platypus wouldn't know as we declined to seek out the video. You can read one news story about this at Facebook OK's Beheading Video but not Nudity .
Here's what we don't get: In the same announcement Facebook "assured" the public that they would continue to ban nude images... including breast feeding mothers if the images triggered complaints. So all those 13 year olds who are now free to post public information about their private lives per yet another Facebook change in policy will, at LEAST be spared seeing how babies are fed. I mean, what would you find more troubling for today's youth? A bare breast or a live execution by axe or sword?
Facebook attempted to explain itself by saying, "it's because we get complaints about nudity," but the explanation only made things sound more strange. Did no one complain about the beheading live? Were women empowered by seeing a woman treated like that as opposed to sunning on a beach? Do they fear anti nudity foes more than officials from countries who, we understand, did raise objection to these developments?
We won't really try to argue the speech and political value of a live killing. As we said, we didn't see it and do not wish to see it. All we're saying is that a bare breast or tush never hurt anyone. And we can't understand why Mr. Zuckerberg's tower of Babel can't acknowledge that.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
New Platypus Poll: Who Goes Bare Most at Your House?
Please take a moment to vote in our latest poll about who bares most at your house. Does a gender gap exist in our homes?
You can make more than one selection if you wish. You can also make comments. We welcome your participation and thank those who have already cast a ballot.
You can make more than one selection if you wish. You can also make comments. We welcome your participation and thank those who have already cast a ballot.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Would You Raise Your Kids as Nudists? Platypus Poll Results
For the past several months we have been running a poll to ask how you would raise a family.
Today we reached exactly 400 votes. Because a mentor once told us that number was enough to approach confidence levels, we'll stop here. Our results:
77.50% said "YES" (310 votes / 400)
3.25% said "NO" (13 votes / 400)
3.50% said "UNDECIDED" (14 votes / 400)
12.25% said "WE DID" (49 votes / 400)
3.50% (14 votes / 400) said "OTHER" and wrote the following comments...
... Already am!
... Their choice.
....At home, yes.
... No children anticipated.
... Wish I had.
... Not successful.
... No kids.
... Too late now she's grown-up.
... Kids with unashamed bodies!
... Wish I was able.
... Wish I had.
... Clothing-optional let them decide.
... Wish I did.
... We tried.
So there you have it readers. Of the 400 votes cast, 89.75 percent said either that they would raise their kids nudist or were doing so. When you add in those who expressed a wish that they had, it takes the number well past 90 percent who express support for the concept.
We will be discussing more about what these numbers tell us but, for now we can definitely say that those who read this blog and voted strongly embrace nudism in the family. We think it also shows that our reader / voters ARE comfortably nudists as opposed to those just stopping by and kicking the tires on something they were wondering about.
We've got to say we're pleased with the results...
And for the record? We raised four kids as nudists and have no regrets about doing so, although we may have handled a few aspects differently.
Look for a new poll soon.
_________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Today we reached exactly 400 votes. Because a mentor once told us that number was enough to approach confidence levels, we'll stop here. Our results:
77.50% said "YES" (310 votes / 400)
3.25% said "NO" (13 votes / 400)
3.50% said "UNDECIDED" (14 votes / 400)
12.25% said "WE DID" (49 votes / 400)
3.50% (14 votes / 400) said "OTHER" and wrote the following comments...
... Already am!
... Their choice.
....At home, yes.
... No children anticipated.
... Wish I had.
... Not successful.
... No kids.
... Too late now she's grown-up.
... Kids with unashamed bodies!
... Wish I was able.
... Wish I had.
... Clothing-optional let them decide.
... Wish I did.
... We tried.
So there you have it readers. Of the 400 votes cast, 89.75 percent said either that they would raise their kids nudist or were doing so. When you add in those who expressed a wish that they had, it takes the number well past 90 percent who express support for the concept.
We will be discussing more about what these numbers tell us but, for now we can definitely say that those who read this blog and voted strongly embrace nudism in the family. We think it also shows that our reader / voters ARE comfortably nudists as opposed to those just stopping by and kicking the tires on something they were wondering about.
We've got to say we're pleased with the results...
And for the record? We raised four kids as nudists and have no regrets about doing so, although we may have handled a few aspects differently.
Look for a new poll soon.
_________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
It's Not That We Don't Believe; We Just Don't Think They Tell The Truth
Anyone can start an internet poll that allows comments. We have polls here all the time. It's more challenging to get lots of voters participating and making comments.
By some means we came across a poll asking, should displays of public nudity be allowed or banned? The poll had a good number of responses and about 75 percent said "allow them." You may wish to go cast your vote. The title of this post isn't directed at the yea's or number of them, though you would, we suspect, get different results in different forums.
What we take issue with are the comments made by the naysayers. These varied but there were two prominent themes: 1. If people want to be nude in private in a place for it that would be okay but it shouldn't ever be public; and 2. Children shouldn't be exposed to public nudity because they can't deal with it.
Problem is, we were involved in defending nudist rights against encroachment for years and can tell you this... Many of those same people professing that they wouldn't care about nudity as long as it's private would be the first to call a state lawmaker to say "Close down that place!" If they heard a private nudist club was opening in their town, or even within some place across the state.
This is especially true if we broach topic number 2. There are KIDS there? Pay no attention that the tykes have been raised to see nudism as normal... Or that they're in the safety of their parents' direct supervision. "That's just wrong, the place needs to go" they will say with a mere shrug when reminded that it was their folks who swore they had no problem with those who choose to be naked if it's in private.
And once you exclude kids? Well it's property values. Or the fictitious likelihood of crime waves that will be triggered by bare bottoms behind a fence. And you can bet the people who say"just keep it private" will not do anything to protect private property rights by joining ranks with nudists. Or maybe only once in a while.
To those who say " I don't care what you do in your private backyard, just..." forgive the Platypus team. It's not that we don't believe you. It's just that we don't think it's likely you're telling the truth.
By some means we came across a poll asking, should displays of public nudity be allowed or banned? The poll had a good number of responses and about 75 percent said "allow them." You may wish to go cast your vote. The title of this post isn't directed at the yea's or number of them, though you would, we suspect, get different results in different forums.
What we take issue with are the comments made by the naysayers. These varied but there were two prominent themes: 1. If people want to be nude in private in a place for it that would be okay but it shouldn't ever be public; and 2. Children shouldn't be exposed to public nudity because they can't deal with it.
Problem is, we were involved in defending nudist rights against encroachment for years and can tell you this... Many of those same people professing that they wouldn't care about nudity as long as it's private would be the first to call a state lawmaker to say "Close down that place!" If they heard a private nudist club was opening in their town, or even within some place across the state.
This is especially true if we broach topic number 2. There are KIDS there? Pay no attention that the tykes have been raised to see nudism as normal... Or that they're in the safety of their parents' direct supervision. "That's just wrong, the place needs to go" they will say with a mere shrug when reminded that it was their folks who swore they had no problem with those who choose to be naked if it's in private.
And once you exclude kids? Well it's property values. Or the fictitious likelihood of crime waves that will be triggered by bare bottoms behind a fence. And you can bet the people who say"just keep it private" will not do anything to protect private property rights by joining ranks with nudists. Or maybe only once in a while.
To those who say " I don't care what you do in your private backyard, just..." forgive the Platypus team. It's not that we don't believe you. It's just that we don't think it's likely you're telling the truth.
Monday, October 21, 2013
The Challenge Grows?
As the Bare Platypus has noted before, we live South of the Mason-Dixon line. It's still warm here and, when you travel four hours further South, it's warm enough to visit the beach. So it was that mom and dad Platypus found ourselves accompanying a certain youth organization for some nearly on-the-beach camping. We also did some pier fishing.
Guess what we observed among most beach patrons?
Girls or guys, young or old, not many people show skin at the beach. And by that we mean bare chests on guys. Swimwear on ladies. Nary a bikini in sight. Far more likely the beachgoer is sporting long cargo shorts and an oversized t-shirt.
Body concious? Sun concious? Dunno.
Oh there were exceptions to be sure, though not a single Speedo. A few brave souls bared a hairy chest, but not many.
We do so many nudist destinations that we hadn't been to a textile beach in a long time. A lot has changed. It's a lot more textile.
Maybe this trip was an anomaly and the beach crowd just happened to cover up more by chance. Is our experience typical? If so we see doom. And hope. On one hand, with everyone covered up it may be harder to convince people to bare. (We didn't see a bare butt even on a baby. ) Yet when we finally DO get them naked they're really going to appreciate how good it feels!
Still, we can't help feeling a bit dissapointed that a great coverup is in progress.
Guess what we observed among most beach patrons?
Girls or guys, young or old, not many people show skin at the beach. And by that we mean bare chests on guys. Swimwear on ladies. Nary a bikini in sight. Far more likely the beachgoer is sporting long cargo shorts and an oversized t-shirt.
Body concious? Sun concious? Dunno.
Oh there were exceptions to be sure, though not a single Speedo. A few brave souls bared a hairy chest, but not many.
We do so many nudist destinations that we hadn't been to a textile beach in a long time. A lot has changed. It's a lot more textile.
Maybe this trip was an anomaly and the beach crowd just happened to cover up more by chance. Is our experience typical? If so we see doom. And hope. On one hand, with everyone covered up it may be harder to convince people to bare. (We didn't see a bare butt even on a baby. ) Yet when we finally DO get them naked they're really going to appreciate how good it feels!
Still, we can't help feeling a bit dissapointed that a great coverup is in progress.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Indian Summer? Get naked quick!
If you happen to be lucky enough to get some unseasonably warm weather this fall don't miss out! Get naked and enjoy it however you can. Go on. Go native. It's the best way to enjoy the last days bare that you can.
The Platypus remembers swimming in New England over one Columbus Day weekend. Hey... it can happen. Then again Platypus has fur...
The Platypus remembers swimming in New England over one Columbus Day weekend. Hey... it can happen. Then again Platypus has fur...
Monday, October 14, 2013
Cover Naked Sculpture, We'll Talk Bombs
Time magazine ran a story about a nude sculpture that had to be covered up in preparation of nuclear bomb talks with Iran. Imagine that... nukes can be discussed dispassionately. But only if there's no naked statuary to stir things up!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
National Parks at it Again?
With the government shut down entering its second week there are stories circulating on the internet about National Park Service staff being told to make life difficult for visitors to attractions such as Mount Vernon, once home to George Washington. Mount Vernon is not run by the Park Service, yet the parking lots are, apparently. By closing these, the pressure stays on to end the shut down. There are stories of other vendors being directed to cease operations although they maintain private payrolls.
We didn't link to the stories here because this blog isn't usually about politics or the budget, shutdown or otherwise.
What we will say is that we have witnessed rangers being purposely difficult, at times obtuse, when it came to nudity. In one glaring example about 20 years ago the Superintendent of the Canaveral National Seashore in Florida didn't like a court ruling that said mere nudity did not necessarily equal a federal offense.
So, instead of workihg with nudists to help educate the public about the traditional nude beach near parking lot 13, or putting in advisory signage about its location, the seashore staff sulked and told visitors "we really can't stop you from going naked anywhere (or tell you where to avoid nudity if it's not your thing)."
Consequently, user conflict increased during the brief time staff pulled these tricks. Complaints were generated to support cries that there ought to be a law, Congressman Dave Weldon struck and the rest, as they say, was history.
On other park lands some staff refuse to meet with (clothed) nudist leaders, or even to take literature fom nudists. They seem to have forgotten who owns the parks. ALL of us!
We didn't link to the stories here because this blog isn't usually about politics or the budget, shutdown or otherwise.
What we will say is that we have witnessed rangers being purposely difficult, at times obtuse, when it came to nudity. In one glaring example about 20 years ago the Superintendent of the Canaveral National Seashore in Florida didn't like a court ruling that said mere nudity did not necessarily equal a federal offense.
So, instead of workihg with nudists to help educate the public about the traditional nude beach near parking lot 13, or putting in advisory signage about its location, the seashore staff sulked and told visitors "we really can't stop you from going naked anywhere (or tell you where to avoid nudity if it's not your thing)."
Consequently, user conflict increased during the brief time staff pulled these tricks. Complaints were generated to support cries that there ought to be a law, Congressman Dave Weldon struck and the rest, as they say, was history.
On other park lands some staff refuse to meet with (clothed) nudist leaders, or even to take literature fom nudists. They seem to have forgotten who owns the parks. ALL of us!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Naked Halloween Costumes
There's a fairly common meme around the internet that reads, "I bet being a nudist takes all the fun out of Halloween," but that isn't true. In truth, nudists get quite innovative.
Here are a few ways we've seen of dressing up without wearing anything. Just in time to prepare for the occasion, should your travels take you to a nudist club, or even if you just want to have fun at home:
- Cupid: All you need are some fake wings, a bit of satin sash, perhaps, and a bow and arrow (keep it safe with the plunger dart toy kind);
- Adam or Eve: Get an apple. Get a rubber snake. If there's no bite in the apple you haven't messed up yet and don't need a fig leaf;
- Lady Godiva: Get one of those polo pony hobby horse head on a stick toys that kids "ride" around the house. May need blonde wig also;
- Baby New Year: A sash with 2014 on it and a top hat will make you one character that's ahead of its time;
- Huck Finn: Straw hat... Corn cob pipe... Cane pole if you like... He skinny-dipped quite a bit after all;
- Nudist on Strike: Wear clothes (yech) and carry a sign.
Here are a few ways we've seen of dressing up without wearing anything. Just in time to prepare for the occasion, should your travels take you to a nudist club, or even if you just want to have fun at home:
- Cupid: All you need are some fake wings, a bit of satin sash, perhaps, and a bow and arrow (keep it safe with the plunger dart toy kind);
- Adam or Eve: Get an apple. Get a rubber snake. If there's no bite in the apple you haven't messed up yet and don't need a fig leaf;
- Lady Godiva: Get one of those polo pony hobby horse head on a stick toys that kids "ride" around the house. May need blonde wig also;
- Baby New Year: A sash with 2014 on it and a top hat will make you one character that's ahead of its time;
- Huck Finn: Straw hat... Corn cob pipe... Cane pole if you like... He skinny-dipped quite a bit after all;
- Nudist on Strike: Wear clothes (yech) and carry a sign.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Can ANY Nudity Be Celebrated in the Internet Age?
While searching for potential topics for the Bare Platypus, we came across the following article and interesting art concept: Can a naked woman ever be celebrated in the internet age? By "celebrated," we take it from the context of the article to mean, viewed "dispassionately"... oh to be admired for its beauty, perhaps, but without arousing suspicion or appealing to something base.
The article showcases a couple of examples of a project coordinated by Vanesa Omoregie. Ms Omoregie encourages women (she calls them cam girls -- her term not ours) to send her pictures of themselves nude, while assuming poses in classic paintings such as Botticelli's Venus . She then superimposes the "live" (photographed) nude onto the original painting. After reviewing the works, the author of Can a naked woman makes observations about what it means for feminism in an internet age. The author asks whether the internet has made it impossible to view the nude female body as, perhaps, artistically as it once was viewed.
What's interesting, however, is that there are other nude figures in classical artworks that Ms. Omoregie and the author of the article ignore. These other nude figures include "cupid" cherub-like figures and male nudes. Indeed, a couple of the examples in the linked article still have these other, non-womanly, figures depicted in their original form (i.e. without a superimposed photograph on them).
We have to ask, would it be any less controversial if a man or tyke were photographed and the image superimposed on a form / in a pose that was once perfectly acceptable in a classic work of art? We don't think it would be any less controversial than with a woman. (In the case of the tyke, probably more so).
Perhaps the question to be asked is not whether a naked woman may be celebrated in the internet age, but whether ANY nudity can be "celebrated." Nudists understand that it can be so celebrated, of course.
But the immediate, incendiary, reactions---whether motivated by anger, controversy, lust, or zeal for feminism or equality---to nude photos on the net by so many people is one reason that the Bare Platypus refrains from using any photographs of persons on this site. If we posted pictures of nude women, it would be too easy for people, including 'new feminists' to say that they were too young, too beautiful, or all that the Platypus cared about. If we posted a few too many naked guys? Well the Platypus must be gay. Kids? Don't even think about it... call the feds. Too many old people or overweight people? We should be celebrating health. Too few, or too many, racial minorities and we either go overboard (risking an accusation of a fetish) or discriminate.
Yet to ignore any one of those groups would be to refrain from depicting nudism in the spirit of nudism as we see it. To include them all, in proper proportions to their percentages in the real world, would mean tapping into images we do not own or have copyright permission to post. So we'll answer the question that is the title to our article in this way: Nudity can be celebrated by nudists, but it may be getting more and more difficult to do so in an age where, it also seems, anything goes.
_____________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
The article showcases a couple of examples of a project coordinated by Vanesa Omoregie. Ms Omoregie encourages women (she calls them cam girls -- her term not ours) to send her pictures of themselves nude, while assuming poses in classic paintings such as Botticelli's Venus . She then superimposes the "live" (photographed) nude onto the original painting. After reviewing the works, the author of Can a naked woman makes observations about what it means for feminism in an internet age. The author asks whether the internet has made it impossible to view the nude female body as, perhaps, artistically as it once was viewed.
What's interesting, however, is that there are other nude figures in classical artworks that Ms. Omoregie and the author of the article ignore. These other nude figures include "cupid" cherub-like figures and male nudes. Indeed, a couple of the examples in the linked article still have these other, non-womanly, figures depicted in their original form (i.e. without a superimposed photograph on them).
We have to ask, would it be any less controversial if a man or tyke were photographed and the image superimposed on a form / in a pose that was once perfectly acceptable in a classic work of art? We don't think it would be any less controversial than with a woman. (In the case of the tyke, probably more so).
Perhaps the question to be asked is not whether a naked woman may be celebrated in the internet age, but whether ANY nudity can be "celebrated." Nudists understand that it can be so celebrated, of course.
But the immediate, incendiary, reactions---whether motivated by anger, controversy, lust, or zeal for feminism or equality---to nude photos on the net by so many people is one reason that the Bare Platypus refrains from using any photographs of persons on this site. If we posted pictures of nude women, it would be too easy for people, including 'new feminists' to say that they were too young, too beautiful, or all that the Platypus cared about. If we posted a few too many naked guys? Well the Platypus must be gay. Kids? Don't even think about it... call the feds. Too many old people or overweight people? We should be celebrating health. Too few, or too many, racial minorities and we either go overboard (risking an accusation of a fetish) or discriminate.
Yet to ignore any one of those groups would be to refrain from depicting nudism in the spirit of nudism as we see it. To include them all, in proper proportions to their percentages in the real world, would mean tapping into images we do not own or have copyright permission to post. So we'll answer the question that is the title to our article in this way: Nudity can be celebrated by nudists, but it may be getting more and more difficult to do so in an age where, it also seems, anything goes.
_____________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Sleeping Naked Considered "Bad" Behavior by Some
Here at the Platypus, we write about sleeping naked quite a bit. Tonight, there are results from yet another poll out that mentions the subject. As you may have guessed, it's from Britain. And a bedding specialist company---this one called "Dreams"---commissioned this study. ( It seems that most such companies operating in the UK have learned that mentioning the words "sleep" and "naked" in the same press release is always good for garnering media attention. )
In the article sleeping naked considered "bad" behavior by some you'll see that going to bed with nothing on made the list of top ten "partner peeves." It joined such antics as "snatching the covers" and "bringing pets to bed." We can't figure out why spouses (and significant others) would even care if you swapped skin for pajamas. Maybe because it's more difficult to get you to do other tasks such as bringing a bottle to the baby, or letting the cat out?
_______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
In the article sleeping naked considered "bad" behavior by some you'll see that going to bed with nothing on made the list of top ten "partner peeves." It joined such antics as "snatching the covers" and "bringing pets to bed." We can't figure out why spouses (and significant others) would even care if you swapped skin for pajamas. Maybe because it's more difficult to get you to do other tasks such as bringing a bottle to the baby, or letting the cat out?
_______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
One man's art is another man's...
... well, it is another man's something else. Consider that a simple picture of a nude woman was too controversial for an art show . Then consider that a picture of a nude woman on a t-shirt landed a Kuwati man in jail . After his arrest, the man was promptly "whisked away for interrogation."
Meanwhile, postcards featuring naked babies were regularly mailed many decades ago. Yet the curator of a museum who wrote about the popularity of those cards in an historical column that he writes for the internet was unwilling to post an example when he posted his article this week. In 2013. Imagine... okay to mail when Woodrow Wilson was President of the U.S. but too controversial for today's internet!
Nothing is more subject to change than public opinion on nudity. And nothing is more likely to get you in trouble if you get the public's opinion wrong.
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Meanwhile, postcards featuring naked babies were regularly mailed many decades ago. Yet the curator of a museum who wrote about the popularity of those cards in an historical column that he writes for the internet was unwilling to post an example when he posted his article this week. In 2013. Imagine... okay to mail when Woodrow Wilson was President of the U.S. but too controversial for today's internet!
Nothing is more subject to change than public opinion on nudity. And nothing is more likely to get you in trouble if you get the public's opinion wrong.
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
More Ideas for Closing Nudism's Gender Gap
Previous posts this week on the subject of closing nudism's gender gap generated some animated and lengthy comments Some folks questioned whether there is a gap. Others strongly challenged "gender balancing" admission policies in clubs. We find the discussion insightful.
We're about to wrap up the subject and move on to other things for a while, but your posts raised a couple of additional ideas which the Platypus will take a moment to explore:
- One post raised the idea of making separate male and female areas available for those who are just starting out with the whole group nudity concept. If one thinks about it, this is what the YMCA, gym class showers, camp, and the military "did for many men: gave them a chance to experience how enjoyable nudity is, within a communal setting, without more. Perhaps guys and gals areas (at least, say, during open house weekends) would be a concept to explore;
- A related idea is to have a "weekend with the girls" whether in a cabin that the girls rent, or even at ones' home. A handy pool for skinnydipping would help. This approach actually worked for one of our Platypuses and her female friend. The first time the friend tried taking off her clothes was during one of these type weekends and she now enjoys going to nudist parks and enjoys nudity with her family. It may not have happened had she not tried it "just with other ladies" first.
- Finally, there were several who answered, or hinted, that one of the best answers is in the way we raise our kids to be matter-of-fact about the human body (grandkids too where possible... although we understand that this is not always an option for some parents and grandparents).
With thanks for your comments and your reads,
- The Platypus
_______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
We're about to wrap up the subject and move on to other things for a while, but your posts raised a couple of additional ideas which the Platypus will take a moment to explore:
- One post raised the idea of making separate male and female areas available for those who are just starting out with the whole group nudity concept. If one thinks about it, this is what the YMCA, gym class showers, camp, and the military "did for many men: gave them a chance to experience how enjoyable nudity is, within a communal setting, without more. Perhaps guys and gals areas (at least, say, during open house weekends) would be a concept to explore;
- A related idea is to have a "weekend with the girls" whether in a cabin that the girls rent, or even at ones' home. A handy pool for skinnydipping would help. This approach actually worked for one of our Platypuses and her female friend. The first time the friend tried taking off her clothes was during one of these type weekends and she now enjoys going to nudist parks and enjoys nudity with her family. It may not have happened had she not tried it "just with other ladies" first.
- Finally, there were several who answered, or hinted, that one of the best answers is in the way we raise our kids to be matter-of-fact about the human body (grandkids too where possible... although we understand that this is not always an option for some parents and grandparents).
With thanks for your comments and your reads,
- The Platypus
_______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Ideas for Closing Nudism's Gender Gap - Part I
Nudists have been working to close the gender gap for a long time. We have no delusions that we will "fix" the issue here in a single post... or even a few posts. Nevertheless, we have a few ideas. We welcome any ideas that you have, too.
First, let's learn what we can from other cultures where the gender gap is already closer. What does France know about going topless that causes more of their ladies to be "dressed" like their male counterparts on the beach (i.e. with bottoms only)? Why is it that Scandinavians---men and women alike---seem comfortable? We think it has a lot to do with how the populace is raised. But studying other cultures is a good start.
Second, we think we must start depicting nudism in ways that women find less threatening. For those sites that use pictures, do not be afraid to show those with wrinkles, a few pounds to lose, or whatever else conveys that you do NOT need a perfect body to enjoy being naked. The Platypus response to this issue is to carry no photographs at all - only cartoon mascots. However, for those who subscribe to the "a picture's worth a thousand words" philosophy remember that's true. Please don't let the "thousand words" be "only those 18 - 25 of perfect weight and condition need apply" again and again for a hundred times.
Third, ... and this is to the gentlemen in nudism... let us be on our better behavior. Let us not do things that cause women to feel they have been approached for the wrong reasons (e.g. being "hit on"), or otherwise more vulnerable.
Fourth, consider for a moment, if only for a moment, that policies in clubs designed to ensure more gender balance are as much to make women feel more comfortable than to simply discriminate against men.
Fifth, let's ask ourselves if there their activities that women would enjoy doing? Let's offer more of those activities in clubs.
Sixth, recognize that nudist clubs and beaches are not the only forums where the gender gap can be addressed. If women could simply be made more self-assured about going nude in the privacy and security of their own homes that would make a significant impact. The Bare Platypus believes we can increase the number of practicing nudists, even if those nudists never get naked outside their own front door.
That's all for now, but we may have some other ideas soon.
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
First, let's learn what we can from other cultures where the gender gap is already closer. What does France know about going topless that causes more of their ladies to be "dressed" like their male counterparts on the beach (i.e. with bottoms only)? Why is it that Scandinavians---men and women alike---seem comfortable? We think it has a lot to do with how the populace is raised. But studying other cultures is a good start.
Second, we think we must start depicting nudism in ways that women find less threatening. For those sites that use pictures, do not be afraid to show those with wrinkles, a few pounds to lose, or whatever else conveys that you do NOT need a perfect body to enjoy being naked. The Platypus response to this issue is to carry no photographs at all - only cartoon mascots. However, for those who subscribe to the "a picture's worth a thousand words" philosophy remember that's true. Please don't let the "thousand words" be "only those 18 - 25 of perfect weight and condition need apply" again and again for a hundred times.
Third, ... and this is to the gentlemen in nudism... let us be on our better behavior. Let us not do things that cause women to feel they have been approached for the wrong reasons (e.g. being "hit on"), or otherwise more vulnerable.
Fourth, consider for a moment, if only for a moment, that policies in clubs designed to ensure more gender balance are as much to make women feel more comfortable than to simply discriminate against men.
Fifth, let's ask ourselves if there their activities that women would enjoy doing? Let's offer more of those activities in clubs.
Sixth, recognize that nudist clubs and beaches are not the only forums where the gender gap can be addressed. If women could simply be made more self-assured about going nude in the privacy and security of their own homes that would make a significant impact. The Bare Platypus believes we can increase the number of practicing nudists, even if those nudists never get naked outside their own front door.
That's all for now, but we may have some other ideas soon.
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Sleep Naked says Dakota U Beditorial
An interesting editorial appeared in today's edition of a Dakota based student newspaper.
In Sleep Naked Says Dakota U you'll find similarities to posts on that subject here at the Bare Platypus. (See e.g. Sleeping Naked Platypus Advice ) but there are some differences too. For one thing, the "beditorial" points out that, in the Dakotas they're usually bundled up in more than two layers of clothes, which makes stripping down to bed in the buff all the more enjoyable. Roomate jitters are also discussed.
To read another Platypus post or two on this subject consider Sleeping Naked is Normal or 1 in 3 Brits Sleep Naked .
____________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
In Sleep Naked Says Dakota U you'll find similarities to posts on that subject here at the Bare Platypus. (See e.g. Sleeping Naked Platypus Advice ) but there are some differences too. For one thing, the "beditorial" points out that, in the Dakotas they're usually bundled up in more than two layers of clothes, which makes stripping down to bed in the buff all the more enjoyable. Roomate jitters are also discussed.
To read another Platypus post or two on this subject consider Sleeping Naked is Normal or 1 in 3 Brits Sleep Naked .
____________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
More Reasons Guys Bare
Continuing with yesterday's post, here are some more theories about why it may be easier to get a guy to try nudity:
9. They're just born / wired to like nudity. This reason seems oh so simplistic and yet it may prove to be among the most accurate;
10. With much of their "nether plumbing" on the outside, men experience the enjoyment of, say, the water while skinny dipping;
11. Guys like to be out in nature either camping or playing sports, which complements activities at nudist clubs;
12. A sense of adventure?
13. Less sensitivity to the cold/hot changes of weather?
14. A role model... Dad, older brother, even Tarzan who was cool about nudity.
15. Military enlistment leading to world travel and exposure to cultures where nudity is accepted.
Any other ideas, readers?
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
9. They're just born / wired to like nudity. This reason seems oh so simplistic and yet it may prove to be among the most accurate;
10. With much of their "nether plumbing" on the outside, men experience the enjoyment of, say, the water while skinny dipping;
11. Guys like to be out in nature either camping or playing sports, which complements activities at nudist clubs;
12. A sense of adventure?
13. Less sensitivity to the cold/hot changes of weather?
14. A role model... Dad, older brother, even Tarzan who was cool about nudity.
15. Military enlistment leading to world travel and exposure to cultures where nudity is accepted.
Any other ideas, readers?
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Why Guys Bare: Exploring the Gender Gap in Nudism Con't
In our last Platypus post, we introduced the topic for the next few days: the difference between males and females when it comes to getting nude. We started with the observation that boys and men seem more willing to give it a try... and that they're found in greater numbers on nude beaches and in nudist clubs than women and girls.
Today, we ask, "Why is that?" Let's offer some explanations now and maybe some more tomorrow:
1. One answer (though less true today): Many males were raised with "exposure" to communal nudity in the locker room, group showers at school and camp, and even skinny-dipping;
2. Males are raised being less conscious of body image. They are not expected to have perfect figures as females are made to feel. (this is less true today than in the past as well) ;
3. Men can "laugh it off" when their bodies experience "natural functions" ranging from flatulence to taking a leak against a tree while camping;
4. Males may feel less vulnerable in the presence of others due to size and stature; females must be wary of assault;
5. If a guy is nude there's the perception that he simply enjoys it, while in the case of a woman her "character" is more likely to be questioned;
6. Testosterone keeps men both old and young adventurous and ready to try new things;
7. Women experience changes during childbirth that may leave them self-conscious;
8. Men are already allowed to show more skin. They are free to go topless in pools and on beaches;
To be continued... More to come in our next post.
______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Today, we ask, "Why is that?" Let's offer some explanations now and maybe some more tomorrow:
1. One answer (though less true today): Many males were raised with "exposure" to communal nudity in the locker room, group showers at school and camp, and even skinny-dipping;
2. Males are raised being less conscious of body image. They are not expected to have perfect figures as females are made to feel. (this is less true today than in the past as well) ;
3. Men can "laugh it off" when their bodies experience "natural functions" ranging from flatulence to taking a leak against a tree while camping;
4. Males may feel less vulnerable in the presence of others due to size and stature; females must be wary of assault;
5. If a guy is nude there's the perception that he simply enjoys it, while in the case of a woman her "character" is more likely to be questioned;
6. Testosterone keeps men both old and young adventurous and ready to try new things;
7. Women experience changes during childbirth that may leave them self-conscious;
8. Men are already allowed to show more skin. They are free to go topless in pools and on beaches;
To be continued... More to come in our next post.
______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Guys and Girls: Exploring the Gender Gap Among Nudists
Women. Girls. Men. Boys. There are two genders in this world. Obviously, those two different sexes have different body parts. That's no more obvious than in a nudist setting. But there's
another obvious difference: absent "artificial controls" there are usually many more males than females who participate, or want to participate initially.
Over the next week or so, the Bare Platypus intends to post a series of blog entries addressing this subject. We'll begin with describing the situations we've witnessed after visiting nudist clubs and beaches for nearly 25 years and working in the nudist business. Next, we'll offer some theories---actually, explore as many as we can think of or have heard about---for why this is so. We'll close by considering how this could change. Along the way, if a related topic or two comes to mind, we may add that. Your comments, as always, are especially appreciated. Plan to join us as we explore the gender gap between males and females in nudism.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
We're going to start the exploration by stating it outright: There is a difference between men and women when it comes to the number who want to experience communal (even private?) nudity and the initial interest or reluctance to try a nudist event or venue. That difference almost always suggests men and boys will want to try baring earlier and more. We'll save thoughts about why we think that is until a future post. For now we have to establish a baseline of what IS. That may be a challenge.
There's a tendency within our educated populace to immediately reject any observation or suggestion that sounds like a stereotype, prejudice, bias... or sexism.
Some will challenge our Platypus statement that males favor nudity as sexist. They will, rightfully, point out that there are many, many women who enjoy nudism. We agree. There are. They may also point out that, though initially reluctant to try a nudist experience, once "sold" on it, that a woman may well want to return even more than her male spouse or friend. We don't disagree with that statement either. But, it's almost impossible to argue that on a nude beach where admission is not restricted or in a nudist club that allows single men to visit without restriction, there will be many more men stripped and in attendance.
One club owner of a large nudist club once noted during a business meeting that his business felt a strong need to put some restrictions on visitations by single men---either by capping the maximum number of them admitted per day or by requiring AANR-TNS membership. Without such limits there would be an incredible difference in the ratio of men to women such that the women who visited would then feel vulnerable. "We tried to welcome everybody but, by doing so, found women felt unwelcome due to the disparity. We now try to achieve more balance between welcoming guests and setting those guests at ease," he said.
Some will challenge our general statement because they do not want the word out about the gender gap. They fear it will further discourage females from giving nudity a try and, thus, become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Some insist on having data and analysis worthy of the scientific method rather than general observations. In truth, there IS data that shows males more willing to give nudity a try than females. The data just isn't shared that often. (Remember all those polls showing how many people have been skinny dipping or want to try it? The results usually included a break down of responses by gender. Some poll results were as divergent as 25% of young men interested in going naked vs. 13% of young women.)
Still others will say, we're only reporting a disparity between men and women based on the venues
we've experienced. Finally, some just challenge the Platypus observation about gender because they don't want it to be so. And yet, even among toddlers visiting the wading pool and water amusements of a theme park, staff have noted that it's usually the little lads stripping off to try getting away with going bare. ( See e.g. Tyke Provides the Essence of Nudism ) There's a reason Subaru used a young fella when making Cute Subaru Ad Features L'il Nudist to Be .
Now, we have noticed a couple exception to the gender gap principle. First, when it comes to the nude photography subjects on blog sites one could get the impression that young women are the only
subjects of nude pictures. Second, and on a more serious note, the leadership of nudist clubs and organizations includes a strong presence of women. Women have held such a presence for many years. Going back to decades ago before it was customary in other organizations and the workplace.
Can anyone who has seriously spent time on nude beaches or in unrestricted clubs dispute these collective observations? We remember only one day during our years and years in the business when sales to single women outnumbered those to men. Just one day.
That's all for now. Up next in this blog: Why does the gender gap exist?
_____________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
another obvious difference: absent "artificial controls" there are usually many more males than females who participate, or want to participate initially.
Over the next week or so, the Bare Platypus intends to post a series of blog entries addressing this subject. We'll begin with describing the situations we've witnessed after visiting nudist clubs and beaches for nearly 25 years and working in the nudist business. Next, we'll offer some theories---actually, explore as many as we can think of or have heard about---for why this is so. We'll close by considering how this could change. Along the way, if a related topic or two comes to mind, we may add that. Your comments, as always, are especially appreciated. Plan to join us as we explore the gender gap between males and females in nudism.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
We're going to start the exploration by stating it outright: There is a difference between men and women when it comes to the number who want to experience communal (even private?) nudity and the initial interest or reluctance to try a nudist event or venue. That difference almost always suggests men and boys will want to try baring earlier and more. We'll save thoughts about why we think that is until a future post. For now we have to establish a baseline of what IS. That may be a challenge.
There's a tendency within our educated populace to immediately reject any observation or suggestion that sounds like a stereotype, prejudice, bias... or sexism.
Some will challenge our Platypus statement that males favor nudity as sexist. They will, rightfully, point out that there are many, many women who enjoy nudism. We agree. There are. They may also point out that, though initially reluctant to try a nudist experience, once "sold" on it, that a woman may well want to return even more than her male spouse or friend. We don't disagree with that statement either. But, it's almost impossible to argue that on a nude beach where admission is not restricted or in a nudist club that allows single men to visit without restriction, there will be many more men stripped and in attendance.
One club owner of a large nudist club once noted during a business meeting that his business felt a strong need to put some restrictions on visitations by single men---either by capping the maximum number of them admitted per day or by requiring AANR-TNS membership. Without such limits there would be an incredible difference in the ratio of men to women such that the women who visited would then feel vulnerable. "We tried to welcome everybody but, by doing so, found women felt unwelcome due to the disparity. We now try to achieve more balance between welcoming guests and setting those guests at ease," he said.
Some will challenge our general statement because they do not want the word out about the gender gap. They fear it will further discourage females from giving nudity a try and, thus, become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Some insist on having data and analysis worthy of the scientific method rather than general observations. In truth, there IS data that shows males more willing to give nudity a try than females. The data just isn't shared that often. (Remember all those polls showing how many people have been skinny dipping or want to try it? The results usually included a break down of responses by gender. Some poll results were as divergent as 25% of young men interested in going naked vs. 13% of young women.)
Still others will say, we're only reporting a disparity between men and women based on the venues
we've experienced. Finally, some just challenge the Platypus observation about gender because they don't want it to be so. And yet, even among toddlers visiting the wading pool and water amusements of a theme park, staff have noted that it's usually the little lads stripping off to try getting away with going bare. ( See e.g. Tyke Provides the Essence of Nudism ) There's a reason Subaru used a young fella when making Cute Subaru Ad Features L'il Nudist to Be .
Now, we have noticed a couple exception to the gender gap principle. First, when it comes to the nude photography subjects on blog sites one could get the impression that young women are the only
subjects of nude pictures. Second, and on a more serious note, the leadership of nudist clubs and organizations includes a strong presence of women. Women have held such a presence for many years. Going back to decades ago before it was customary in other organizations and the workplace.
Can anyone who has seriously spent time on nude beaches or in unrestricted clubs dispute these collective observations? We remember only one day during our years and years in the business when sales to single women outnumbered those to men. Just one day.
That's all for now. Up next in this blog: Why does the gender gap exist?
_____________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Love Your Bum: Let it Go Bare
About ten years ago a bath tissue company in the United Kingdom ran an advertising campaign that was both tasteful and unabashed about showing peoples' naked posteriors - of all shapes and sizes. Following a scrolling montage of them, the advertisements concluded, "Love your bum."
You can still find the clever ad on You Tube by clicking Velvet: Love Your Bum on You Tube .
Here at the Platypus, we couldn't agree more with their message. Sometimes our backsides need some TLC too! Treat yourself to a nice bath. Then, either wander outside to your private sunning area or go to a sunlit window if you don't have a private area outside or if it is too cold. If no window is available, lay a sheet across a heating pad or massage unit to give your glutes a treat .
Lay down and let the warm rays caress your skin. (It's better outside, with a nice breeze... believe us!) Stretching out helps... we spend a lot of time in chairs, which is tough on lower backs. Being surrounded with some fresh air rather than being bound up in clothes will do your derriere some good.
The bare in the air approach is the perfect remedy for diaper rash too, by the way. Far more effective for soothing an infant's skin than creams and sprays. And much more economical, not to mention being better for the environment. In older children, potty training is simpler when there are no clothes for them to fumble with.
If all this is too much "tail talk" for you, we apologize. But we do think your body will thank you for some extra freedom. Remember to carry your towel and use sunscreen if you're going to be out in the sun for some time. We don't want you to get burned.
You put that tush to a lot of use during a day.
_______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
You can still find the clever ad on You Tube by clicking Velvet: Love Your Bum on You Tube .
Here at the Platypus, we couldn't agree more with their message. Sometimes our backsides need some TLC too! Treat yourself to a nice bath. Then, either wander outside to your private sunning area or go to a sunlit window if you don't have a private area outside or if it is too cold. If no window is available, lay a sheet across a heating pad or massage unit to give your glutes a treat .
Lay down and let the warm rays caress your skin. (It's better outside, with a nice breeze... believe us!) Stretching out helps... we spend a lot of time in chairs, which is tough on lower backs. Being surrounded with some fresh air rather than being bound up in clothes will do your derriere some good.
The bare in the air approach is the perfect remedy for diaper rash too, by the way. Far more effective for soothing an infant's skin than creams and sprays. And much more economical, not to mention being better for the environment. In older children, potty training is simpler when there are no clothes for them to fumble with.
If all this is too much "tail talk" for you, we apologize. But we do think your body will thank you for some extra freedom. Remember to carry your towel and use sunscreen if you're going to be out in the sun for some time. We don't want you to get burned.
You put that tush to a lot of use during a day.
_______________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Why DO Germans Love Getting Naked So Much?
There is a story on an NBC based website this week entitled Getting to the bottom of Germany's love of nudity.
The article is an interesting read. And we must admit: There's something different about Germans when it comes to being nakey. For example, many, many leaders of the Internationa Naturist Federation always seemed to be Germans as the Platypus worked in the industry. For another, and as the article points out, clothed and naked German bathers seem to get along fine together on the beach. And Germans seem to be among the best at accepting nudity among all ages.
We don't know why all of the above good things are so prevalent but we'll offer some theories. Maybe Germans ditch clothes because other aspects of life such as work and finances seem to be so regimented. Or maybe it's the effect of two major wars that cause them to sigh and accept they need to get along with others... a choose yer battles kind of thing.
Maybe Germans are more proud of their bodies...whatever their condition. Maybe it's a matter of history. The wandervogel youth (hippie like) movement in the early decades of the 20th century embraced nudity. And many nudist pioneers including K Bartel who started nudism in the US got a start among German peers.
But again we're back more to observation than causation. Your Platypus theory ( with note to our own German ancestry) is that it's "in the blood." There may well be a genetic marker for being more apt to need freedom from clothes. A pre-disposition shared by some with autism (see nudity and autism revisited) or others wearing naked genes .
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
The article is an interesting read. And we must admit: There's something different about Germans when it comes to being nakey. For example, many, many leaders of the Internationa Naturist Federation always seemed to be Germans as the Platypus worked in the industry. For another, and as the article points out, clothed and naked German bathers seem to get along fine together on the beach. And Germans seem to be among the best at accepting nudity among all ages.
We don't know why all of the above good things are so prevalent but we'll offer some theories. Maybe Germans ditch clothes because other aspects of life such as work and finances seem to be so regimented. Or maybe it's the effect of two major wars that cause them to sigh and accept they need to get along with others... a choose yer battles kind of thing.
Maybe Germans are more proud of their bodies...whatever their condition. Maybe it's a matter of history. The wandervogel youth (hippie like) movement in the early decades of the 20th century embraced nudity. And many nudist pioneers including K Bartel who started nudism in the US got a start among German peers.
But again we're back more to observation than causation. Your Platypus theory ( with note to our own German ancestry) is that it's "in the blood." There may well be a genetic marker for being more apt to need freedom from clothes. A pre-disposition shared by some with autism (see nudity and autism revisited) or others wearing naked genes .
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Renters Seeking Nudist Roomates
Two days ago we ran a post noting that the Economy Will Change How We Get Bare . In it we noted that people would increasingly get their naked time where they could get it making nudity at home a more important issue... Not to mention roomates.
In short, if you can't take days off from work to get away from others to be able to be bare you need roomates who are okay with your nudism at home. Well, that and the fact it's nice to just live naked no matter who you are.
Sure enough, yesterday a British publication found who one "shares a flat with" is more important than amenities for a lot of folks. And finding a nudist roomate is a regular (albeit still on the list of 'unusual' ) search criteria for those seeking.
Read http://www.economicvoice.com/wanted-nudist-vegan-flatmates-with-banter/ .
We'll have to add "seek out a nude friendly roomate" to our list of Tips ( Advice ) for the young nudist .
_________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
In short, if you can't take days off from work to get away from others to be able to be bare you need roomates who are okay with your nudism at home. Well, that and the fact it's nice to just live naked no matter who you are.
Sure enough, yesterday a British publication found who one "shares a flat with" is more important than amenities for a lot of folks. And finding a nudist roomate is a regular (albeit still on the list of 'unusual' ) search criteria for those seeking.
Read http://www.economicvoice.com/wanted-nudist-vegan-flatmates-with-banter/ .
We'll have to add "seek out a nude friendly roomate" to our list of Tips ( Advice ) for the young nudist .
_________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
LSU Student Wants to Start Nudist Club
Today's news included a story about a college student at Louisiana State University who is recruiting others to form a nudist organization. He seems to be off to a good start.
Read naked-truth-electrical-engineering-senior-attempts-to-start-nudist/article_62996712-1f2c-11e3-87f9-0019bb30f31a.html?mode=jqm .
We wish him well. According to a past Platypus Poll, about 20% of nudists got started in university. SEE When did you first become a nudist? poll .
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Read naked-truth-electrical-engineering-senior-attempts-to-start-nudist/article_62996712-1f2c-11e3-87f9-0019bb30f31a.html?mode=jqm .
We wish him well. According to a past Platypus Poll, about 20% of nudists got started in university. SEE When did you first become a nudist? poll .
__________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Economy Will Change How We Get Bare
There have been many reports about the changing face of the US economy. For example, of the number of jobs created in July 2013, a great number of them came from service sector positions in retail sales and restaurants. Many were part-time, rather than full-time positions. And many workers work either two jobs or even more if they are all part time.
If you think this post is to be a political diatrribe for one party or the other think again.
Our purpose in discussing these statistics is to consider the effect that the changing workforce will have on the way social nudity is practised. IT used to be straightforward that people visited nudist clus on weekends. But if many people are working two or three jobs, they may not have weekends, or even one whole day, free in their schedule. For them, they wll need to take naked time when and where they can get it. The sojourn out to the nudist club on the outskirts of town for time with the family is just not realistic.
The price of admission to clubs may not be realistic either. This leaves a couple possibilities. One is that nudist clubs will go upscale targeted at fewer numbers who can still afford it. That had been the trend. We're not so sure it will continue.
Maybe soon more people wil be visiting free beaches and doing so during the week more often. This may help spread out usage more evenly. Just as likely, people will opt to get bare at home. Since they may be sharing home with roomates, the ability to list clothhes-free living as a preference in forums such as Craigslist will be more and more important. We have already seen ads seeking nude-friendly roomates and can only believe we will see more.
The week long nude experience during summer vacation may become less typical. But all is not gloom. More and more people may come to see how much a vacation they can get just by taking off their clothes.
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
If you think this post is to be a political diatrribe for one party or the other think again.
Our purpose in discussing these statistics is to consider the effect that the changing workforce will have on the way social nudity is practised. IT used to be straightforward that people visited nudist clus on weekends. But if many people are working two or three jobs, they may not have weekends, or even one whole day, free in their schedule. For them, they wll need to take naked time when and where they can get it. The sojourn out to the nudist club on the outskirts of town for time with the family is just not realistic.
The price of admission to clubs may not be realistic either. This leaves a couple possibilities. One is that nudist clubs will go upscale targeted at fewer numbers who can still afford it. That had been the trend. We're not so sure it will continue.
Maybe soon more people wil be visiting free beaches and doing so during the week more often. This may help spread out usage more evenly. Just as likely, people will opt to get bare at home. Since they may be sharing home with roomates, the ability to list clothhes-free living as a preference in forums such as Craigslist will be more and more important. We have already seen ads seeking nude-friendly roomates and can only believe we will see more.
The week long nude experience during summer vacation may become less typical. But all is not gloom. More and more people may come to see how much a vacation they can get just by taking off their clothes.
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Why Nudists Lose Battles and Wars
Our puggle (son) is old enough to drive. Yet he is still active in a certain well-known civic organization. So it was that this Sunday afternoon following church my wife and I found ourselves at the civic group leader's community association swimming pool. We were there for swim tests as the group will be doing a river trip in a couple of weeks.
Shortly after we arrived another member and his mom pulled up in their car. The mom got the boy's younger brother out of his car seat. The group leader smiled at the younger kid and asked how old he was. "Three. But he'll be four in another few weeks," mom answered.
Soon the leader had her charges rounded up at the water's edge. "Who wants to test first in the pool? " (It was a beautiful day.)
"I do!" came a small voice and we all laughed seeing the near-four year old with his hand raised. The leader explained that the young one could swim on the steps of the shallow end. That's when his mom had to break the news: they had not brought a bathing suit for him so he couldn't go in the pool. The boy was crestfallen. (We have discussed this motherly treatment in happy-moms-day-now-forget-what-she-told.html .)
There was no one else in the pool except an elderly couple on the far end and I thought to myself, "he is only three... he could swim in his birthday suit. " But you can bet I didn't actually say anything. It would have been too weird. Not my pool, not my kid.
My wife and I turned our attention to our own son taking the test. Later we saw the little one allowed to put his feet in the pool. But it got me thinking. At less than four he has already learned a lesson: You don't get to swim without that bathing suit. If mom had let him, someone would have probably teased him about it. So in another 20 years or so when he is a dad his puggle will hear the same rules.
We would like to think nude beach closures are purely about some official with an agenda. Or that success is just another 100 dollar donation away to some nudist organization. Such things play a part of course. But as long as life lessons about nudity are doled out like this and even Platypuses are at a loss to intervene it will be a long time before there's real change.
____________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Shortly after we arrived another member and his mom pulled up in their car. The mom got the boy's younger brother out of his car seat. The group leader smiled at the younger kid and asked how old he was. "Three. But he'll be four in another few weeks," mom answered.
Soon the leader had her charges rounded up at the water's edge. "Who wants to test first in the pool? " (It was a beautiful day.)
"I do!" came a small voice and we all laughed seeing the near-four year old with his hand raised. The leader explained that the young one could swim on the steps of the shallow end. That's when his mom had to break the news: they had not brought a bathing suit for him so he couldn't go in the pool. The boy was crestfallen. (We have discussed this motherly treatment in happy-moms-day-now-forget-what-she-told.html .)
There was no one else in the pool except an elderly couple on the far end and I thought to myself, "he is only three... he could swim in his birthday suit. " But you can bet I didn't actually say anything. It would have been too weird. Not my pool, not my kid.
My wife and I turned our attention to our own son taking the test. Later we saw the little one allowed to put his feet in the pool. But it got me thinking. At less than four he has already learned a lesson: You don't get to swim without that bathing suit. If mom had let him, someone would have probably teased him about it. So in another 20 years or so when he is a dad his puggle will hear the same rules.
We would like to think nude beach closures are purely about some official with an agenda. Or that success is just another 100 dollar donation away to some nudist organization. Such things play a part of course. But as long as life lessons about nudity are doled out like this and even Platypuses are at a loss to intervene it will be a long time before there's real change.
____________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Hawaii Nude Beach Advice
Okay, there's an article out about How not to be a jerk on a nude beach . The authoring lady used a different word for jerk but you get the idea.
Anyway, there are some good tips to avoid being an unwelcome visitor. However, there are a few additional points we believe should be made.
First, the author uses that word "junk" to describe genitals. We wish she didn't as noted in our post asking folks to stop calling your pen*s junk.
Second, we would suggest that if you're at a nude beach you actually get nude. People understand that a first timer needs a little adjustment session. But please realize that those who want to wear a suit have hundreds of beach choices. Nudists only have a few. So recognize why folks are there and be part of it. The reader comments to the linked article point this out in one form or another.
Third, while the author counsels against open displays of too much affection, she could do to remind those, who should need no reminder, that "touching oneself aggressively" / ma$t&b#t*ng is never okay.
Fourth, do families a favor and do not stare at them or glare at them as if to say, "why would you ever bring your puggles here?" You may not have been brought up going to nude beaches, but some people are brought up that way. Remember too that kids make noise and build sandcastles and splash on any beach.
Finally, the worst thing you can do on a nude beach is to take it away. Specifically, this is directed to the park personnel at places like Lighthouse Beach or Cape Cod National Seashore. Please. If you're not down with nudity that's okay. Just ask for a transfer rather than trying to change an entire tradition of nude use simply to meet your criteria of what a beach should be.
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Anyway, there are some good tips to avoid being an unwelcome visitor. However, there are a few additional points we believe should be made.
First, the author uses that word "junk" to describe genitals. We wish she didn't as noted in our post asking folks to stop calling your pen*s junk.
Second, we would suggest that if you're at a nude beach you actually get nude. People understand that a first timer needs a little adjustment session. But please realize that those who want to wear a suit have hundreds of beach choices. Nudists only have a few. So recognize why folks are there and be part of it. The reader comments to the linked article point this out in one form or another.
Third, while the author counsels against open displays of too much affection, she could do to remind those, who should need no reminder, that "touching oneself aggressively" / ma$t&b#t*ng is never okay.
Fourth, do families a favor and do not stare at them or glare at them as if to say, "why would you ever bring your puggles here?" You may not have been brought up going to nude beaches, but some people are brought up that way. Remember too that kids make noise and build sandcastles and splash on any beach.
Finally, the worst thing you can do on a nude beach is to take it away. Specifically, this is directed to the park personnel at places like Lighthouse Beach or Cape Cod National Seashore. Please. If you're not down with nudity that's okay. Just ask for a transfer rather than trying to change an entire tradition of nude use simply to meet your criteria of what a beach should be.
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
In the Nudist Home
Platypus Note: This story is reposted from a previous article. It has been updated with some additional information.
Here at the Platypus we watch the stats on which stories get the most reads, where visitors come from, and what search engine entries send visitors our way. Those stats tell us some interesting things.
Perhaps most interesting is that folks who find us are usually not seeking information about nude resorts or beaches or political action and nudist history - although we offer some of that fare. We get a few visitors interested in our observations about pop culture and scientific developments and the impact they're likely to have on nudism.
By far the most reads we get are from people who want to know what it's like in a nudist household. The searches read "nude at home" "backyard nudists" "raising naturists," etc. We don't know if they find what they're looking for when they stop by (there are no pics here.... just some Platypus cartoons). But since this seems to be the trend, we'll indulge you with more information about what it's like to live in a home where people really go bare. For these insights, we talked with fellow Platypuses on our team:
Cooking and Dining: Do we cook in the nude? Ah, yep. Sometimes we don an apron. And we don't barbeque or deep fry in the nude - spattering oil would put you off that. But for the usual, heating mashed potatoes in the microwave while broiling pork chops, we're likely to be in our birthday suit. It's more comfortable. Ditto for setting the table and, often, sitting around that table. When we come home most of us want to be naked so we get naked.
Holidays: There are many times we've set up the family Christmas tree while starkers. We've also made holiday cards with our families in the nakey - usually just side views and butt shots when the kids were tykes (the whole Santa hat on a seated bare bummed toddler). These were sent to close friends. More traditional holiday cards for business associates, church friends, etc. We prep the Thanksgiving turkey au naturel, sometimes enjoy the meal that way. Valentine's Day is a natural since Cupid goes starkers. Favorite holidays are in summer when the weather cooperates more with nudists.
Photography: Since we're nudists, some of the process of documenting high points in our lives means snapping a picture or two of us wearing nothing at all. There are fewer of these than you would think. Maybe because we're usually in the moment of enjoying our lives rather than taking pics. Maybe out of some consciousness that others don't view nudity the same way we do. But we do have some tasteful pictures of us in our natural state... and a few of those adorn shelves or walls in our homes. Visitors will think what they will.
Watching TV, reading, or playing board games: We're likely to do those things naked. Not because we're deliberately making a point to do those things naked. Just because our default is to come home, get bare, and be comfortable.
Vacations: It's not really a vacation if we don't get in some bare time. We visit nudist resorts from time to time (even a nude cruise or two) but have to balance that enjoyment with our budget. We have spent as many as ten wonderful days in a nude venue. Usually we mix a stop at a nearby park along with local sightseeing, visiting relatives, souvenir shopping, and the usual stuff you do on vacations. We do make a point of telling local businesses that we patronize that a nudist park or destination was a factor in visiting the area.
Sleeping: Almost always in the nude. Unless the weather is really, really cold. (Maybe 6 nights a year). Our families haven't owned pajamas for many years. We just don't sleep in clothes.
Nude in the backyard: We need more "non offense fencing" to be able to enjoy all of our backyards. But we do have some secluded spots. In those, whether taking the dogs out, doing light gardening, or just tanning it will be in nothing but a smile.
Do we force nudity? Never. And we don't force it on those who don't want to see us nude when they visit. There is some natural inclination to be naked in our homes to avoid chores like taking out the trash (the one dressed is likely to be drafted since they're already prepped to go outside).
Natural? Definitely. Matter of fact. Nudity is not a sensational or remarkable event. It is definitely not eroticized among us.
Do our friends know? Most do. And yes, they're still our friends. Sometimes they have joined us in going nude to play cards, talk over coffee, etc.
What happened when we invited folks to join us? We ended up with some "Raw Recruits"! Seriously, many of our friends and their puggles took to nudity and thanked us for it!
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Here at the Platypus we watch the stats on which stories get the most reads, where visitors come from, and what search engine entries send visitors our way. Those stats tell us some interesting things.
Perhaps most interesting is that folks who find us are usually not seeking information about nude resorts or beaches or political action and nudist history - although we offer some of that fare. We get a few visitors interested in our observations about pop culture and scientific developments and the impact they're likely to have on nudism.
By far the most reads we get are from people who want to know what it's like in a nudist household. The searches read "nude at home" "backyard nudists" "raising naturists," etc. We don't know if they find what they're looking for when they stop by (there are no pics here.... just some Platypus cartoons). But since this seems to be the trend, we'll indulge you with more information about what it's like to live in a home where people really go bare. For these insights, we talked with fellow Platypuses on our team:
Cooking and Dining: Do we cook in the nude? Ah, yep. Sometimes we don an apron. And we don't barbeque or deep fry in the nude - spattering oil would put you off that. But for the usual, heating mashed potatoes in the microwave while broiling pork chops, we're likely to be in our birthday suit. It's more comfortable. Ditto for setting the table and, often, sitting around that table. When we come home most of us want to be naked so we get naked.
Holidays: There are many times we've set up the family Christmas tree while starkers. We've also made holiday cards with our families in the nakey - usually just side views and butt shots when the kids were tykes (the whole Santa hat on a seated bare bummed toddler). These were sent to close friends. More traditional holiday cards for business associates, church friends, etc. We prep the Thanksgiving turkey au naturel, sometimes enjoy the meal that way. Valentine's Day is a natural since Cupid goes starkers. Favorite holidays are in summer when the weather cooperates more with nudists.
Photography: Since we're nudists, some of the process of documenting high points in our lives means snapping a picture or two of us wearing nothing at all. There are fewer of these than you would think. Maybe because we're usually in the moment of enjoying our lives rather than taking pics. Maybe out of some consciousness that others don't view nudity the same way we do. But we do have some tasteful pictures of us in our natural state... and a few of those adorn shelves or walls in our homes. Visitors will think what they will.
Watching TV, reading, or playing board games: We're likely to do those things naked. Not because we're deliberately making a point to do those things naked. Just because our default is to come home, get bare, and be comfortable.
Vacations: It's not really a vacation if we don't get in some bare time. We visit nudist resorts from time to time (even a nude cruise or two) but have to balance that enjoyment with our budget. We have spent as many as ten wonderful days in a nude venue. Usually we mix a stop at a nearby park along with local sightseeing, visiting relatives, souvenir shopping, and the usual stuff you do on vacations. We do make a point of telling local businesses that we patronize that a nudist park or destination was a factor in visiting the area.
Sleeping: Almost always in the nude. Unless the weather is really, really cold. (Maybe 6 nights a year). Our families haven't owned pajamas for many years. We just don't sleep in clothes.
Nude in the backyard: We need more "non offense fencing" to be able to enjoy all of our backyards. But we do have some secluded spots. In those, whether taking the dogs out, doing light gardening, or just tanning it will be in nothing but a smile.
Do we force nudity? Never. And we don't force it on those who don't want to see us nude when they visit. There is some natural inclination to be naked in our homes to avoid chores like taking out the trash (the one dressed is likely to be drafted since they're already prepped to go outside).
Natural? Definitely. Matter of fact. Nudity is not a sensational or remarkable event. It is definitely not eroticized among us.
Do our friends know? Most do. And yes, they're still our friends. Sometimes they have joined us in going nude to play cards, talk over coffee, etc.
What happened when we invited folks to join us? We ended up with some "Raw Recruits"! Seriously, many of our friends and their puggles took to nudity and thanked us for it!
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Bare Essentials: Platypus Products Now Available
Bare Platypus is beginning to offer products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop , You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you wouldn't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you wouldn't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Vivre La France; Brood Britania
Rarely do two stories come out in the news within hours of each other with a more interesting juxtaposition than this:
It seems that France exonerated a nude hiker seen by a woman and her grandson. SEE French nude hiker cleared .
Meanwhile, in the U.K. a court has ruled that the Naked Rambler must stay in jail another 3 months until his next trial. SEE Naked Rambler jailed .
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
It seems that France exonerated a nude hiker seen by a woman and her grandson. SEE French nude hiker cleared .
Meanwhile, in the U.K. a court has ruled that the Naked Rambler must stay in jail another 3 months until his next trial. SEE Naked Rambler jailed .
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Want Simple Life? Start Naked!
Today there's an interesting story in the news about a family that shuns technologies introduced after 1986 . The family has a wired phone line, for example, but no cell service. There are video cassettes but no DVD's. No cable and no internet, email, or Facebook. They make do with faxes for business. They claim they have saved much money.
Dad got the idea after his five year old son refused to come outside on a nice day because he insisted on playing on his iPad. Now the family has a box where guests who come to visit temporarily stash their gadgets while in the low-tech zone.
So we have a modern-day equivalent of an Amish pledge. Instead of clinging to an 1880's life of wagons and horses, these folks cling to a 1980's way of life. They chose 1986 for the cut off because it's the year both parents were born. At five and two, the kids are adjusting well to it all.
If this works for them, good for them.
No word on whether the family has considered nudism as part of their life choices, but we'd challenge them to consider it. For one thing, every person comes into this life naked. No clothes made after 1986 to worry about. It doesn't have to cost anything.
Besides, nudism is about simplicity itself: getting outside and getting back to nature. All the things that these parents were concerned about their kids missing out on when they launched this experiment about giving up technology.
Enjoy building mud pies or painting colorful designs on rocks with no clothes to clean up. Dash in and out of a lawn sprinkler in your birthday suit or go for a skinny dip. Sunbathe for a healthy dose of Vitamin D. Lower laundry bills. And sleepwear? Ditch it, sleep in the buff, and cut out the cost of pajamas too.
Some nudist clubs even restrict cell phone use both to cut down on disruption to guests from noisy calls and talk, as well as to prevent camera phone misuse.
If you want true retro and to truly get back to basics, wear what they've not been wearing since ancient Greece. Go naked!
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Dad got the idea after his five year old son refused to come outside on a nice day because he insisted on playing on his iPad. Now the family has a box where guests who come to visit temporarily stash their gadgets while in the low-tech zone.
So we have a modern-day equivalent of an Amish pledge. Instead of clinging to an 1880's life of wagons and horses, these folks cling to a 1980's way of life. They chose 1986 for the cut off because it's the year both parents were born. At five and two, the kids are adjusting well to it all.
If this works for them, good for them.
No word on whether the family has considered nudism as part of their life choices, but we'd challenge them to consider it. For one thing, every person comes into this life naked. No clothes made after 1986 to worry about. It doesn't have to cost anything.
Besides, nudism is about simplicity itself: getting outside and getting back to nature. All the things that these parents were concerned about their kids missing out on when they launched this experiment about giving up technology.
Enjoy building mud pies or painting colorful designs on rocks with no clothes to clean up. Dash in and out of a lawn sprinkler in your birthday suit or go for a skinny dip. Sunbathe for a healthy dose of Vitamin D. Lower laundry bills. And sleepwear? Ditch it, sleep in the buff, and cut out the cost of pajamas too.
Some nudist clubs even restrict cell phone use both to cut down on disruption to guests from noisy calls and talk, as well as to prevent camera phone misuse.
If you want true retro and to truly get back to basics, wear what they've not been wearing since ancient Greece. Go naked!
________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Monday, September 9, 2013
Daniel Radcliffe, Costar Say Skinny Dip "The Best"
According to interviews given during the Toronto Film Festival, Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame says a skinny dipping scene in his upcoming movie, The F Word was the "best part" of making the film. His costar Zoe Kazan agreed. Read the story by clicking Daniel Radcliffe Skinny Dips .
The F in F Word stands for "friends." As part of the plot, the two friends (who fall for each other) go for a brief nude swim. Both stars recall that, while they were initially nervous about doing the scene, it turned out to be the highlight.
There are some cracks made about the water quality of Lake Ontario where the scene was shot, but, otherwise the nude swim is discussed in a positive way.
Some will remember that Radcliffe went bare for a production of Eqqus so nudity seems to come more naturally to him than for others on screen and stage.
_____________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
The F in F Word stands for "friends." As part of the plot, the two friends (who fall for each other) go for a brief nude swim. Both stars recall that, while they were initially nervous about doing the scene, it turned out to be the highlight.
There are some cracks made about the water quality of Lake Ontario where the scene was shot, but, otherwise the nude swim is discussed in a positive way.
Some will remember that Radcliffe went bare for a production of Eqqus so nudity seems to come more naturally to him than for others on screen and stage.
_____________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
1 in 3 Brits Sleep Naked
One in three Britons prefer to sleep in nothing according to the results of a poll conducted for a sleep (mattress?) company and reported here: 1 in 3 Brits Sleep in Buff .
That's about the only nude sleeping fact reported, though there is data about which countries are more likely to make their bed each day and who changes linen more often.
We'd like to know different percentages for men vs women, break down by age groups, and the age sleepers first try nothin on.
Be sure to read our Platypus post sleeping naked is normal .
9/27/13 Update: Dakota U Student "Beditorial" suggest s sleeping sleeeping bare .
___________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
That's about the only nude sleeping fact reported, though there is data about which countries are more likely to make their bed each day and who changes linen more often.
We'd like to know different percentages for men vs women, break down by age groups, and the age sleepers first try nothin on.
Be sure to read our Platypus post sleeping naked is normal .
9/27/13 Update: Dakota U Student "Beditorial" suggest s sleeping sleeeping bare .
___________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Virtual Nudists Appearing Soon at a Computer Near You
For as long as nudists have been going to nudist clubs, they have shared strong ties to the art world. Club members comfortable with their bodies pose as nude models to art classes. Nudist resorts are matter-of-fact about displaying nude artwork in hotel rooms. And many clubs organize art shows and sales.
Creating nude 3-D renderings on computers has also been around the technology world for some time of course. There are many sites where 3D computer artists--and they deserve to hold the title artists--feature their works of the human anatomy. Sometimes fictional half-human half alien likenesses too. Here at the Platypus, we have discussed Nudity (or lack of complete nudity) in the Sims videogame.
We think the following link to Watch a Guy Stare at Realistic Naked Bodies - Thanks Virtual Reality is worth a visit. Now, we'll admit up front that there are some references in the "tour" to what these applications may mean for the pornography industry as well as in the reader comments that follow. And we'll admit that the whole idea of "staring" is against what nudists hold true.
Yet, as we started our blog entry by noting, nudists have always appreciated and admired nude artwork. Examined in this spirit, the virtual technology gets interesting. Certainly the models in the demonstration are posed together almost as if attending a yoga session at some club. There are, at least, both genders represented in the demo although the guys keep boxers on and stand with hands at their sides as if soldiers, while the female models are posed differently. (More facts not lost on the readers in their comments).
Then watch as the demonstration morphs the setting for the models from a studio to outside among grass and sun. Or under trees. You begin to see how this technology could help show the appeal of embracing sun and sky in your birthday suit just the same way that a nude sketched by a pond or beach has done for centuries.
We prefer the real nudist experience to the virtual one, naturally, as we're sure you do. But maybe some day nudist clubs will be able to demo their grounds with a mix of pictures of the facilities with high quality 3D nudists. This would let actual club members keep their privacy, while helping prospective members to better imagine being there. Kind of like how mannequins in stores help sell clothes.
Illustrations, no matter how realistic, are somehow just a bit less "confrontational" to many viewers. All the nude sculptures around Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress in Washington DC are proudly displayed to retirees and school kids on class trips alike. Getting bare on the Capitol lawn would get you arrested faster than you could say "hand me the sunblock."
The Bare Platypus uses cartoons from time to time and the nudist community has the Nude Toons of Ron Coleman and Loxie and Zoot. Can we add to such creativity with this generation of tech?
_________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Creating nude 3-D renderings on computers has also been around the technology world for some time of course. There are many sites where 3D computer artists--and they deserve to hold the title artists--feature their works of the human anatomy. Sometimes fictional half-human half alien likenesses too. Here at the Platypus, we have discussed Nudity (or lack of complete nudity) in the Sims videogame.
We think the following link to Watch a Guy Stare at Realistic Naked Bodies - Thanks Virtual Reality is worth a visit. Now, we'll admit up front that there are some references in the "tour" to what these applications may mean for the pornography industry as well as in the reader comments that follow. And we'll admit that the whole idea of "staring" is against what nudists hold true.
Yet, as we started our blog entry by noting, nudists have always appreciated and admired nude artwork. Examined in this spirit, the virtual technology gets interesting. Certainly the models in the demonstration are posed together almost as if attending a yoga session at some club. There are, at least, both genders represented in the demo although the guys keep boxers on and stand with hands at their sides as if soldiers, while the female models are posed differently. (More facts not lost on the readers in their comments).
Then watch as the demonstration morphs the setting for the models from a studio to outside among grass and sun. Or under trees. You begin to see how this technology could help show the appeal of embracing sun and sky in your birthday suit just the same way that a nude sketched by a pond or beach has done for centuries.
We prefer the real nudist experience to the virtual one, naturally, as we're sure you do. But maybe some day nudist clubs will be able to demo their grounds with a mix of pictures of the facilities with high quality 3D nudists. This would let actual club members keep their privacy, while helping prospective members to better imagine being there. Kind of like how mannequins in stores help sell clothes.
Illustrations, no matter how realistic, are somehow just a bit less "confrontational" to many viewers. All the nude sculptures around Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress in Washington DC are proudly displayed to retirees and school kids on class trips alike. Getting bare on the Capitol lawn would get you arrested faster than you could say "hand me the sunblock."
The Bare Platypus uses cartoons from time to time and the nudist community has the Nude Toons of Ron Coleman and Loxie and Zoot. Can we add to such creativity with this generation of tech?
_________________________
Bare Platypus now offers products with Platypus artwork at the Bare Platypus Souvenir Shop . You can get a tote bag or a coffee mug, a t-shirt, or all three! Plus there's more to come.
These designs are one-of-a-kinds that you won't find elsewhere. Tasteful enough that you can show or serve them to all guests, but unusual enough (and always bare) that they can help you get a conversation going.
You're invited to visit!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Finally a Hot Tub Co "Gets" Naked
Okay... we titled this a bit misleading. We should have said we finally found a hot tub company that gets (understands) naked. You see, for many years we have been waiting for a company that understands that many who buy a spa don't want to wear suit in it. We have opined that the marketing that spa companies use neglects skinny dippers .
Turns out, we may have been looking in the wrong place.
At least when it comes to a retail level installer, that is.
Olympic Hot Tubs Understand Some of Us Want to Spa Naked . If you click the link and then select "owners' corner" and then the tab "it's all about fun" you will see the tab "nude or not nude" and that they include a full discussion on whether to go nude or not. They also give data on surveys they have run with interesting results.
In 1982 the great majority of spa buyers and users (90 % plus) wanted to take the waters completely bare. Decades later, the number has dropped considerably. Don't know if it is because there are just more spa buyers now than in the early years so that more "prudes" than nudes are buying. Or if there has been a shift in the country's attitudes.
In any event, we salute Olympic Hot Tubs for understanding us. Too bad they're located in Washington state far from us. But we hope they succeed. (PS... even a few very discrete photos leave the straps off the swimwear on the site.)
Turns out, we may have been looking in the wrong place.
At least when it comes to a retail level installer, that is.
Olympic Hot Tubs Understand Some of Us Want to Spa Naked . If you click the link and then select "owners' corner" and then the tab "it's all about fun" you will see the tab "nude or not nude" and that they include a full discussion on whether to go nude or not. They also give data on surveys they have run with interesting results.
In 1982 the great majority of spa buyers and users (90 % plus) wanted to take the waters completely bare. Decades later, the number has dropped considerably. Don't know if it is because there are just more spa buyers now than in the early years so that more "prudes" than nudes are buying. Or if there has been a shift in the country's attitudes.
In any event, we salute Olympic Hot Tubs for understanding us. Too bad they're located in Washington state far from us. But we hope they succeed. (PS... even a few very discrete photos leave the straps off the swimwear on the site.)
Friday, August 30, 2013
This Just In: Some Whales Tan Too
It seems that some whales are capable of "tanning" while other whales avoid doing so according to this BBC Television Story on Tanning Whales . Scientists believe this can help provide clues to the process of human aging.
One thing's for sure: ALL whales go skinny-dipping ALL the time. Swim naked much and you never really grow old.
One thing's for sure: ALL whales go skinny-dipping ALL the time. Swim naked much and you never really grow old.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Take Our Labor Day Weekend Challenge!
Labor Day Weekend is almost here.
It's that time when summer ends, many nudist clubs in the North start to close (or at least wind down activities) and much of the naked world puts on its clothes. But it's also a GREAT three days off from work for many of us and a GREAT time to catch some last-minute rays in our birthday suits. To that aim, we'd like to invite you to take the Bare Platypus Labor Day Weekend Challenge:
Wherever you are, whatever your schedule, see if you can spend at least twelve (12) continuous hours naked. Uh huh. Naked. Nude. Totally in your birthday suit. Bare bum. Twelve hours without putting any clothes on.
On one hand, this may be very simple to do if you're spending the weekend at a nudist club or never leaving home. It's also easier if you consider that you can sleep nakey for probably eight of those hours ( See Sleep in the Buff Bare Platypus article here) (and Read Why Sleeping Naked is Normal in this Platypus Post ). But you'll have to time other aspects. Read your morning paper online (you probably already do) so that you don't have to walk naked to the curb to get it---or flunk the challenge with a bathrobe. Warn your mom you'll be sipping coffee starkers in the kitchen.
The back yard barbeque could get tricky too. But please don't hurt yourself trying to meet a fun challenge either. That's the point. Have fun. Play naked as much as you can.
Happy Labor Day.
It's that time when summer ends, many nudist clubs in the North start to close (or at least wind down activities) and much of the naked world puts on its clothes. But it's also a GREAT three days off from work for many of us and a GREAT time to catch some last-minute rays in our birthday suits. To that aim, we'd like to invite you to take the Bare Platypus Labor Day Weekend Challenge:
Wherever you are, whatever your schedule, see if you can spend at least twelve (12) continuous hours naked. Uh huh. Naked. Nude. Totally in your birthday suit. Bare bum. Twelve hours without putting any clothes on.
On one hand, this may be very simple to do if you're spending the weekend at a nudist club or never leaving home. It's also easier if you consider that you can sleep nakey for probably eight of those hours ( See Sleep in the Buff Bare Platypus article here) (and Read Why Sleeping Naked is Normal in this Platypus Post ). But you'll have to time other aspects. Read your morning paper online (you probably already do) so that you don't have to walk naked to the curb to get it---or flunk the challenge with a bathrobe. Warn your mom you'll be sipping coffee starkers in the kitchen.
The back yard barbeque could get tricky too. But please don't hurt yourself trying to meet a fun challenge either. That's the point. Have fun. Play naked as much as you can.
Happy Labor Day.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Stop Calling Your Pen*s "Junk"
Have you happened to notice how many places---from message boards, to jokes, and comment sections---folks are using the word "junk" to describe human genitals?
Read a post about a nude beach like Sandy Hook New Jersey and someone gripes, "I don't want to go to the beach and see some old guy's 'junk'" A different post in a different forum lamented that "without dividers between urinals in the men's room, my junk's on display."
Since when did our bodies, or its special parts, become "junk"? We recognize that occasionally a euphemism or two is necessary to avoid triggering spam filters. That's the reason for using the asterisk in today's blog post title, by the way. We're certainly not ashamed of the word "penis." We just know the word may not get by the bots that screen the blogs you follow.
The psalmist wrote, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." We agree. And the Great Creator didn't make any "junk."
Unless we're referring somehow to a large, floating, Chinese vessel, does "junk" carry a connotation of anything positive? Didn't think so. If some folks say something too many times, however, they may start to believe it. Start thinking there should be a law to ban "junk" anywhere.
It's time to move on with a different attitude.
Read a post about a nude beach like Sandy Hook New Jersey and someone gripes, "I don't want to go to the beach and see some old guy's 'junk'" A different post in a different forum lamented that "without dividers between urinals in the men's room, my junk's on display."
Since when did our bodies, or its special parts, become "junk"? We recognize that occasionally a euphemism or two is necessary to avoid triggering spam filters. That's the reason for using the asterisk in today's blog post title, by the way. We're certainly not ashamed of the word "penis." We just know the word may not get by the bots that screen the blogs you follow.
The psalmist wrote, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." We agree. And the Great Creator didn't make any "junk."
Unless we're referring somehow to a large, floating, Chinese vessel, does "junk" carry a connotation of anything positive? Didn't think so. If some folks say something too many times, however, they may start to believe it. Start thinking there should be a law to ban "junk" anywhere.
It's time to move on with a different attitude.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Wearing Clothes to the Clothes-Optional Beach?
There's an interesting article and poll on the NJ.com website asking are you creepy if you wear clothes to clothing-optional Sandy Hook? Located on the Gateway National Seashore, Sandy Hook is one of the great beaches in America to take it off, sun your bum, and get that wonderful all-over tan.
A member of our Bare Platypus team only went to Sandy Hook once and, he must confess, he went completely naked for as long as he could that day... All day. (He worked a table gathering signatures on a petition in support of another nude beach in the state.)
Sandy Hook on a beautiful day is too beautiful not to do nude in his opinion. Although strong winds blowing off the water make it helpful to have a wind / sand screen to avoid being "sand blasted" when those winds pick up.
Go clothed on Sandy Hook? Couldn't imagine doing it. But we'll let you judge for yourself.
Here's the original article on NJ.com about Sandy Hook: Story About Nude on Sandy Hook .
A member of our Bare Platypus team only went to Sandy Hook once and, he must confess, he went completely naked for as long as he could that day... All day. (He worked a table gathering signatures on a petition in support of another nude beach in the state.)
Sandy Hook on a beautiful day is too beautiful not to do nude in his opinion. Although strong winds blowing off the water make it helpful to have a wind / sand screen to avoid being "sand blasted" when those winds pick up.
Go clothed on Sandy Hook? Couldn't imagine doing it. But we'll let you judge for yourself.
Here's the original article on NJ.com about Sandy Hook: Story About Nude on Sandy Hook .
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Heidi Klum Gets in Buff, Talks Buff
The Bare Platypus does not post photos on its site so you will have to click this link to view the Heidi Klum Birthday Suit Photo . It is a very tasteful depiction that was photographed a couple of years ago.
No doubt Ms. Klum is a model. But what is especially appealing about her to the Platypus team is how genuine and matter-of-fact she is about the human body, In other links that may be accessed from the story, she discloses that another image recently posted of her topless on Instagram was taken by none other than... her own mother. She has also discussed being topless on the beach. She's a confident mother of four.
We seem to remember her once defending the tasteful nude images of herself and her husband that were posted in some parts of their home.
Who a person is on the inside is important. This woman seems to have heart when so few celebrities do.
No doubt Ms. Klum is a model. But what is especially appealing about her to the Platypus team is how genuine and matter-of-fact she is about the human body, In other links that may be accessed from the story, she discloses that another image recently posted of her topless on Instagram was taken by none other than... her own mother. She has also discussed being topless on the beach. She's a confident mother of four.
We seem to remember her once defending the tasteful nude images of herself and her husband that were posted in some parts of their home.
Who a person is on the inside is important. This woman seems to have heart when so few celebrities do.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Top 10 World Naked Hotels Story Runs in China
Stories about the "Top 10" naked hotels or destinations are nothing new, of course. Several appear every summer it seems. We think it's interesting that one rarely sees the exact same entries among the top 10's, demonstrating that "best" is often a matter of opinion and where one lives.
What makes the following link a bit more interesting, however, is who carried the story. Top 10 Naked Hotels as Reported in China tells Asian travelers (in an online periodical that is provided in English too) about the best places to lodge bare. When the Asian market fully discovers the joys of nudism, nudism will become a lot MORE significant.
This is not the first story about nude travel to reach China, of course. TIME magazine for Asia did a piece many years ago about it. But that story was mainly about what people in the US and elsewhere themselves did. The linked story has much more of a, "if you plan to visit one, here's where the best are" feel to it. (We recognize that the source of the information itself was from a German travel company, but, hey the writers had to get information from some source, right? And who better to evaluate nude information from the FKK practicing Germans?)
We have read about a very few clothing free destinations in China but there weren't many discussed publicly when we last researched the matter. Perhaps that's going to change.
By the way, Orient Beach made this list. It is one destination that often appears, notwithstanding what we wrote in paragraph 1.
What makes the following link a bit more interesting, however, is who carried the story. Top 10 Naked Hotels as Reported in China tells Asian travelers (in an online periodical that is provided in English too) about the best places to lodge bare. When the Asian market fully discovers the joys of nudism, nudism will become a lot MORE significant.
This is not the first story about nude travel to reach China, of course. TIME magazine for Asia did a piece many years ago about it. But that story was mainly about what people in the US and elsewhere themselves did. The linked story has much more of a, "if you plan to visit one, here's where the best are" feel to it. (We recognize that the source of the information itself was from a German travel company, but, hey the writers had to get information from some source, right? And who better to evaluate nude information from the FKK practicing Germans?)
We have read about a very few clothing free destinations in China but there weren't many discussed publicly when we last researched the matter. Perhaps that's going to change.
By the way, Orient Beach made this list. It is one destination that often appears, notwithstanding what we wrote in paragraph 1.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Women Happiest with Naked Selves at Age 34
There's a story all over the news the past couple of days. In it, representatives for a spa business .based in the United Kingdom surveyed over 1200 women and found that they were most pleased with what they saw, naked, in the mirror when they were about 34 years old. Read one story reporting 34 years preferred for seeing selves naked by clicking the link.
It seems that before that age, as in adolescence, women have too many insecurities. And that after that time the aging process gives ladies pause. (About 40 percent of respondents said they looked at their naked bodies in the mirror about every day. 16 percent reported that they had never looked at their naked selves in a mirror.)
At the Platypus we believe that every person is a beautiful person and should see themselves that way. Male or female, 6 to 60. If more people gave nudity a try, maybe they would change their view.
It seems that before that age, as in adolescence, women have too many insecurities. And that after that time the aging process gives ladies pause. (About 40 percent of respondents said they looked at their naked bodies in the mirror about every day. 16 percent reported that they had never looked at their naked selves in a mirror.)
At the Platypus we believe that every person is a beautiful person and should see themselves that way. Male or female, 6 to 60. If more people gave nudity a try, maybe they would change their view.
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