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.

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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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Random Acts of Nakedness (Reposted)




Wednesday, January 23, 2013


Random Acts of Nakedness

One of the things that struck Bare Platypus upon hearing the news of the tragic shooting of schoolchildren in Connecticut last month was the name of their elementary school. Sandy Hook also happens to be the name of a famous nude beach in New Jersey on the Gateway National Seashore.  Forever, in the minds of many, the words "Sandy Hook" would now be associated with sorrow and memories of lives cut too short rather than a happy beach with people frolicking in their birthday suits.

That got the Platypus thinking... What if, instead of mass calamity, the world became subject to random, mass, acts of nakedness more often?  Imagine the headlines: "Twenty-five naked in college incident."  Or "Lone naked man convinces 12 to strip off at restaurant."  "Disgruntled worker walks off job naked."  It's silly, but it would save lives.  Laundry bills too.

Without getting too cliche, can we admit that today's society seems to glorify (or at least publicize) violence a lot more than it does the human body? We're not trying to jump into the gun control debate on one side or the other.  But we wish we saw more bare butts than gun butts on the screen.

And in the headlines.


____________________________

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 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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 .
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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!
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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.
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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 .
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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?

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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.)