<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Nudist or Naturist – A definition according to me :)</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I’ve often seen the question as to what is the difference between a nudist and a naturist. Is there really a difference? Well, at first I really thought there was no difference, even though I preferred to refer to myself as a naturist. I’ve read many posts, comments and different articles as to “Is there a difference?” So here you are, this is my opinion, for what it’s worth.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A nudist</span> is a person who prefers to be unclothed as much as possible.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A naturist</span> is a person who prefers to be unclothed as much as possible, has a diet that is as close as possible to natural, unprocessed and untouched by chemicals, additives, packaging and machinery. They prefer organic foods. They prefer to be as natural in their lifestyle as is possible, within their means and within what is available. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"> </p>
44 thoughts on “Nudist or Naturist”
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
All definitions are old-fashioned and need to be modified. It depends where you live which word is in use or misused.
The younger generation in the Netherlands prefers the word "naaktrecreant" =recreational_nudist.
Honestly, I don't think what we call ourselves really matters. We live our lives as we see fit, with as much naked time as possible. And that is different for everyone, depending on circumstances
I consider myself a naturist but I'm far from organic! I thought the difference was UK and USA definitions.
There are more ways to label the same thing than there are ways to skin a cat. Or have I mixed my metaphores there…?
In the US it's an interchangeable term. Same as you I consider myself a naturist but not into vegetarianism, vegan, etc. for me is more of a philosophy not just the joy of being nude which is already included.
I think the definitions are all related to personal interpretation. Ask 5 people and you may get 5 interpretations. Just be happy while nude, no labels attached.
<p>In this context I am definitely a naturist. Interesting discussion here, as so often :)</p>
The definition of naturism by the INF is "Naturism is a way of life in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, linked to self-respect, tolerance of differeing views together with respect for the environment" which is what would describe a "naturist". A nudist is someone who would just enjoy being nude.
<p>I like this definition. I'm comfortable with it for me :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>i'm a nudist. . " nude when the time and situation is right. and with others who enjoy it.".. </p>
<p>Yes, we have to try to push the boundaries Richard – and hopefully we gradually can change the opinion among people. I have tried sometimes to run naked in the outskirts of my city. But in these "mobile-times" it is so easy for people to call the police as soon as they see a naked person who is running along the forest road. That happened to me one time, but they did not manage to catch me (hello – am I really a criminal and dangerous person?)<br />I miss the political part. I would have liked if the Naktiv/nudist/naturist movement in general was more politically active, fighting for their rights. We have to work politically also, if not, the progress will go very slowly.<br />(Sorry, Susan: The headline for your blog was "Nudist or Naturist"…)</p>
<p>I agree that we have to be more political to gain wider acceptance of public nudity, as other minorities have in the past, or much larger sections of the population – the votes for women campaigns, which still isn't universal worldwide.</p>
<p>As many people around the world are expressing their dissatisfaction with the established political processes and parties maybe the 'naked party' can use this to its advantage. Nude candidates have nothing hidden and hopefully could be seen as the open alternative to the clothed established system hiding their dirty secrets.</p>
<p>Wikipedia, which many people use for searching, is mixing the two terms:<br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturism </p>
<p>Good article. thanks for the link Tore :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When I use a label to describe myself it is 'nudist', thats because the people who introduced me to social nudity called themselves nudists. The living naturally as possible element of your naturist definition is something I also try to do.</p>
<p>Over last weekend I spent a lot of time in a happy mix of nudist and naturist friends at the beach, some are quite clear which they are of the two, others may be both or neither, the main common factor we all have is that we all prefer no clothing.</p>
<p> There are many definitions and, as has been pointed out elsewhere, there is the danger of being exclusive with our naming terms. However, we use words to classify our world, to label and to name things, so as to exchange useful information with one another without having to explain the details afresh every time. To this end, it could be useful to have agreement (if this is possible) on various terms. Here are a few more to stir the pot with :)</p>
<ul>
<li>Naktiv Being naked anywhere at any time in any context</li>
<li>Nudist Being naked with others in a common society, club or group</li>
<li>Naturist Being naked in and surrounded by Nature</li>
<li>NIP Being Naked In Public</li>
<li>Textile Being clothed at all times (ie; none of the above)</li>
<li>Cottontail Tell-tale signs of swimming costume (non)suntan marks on the bottom, usually a sign of a textile at a nudist venue.</li>
</ul>
<p>From: http://www.naktiv.net/glossary.html</p>
<p>Of your terms Richard, I like the "Naktiv"-term best. That is the ideal world 🙂 – but unfortunately not the real… </p>
<p>Something to aim for then, without dreams what are we…?</p>
<p>I totally agree with you. But HOW to start? I think this is a very interesting question. How long are we going to be satisfied with having our own "nude-reservates" – isolated away from other people? How long are we going to accept that nudity is criminalized? And how long are we going to accept that we ALWAYS have to adapt ourselves to the "non-Naktiv"-world? When I am going to get my newspapers in the morning, I have to dress for those 15 meters down to the postbox, because It is "in public". I do not want to have it like this 🙁 It is time for action. I want to do something about it :)</p>
<p>It's important to push the boundaries. Nothing was ever given to the people, we have to take our own freedoms for ourselves. This is why I go naked hiking, away from population centres. I do meet some people, and some stop and chat, these are a few more who have seen a naked person and lived to tell the tale.</p>
<p><strong>Slowlee, slowlee, catchee monkee.</strong></p>
<p>Thank you for the blog, Susan! I have always wondered about the same. What is the difference between the two words – or is there any difference? On the basis of the definition of a naturist in your blog, I think many "modern" people will find it difficult to fill the criteria, at least all the time. In my country I think many nudists/naturists are quite/very materialistic. And organic food is very expensive and can be hardly to find in the shops.</p>
I totally agree with you Tore. I'm definitely a naturist. Organic food, grow my own vegetables, that is what I can fit in my not overly large garage. Don't own too many clothes and only replace when necessary. We do the best we can, with what we have.