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Archive-name: nude-faq/part3
Posting-Frequency: monthly Version: 1-Jan-08 Copyright: (c) 1998-2008 Dennis Kirkpatrick Maintainer: Dennis Kirkpatrick <recnudefaq@sunclad.com> See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge REC.NUDE FAQ Part 3 of 5: The Newsgroup Itself - REV: 1-Jan-08 Maintainer - Dennis Kirkpatrick - recnudefaq@sunclad.com=20 =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D ** Rec.Nude is NOT Google Groups. Google Groups is an interface that can access Usenet Newsgroups (of which rec.nude is a part) as well as Google's own private groups. If you are reading this file from Google Groups, please take a moment to educate yourself. See this FAQ Part 1, Section 1. This part of the rec.nude FAQ introduces the concept of naturism and answers many questions about naturism. ______________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents: 1. Naturist Etiquette 2. Taking The Plunge 2.1. Find a site 2.2. Don't go alone 2.3. Review Naturist Etiquette 2.4. Come prepared 2.5. Allow plenty of time 2.6. Make sure to pay fees, obtain permits, etc. 2.7. Relax! 3. Naturist Glossary 4. What's the difference between "naturism" and "nudism"? 5. What's the difference between "nude" and "naked"? 6. Endmatter 6.1. Revision History ______________________________________________________________________ 1. Naturist Etiquette These are some generally accepted rules of Naturist Etiquette. o Stay Out of the Dunes and other environmentally sensitive areas. o Obey Parking Regulations and other posted rules. o Help With Litter - bring along a trash bag. Carry out more litter than you create. o Don't Go Out of Established Nude Areas. To wander nude into a clothed beach or parking area will offend many. o No Overt Sexual Activity. Leave exhibitionism to those attending clothed beaches. o Respect the Property of Others. o Ask Prior Consent For Photography. o Privacy Is Fundamental. Many are at a club or beach for quiet time. Body language should tell you they don't want to be disturbed. It's not wrong to look for new friends - but it is rude to intrude when you're unwelcome. o Come Prepared. Bring beach supplies: beverage, food, sunscreen, towel. Mooching is not a cool way to make friends. o Speak Up for Standards. Don't let some newcomer who doesn't understand the situation or our values cause trouble. Instead of doing a slow burn, go talk, politely but firmly, to the couple starting sexual activity, the can-tosser, the wanderer into the dunes. This list comes to us courtesy of the Naturist Society.=20 2. Taking The Plunge If you've read this far, you're probably interested in trying naturism for yourself. Here are some tips for making your first naturist experience as painless and enjoyable as possible: 2.1. Find a site The best way to do this is to find an organization in your area and ask for information. The readers of rec.nude can be of great assistance in this area, as can parts II and III of this FAQ. Another possibility is to use an internet search engine but the buyer should be aware that on occasion a site listing may be wishful thinking as opposed to firm information of a regularly used and tolerated area. A good rule of thumb is to visit more than once and determine the habits of those=20 appearing to be regular or frequent users asthis will help assure a lack= =20 of hassle to yourself When contacting an organization by mail, remember to include a self-=20 addressed stamped envelope for the reply - it's polite and saves much- needed funds.) As we said earlier, you might prefer a private facility for your first time - or you might not. It's up to you. When contacting via e-mail, allow for some response time. Surprisingly, but then again maybe not, some naturist web sites and mail addresses are= =20 only maintained and checked seasonally, so message sin the winter may go= =20 unnoticed. 2.2. Don't go alone If you're married, by all means take your spouse. If not, take a friend of either gender. You can go alone if you want, but you'll probably enjoy the experience a lot more with some companionship. (Also, you should know that some private naturist facilities will not admit single visitors - generally, this policy is applied to men more than to women. And many facilities frown upon one-half of a married couple attending alone. These are old attitudes which are starting to change, but they remain in some cases.) 2.3. Review Naturist Etiquette Naturism is built on respect - for fellow naturists, for non- naturists, and for the environment. Naturists have a few simple rules of etiquette; read them, and remember that the respect is mutual. See "Naturist Etiquette" above. 2.4. Come prepared Bring a towel, a good sunscreen (SPF 15+), reading material, sunglasses, food & beverage, etc., especially if you're heading into a remote area. You will not want to dress to return to your car, so make sure you don't forget anything! (And remember to take your trash out with you!) 2.5. Allow plenty of time You're not going to want to leave! So it's best to devote a day or more to your trip. Give yourself time to enjoy the experience! 2.6. Make sure to pay fees, obtain permits, etc. If you're heading into the wilderness of a national forest, for example, you may need a Back-country Permit. Don't let legal technicalities ruin your enjoyment. 2.7. Relax! You are about to have one of the greatest experiences of your life! Don't worry about it! When you arrive at your site, you should make yourself comfortable. This may mean not removing all your clothing at once. That's OK. Just make sure you're comfortable and that you appear comfortable. Relax and enjoy the experience - don't be tense and edgy. Once you are comfortably nude and enjoying yourself, it's easy to be friendly and approachable. Don't just sit off in a corner by yourself - walk around, chat, etc. If people don't want to talk to you, you'll notice, but a lot of naturists are very friendly and enjoy meeting new people. Go for it! Congratulations! You're a naturist! (And it didn't kill you!) Do you see how good it feels? You're already making plans to come back, aren't you? 3. Naturist Glossary Following are some terms, abbreviations, and other things you might run into in your naturist experiences. AANR American Association for Nude Recreation <http://www.aanr.com/>. A national naturist organization of North America. AANR-GAT The AANR Government Affairs Team. A committee within AANR that oversees the relationship of AANR to government and observes changes to legislation that may have an impact on naturism. ADMIN: "Administrative". Put in the subject of rec.nude messages to indicate that the topic is administrative - discussions about the newsgroup itself, rather than discussions about naturism. These posts are supposed to be kept to a minimum. :-)=20 ASA American Sunbathing Association, the former name of what is now "AANR". <http://www.aanr.com> The Bulletin The monthly news type tabloid-style publication of "AANR". Canuding Canoeing while nude, a popular naturist activity. BN British Naturism A national naturist organization of Great Britain. <http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/>.=20 CO=20 "Clothing optional." ENG Eastern Naturist Gathering. See "Naturist Gathering". ESA (a.k.a AANR-East) Eastern Sunbathing Association. The eastern regional subdivision of "AANR". Now called =B3AANR-East=B2 FANR Florida Association for Nude Recreation. The Florida regional subdivision of "AANR". FCN Federation of Canadian Naturists <http://www.fcn.ca/>. A national naturist organization of English-speaking Canada. FQN Federation Quebecoise de Naturisme. A national naturist organization of French-speaking Canada. FKK Frei Korper Kultur. A German term for naturism. IMO, IMHO "In My (Humble/Honest) Opinion". INF The International Naturist Federation, an international organization of national naturist organizations (e.g. "AANR", "TNS", "FCN", etc.) INF's member organizations serve a majority of the world's nations. MSA Midwestern Sunbathing Association. The midwestern regional subdivision of "AANR". N =20 Nude & Natural, the quarterly magazine of "TNS". May also simply be an abbreviation for =B3nude=B2. NAC Naturist Action Committee <http://www.naturistaction.org> The political action arm of "TNS". Naturalist One who studies nature. Although naturalists may be "naturists", and vice versa, the two are not fundamentally related. Asking naturalist questions on rec.nude will make you look silly, unless they are also naturist questions. :-) Naturist See "Nudist". Naturist Gathering (as in "Eastern Naturist Gathering") One of several annual regional meetings of naturists organized by "TNS". Three or four are typically held each year (one in mid-winter, the rest in summer), in various parts of the country. Naturists converge at these events to meet, greet, participate in activities, listen to talks, and have fun. Naturist Festival Often regional meetings of naturists semi-sponsored by national organizations but otherwise organized by local or regional naturist= s. NEF Naturist Education Foundation <http://www.naturisteducation.org> The educational arm of "TNS". NIFOC "Nude In Front Of Computer". North American Park Guide A publication by AANR which lists its affiliated nudist resorts and non-landed associations of people Non-Landed Indicating a group of naturists/nudists that are organized but=20 which does not operate a nudist park or resort, ie not gathering=20 on privately owned land of their own. Nudist See "Naturist". ObNude "Obligatory Nude". Used by some rec.nude readers to introduce an on-topic statement following an off-topic statement. RNEO (depreciated) Rec.Nude Eyes Only. A spam defeating acronym. When placed at the beginning of a subject line it allows readers to easily locate=20 on-topic messages. replies under "RE: RNEO...." It may also be=20 used in conjunction with news program filters or search services=20 as an aid to locating topical material in the newsgroup. (Removed from the FAQ file 1-Jul-02) SO=20 Significant Other. A spouse, partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. SWSA Southwestern Sunbathing Association. The southwestern regional subdivision of "AANR". Thong In naturist parlance, a G-string style swimsuit which exposes the buttocks. Wearing only a thong is the next best thing to being nude, in some naturists' minds. TNS The Naturist Society <http://www.naturistsociety.com/>. An international naturist organization based in the United States. Topfree Lacking a top. What a non-naturist calls "topless", a naturist calls "topfree"; the "-less" suffix implies that something important is missing, while the "-free" suffix implies a lack of improper additions, such as a foreign piece of clothing. (Also, "topless" is commonly associated with strip bars and other commercial exploitation of nudity. "Topfree" has no known negative connotations.) Travel Club (depreciated term) See: "non-Landed" WNG Western Naturist Gathering. See "Naturist Gathering". WSA (a.k.a. AANR-West) Western Sunbathing Association. The western regional subdivision of "AANR". World Guide The World Guide to Nude Beaches and Resorts At <http://www.naturistsociety.com/> now by TNS. A very good and oft-quoted guide to naturist locations worldwide. Published by "TNS". Note: Don't use the term "nudist colony." Most modern naturists consider this term to be pejorative. Naturists live normally among the rest of society, not in isolated "colonies." Instead, refer to nudist/naturist beaches, campgrounds, parks, clubs, resorts, etc. 4. What's the difference between "naturism" and "nudism"? Some people make distinctions between "naturists" and "nudists." To some people the differences (whatever they perceive them to be) are quite important, but many people use the terms interchangeably today. When asked to use one or the other, I usually call myself a "naturist" because I like the association of that word with "natural". (However, in actuality I prefer neither term - I'd rather be known as "a regular guy who likes to be nude.") The rest of this section, contributed by Durand Stieger, goes into more detail (more than I did, anyway) about the differences between "naturists" and "nudists." Please note that I have not edited Durand's words - any opinions expressed are his, although I agree with much of what he has to say. While nudism has long been defined in dictionaries, naturism has not. Indeed, the word "naturist" is only recently beginning to be added. In the USA today, the words nudism and naturism may be best defined by the two principal organizations representing these "-ism's": the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and The Naturist Society (TNS). Both organizations believe in the essential wholesomeness, naturalness, and healthfulness of social nudity. AANR has, since its beginning as the American Sunbathing Association (ASA), represented nudists on private property -- generally at its privately- owned nudist campgrounds and resorts -- and expects its members to be "clothed when practical, unclothed when possible." TNS has been the primary champion of clothing-optional use of appropriate public lands. And both organizations have some areas of overlap, both in activities and membership. However, most of us wonder less about the "-ism's" and more about the differences, if any, between nudist and naturist -- and, more particularly: which should we consider ourself to be? Nudist and naturist can perhaps best be defined by their stereotypes, both of which relate to their typical environments. Of course, all nudists and naturists have that common belief in the essential wholesomeness, naturalness, and healthfulness of social nudity. The stereotypical nudist prefers to enjoy social nudity at enclosed private-property sites, safe from prying eyes or harassment from the law. She enjoys use of the facilities and amenities which these campgrounds and resorts provide. She prefers organizational structure -- if not to participate in, then at least for the rules and regulations afforded. And she enjoys the social structure and activities which many private sites provide. The stereotypical naturist prefers to commune with nature in the open outdoors -- e.g., at a lake, stream, beach, or wilderness setting -- without the feeling of being enclosed behind tall fences. She needs few, if any, facilities or amenities -- preferring, instead, an undisturbed natural setting. She wants no organizational structure, thank you, nor any list of rules or regulations imposed on her (beyond basic beach etiquette, that is). And she needs no social structure or activities; if there are some friends to visit with, that's fine, but it's also fine to be alone or with just a companion or two. Further, since the stereotypical naturist usually uses public lands for her nude recreation, she realizes that these clothing-optional areas may have clothed users as well. Many of us nude recreators do not entirely match either above stereotype; instead, we are somewhere along the continuum between these two (and even extending somewhat beyond each). For example, if half the time you prefer a naturist site on a beach or stream, while the other half you prefer nudist activities at a resort with amenities, then you are about halfway between these two on that continuum. Before Lee Baxandall formed The Naturist Society, "naturist" was the European equivalent to the American word "nudist" (as in the International Naturist Federation, the international nudist organization headquartered in Europe). Americans formerly known as "free beachers," or just "skinny-dippers," overnight became "naturists" -- when Lee then pulled the term out from under the nudists and gave it new meaning in America. The former free beachers readily adopted the new term, particularly as it emphasized the aspects of "nature" and "natural" so dear to free beachers. There are those of us who believe that the use of two different labels for us, nudist and naturist, is divisive -- and that we are really all pretty much the same, so we should treat the two terms as synonymous. While they are entitled to their synonymous-view opinion, they should not take umbrage when others wish to use the two terms separately -- in reference to organizational and/or philosophical denotations. Perhaps when the day arrives that AANR and TNS are either no longer needed or have identical objectives, then a common label will suit both. Thus, each of us is free to choose whatever label for ourself that we like best. Nudist, naturist, skinny-dipper, free beacher -- whatever -- and we are free to use one label at one time and another at another time, as our mood fancies. Some Naturists also see purpose to considering Naturism as a belief, to be respected and afforded protections, and these people (plus those of us who wish to show respect for this view) use Naturist and Naturism in their capitalized form. Almost every adult in America knows (or think they know) what "nudist" means, while very few know what "naturist" means. However, it is far better and more accurate for us to identify ourselves as naturists as we influence the public toward tolerance of appropriate clothing- optional areas on public lands. It is also vital that we steadfastly maintain, to ourselves and the public, that overt sexual activity has nothing whatever to do with naturism or nudism. A common public myth is that social nudity involves or promotes sexual activity. And we also know that some individuals and businesses, with sexual agendas of their own, see us as a nude, liberal-minded, meat-market hunting ground for their own purposes. Indeed, some swingers and others with sexual agendas have infiltrated into our organizations -- and some businesses, promoting or allowing sexual activity, have masqueraded as nudist/naturist businesses. These are cancers and must be removed; they are not us, they hurt us, and they should never be considered part of us. We cannot tolerate even a few. 5. What's the difference between "nude" and "naked"? Some people point out a difference between the words "nude" and "naked." The point made is that the formal definition of "naked" implies that something normal is missing or that something abnormal/improper is happening, while "nude" has no such connotation (see "topfree" above.) I use "nude" most of the time for this reason. (But, as with "naturist" vs. "nudist", other people disagree and think "naked" is preferable, and still other people see absolutely no difference between the two. To each his/her own.) 6. Endmatter Copyright 1998-2008 - Dennis Kirkpatrick All rights reserved. <recnudefaq@sunclad.com> =20 Contributions to this FAQ have been added by numerous persons since the= =20 rec.nude newsgroup was founded. This includes the various FAQ maintainer= s=20 and newsgroups users as well. This body stands as a compilation of these efforts over time and serves as both newsgroup charter and FAQ. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. This document may be reproduced and distributed in any medium, physical or electronic, so long as the entire document, including this copyright notice and the modification date below, remains intact and unchanged on all copies. Commercial redistribution is permitted, but you may not redistribute it, in whole or in part, under terms more restrictive than those under which you received it. If you have questions regarding reproduction and/or distribution of this document, please contact Dennis Kirkpatrick at: recnudefaq@sunclad.com The latest version of the FAQ is always available at the following location(s): NEWSGROUPS: ---------- rec.nude - posted on or near the first of each month or within the first 7 days (+/-) of the month. rec.answers - same as above. news.answers - same as above. Your news reader program can be back-dated if you miss these postings. FTP: --- ftp://rtfm.mit.edu//pub/faqs/nude-faq/ ftp://rtfm.mit.edu//pub/faqs/nude-faq/part1 ftp://rtfm.mit.edu//pub/faqs/nude-faq/part2 ftp://rtfm.mit.edu//pub/faqs/nude-faq/part3 ftp://rtfm.mit.edu//pub/faqs/nude-faq/part4 ftp://rtfm.mit.edu//pub/faqs/nude-faq/part5 Using an FTP or "Anarchie" type program you can access the FAQ from this public archive. WEB: --- http://www.sunclad.com/nfaqs *(www.faqs.org is no longer a reliable reporitory for Newsgroup FAQ files. The site appears to be abandoned and has not updated in several years.) 6.1. Revision History This document will carry a revision history by date. Any time a change i= s=20 made to any of the five sections of this FAQ the revision date will chang= e=20 on each section to reflect the revision date of the FAQ as a whole. The revision dates will be carried in last to first order with the most recen= t=20 change at the top of the document. This will allow readers to know when the FAQ was last updated. Revision 1-Jan-08 -Updated various segments to current standards. Revision 31-Mar-07 -Updated various sections to current requirements. Removed www.faqs.org as safe repository for FAQ. Revision 10-Oct-05 -Updated various sections to current requirements. Revision 16-Aug-03 -Updated link to Prodigy Message Board & other updates Revision 1-Jul-02 -Issued various corrections & updates as noted within. Revision 1-Nov-01 -Various updates to links and addresses. Revision 5-Mar-00 -Updated various web links to current requirements. Revision 1-Sep-99 -Updated listings for AOL, Compuserve, Prodigy, and other reference material as necessary and submitted by newsgroup users. Parts 1, 4 and 5 effected. Revision 1-Aug-98 -Updated Posting Locations of FAQ and various URL updates. Revision 1-Jul-98 -Added FTP locations for FAQ. Revision 31-May 98 -Added HTML locations for FAQ and other link updates. Revision 15-May-98 -Changed information for the Nude Travel section on the AOL system in Part 5 of the FAQ. Revision 21-Mar-98 -Corrected URL for Fed de Quebecoise de Naturisme Revision 1-Mar-98 -Adjusted 4 part FAQ into 5 to conform with limits of web browser sizing. Revision 1-Feb-98 - Carried over from previous FAQ maintainer and updated FAQ maintainer contact info and some access info regarding the AOL Naturist/Nudist posting areas. Revisions Prior to January 1998 not documented. Please do not e-mail the FAQ maintainer with questions that may otherwise be answered in the newsgroup FAQ or the associated Beaches FAQ. =3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D= -=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D D. M. Kirkpatrick FAQ & Charter Maintainer - Newsgroup: REC.NUDE recnudefaq@sunclad.com =3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D= -=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D-=3D User Contributions: |
[rec.nude] REC.NUDE FAQS Part 3 of 5
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