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Original poster

To be sick of these charity naked calendars?

51 replies

JenGin · 31/08/2022 11:43

Our local gardening club, of which I'm a very inactive member, does a few things to raise a bit of money every year. The last couple of years they've belatedly discovered naked calendars and obviously see it as a good money spinner, or at least better than some of the other naff ideas they've done!

I opted out of the first one but I did agree to do their 2nd one. Now, I was under the impression it was going to be very much covered up with 'props' and just a bit suggestive but I was shocked by just how revealing it is. I grinned and bared it, literally, but full-on naked bum shots and side-boob shots were a bit much for me considering it's on display to everyone even if they don't buy it and I felt a bit shy about the whole thing!

They're now drumming up volunteers for another one and I've been expected to, rather than asked to, do it again. I haven't said yes or no to them yet but feel I'm going to decline this time.

Haven't these been done to death and a bit cringy or am I being overly self conscious or prudish and should just get on with it?

OP posts:
Minikievs · 31/08/2022 12:25

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 31/08/2022 12:20

So it was only the females? Sorry Lady Gardeners?

as far as I’m concerned, they could jump into a water butt. Head first.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

rwalker · 31/08/2022 12:26

Why don’t you just say no and leave the people who want to do it to it

maddiemookins16mum · 31/08/2022 12:30

YANBU, they’re very 2005. Have never, and will never, buy one.
Now Aussie firemen with kittens, ok then.

maddiemookins16mum · 31/08/2022 12:32

Like this one.

To be sick of these charity naked calendars?
chillipenguin · 31/08/2022 12:41

JenGin · 31/08/2022 12:17

I think it's purely about raising as much money as they can and they've decided, or discovered, that these naked calendars sell better than more traditional shots of some nice gardens, fruit & veg or flowers! I'm not sure how many they sold but I think they did quite well. Having them on display in the local shop was the most embarrassing part as they're just hanging there for people to flick through.
I think I'm going to give them an ultimatum - I'll do it again if they include the male members this time! (pun not intended!)

Show quote history

I imagine either 1 person bought loads of them so no one else could see them naked or there are a load of sleezy creeps in your area who now lust after the gardening club members.

chillipenguin · 31/08/2022 12:41

maddiemookins16mum · 31/08/2022 12:32

Like this one.

That's a dog? But yeah can't you do topless blokes with kittens?

wafflesandeggs · 31/08/2022 12:43

Sorry OP but it sounds like up were sexually exploited in the name of “charity”. I would refuse to be part of any further fundraisers.

MissJeanBrodiesprime · 31/08/2022 12:46

Very cringeworthy. I’m definitely not a prude but I find the idea puts me off my lunch.

JudgeJ · 31/08/2022 12:52

I hope the organisers of our Save the Church Steeple committee don't cotton on to this idea. Thinking of them, there'd be few steeples worth looking at !

Original poster
JenGin · 31/08/2022 12:54

maddiemookins16mum · 31/08/2022 12:32

Like this one.

Lovely! Unfortunately none of our male members look anything like this 😂

OP posts:
balalake · 31/08/2022 12:57

It's just so last century. Was amusing the first time, just now tedious and tacky.

Piffle11 · 31/08/2022 13:01

balalake · 31/08/2022 12:57

It's just so last century. Was amusing the first time, just now tedious and tacky.

Couldn't agree more.

The original Calendar Girls calendar was unique: it's been done to death since then, and it's 20 years on… Times have changed! I really don't see why anyone would buy such a calendar… Can't the organisers understand that it is actually cringeworthy now?

Try and drag them into 2022, OP!

Original poster
JenGin · 31/08/2022 13:13

Just as an example - it went from something like this the first time to full on naked the 2nd time...

So as you can imagine I dread to think how they're planning on upping the ante!

OP posts:
Magicpaintbrush · 31/08/2022 13:15

No way would I want a calendar full of naked people hanging up in my kitchen. Boak. Really undignified. If anyone ever asked me to appear in one I'd laugh in their face and reach for the nearest roll neck jumper.

CulturePigeon · 31/08/2022 15:48

It wasn't that funny the first time!

5128gap · 31/08/2022 16:09

chillipenguin · 31/08/2022 12:41

That's a dog? But yeah can't you do topless blokes with kittens?

Show quote history

What dog...?😊

Strugglingtodomybest · 31/08/2022 16:24

5128gap 🤣

I got asked to be in one to raise money for our village hall. I think my reply for something along the lines of 'nope, not happening, never ever'.

When it was published it sold well in the village for the pure car crash nature of it. It was awful!

We still talk about it now, particularly mateys levitating bowler hat, which we all hope was photoshopped. Grim.

katishot · 31/08/2022 16:43

I don't really understand why you agreed to do it. And you could have withdrawn consent when you found out that you weren't going to be as covered up as you thought.

There is no one on this earth who could force me to pose naked for a calendar - no matter what they said or what kind of emotional manipulation they applied.

If you don't want to do it next time just say no and mean it.
But I'd definitely point out that men should be doing it too and also make some suggestions of something else to do instead of a naked calendar.
As you say, it's outdated and cringy.

Original poster
JenGin · 31/08/2022 17:02

@katishot No you're right, I was hardly forced into it and could have backed out. I originally agreed because the first one was so covered up and innocent I didn't think much of it. Once it dawned on me just how revealing and naked it actually was we were all standing there in the nude anyway and just went through with it. Some of the other ladies seemed to really enjoy it and didn't flinch!

I've spoken to a couple of the other girls and we've all agreed to boycott it unless the men get involved as well! I'll also be suggesting some less overdone ideas for the future!

OP posts:
been and done it. · 31/08/2022 17:37

MrsFerguson · 31/08/2022 11:46

I was in church yesterday pondering the priest doing a naked calendar. Just him though. On every page

😏

Crikey Vicar....

TheWayoftheLeaf · 31/08/2022 20:40

I'm gobsmacked you bothered in the first place! Just tell them you were uncomfortable last time and don't wish to do it again

TheWayoftheLeaf · 31/08/2022 20:43

I'd also worry that the keen members were actually just exhibitionists

Original poster
JenGin · 31/08/2022 20:47

I think they just enjoyed the giggle to be honest. I know them fairly well and don't really see any signs they're exhibitionists apart from doing this calendar. Having said that I wouldn't know what exactly to look for to spot an exhibitionist in day to day life 😂

OP posts:
buzzbuzzybuzz · 31/08/2022 20:50

Have they got naturist and naturalist muddled up?

smileandsing · 31/08/2022 21:17

The school kid drawings idea might not sell as much as you'd think. Our school did it and it was really only the families of the kids whose pictures were chosen and a handful of others who bought it