Meeting naturists when hill walking - would you be worried?

[JGACC]

Hi all, I'm interested to gather women's thoughts on this. I read a Facebook post by Macclesfield police this morning asking people to report if they see a male naturist in the Peak District (screenshot attached) as there has been a lot of reports over the last few weeks. I was really surprised that the vast majority of the comments are saying it's legal (which yes it is) and to leave him alone. As a young female who often walks in the Peaks on my own my first thought was...I'd be worried and extremely uncomfortable if I came across him and would probably hide behind a tree or rock and try to call someone. Am I paranoid or is this actually fine and something I should take as lightly as the majority of the (mostly, but not all male) commenting public seem to?

I'll admit I was surprised to learn that it is entirely legal to wander round anywhere nude. It does seem a lot of naturists have no sexual intent and are more interested in being at one with nature. The man in question doesn't seem to have been reported as carrying out threatening behaviour and is probably harmless but it still makes me worried and I don't know if I'm ridiculous or not. (I would rather be ridiculous than not in this case!)

What has the fact that the area is remote got anything to do with anything?

Well... not the point being made, but I'd give considerably more benefit of the doubt (to the point of not really being doubtful at all) if I happened on a naked person truly in the middle of nowhere, in a place where he wouldn't be expecting anyone else, and doing something like swimming.

What a stunning lack of self awareness @Ananec

Your desire to bare all because it’s fun is more important than a woman’s right to feel safe? Do you understand how threatening a naked male body can be to a lone woman in the middle of nowhere? Do you carry a sign that says ‘not a rapist’?

I expect you are the same unthinking twat who walks behind women in the street late at night because it’s quicker and fails to realise they are a sweating ball of panic and planning how to escape.

If I saw you whilst walking, I would be very frightened and I would not go to that place again. Your hobby would restrict my freedom.

Because women are attacked, assaulted, raped or murdered every single day in this country by male-bodied humans - and you, waving your willy around in a public place, is not charming nor wonderfully eccentric- it is an ugly aggressive power stance, a performance of dominant posturing by a small-minded pathetic excuse for a man. Put it away.

I wouldn't willingly frighten or offend anyone, and my friends and I would cover up if we had the chance

You do have that chance - right before you step out of the door. Wear a skirt and no kecks if you must, but there's few places in the U.K. you can really walk without likelihood of meeting other people.

I'm surprised how many women are happy to walk alone in woods etc. I consider myself fairly feisty but walking alone in woods is something I choose not to do. So, I would definitely be nervous if I came across a naked man. Having said that, I have no problem with nudity, but in a designated area is best, or like another post said, if it's a naturalist group, ten announce you're in town so people know where you are visiting that day. Aside from anything else, clearly any male must know it could potentially make women feel nervous/scared so why do it, or have a lose long shirt thing to pop in if other people appear. So original OP, I'm with you I'd feel scared, kudos to you for walking alone.

your dangly, wrinkled genitals as I have

Oh now, that is very unfair. One thing naturists don't do is attack other people for the way their bodies look!

What is it with men being such delicate little flowers when it comes to words?

Women don't want to see naked men because of it being a display of male dominance in a world where male violence and rape is common. Told to get over it by a man, doesn't give a shit that his naked presence would alarm women.

Man considers describing his genitals as wrinkly as an "attack".

Fucking male fucking entitlement.

What are the odds of being sexually assaulted by a naked man wandering in the woods? I'd have thought clothed men may be more risky? Statistically speaking. Can anyone find reports of sexual assaults by naturists on clothed strangers in public?

I saw the naked rambler in Eastleigh, Hampshire about 7 or 8 years ago, I think he’s a Southampton local, he was always in the local paper. Don’t live there anymore so no idea if he’s still around.

He was just walking down the street completely naked apart from his back pack.

What are the odds of being sexually assaulted by a naked man wandering in the woods?

I literally don't care. I don't want to happen upon naked men unexpectedly. I would appreciate it if they could keep their clothes on when out in public. If they want to wander about woods naked they should arrange it on private land. As my partner just put it "there's a time and a place".

Well thank you Ananec for that masterclass in male entitlement.

@testing987654321

But if there is no actual link to threat of violence why should the state curtail this freedom. Its similar to men complaining they don't want to see scantily clad women, States in the US banning women being topless at the beach etc.

I think regulating what other people wear is a slippery slope.

@Ananec

Beamur--sorry. I wouldn't willingly frighten or offend anyone, and my friends and I would cover up if we had the chance. But I would say, yes I'm going to keep on doing this. It's too bad if we must be enemies (but we don't know each other, fortunately).

Could you explain why your desire to walk naked is more important than women's desire to feel safe?

But if there is no actual link to threat of violence why should the state curtail this freedom.

I am not asking "the state" to curtail this freedom. We are social animals with a common culture. English culture does not include nudity in general. I am asking men to restrict their nudity to spaces where it has been previously agreed such as nudist beaches/camps.

I don't want the bar of acceptable behaviour to be "am I in fear of violence?"

How far would a man get wandering around a city centre naked? Or turning up to work naked? He may still not be a threat to anyone but it isn't considered socially acceptable.

And in many countries it's not socially acceptable for women to show their hair. Does that mean they should not do it?

@Floatyboat

And in many countries it's not socially acceptable for women to show their hair. Does that mean they should not do it?

False equivalence.

They can push to change that culture and I would support them.

I want to push back against men thinking it's acceptable to be naked where most people would reasonably expect them to be clothed. I consider that a fair boundary to maintain.

@Floisme

Well thank you Ananec for that masterclass in male entitlement.

This. In spades. Utterly selfish.

False equivalence. Maybe not!

Both are social constructs based on cohort beliefs about what is 'seemly'.

As many have said, it isn't the nakedness itself that is the problem. It is the divergence from local norms and the expectation that those who object will accept labels such as 'prude' or 'despoilers of male thrill seeking'

And whilst I am here - really @Annec, you can say all of that and still not re-evaluate what you do so happily? You think women are silly little things for not being mind readers, knowing you are a 'safe male' enjoying his good self and so can parade round nude as you please? The assumption that we don't know the joys of being naked outside is astonishing and, with the phrasing of the comments you make about your wife, reveals quite a bit more about you than a mere lack of clothing!

Basically I am saying no... you cannot change societal mores one Waving Willy at a time!

I'm often frightened by dogs when I'm out walking. Dog walkers surely know that many people are afraid of dogs, but apparently feel their freedom to choose to own a dog and exercise it in public spaces is more important than the fear they are likely to cause. Are they being any less selfish than the naked ramblers? I'm sure there are many people who avoid certain areas because of their fear of dogs - perhaps rather more than the number of people who avoid particular areas because of their fear of nudists.

I think there is a huge difference in the supposed intention of the unseemliness of exposing ones hair and being considered
a woman inviting male attention and a man ignoring women’s fear and being naked in public.

It has everything to do with where the power lies in the situation. In both instances, it is with the male. In both instances the male is in control and demanding that women submit to their will.

@Falleninwiththewrongcrowd

I'm often frightened by dogs when I'm out walking. Dog walkers surely know that many people are afraid of dogs, but apparently feel their freedom to choose to own a dog and exercise it in public spaces is more important than the fear they are likely to cause. Are they being any less selfish than the naked ramblers? I'm sure there are many people who avoid certain areas because of their fear of dogs - perhaps rather more than the number of people who avoid particular areas because of their fear of nudists.

Not the same. Having a well behaved dog in public is socially acceptable and seen as a norm. Being naked is not. Non well behaved dogs are a different story of course and are as unacceptable as naked men. And lets face it it's 99% men. If it's just a naturist philosophy why is it always men, surely it would be an equal split?

And once again just speaking for myself, it definitely isn’t exhibitionism

No it’s a fetish. You’re wearing boots and socks, but nothing covering your penis because you like people to see it despite knowing the majority don’t want to and find it an invasion of personal boundaries. Even coming on this thread and talking about it after women have said how they feel about it, is because you get a kick out of it.

Having a fear of dogs is not the same. There are dogs everywhere, it’s very socially normal in our society and indeed you can get therapy to get over this fear- you can have therapy to get over a fear of cows to go walking too. Not wanting to see a strangers penis isn’t a fear, it isn’t just about the threat of sexual violence, it’s about what’s socially acceptable and whether or not the majority of society wants to and accepts full nudity. We don’t. Comparing the two is disingenuous, they’re clearly not remotely the same thing.

Even coming on this thread and talking about it after women have said how they feel about it, is because you get a kick out of it.

Yes, he even used the word 'thrill' and then in the next breath said there was nothing exhibitionist about it.

Interesting choice of words in disagreeing with me too. If we don't agree we're 'enemies'. Bit of an escalation.
I'm not sure how honest with himself this chap is being.

There genuinely is a pleasure in just feeling the air all around you, never having cloth pressing your sweat into your skin.

Such a lame excuse when you consider a backpack is more likely to stop you "feeling the air" and will definitely "press more sweat into skin" than a t-shirt.