Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Meeting naturists when hill walking - would you be worried?

450 replies

JGACC · 23/08/2020 09:29

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!)

Meeting naturists when hill walking - would you be worried?
OP posts:
BatShite · 24/08/2020 18:20

I'll admit I was surprised to learn that it is entirely legal to wander round anywhere nude.

This cannot be right?! Anywhere?

And it would make me wary, who knows hes actually a naturist anyway, rather than just a flasher..even a clothed bloke would make me wary if out walking alone though tbh.

yourhairiswinterfire · 24/08/2020 18:21

Oh fgs- read the thread. Do you not understand the concept of context? Social conventions.

The answer to your question has been given - at length.

I think some posters are being deliberately ignorant here. Even if they personally don't have a problem with it, it doesn't take much imagination (or reading of the thread) to see why some do.

Their opinion of being fine with it is as valid as the opinions of those who aren't, but the snidey, scoffing remarks are just pure nasty. It almost feels like they're laughing at the 'silly women scared of a willy'.

*little disclaimer that I NCed since I last posted on this thread-don't want MN to think I'm a sockpuppet 😬.

ScarMatty · 24/08/2020 18:30

@DidoLamenting

I did read the thread. Just because I've read something I don't have to agree with or understand it.

It is fine that we don't agree, but I can still hold my view that I don't understand why someone would be that bothered. It's just a human body. I don't agree with some social conventions and therefore I am allowed to believe people can go against them

noss24 · 24/08/2020 18:52

My opinion is that the law is vague and open to interpretation, or just the whims of someone. The sight unexpectedly of a naked man would shock some people and offend some too.

I would prefer a law that gives designated beaches and some other spaces for nude sunbathing, swimming or exercise.

Lordamighty · 24/08/2020 18:57

They are never naked though are they these naturist ramblers/hill walkers? They always manage to put their socks & boots on & sometimes a hat if it’s sunny. It’s just their genitals they like to expose, funny that.

DidoLamenting · 24/08/2020 19:40

[quote ScarMatty]@DidoLamenting

I did read the thread. Just because I've read something I don't have to agree with or understand it.

It is fine that we don't agree, but I can still hold my view that I don't understand why someone would be that bothered. It's just a human body. I don't agree with some social conventions and therefore I am allowed to believe people can go against them [/quote]
Go ahead. Strip off naked and gambol free. If you're in Scotland you are committing an offence- but hey who cares? You don't believe in social conventions

DidoLamenting · 24/08/2020 19:46

@BatShite

I'll admit I was surprised to learn that it is entirely legal to wander round anywhere nude.

This cannot be right?! Anywhere?

And it would make me wary, who knows hes actually a naturist anyway, rather than just a flasher..even a clothed bloke would make me wary if out walking alone though tbh.

It isn't right. The Naked Rambler was arrested multiple times. His girlfriend was arrested 5 times. Both spent time in prison.
Gronky · 24/08/2020 19:52

I'm struggling to explain to myself why passive nudity specifically grants a right to demand control over another person's body. For example, I'd be much more uncomfortable if I encountered someone in fetish wear on the hills but wouldn't feel justified in demanding they change their clothes for my comfort (or, more mundanely, a man wearing a trench coat). Does anyone have any thoughts on the logical distinction?

crunchermuncher · 24/08/2020 20:11

Interesting point Gronky.

Can you clarify what you mean by 'demand control over another person's body? '
As in prefer them to cover up?
Is the law demanding we drive on the left (UK) demanding control over another person's body? (Trying to think of an analogue that we all accept).

I don't think (might be wrong) that any kind of fetish wear would break the law whereas being naked may do depending on circumstances.

Does your discomfort stem from nakedness being 'natural' and fetish wear up a mountain being deliberately shocking? Would be interesting to unpick why the difference? I think I would find both as disturbing because of the context - unexpected and I would argue, deliberately intended to shock.

thelegohooverer · 24/08/2020 20:28

The exhibitionist aspect is what I object to.

I don’t really care if people like to commune with nature or get up to kinky things, etc. But I object strenuously to being forced, without my consent, to be a part of it.

Gronky · 24/08/2020 20:30

Can you clarify what you mean by 'demand control over another person's body? '

I mean demand that they cover up or be forced to cover up (or face removal). I think it's entirely reasonable to have and voice concerns, preferences and requests.

Is the law demanding we drive on the left (UK) demanding control over another person's body? (Trying to think of an analogue that we all accept).

Yes, I think it is but I would say that's a decision made because coherent decisions between are required when operating motor vehicles at a reasonable speed. For the same reason, we typically require one approach to a junction to yield, if lights aren't provided, to reduce the amount of slowing required on the main thoroughfare.

I don't think (might be wrong) that any kind of fetish wear would break the law whereas being naked may do depending on circumstances.

Scotland may be a different case but the law seems rather vague to me (outraging public decency/breach of the peace) and I can see either offence applying in both scenarios.

Does your discomfort stem from nakedness being 'natural' and fetish wear up a mountain being deliberately shocking? Would be interesting to unpick why the difference?

For me personally, it would come down to my perception that there are more naturists than flashers while fetishwear, on the balance of probabilities, is probably worn as part of a sexual fetish. This is just my perception, I'm not claiming logical or moral authority on relative discomfort, merely expressing how different people might react differently. It's likely down to my having encountered naturists and finding them to be odd but generally more agreeable than the average person on the high street. By comparison, I have almost no experience talking to overt fetishwear-wearers.

Gronky · 24/08/2020 20:31

because coherent decisions between are

*coherent decisions between drivers are

crunchermuncher · 24/08/2020 20:37

Thanks for clarifying.

I think intent is very important - and very difficult to know!

Gronky · 24/08/2020 20:44

Thanks for clarifying.

Thank you for helping tease out the details.

I think intent is very important - and very difficult to know!

I tend to be rather naive when encountering strangers but, in my time, it's led to many more positive experiences than negative ones so I try to keep going.

CorianderLord · 24/08/2020 21:08

Is it legal? Surely it's considered flashing as it's in public and a child/woman could come along and be rather... shocked?

I also think it's worrying as others could see that and decide to wander naked for nefarious reasons and when asked just say they're a naturist.

Antibles · 24/08/2020 21:39

No, it's the "philosophy".

It can't just be that. I fit perfectly well into the philosophy that: "being nude is healthy and it's good for people to be naked" (plus no tan lines!) and I'd definitely join a naturist camp or whatever (except I can't be bothered and it's the UK) so that makes me a naturist by your definition.

But if I announced to people that I was a naturist but only practised indoors in my house that would make zero sense to them. The common understanding is that it involves at least some nakedness socially and/or outside your house.

DidoLamenting · 24/08/2020 21:42

I don't think (might be wrong) that any kind of fetish wear would break the law whereas being naked may do depending on circumstances

Again context and circumstances. It may well break the law.

CorianderLord · 24/08/2020 22:42

It's also not healthy to be naked at all... think of the sun damage

BlackWaveComing · 24/08/2020 22:47

People don't apply their knowledge of consent.

Naturist is nude on a known naturist beach/naturist camp? Fine, as other people on beach/at camp have consented to being in a naturist environment.

Going naked in a non-naturist context where consent of others cannot be gained? Don't do it. Assume there's a good chance you will come across people who haven't consented to your nudity.

QualityFeet · 25/08/2020 00:17

CorianderLord ... and ticks.

crunchermuncher · 25/08/2020 00:40

ticks
Shock
Ew

QualityFeet · 25/08/2020 01:15

In cracks😬

QualityFeet · 25/08/2020 01:16

I am clearly not a natural nudist

Goosefoot · 25/08/2020 01:35

@Gronky

I'm struggling to explain to myself why passive nudity specifically grants a right to demand control over another person's body. For example, I'd be much more uncomfortable if I encountered someone in fetish wear on the hills but wouldn't feel justified in demanding they change their clothes for my comfort (or, more mundanely, a man wearing a trench coat). Does anyone have any thoughts on the logical distinction?
My thought is that fetish ware is specifically sexually oriented, there actually is no context other than an explicitly sexual one for that.

Plain old regular nudity OTOH isn't, there are any number of non-sexual circumstances where people might be naked that have no real sexual connotations. There is some cultural differences there but I would say almost all cultures have examples of this.

Our feelings about privacy and nudity tend to be around sexual nudity rather than nudity per se. When we feel awkward about non-sexual nudity it's really because of the association with sexual nudity.

MillyMollyFarmer · 25/08/2020 12:47

Its a totally exhibitionist thing to do, walkers still wear boots and socks, hats etc as someone mentioned. They are naked because they get a kick out of people who have not consented, being confronted with their genitals on display. There is no other reason for it as there are naturist areas they can use, their own property... to do so on a public walk when you know most people do not like it, is because there is a sexual fetish. I know naturists, they do not walk around naked everywhere and are mindful of others rights and boundaries. Anyone who does this isn't a naturist, they're a fetishist. As a keen rambler I would report a naked walker and I would tell them what I thought of their behaviour as well, unless I was on my own.