Is the word "Naturist" bad PR?
I've often wondered if the use of the word Naturist or Nudist, is something that puts some people off from taking the leap or telling others?
Although I identify as a naturist, I'm not one that feels the need to be naked all the time; I do spend the whole of late spring/summer thinking "I wish I didn't have to wear anything"....but I definitely don't feel like I need to watch TV naked whilst in the depths of winter.
I think about the German FKK designation; Free body culture, which seems to fit me better than "naturist" in a lot of ways. The term naturist or nudist will receive smirks and giggles if mentioned to textiles, is it because it's more of an old fashioned term dogged by the "Nudist colony" Carry on Camping view? The view that we're all weirdos and pervs? For the younger generation particularly (look up the recent studies by ipsos on nudity), they like to be naked but don't really want to be part of the "colony" as such. Would marketing social nudity be best served in the UK as "Free Body Movement" or "Clothes Free"? Think of it as a rebranding, but it should also extend to the facilities we have here, to get away from the very formal, structured rules around memberships, committee meetings and old fashioned pass times..... I'd rather have an afternoon chilling out at the club with a med holiday vibe, than be expected to join in with volleyball and maintaining the premises.
Long post .... I've been up since 5 and had lots on my mind!