Problems and progress with reluctant and difficult partners.

[nudewalker]

It reminds me of a time in Phoenix; it was just after Labor Day and we were staying in a swanky resort. Being extremely hot it was decided that we would take a late night refreshing swim in one of the secluded hillside pools. Being alone it did not take too much encouragement to get the misses to join in skinnydipping. Alone there is no problem but social nudity is still a no go.

However, being that we have a rather large SUV a group of ladies (including the misses) asked if I would be their chauffeur to a luncheon as they could ride as a gang, drink at the bar, not worry about spring break traffic and talk. Driving through the small beach communities remarks were made concerning young girls walking to the beach in thongs, guys with their underware sticking out of their board shorts and a few women that one lady felt shouldn't wear a bikini. When asked my opinion before I could answer my wife said he could care less if they were naked. So began the discussion as to why Americans are so hung up on nudity. Other than the woman who made the remark my wife and I were the only other Americans. The rest of the group consisted of a Canadian who has spent much time in Europe as a military wife, an English woman, one from Germany and a French woman who married a Canadian. As the conversation progressed (and I mostly listened) it became obvious that although all but the German and myself would have no problem being nude only the American would be against it for everyone else!

The conversation on the way home was as interesting when it became political. I won't go into details here but it was an interesting take as to how they view their politicians.

[jbeegoode]

Did any insight, or novel hypothesis as to "why Americans are so hung up on nudity" appear?
Were Americans accepted in their tendency toward impositions on others, or was there any disdain, or some laughter toward them, or....?
Did the foreigners find your positivism about nudity un-American-like?
Are you, and/or the German outed to your wife's girlfriends?

Thongs...I've always found the concept of a thong, which barely covers the line of a waist belt, being less risque than a g-string kinda goofy. Maybe they don't get twisted as easily as strings do. What's the point of te extra material?
Jbee

[nuduke]

Wearing such a skimpy garment is something that is best done as the sun sets...
Cue music...
"Just a Thong at Twilight............"

John

[JOhnGw]

Wearing such a skimpy garment is something that is best done as the sun sets...
Cue music...
"Just a Thong at Twilight............"

John

Groan.

[nudewalker]

Insights Jbee? Plenty of them from the Puritan upbringing to televangelists warping American minds. We went through the whole gambit of European to American attitudes starting with nudity and ending with obesity. It was a shame we arrived at the restaurant when we did as we had just started our nude at home discussion. Before that it was generally accepted that the German lady and myself would find being naked on the beach preferable to a suit or costume. The others including my misses said they couldn't be nude but may consider topless; but have no problem with others being nude. The other American stood her ground with the usual arguments (like what about the children) but was shut down by the others.

As for being outed; there is a kind of unwritten rule here that if you are accepting of company leave your main door open and just the storm door is closed. We don't have that many walking our level but we have been asked at times why is your door closed? We have admitted to the fact that since we sleep nude there is a preference to stay that way until we dress for the days activities. So there are at least seven people who we have been outed to by ourselves.

Yesterday's beach day was interesting to say the least. I found a section frequented by more Europeans and older age group that are not hung up on body stereotypes. For some reason a man shows up with two kids in tow. He was followed by his wife in a full head to toe covering. After settling in I heard the young daughter ask "Mommy, where is your swimsuit?". I never heard the answer but had to wonder why the man brought his family to this section of beach? Other than the fact without any children nearby that would reduce interaction.

[nuduke]

Interesting occurrence this afternoon.
I had bought my wife a few little gifts for Mothers Day including, as hinted, a jigsaw!  We haven't done one for years - we have done maybe 4-6 since 1986.  I am specific with the date as she first started doing them as a 'fancy' during first pregnancy.  I trust her whimsy to do another recently doesn't mean anything!!!

Anyway, today being a quiet day having been dashing around the country yesterday, she decided to make a start on this jigsaw (Windsor Castle 1000 piece).
Needless to say as she progressed, I got sucked in.  Y'know....you are passing by and see a side bit and try to match it up and before you know where you are an hour has passed!  We stopped for a nice lunch  and then she returned to the table and after a few chores (What chores?  I'll have a gin & tonic!) I re-joined her for a bit more puzzling but soon got bored and feeling the need to be naked. 

I was only wearing 2 garments so, sitting at the table I slowly slid my shorts off under the table as I fitted pieces with my other hand.  As her concentration grew I simply slipped off my shirt - she was sitting not 3 feet away and didn't notice!  I continued jigsawing naked, bobbing up and down to get a piece here and there and she just didn't notice in her intense concentration on the puzzle.  Eventually after a few minutes I stood and started walking round the table looking (ostensibly!) for a piece I wanted.  I was bollock naked and she could not have failed to have noticed.  But unusually she said nothing at all apart from odd little normal remarks on e.g. where the next piece might be!  I averred boredom with the recreation and walked back along the room, collected my clothes, waved them around a bit and told her I was off to my study to do other stuff.  Still no recognition of my nudity.  So I popped off and fired up my PC to report this to you guys.  In a short time, I will go back to her naked as I have left my phone on the table there and see what transpires - tune in soon for the next exciting instalment.

John

[Davie]

I hate jigsaws!  - That's what I tell Mrs D, yet I spent a happy afternoon doing part of her jigsaw. She's having a bit of trouble seeing at the moment having had a cataract op and her current specs are no longer the right prescription. ..  and the clothes were off

Davie 

[nudewalker]

I agree with you Davie; I would never begin one myself but cannot resist the temptation to fill in a few pieces when passing by the table. My misses would not be naked as she complains she gets cold just sitting still. Now to wait on the next exciting installment of Nuduke!

[jbeegoode]

Wow, that is concentration, focus!

Last year, DF dug out a few that she had had for decades that she had bought when they were old. Smack in the middle of her livingroom on the card table, I couldn't avoid the damn things, getting sucked in several times. They were done as nude of course. At De Anza Resort, she fell into one in the activity/TV room. There can often be found several naked people there, strangers, completely lost in these joint projects.

One thing that I enjoy when the devil takes over, is to walk up when someone is stuck and quickly pop in a few pieces, then walk away.
Jbee

[nuduke]

Well, episode 2 was hilarious.  About half an hour later I went downstairs again as I had some stuff to discuss.  I was still naked and I got her tut tutting as usual.  After donning a garment, and after some further conversation I asked her why she had not done her usual disapproving performance when I was naked earlier on.  "Were you?" she asked.  I described the whole session as per below. Although I am sure she looked up several times from the jigsaw, she said she just hadn't noticed due to her concentration on the puzzle.  I can believe this - very tenacious with all manner of tasks, my wife.  I asked her if she really hadn't noticed and she averred quite sincerely that she hadn't.  Damn!  I thought I'd got away with a bit of spousal progress... but I was invisible it turns out! 
   [Cut to the Nuduke House]
   John: "So, darling, it's come to this...is it me or the jigsaw?"
   [Wife looks up / dramatic full close up - she is obviously in two minds - Cue soap opera theme tune ]
   [News and Weather]

[jbeegoode]

People so focused as to render us invisible! As they drive their cars, raking lawns, watching games on TV, movie theaters and talkative hikers dodging rocks. This makes me think what else could we be missing as we mind our own business.
Jbee

[JOhnGw]

You have reminded me of the famous invisible gorilla video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo

[nudewalker]

I wish you did not mention the gorilla but then lost count. It does go to prove a point; people are so wrapped up in their own thoughts they miss the naked guy standing beside them!

[jbeegoode]

Generally, men more than women. I remember the study comparing. Men and women were left in a room with a pile of objects on a desk. The women saw it and remembered all, the men remembered/noticed very little. Better focus, gave loss of bigger detailed picture.

Then there are those of us which are so wrapped up in our heads that the immediate awareness dissipates.
Jbee

[nudewalker]

Last night was one of those go figure moments. If you have been following me on any site you know that my wife, although she seldom joins me, has never mentioned having a problem with my nude adventures. In fact she has enjoyed the stories and pictures that I often share after dinner over a glass of wine.

My adventures lately have involved kayaking to small islands to enjoy sun and fun. So imagine my surprise when telling her of efforts to establish a nude beach she said "Its too beautiful for that". I did explain that it was not the whole beach and the place is big enough for a section to be set aside. The conversation changed some almost to the point of being accusatory that there were other motives for me to support such a thing as a nude beach. Anyway, I wrote it off as the wine talking and a little bit of the fact that health reasons prevent her from accompanying me. Retail therapy and dinner out may change the mood. But then this morning she tells her sister to call before stopping over so we can get dressed.