This sign got me to thinking....

[HairlessNude]

I agree that the word "people" seems like a more common & friendly word than the phrase "human beings."

There is an absolute expectation that some of the signs would be taken down & may have to be replaced occasionally. The hunting club I belong to has "posted signs" printed up on vinyl with the club info on them. I'm planning to try to locate a company to print these clothing optional signs on vinyl on a roll like you can buy posted signs. If they can be purchased cheap enough, they could be replaced when needed until the area gets a reputation for being clothing optional.

Not trying to make money off the idea, but if I could get signs printed in a large enough quantity & sell them, I might be able to get the price to be very affordable. People could use the signs for the purpose we have discussed here or just use them to post their private property. Do you think there might be enough interest by other naturists/nudists?

Here's the latest revision of the sign:

Clothing Optional Area

************************************************************************************

Beyond this sign people may be seen

enjoying this land with or without clothes

You are welcome to do the same

************************************************************************************

[reubenT]

the fewer the words the cheaper the sign.        How bout  "nudity irrelevant zone"

[Greenbare Woods]

A black on white sign is probably better.  Red is harder or more expensive to print, and most red dyes fade quickly.  My black sign is a couple of years old already and still looks good. 

I used a heat sealed plastic cover process for the sign. 



Bob

[Davie]

As  a matter of pure interest and semantics I note that the sign originally said naturist not nudist which I think is more an American term which from a UK perspective is great. I then noticed that others had put "Clothing Optional" whereas I'd immediately and without thinking put "Clothes Optional" Is that a UK verses an American thing.

I'm not complaining or making a case for one in preference to another, just a mildly curious thought?

Davie   

[Greenbare Woods]

As  a matter of pure interest and semantics I note that the sign originally said naturist not nudist which I think is more an American term which from a UK perspective is great. I then noticed that others had put "Clothing Optional" whereas I'd immediately and without thinking put "Clothes Optional" Is that a UK verses an American thing.

I'm not complaining or making a case for one in preference to another, just a mildly curious thought?

Davie 

See my rant above, Davie.   The words "nudist" o "naturist" are both identifiers of a kind of person, someone that the pubic can call "kooks" or "others."   That "...ist" language creates a subgroup identity.  I lobby to make naked bodies acceptable and common enough for everyone, not just to "them," those "...ists."

The term "clothing optional" refers to the clothes, not to the people who don't have clothes.  It is inclusive rather than exclusive.  It allows everyone to participate rather than those silly or strange "...ists" over there.  Inclusive language is very important if we want to mainstream a general acceptance of human beings. 

Bob

[JOhnGw]

That is a good point which Bob is making.
All "ist" and "ism" tags tend to label people as a separate and potential clannish sect.
The guv'ner of the pub with nude camping in the field behind it where we used to weekend when we lived in London called us "nuddies."
He was definitely one of us and was naked almost all the time that he wasn't "front of house."

[jbeegoode]

These signs, if official looking signs, might inform a person wrongly that they are in a legally nude area. The outcome of action by authority might be changed, if authority realized the nude had been misinformed. These signs might make an excuse. Arrest might change to, "Hey, okay, just get dressed." A get out of jail free card.

Anyone overtly objecting to nudity would be confused, AND maybe keep their mouth shut.

These seem reasonable. How many people actually go to the trouble to read statutes, but instead just assume? How, many of those would trust an official looking signage? The personality would obey signs, I suspect.

This could be a whole new spin on the craft, an insurance policy.

In the meantime, considering how few people actually do object to nudity, it would very well encourage others to spend time there and increase acceptance of clothing optional use.

How about a fake codification on the bottom, "By order of such and such"? Probably illegal, various penalties, maybe severe, or maybe
just addressed as a prank. Maybe that would tick off the authorities and they would feel a need to put something official out there?
jbee

[Davie]

How about a fake codification on the bottom, "By order of such and such"? Probably illegal, various penalties, maybe severe, or maybe
just addressed as a prank. Maybe that would tick off the authorities and they would feel a need to put something official out there?
jbee

A prime example of this is "Trespassers will be prosecuted" They can't, except in limited circumstances like going on military laand as tresspass is a civil matter whilst prosecution is part of the criminal justice system

Davie 

[jbeegoode]

That's curious to me. Trespass can be criminal in this state, if due warning has been established, like a sign, the property owner wants to prosecute, generally people just leave. It is only civil if there is ingress, egress, blocking, property rights in dispute, etc.
Jbee

[Peter S]

Just finish ff the sign with "By Order" - don't need to say whose order. most people are wary enough of authority not to question it ;O)

peter

[eyesup]

However I'm becoming less comfortable calling ourselves "nudists" or "naturists."   Both of those terms describe a subgroup of people who are somehow different from regular people.

I am with you on this, Bob. My wife sometimes refers to me, regarding my naked activities, as a "free spirit". I suppose I should ask her exactly what she means when she says that. I have an idea about the meaning and it may not be the same as hers, or anyone else's for that matter.

I've always considered myself simply independent even before I started naked hikes.

Duane

[nuduke]

as tresspass is a civil matter whilst prosecution is part of the criminal justice system

Well well, in my pit of lazy naivety, that's a distinction I have never realised needed making. Like your precision, Davie!

So, in genuine interest, have you a more accurate term - I can't think of what the right word would be if 'prosecuted' is not usable? Trespassers will be sued?  Trespassers will be injoined?

John

[Davie]

Prosecution takes place in a criminal court with the burden of proof being "beyond reasonable doubt" and includes case like theft, murder, fraud and motoring offences etc. etc. Civil case are as you may anticipate tried in a civil court were the test is "balance of probability and these include libel, damages for loss or injury and tresspass etc. etc.

At least that's the position in the UK. I guess the correct terminology is trespasses will be actioned but of course the use of the word "prosecute" is to deter people from committing a tresspass.

Davie 

[Greenbare Woods]

At least that's the position in the UK. I guess the correct terminology is trespasses will be actioned but of course the use of the word "prosecute" is to deter people from committing a tresspass.

Davie 

The UK has the "right to ramble" which is not part of US law.  Trespass is a criminal offense in most of the US.  The laws on private property here are pretty strong.  If open land is posted (and there are legal requirements for posting), and fenced (a legal "fence" must have at least 4 wires, not 3 as is often used for cows around here) then it becomes a criminal act to wander around on someone else's land without permission.  It is only rarely ever prosecuted. The plods have better things to do, and the land owner has to complain and be willing to go to court -- a big waste of time.   

Trespass is more likely to be prosecuted when they find a bugler in some building, but who hasn't stolen anything yet.  So they slap him with "criminal trespass" and arrest him. 

Much of the land in my area is fenced and posted.  "Posted!  No Trespassing No Hunting"   So much land is posted that finding places to ramble gets difficult. 

Bob

[Davie]

We are very fortunate with open access land and lots of public footpaths. Open access has not always been available. It took the mass trespass on Kinder Scout to get changes, See here for the story.

Scotland is different again with no public footpaths shown on open land as access is wider with exceptions against crossing crops and entering gardens etc.

Davie