In Dallas, land of form-fitted denim jeans, cowboy boots and ten gallon hats, a natural question to ask is why au naturel? While political leanings at times lean towards the liberal left, values and societal standards in Texas in general and Dallas specifically have a definite conservative bent.

The idea of baring it all in a mixed social setting can always be depended on to raise more than a few eyebrows. Nudism for many is inextricably linked to the sexual. There are a couple of reasons first this.

Many people mistakenly identify nudism with another and completely separate sexual-based counterculture, swinging. Swingers, like most people likely get naked to have sex but that is where the similarity with nudism ends. In a similar fashion, the proliferation of pornography is often a cause for non-nudists to view nudists as a seedy, sexually permissive group. Yet again, the fact that both involve nudity is the only commonality.  Traditional nudist values are wholesome and empowering.

Similarities between nudist and clothed social gatherings are good deal more similar than they are different. Social nudity is definitely not the sexually charged atmosphere that some might expect. The truth is, seeing someone dressed in a skimpy bikini at the beach or looking at scantily attired women frequently seen running outdoors or exercising at the local gym is far more titillating than anything a person would experience while visiting a nudist club.

There are noticeable differences that one observes when nudists socialize together. Social masks tend to come off with the clothing. Nudists tend to connect on a deeper and more positive level as a result. People often "dress to impress" and the absence of clothing levels the playing field. There is also a lot more eye-to-eye contact that occurs in social nudity encounters than in clothed ones. Nudists enjoy being nude for the physical and psychological benefits, not because they receive gratification from being seen nude by others or looking at other naked people. Gawking is taboo. It is just as rude to stare in nudist circles as anywhere else.

In appropriate circumstances, being naked is simply more comfortable, freeing and relaxing than what can be experienced while wearing restrictive clothing or soggy bathing attire. The enjoyment of simple pleasures like swimming, sunbathing and hiking on a nature trail is magnified by the absence of clothing.

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