What is normal

Replies

• RT

  

  Reuben Titus

  Jul 7, 2018

  Normal is majority influenced. But has nothing to do with right or wrong. Nude was normal in Eden. Do we want to go back there? I sure do.

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• FU

  

  FullSun

  Jul 7, 2018

  Define normal.

  Something normal to one person or group may not and probably isnt to another person or group. A normal breakfast for me is cereal and milk while for others it is eggs, bacon, and coffee and Im sure it is something different in other cultures etc. Normal work attire might be suits while others would say jeans or shorts or possibly even a bathing suit. My point is how can anyone say nudity is not normal? It just means its not something *they* do.

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• MI

  

  Michael

  Jul 7, 2018

  [quote]Normal is majority influenced.[/quote]
  If options are available, normal defines the average choice. All other options are deviations.
  Exclusion from the statistical equation is necessary, or else criticism ruins your day,

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• ST

  

  Steve

  Jul 7, 2018

  I think something is normal unless it's remarkable or unexpected. Going to church on Sunday mornings is normal; so is sleeping in, or going to the hardware store. Going to the office, not so much. Getting a speeding ticket or stubbing a toe are normal. Getting a littering ticket or jabbing yourself with scissors are not normal. Wearing a towel in the locker room is normal, and so is being naked. When "normal" is used to imply a judgement, it really indicates nothing more than what the speaker expects and wants.

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• MA

  

  ManOfWicklow

  Jul 7, 2018

  [quote] Going to church on Sunday mornings is normal; so is sleeping in or going to the hardware store.[/quote]I've never slept in a hardware store.

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• AL

  

  Al

  Jul 7, 2018

  I think that what might be irksome to OP is peoples' implication that what is abnormal (going nude) is somehow improper. Yes, normal describes what a majority does or thinks (eg the bell curve is also called the normal curve). Some abnormal things can pose problems, the vast majority do not But to people who value convention or conformity, departures from normal are always to be discouraged.

  Going nude socially or even alone all day at home is not normal if considered statistically in Western society. But what a simple pleasure it is for you and me. Viva la abnormal!

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• AT

  

  atldavis

  Jul 7, 2018

  One of my favorite sayings is "Normal is just a setting on the dryer".

  There was a time in my life when I was obsessed with being considered normal, accepted, part of the gang... It's a powerful urge to be accepted! Gradually I realized that being "normal" was taking a big toll on me being who I am. I've loosened up a lot over the years, and embracing nudism is a part of that. I try to never offend, but I am a lot less worried about what others think of me. It's been very liberating.

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• ST

  

  Steve

  Jul 7, 2018

  I've never slept in a hardware store.[/quote] OK - I'll give you the comma: sleeping in, or going to the hardware store

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• ME

  Member

  Jul 7, 2018

  There is a new normal everyday, it seems.
  The classic response is "why be normal?"

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• NU

  nudeyooper

  Jul 7, 2018

  We are social beings and as a result of that socialization, we have developed a culture. When Columbus landed in the Caribbean he found the natives to live without clothing, normal for them. As their culture changed with the influence of Europeans they too began to be clothed, something new but normal. We now find ourselves with a nudist subculture that is spread through a world in which the culture calls for clothing as more than just protection from the elements. So this subculture is not considered normal. Now if we were to all choose to live in the same region and the climate was suitable, the nudist culture could prevail, be normal, and clothed people would be seen as not normal. So you might say that normal is what your friends and neighbors say it is. Most of would like more naked friends and neighbors so we really could be considered normal.

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• FU

  

  FullSun

  Jul 8, 2018

  [quote]If options are available, normal defines the average choice. All other options are deviations. Exclusion from the statistical equation is necessary, or else criticism ruins your day,[/quote] Average of what group though? All humans, all US citizens, Europeans, all the people on your block, all the people at your nudist resort, TN members, etc. if you were to ask if nudity is normal of these different groups the average will vary.

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• BR

  

  Brian

  Jul 8, 2018

  We live in a world where nothing is "normal" anymore. So don't be afraid to be who you are and enjoy it.

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• ME

  Member

  Jul 8, 2018

  What society dictates as "normal" is socially constructed and varies depending on region of a country/country, etc. I knew I was never "normal" growing up and I've been embracing my weirdness (people who are close to me like my weirdness). I think it makes me special.

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• ER

  

  Eric/Reina

  Jan 28, 2020

  I found this thread as I was searching for another frequently asked question. It is an interesting thought. I know my normal is changing as time goes by.

  I have been in groups of people that at some point someone will bring up some situation where a state of dress is brought up. When I just shrug when others show disgust, I am not normal. There have been times when the conversation turns to nudity; it would be ok as long as everyone is appealing to them. Again I just shrug and have added in that I have seen old, overweight, men and women. What does it matter? I will get that look from the corner of their eye, suggesting I am not normal. Somehow no one has pressed the question as to how or why have I seen these people. They just think it is strange that I dont care.

  I know that many people will not consider being naked in front of others. what I do not get is how people push their ideas (or is it their fears) of normal on to other people.

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• ME

  Member

  Jan 29, 2020

  I was looking thru all the posts on this subject, I agree with most but wanted to add another thing or two, when we first started being social nudists we were scared, nervous etc, Over time we not only spoke to others naked, we shook hands, then before long we would hug other naked people and get a light kiss from good friends, now, remember when we first started we couldn't hardly speak to others and ended up hugging and kissing others, WE also was scared to death the first time we were around a nudist child, Now we greet them with the same hello as we would anyone else
  So over a period of time our "normal" has changed somewhat
  
  T&D

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• KB

  

  Kbarnh1

  Jan 29, 2020

  Very true...(we) I went through the same things... it took us about 4to 5 yrs before we started hugging friends...

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• KE

  

  Kevin

  Jan 30, 2020

  Quite a few here started to expand on the "norm" because they know it's a little more complex: there are societal norms, generational norms, and laws. Societal norms are those that you see all around you and that we've noticed every day since we become cognizant humans. These are often, but not always, emphasized by generational norms - the norms you were taught (in verbal and non-verbal ways) by your parents because those norms were taught to them by their parents. Societies band together and often by shared societal and generational norms established laws, because that's what evolving civilizations do in order to protect an established way of life.

  Whether right, wrong, archaic, skewed politically, or religiously biased, norms have defined that in most cultures people wear clothes both outside and inside of their homes on a daily bases, and often laws have been established to be in alignment with these norms.

  Right or wrong, many of us follow these norms: I don't attempt to drive to and then enter my place of employment naked because there are laws against that behavior as well as there being a tremendous amount of judgement and retribution by those people around me should I attempt to do so - even if it were legal to do so it would be so far from the norm that my co-workers and employer would look at me in a different manner and it would impact my interactions with these people as well as probably result in my loss of employment.

  Change is slow, and you can't change laws overnight nor can you change societal and generational norms quickly and easily just because your norm is different. Change comes with education and acceptance, so we need to start with being open to others as nudists that this is a viable and healthy lifestyle, and only when society sees that we as people who participate in nudist lifestyle are valued members of our society can we then begin to educate people about nudism - once the dialogue begins and we are accepted in spite of a different lifestyle we can begin to move forward in effecting change...

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• ER

  

  Eric/Reina

  Jan 30, 2020

  Great post Kevin

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• KE

  

  Kevin

  Jan 31, 2020

  Thanks emazing - keep me in check!

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• EA

  

  EarlD

  Feb 1, 2020

  Don't societies determine what is normal based on thenormsthey establish. If you follow social norms society considers you normal. if you don't you are not according to society.

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• DE

  

  dennis

  Feb 1, 2020

  Normal is what the majority does. That itself does not make it the only allowable way to observe living. The same as laws are made by the majority to disallow what they deem incorrect behaviors. Because something is not expressly permitted does not mean is is not. Nudity/naturalism is permitted unless stated. Social norms need to be learned. Training that nudity is bad is an incorrect teaching. As with all life, their are places and times for everything positive. Nudist/naturism is positive.

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• BA

  

  Barefoot5977

  Feb 1, 2020

  My take, normal is what society expects, conformity! I think nudity is complete natural in many common circumstances that are not normal to general society. Totally stupid to put clothes on to swim, as an example. Personally dont give a tinkers damn what society thinks is normal, I comply with the law cause I must, dont like it! Just a personality trait of my ISTP nature, I guess. Could be why I go lots of places barefoot when no one else is, it drives them nuts!

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• TI

  

  Tim

  Feb 1, 2020

  A lot of good points made here. Normal for me is like most of you, doing what I want how I want to do it. Nude is just a comfortable way to live.

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• DI

  

  Dirk

  Mar 15, 2020

  A setting on your dryer ! That's all it is !

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