When does "flashing" become a first step towards nudism/naturism and at what point does it remain as exhibitionism?

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• JO

  

  John

  Nov 30, 2020

  I agree. But first, let's get some definitions straight.
  
  "Flashing" is an extension of "exhibitionism" which is all about being seen by others to get a sexual thrill. In nudism/naturism, that thrill is absent. That's the difference. Flashing usually involves a level of non-consent ... doing it without the viewers' permission, by surprise. So baring one's breasts in a Mardi Gras parade, in front of a crowd that expects to see it, would be exhibitionism, but it wouldn't be flashing. But doing it in a shopping mall, where nobody expects to see it, would be flashing. At least, that's how I understand the terms.
  
  In naturism, there is no element of surprise, and no intent to either get a sexual thrill or receive one. (There may be a sexual element there, as there is in other everyday, clothed circumstances, but that's the topic of another thread.) In social nudism, we enjoy seeing other people who are nude, and enjoy being seen by those people, but it's because we're sharing an experience of showing each other who we really are beneath our clothes, and of making physical contact with the world employing every sense we have.
  
  And I really don't see "flashing" as having any part of that, so I don't consider it a first step toward nudism.

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• FU

  

  FullSun

  Dec 1, 2020

  [quote]I think that flashing is usually the first step towards discovering nudism/naturism if one has not been previously introduced to the lifestyle by someone else. If flashing is for the purpose of just be "naughty" then I think it has nothing to do with nudism.[/quote] Id have to disagree with flashing usually being the first step. If you look through the many threads and groups on this site as well as some studies a very large number of nudists are or were originally closet or home nudists not involved in social nudism. For me it started as a freeing feeling of being comfortable at home and in my backyard.

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• NU

  nudeyooper

  Dec 1, 2020

  I tend to agree that flashing is using nudity to surprise someone who would not expect you to be nude. That does not mean that being caught nude is not a surprise, but the intent makes the difference. Answering the door to a stranger while nude would be flashing. Having a neighbor see you through the hedge or over the fence is being caught. Many of us will chance being caught because it is an inconvenience to get dressed for a brief run to the mailbox or to take the trash to the street. Doing it in daylight could be considered flashing.

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• ME

  Member

  Dec 1, 2020

  Naturalism/Nudism isn't about a surprise flash on a unsuspecting person showing of ones junk, strut ones stuff to gain some type of satisfaction . I personally fail to see where it is a any step to true nudism to flash and set yourself up just to be seen. Even when nudist are generally careful but do get "caught" it's not an intent to sport what they own.

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• ST

  

  Steven

  Dec 1, 2020

  First of all I would like to give the definitions of nudism and naturism!

  *NATURISM; Is living with nature. Clothing will only be used to protect against external influences, like there is wheater, protection against
  cold,
  or protection to heat or fire of whatever.
  When not needed clothing will not be used and that will give a great feeling of freedom.

  *NUDISM ; A nudist is not especially thinking about nature's rhythm.
  A true nudist is enjoying the freedom of nudety and has lost shame over his/her body and having a normal life like most of us but
  in the freedom of nudety.

  Conclusion ; A naturist is always a nudist, but a nudist is not necessary a naturist!
  One very important note is that nor nudist or naturist will shock fellow humans who are not aware!

  From this point out you can understand that "flashing" has nothing to do with naturism or nudism.
  Ofcourse it can always happen that one accidently flashes but those are accidents!
  Flashing is more an act of exhibitionism in an erotic way and has nothing in common with both others.

  In my personal opinion, and I do not want to offend anyone, the USA is as a wetern society most conservative in there opinions about nudety and educate children as if nudety is something to be ashamed of...
  In fact teaching your children that one of the most natural things in live is forbiddin.

  Those who see nudety, or even in some cultures partial nudety, as something bad are people who are constantly obsessed by erotism!
  Those are the people socity should be affraid of for sexual harassment.

  I myself feel most comfortable in a naturist village to leave my keys in the car or my wallet on a table because there is respect!

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• ST

  

  Steven

  Dec 2, 2020

  Indeed so, only few are real naturists

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 2, 2020

  BelgiumKnokke wrote: [quote]Indeed so, only few are real naturists[/quote] That's the paradox. You can have a person who likes to be nude, and likes to associate with other nude people, and evince no shame from being nude, but who would rather be in a nice warm room than in a campground or stretch of forest. And you've got people like John Muir, the naturalist, who would rather be out hiking in the woods than in the confines of society, but who would prefer to remain clothed under most circumstances. Their concept of being "one with nature" does not necessitate being naked, but their love of nature and its wonders is second to none. So a "naturist" is a "naturalist" who is also a "nudist. And there are people who are perfectly content to be nudists without being naturalists, and people who are perfectly content to be naturalists without being nudist. Where am I in this spectrum? I like being nude, and I like being in nature. I have so few opportunities for doing both that I hesitate to call myself a "naturist." But I certainly wouldn't turn down those opportunities if they are offered to me.

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• FR

  

  Frank

  Dec 2, 2020

  I always loved to be nude, but was never flashing. I never have any curtains drawn in my living room, but I don't parade nude near my windows. If people see me nude, then it's by accident. ( Not that I mind, but I never got any complaints) So, yes, flashing is a form of exhibitionism.

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• SA

  

  Savanah and TennStudOriginal Poster

  Dec 3, 2020

  I agree with what you wrote. Flashing could possibly be the first phase of someone becoming comfortable without covering up their bodies

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 3, 2020

  TennStud wrote: [quote]I agree with what you wrote. Flashing could possibly be the first phase of someone becoming comfortable without covering up their bodies[/quote] I rather doubt that. If by "flashing" you mean "exposing yourself to others who may or may not want to see you that way," I'd say it's the first step to exhibitionism. You don't become comfortable at the expense of making others uncomfortable. That's totally contrary to what nudism is about.

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• ME

  Member

  Dec 6, 2020

  Never!! Flashing is never the first step towards nudism/ naturism!!

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• GU

  

  Guzzi27

  Dec 6, 2020

  No way is flashing an entry into nudism/naturism. It is exhibitionism with the aim to get a sexual kick out of shocking/upsetting others.
  If that is what the OP genuinely thinks then he has a warped sense of what naturism is all about.

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• ST

  

  Steve

  Dec 7, 2020

  I'm not so sure there is never a crossover. I could see someone trying flashing in the exuberance of youth only to go on to and settle into nudism or even naturism as they mature.

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• ME

  Member

  Dec 20, 2020

  I agree, flashing has no relativity with nudism in any form and is a whole different thrill altogether. I do disagree with the statement of there being no thrill in nudism or naturalism. I myself get thrilled at being naked with others but do not get an erection, it is just not that kind of thrill. Where I live it is hard to gather with others in the nude in a public setting. That may be why I get excited and it may be the same for others that share my dilemma. Not to say I have not attended nude venues, I have, but it just remains exciting to be nude at all for me So if you get excited at being nude around others and your not humping legs like a puppy, get out there and do it more.

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 20, 2020

  barein10tions wrote: [quote]I do disagree with the statement of there being no thrill in nudism or naturalism. I myself get thrilled at being naked with others but do not get an erection, it is just not that kind of thrill.[/quote] I can relate to that. I get thrilled about a lot of things that have nothing to do with sex ... a roller-coaster ride, a sunset, a symphony playing classical music (particularly if I'm in the auditorium), singing with other people, and so on. It would be a sad world indeed if the only thrills were sexual ones. But I don't think that equates to the thrill a person might have when he's flashing. That's either a sexual thrill or a hyper-egotistic thrill, particularly since it's the shock value of discomfiting other people that is the core of that activity.

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• ST

  

  Steve

  Dec 22, 2020

  When leaving Sunnyside CO breach on Monday, I passed a woman sitting in a rock fully clothed in a sundress and a hat. She was on the CO side of the sign by about 10m. Unlike most other visitors who dress before leaving I like to savour those last few minutes by staying nude to the sign and even beyond if 'safe' to do so and certainty did this time. We also said 'Hi' to each other.

  Part of that was me being determined to be a confident and friendly nudist but there was a little feeling of exhibitionism in walking past her even if she had tacitly invited it by sitting inside the zone. (She may have chosen that position just for the location; who's to know? If she was there for voyeurism, I was happy to provide the opportunity.) It wasn't flashing, since I in no way surprised her, but to me the situation was not totally off that spectrum.

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 23, 2020

  SunnysideSteve wrote:[quote] If she was there for voyeurism, I was happy to provide the opportunity.) It wasn't flashing, since I in no way surprised her, but to me the situation was not totally off that spectrum.[/quote] That wasn't flashing. If it was totally consensual with the viewer, then it was exhibitionism, in my book. I'm sure that there are a lot of exhibitionists in our group, enjoying being viewed while nude. If they're not making a big thing of it and disturbing other people, what's the harm? As I've said elsewhere, I'm not going to go around policing what's in other people's heads.

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• ST

  

  StevieLorna

  Dec 24, 2020

  If you have a problem distinguishing exhibitionism from naturism then you are an exhibitionist not a naturist. Its that simple.

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 24, 2020

  StevieLorna wrote: [quote]If you have a problem distinguishing exhibitionism from naturism then you are an exhibitionist not a naturist. Its that simple.[/quote] I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, as long as the people involved all understand what's going on and approve of it. I enjoy playing music. I enjoy doing it in front of other people, and letting them enjoy it, too. I don't mind when people are looking at me, studying my hands on a fretboard or keyboard to see what I'm doing. That's not my intent when I'm playing, but if it heightens their own appreciation for the music, I approve. Similarly, if a person tells me that he or she gets a sexual thrill from showing their bodies to me, but isn't coming on to me or making me uncomfortable, I see no harm in it.

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• TO

  

  Tony

  Dec 24, 2020

  [quote]StevieLorna wrote: If you have a problem distinguishing exhibitionism from naturism then you are an exhibitionist not a naturist. Its that simple. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, as long as the people involved all understand what's going on and approve of it. I enjoy playing music. I enjoy doing it in front of other people, and letting them enjoy it, too. I don't mind when people are looking at me, studying my hands on a fretboard or keyboard to see what I'm doing. That's not my intent when I'm playing, but if it heightens their own appreciation for the music, I approve. Similarly, if a person tells me that he or she gets a sexual thrill from showing their bodies to me, but isn't coming on to me or making me uncomfortable, I see no harm in it.[/quote] While both types of individuals are nude, their motivations are different. Being comfortable with your nudity is not the same, as needing to expose yourself for sexual thrills or gratification. While I don't have a problem with someone seeing me nude, I don't have a need to be seen nude.

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• ST

  

  StevieLorna

  Dec 24, 2020

  Woodsman please re-read what I typed.

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 25, 2020

  Roadtravelled wrote:[quote] While both types of individuals are nude, their motivations are different. Being comfortable with your nudity is not the same, as needing to expose yourself for sexual thrills or gratification. While I don't have a problem with someone seeing me nude, I don't have a need to be seen nude.[/quote] Well said. That's a critical distinction.

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• JO

  

  John

  Dec 25, 2020

  StevieLorna wrote:[quote]Woodsman please re-read what I typed.[/quote] I have done so. As usual, I think we're not so far apart in our thinking. My point is that I don't have any problem with a person getting a thrill out of either seeing other naked people or being seen naked by other people, as long as they don't make an issue of it or change their behavior towards me because of it. I don't care what goes on inside their heads, nor do I feel a need to police it. I remember sharing a hot tub many years ago with some Scandinavian women who were touring the US as part of an athletic program. I couldn't help but admire their perfectly shaped and toned bodies, and found myself fantasizing about getting to know them in a more "Biblical" way. Was that voyeurism? By one definition, it was. But my behavior toward them was utterly correct; we talked about their sport, and how the tour was going, and what the differences were between the way it was practiced here versus in Europe. And did they enjoy displaying their bodies to the rest of us? It's possible. But they were never more than friendly in their deportment; if they got any thrill from it, they kept it to themselves. And that's the way it should be. None of us are perfect. As long as we are sexual animals, we will find eroticism in many places in our social lives. If a "perfect nudist" is one who never, never displays the slightest tendency toward voyeurism or exhibitionism, and purges every vestige of those "perversions" from their minds, then I don't want to be a "perfect nudist." But I try to be a perfect gentleman.

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