What are the attitudes towards nudity in different countries? (schools, live)

[Trimac20]

Also how is it like in your own country?


In Australia, I'd say we're somewhat 'shy', although maybe less so than the US. Nude beaches aren't uncommon, I've been a few times, and no one really bats an eye-lid at topless women. I don't even see breasts sexually in some contexts, I honestly think society makes us think of them as sex objects.

I'd say it's most acceptable in Northern Europe, France and of course some 'primitive' societies.

In Northeast Asia, Korea, Japan and China, modesty is valued but nude bathing/saunas seems pretty common and there isn't as much shock towards nudity as in the US or the UK.

I'd say the most prudish nations are of course the Islamic nations, then South Asia (I saw a short film about prostitutes in Calcutta and they were dressed like normal Indian women. When potential customers walked by they would lift up their ankle-length skirts to show their underwear ).

After that the UK, US, which Australia being in between the US and the rest. But then again, maybe we're the same as the US. Showers in swimming pools are open, yet in schools and stuff there are often cubicles and stuff for showers.

I personally don't see nudity as that big a deal, really.

[SophieLL]

we are very shy compared to europe.

I guess in Europe is just much more accepted, like in the beachs in spain or in france. Here there are some nudity beaches, but if you do topless in a Mar del Plata crowded beach, you are sure gonna get some dirty looks.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

In Northeast Asia, Korea, Japan and China, modesty is valued but nude bathing/saunas seems pretty common and there isn't as much shock towards nudity as in the US or the UK.

It's common for same gender. But, almost unheard of for opposite gender.

The few mixed gender onsens that exist in Japan...and they are very very few...are mostly enjoyed by older Japanese. You'd be hard-pressed to find young Japanese women who would feel comfortable in a mixed-gender onsen.

[Chava61]

I believe in Israel there are none or perhaps 1-2 max. nude beaches as it is not really acceptable culturally or socially.

[dunno what to put here]

There's a small minority of people in the UK who are super-duper offended by nudity and will complain about anything related to nudity.

But I think the majority don't mind a bit of nudity. I remember not long ago there was a group of naked cyclists traveling around the UK and nobody seemed to be offended by it. It was pretty funny actually, if a little odd.

[irish_bob]

Originally Posted by dunno what to put here

There's a small minority of people in the UK who are super-duper offended by nudity and will complain about anything related to nudity.

But I think the majority don't mind a bit of nudity. I remember not long ago there was a group of naked cyclists traveling around the UK and nobody seemed to be offended by it. It was pretty funny actually, if a little odd.

the brits are good at making a funny joke out of nudity in order to feel comfortable , see benny hill , carry on or page thre , i suspect the aussies are something similar

i perfer that to the ultra liberal , completley indifferent mainland european approach or the puritanical american attitude , the brits have it about right

[Dave Coe]

America is a strange country in regards to its attitude about nudity and sexuality. On one hand we have all this hardcore porn and promiscuity but on the other we have very uptight attidue about nudity. It is very taboo to be naked in front of someone unless they are your sex partner.

[robertpolyglot]

When you say nudity, I'm assuming you mean public nudity.

The United States is intolerant of it, for the most part. Southern California does NOT tolerate it, but Northern California does, with nude beaches being fairly common on the central and north coast (Brrrrr). There is a nudist section on Miami Beach called Haulover, presumably to accommodate travelers from more liberal parts of the world, and the US. Hey, if there's a dollar to be made...

In the Mediterranean, you get the typical Southern European Catholic/Greek Orthodox mentality of "live and let live" and "we're all saved anyway." The Mediterranean countries know what side their bread is buttered on (Euros), and just look the other way while the tourists party on.

[Dave Coe]

Northern California beaches are probably one of the last place you would want to be nude. Thats why most people where wet suits to swim in water.

[dizzybint]

Well they say its liberating.. not for me though. never been keen on getting clothes off on a beach, never mind nude.. oh god just the thought of it... the place would evacuate if I did it...