Nudist=Exhibitionist?

A Healthy Attitude to Face Body
Translated by Chew Tok Hwa
Interviewed by Bryan Lai Theim Wah
Published by Nanyang Press in Malaysia in 8th Nov 2016

Chew, a master degree holder in Human Sexuality Studies first came across naturism in Taiwan. She recalls feeling both excitement and palpitation for her first foray during the beginning of winter in 2012. With a spark and a smile she says she felt liberated and being as one with nature.

Fast forward to 2014. A naturist friend with good intentions uploaded a video of their outings to the net and it went viral for all the wrong reasons. 10 of them were arrested and charged in court. They had no chance of being heard and naturism had a misunderstood episode in Malaysia.

The incident also brought awareness on naturism to this part of the world. It is the right time to present naturism as a positive way of life.

Ms Chew says naturism and the most common activity it is associated with i.e. exhibitionism are totally different. Naturism is on enjoying nature in the nude, practical and in private among like-minded people. Exhibitionists are on cheap thrills and shock factors.

More to Respect Others & Environment

Naturism is about respect and accepting yourself, accepting others and caring for the environment. Any out of context display of body to the public is frowned upon. When non-naturists are around, permissions are sought and if not granted, then the naturism activity ceases. A towel is handy in this aspect. A towel is also covering seats or chairs for hygienic reasons.

One of the strictly enforced rules is on privacy – no pictures or videos without permission. And no display of sexual acts is ever allowed.

There were four foreigners who stripped on top of Mount Kinabalu and subsequently arrested. Are they naturists?

Chew clearly pointed out their behaviours have nothing to do with naturism. Naturists do not seek to offend.

The difference between the Sabah Mt. Kinabalu incident is that the Sabah Mt Kinabalu was done in a public and sacred place. And the participants were aggressive towards the guides when told to stop.

In contrast, the Penang Naturist Incident took place in a remote place and the participants obtained permission from the ranger before commencing.

Nudity Does Not Equal Sex

Chew says the Asian media does not do naturism justice by wrongly equating nudity as sex.This is then exacerbated by the general public due to insufficient understanding of naturism. Naturism does not equal sex.

“I have not met any naturist men who are disrespectful to ladies. Because of this the ladies feel safe and appreciated as equal in a naturist setting. Among all the men I have met, naturist men are the most respectful towards me.”

Chew claims “naturist men had never had ill purposes to the ladies so the ladies felt safe to be a naturist. Naturism is not the public’s perception that nudity equals sex.”

For people new to naturism and have expressed their interest to join naturism in a social setting with Ms Chew’s group of friends; they are first interviewed to ensure they have no ill intentions. Social rules and etiquettes in a naturist environment are explained. Examples if an erection occurs one is expected to cover it with a towel. Other such as no staring is basic even in a non-naturist environment. Sexual activities or displays are a definite no. Respect for oneself, others and the environment is a must.

Naturism is so much different from the general perception. Naturism does not promote or is about sexual behaviour.

“Children raised in the naturist way are known to have more respect for the opposite genders and have a positive view of life”.

What Is The Objective of Naturism?

Naturism is about respect for and living harmoniously with one another and the environment. This starts with acceptance of oneself, both spiritually and physically. Once this is internalised we behave with respect towards ourselves, our interaction with others and of course the environment.

While one can argue acceptance is possible without being nude, being nude (overcoming shame) is one of the tests on our acceptance of ourselves. That we cease judging ourselves. Only then we can learn to accept and celebrate the differences of our society.

And when practical, being nude is both a great feeling mentally and physically.

Why is Naturism So Complicated?

Our country has had naturism activities for decades. It is practiced quietly by people who learned or are curious through internet or exposures when visiting foreign lands. What made the incident in Penang being portrayed in such a bad light?
“Maybe it is because we were ‘discovered ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time, exploding to the surface that such a western practice is gaining hold locally”. To be sensationalised and without recourse for explanations, the group is the victims.

Having the benefit of hindsight, Chew also says they are made scapegoats in the local political scene. Starved of real issues against the state government; the local opposition exploited the situation by accusing the state government as weak on “morals”. To be seen as an effective government, a show of force was made and the naturists ended up paying the price.

Business Opportunity in Naturism

Naturism has few millions practitioners. Germany alone has 700,000 practitioners. Other main countries are Canada, UK, Australia and America. In Asia both Taiwan and Thailand have a small and publicly known population of naturists.

Naturists are like any other person who likes travelling and experiencing cultures. They do however have a specific requirement – to be nude when practical in a safe environment. Entrepreneurs in Thailand are beginning to cater for this niche market. Thailand has at least 6 facilities (camps and resorts) that cater for naturists.

Understanding Before Saying Unacceptable

Public naturism is not legal in our country due to cultural conditioning that makes its way into the legal code. That however does not make it a crime to understand what naturism is, nor does it stop naturism practices in private. Nudity and acceptance of nudity have existed for a hundred years, only the acceptance of nudity ebbs and flows with mores of the day.

Chew and her friends were sensationalised by the media and the public convicted them without understanding what naturism is all about. Were they made victims by our own “no exception for others” ethical beliefs ?

We are entitled to our beliefs however we must accept that it was done in private with no intention to offend others. It was the trial by media and that opportunistic parties took cause; not so for the (non-existing) offence, but as self-serving political points.

___________

Interview Notes

In 2008 I thought I entered paradise when I stepped into the English Gardens Park in Munich.

I entered the park by accident. Seeing about 100 naturists of both genders, races and all ages going about their business in the park. Some were reading, some were chatting and children running around, all nude and looking very at ease and natural. It was a scene from the old master painting – nothing indecent or sexual.

I understand naturism is not exhibitionism. The Penang Naturist Incident victims should have been given a chance to explain instead of being shut by the indignant/ignorant noises. They have been misunderstood for a long time and society did not take the opportunity to listen and to empathise with them and learn what naturism is all about.

When I asked Chew if she felt any regrets, she looked at me and replied with a question “why should I feel any regret? We never did intent to offend anybody and conducted the activity in a remote area. Someone else made the mistake of uploading the video…”.

Two years later Chew stands proudly and she still embraces naturism. She has accepted who she is and faced the society for what she is. She hopes other naturists could be the same as her. The public should learn accepting and understanding naturists without judging. But are we ready to go through the next step in freeing our minds?

While leaving the interview venue I had this parting thought that naturism has much more to offer to us non naturists then we realise. That is the liberal consciousness in the soul of naturism.