Prudish Americans
Apr 21st 2008, 2:00 pm
#31
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Prudish Americans
What is it with the total look of shock when Americans hear us comment, or god forbid try to go topless on the beach 
Apr 21st 2008, 2:04 pm
#32
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Prudish Americans
It is strange to a Briton that there is a toleration for blatant violence or pornography here.
Consider that these are social extremes.
Extremes are not everyday, commonplace things and therefore are somewhat detached from ordinary life.
The "plain and ordinary" with all their associated imperfections are not something which is desirable to an American.
Apr 21st 2008, 2:08 pm
#33
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
Re: Prudish Americans
So, anyone else think that in general - Americans a prudes?
Nudity on TV? haven't seen ANY since I have been in the US, and when they have nudity, its blurred out.
Was speaking to a colleague at work the other week and she freaked out when I told her about the English Gardens in Munich, Germany (nude sunbathing) the 'propper' sauna's over in Europe and the fact that pretty much all beaches in the UK are fine with topless sunbathing.
Went to the public swimming pool the other week. There was no cubical's - just a male and female changing room. None of the toilets were available because people were changing in them (mmm... Nice, rather stand in pee than have someone of the same sex see some flesh) and the only other guy getting changed in the room managed to get dried and completely changed without taking his towel off.
Wife came out of the female changing room and said pretty much the same thing - made her feel so uncomfortable that she too went and changed in the toilet cubicle.
Don't get me wrong, I am not an exhibitionist or anything, but are Americans really so inhibited and self conscious?
Oh - and to go back to the TV thing, its perfectly OK to have people getting killed, blown up, hacked up and any other violence you can think off...
Nudity on TV? haven't seen ANY since I have been in the US, and when they have nudity, its blurred out.
Was speaking to a colleague at work the other week and she freaked out when I told her about the English Gardens in Munich, Germany (nude sunbathing) the 'propper' sauna's over in Europe and the fact that pretty much all beaches in the UK are fine with topless sunbathing.
Went to the public swimming pool the other week. There was no cubical's - just a male and female changing room. None of the toilets were available because people were changing in them (mmm... Nice, rather stand in pee than have someone of the same sex see some flesh) and the only other guy getting changed in the room managed to get dried and completely changed without taking his towel off.
Wife came out of the female changing room and said pretty much the same thing - made her feel so uncomfortable that she too went and changed in the toilet cubicle.
Don't get me wrong, I am not an exhibitionist or anything, but are Americans really so inhibited and self conscious?
Oh - and to go back to the TV thing, its perfectly OK to have people getting killed, blown up, hacked up and any other violence you can think off...
Apr 21st 2008, 2:10 pm
#34
I'm off to find a spanner
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,867
Re: Prudish Americans
You need to watch http://www.howardstern.com/ its trash at its best if you want to see naughty nude bits lol
Apr 21st 2008, 2:30 pm
#36
I'm off to find a spanner
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,867
Re: Prudish Americans
Yeah I have seen some of the stuff they do on t'internet.
Apr 21st 2008, 3:12 pm
#37
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Location: Johns Creek, GA
Posts: 630
Re: Prudish Americans
You need to watch http://www.howardstern.com/ its trash at its best if you want to see naughty nude bits lol
Apr 21st 2008, 3:29 pm
#38
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Prudish Americans
So, anyone else think that in general - Americans a prudes?
Nudity on TV? haven't seen ANY since I have been in the US, and when they have nudity, its blurred out.
Was speaking to a colleague at work the other week and she freaked out when I told her about the English Gardens in Munich, Germany (nude sunbathing) the 'propper' sauna's over in Europe and the fact that pretty much all beaches in the UK are fine with topless sunbathing.
Went to the public swimming pool the other week. There was no cubical's - just a male and female changing room. None of the toilets were available because people were changing in them (mmm... Nice, rather stand in pee than have someone of the same sex see some flesh) and the only other guy getting changed in the room managed to get dried and completely changed without taking his towel off.
Wife came out of the female changing room and said pretty much the same thing - made her feel so uncomfortable that she too went and changed in the toilet cubicle.
Don't get me wrong, I am not an exhibitionist or anything, but are Americans really so inhibited and self conscious?
Oh - and to go back to the TV thing, its perfectly OK to have people getting killed, blown up, hacked up and any other violence you can think off...
Nudity on TV? haven't seen ANY since I have been in the US, and when they have nudity, its blurred out.
Was speaking to a colleague at work the other week and she freaked out when I told her about the English Gardens in Munich, Germany (nude sunbathing) the 'propper' sauna's over in Europe and the fact that pretty much all beaches in the UK are fine with topless sunbathing.
Went to the public swimming pool the other week. There was no cubical's - just a male and female changing room. None of the toilets were available because people were changing in them (mmm... Nice, rather stand in pee than have someone of the same sex see some flesh) and the only other guy getting changed in the room managed to get dried and completely changed without taking his towel off.
Wife came out of the female changing room and said pretty much the same thing - made her feel so uncomfortable that she too went and changed in the toilet cubicle.
Don't get me wrong, I am not an exhibitionist or anything, but are Americans really so inhibited and self conscious?
Oh - and to go back to the TV thing, its perfectly OK to have people getting killed, blown up, hacked up and any other violence you can think off...
Apr 21st 2008, 5:52 pm
#39
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Prudish Americans
I note you're location is Norcross, GA. This may have something to do with your perceptions. But, yes, on balance I'd agree that Americans are prudes.
Don't get me started on the insanity of the FCC... TV standards are controlled by a small minority of "propriety" freaks who raise hell over the slightest infraction. Their rallying cry: "won't someone think of the kids!" So we wind up with laughable situations like "Nipplegate". I don't think FCC regulations represent how typical Americans think, it's more a representation of how the most easily offended think.
"Freaked out"? Seems like an overraction. Once again, perhaps this is a Georgia thing...
That's definitely just in your experience. People are not nearly so reserved at my gym. I wish they were... (puke smilie)
Nudity on TV? haven't seen ANY since I have been in the US, and when they have nudity, its blurred out.
Was speaking to a colleague at work the other week and she freaked out when I told her about the English Gardens in Munich, Germany (nude sunbathing) the 'propper' sauna's over in Europe and the fact that pretty much all beaches in the UK are fine with topless sunbathing.
Went to the public swimming pool the other week. There was no cubical's - just a male and female changing room. None of the toilets were available because people were changing in them (mmm... Nice, rather stand in pee than have someone of the same sex see some flesh) and the only other guy getting changed in the room managed to get dried and completely changed without taking his towel off.
Apr 21st 2008, 5:56 pm
#40
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Prudish Americans
This has got to be one of the strangest social contraditions about the US. It could well be that it stems from the fact that Americans aren't comfortable bearing themselves openly (interpersonally or physically).
It is strange to a Briton that there is a toleration for blatant violence or pornography here.
Consider that these are social extremes.
Extremes are not everyday, commonplace things and therefore are somewhat detached from ordinary life.
The "plain and ordinary" with all their associated imperfections are not something which is desirable to an American.
It is strange to a Briton that there is a toleration for blatant violence or pornography here.
Consider that these are social extremes.
Extremes are not everyday, commonplace things and therefore are somewhat detached from ordinary life.
The "plain and ordinary" with all their associated imperfections are not something which is desirable to an American.
Apr 21st 2008, 6:10 pm
#41
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,583
Re: Prudish Americans
Federal law
There is no federal law against nudity. Nude beaches, such as Baker Beach in San Francisco, operate within federal park lands in California. However, under a provision called concurrent jurisdiction, federal park rangers may enforce state and local laws, or invite local authorities to do so.
State law
A 1972 California Supreme Court decision In re Smith held that simple beach nudity (absent sexual or shock motives) does not constitute the crime of indecent exposure.
The California State Park system is a special case. Simple nudity is illegal in state parks except in areas designated for the purpose. Although the state has declined to officially designate any nude beaches, traditional use has un-officially designated them, according to the Cahill policy.
If you desire to go topless go to one of these beaches
http://www.bayareanaturists.org/resource.html
Last edited by surly; Apr 21st 2008 at 6:13 pm.
Apr 21st 2008, 6:35 pm
#42
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Apr 21st 2008, 7:17 pm
#44
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
