I’m aware this is probably a very cultural issue and depends on everyone’s upbringing. German upbringing here.
It’s not that I’m prude or “condemn” nudity in general. It’s just that I don’t want to “enrich” a friend’s vision in my head with the image of their naked bodies which contribute nothing to the emotional proximity and interpersonal relationship at best – and may at worst risk interfering with my internal image of a friend, simply because it introduces a kind of intimacy that doesn’t belong there for me.
(Whether I find a body aesthetically pleasing or not is irrelevant to me, and I’m in no position to judge anyone’s body but my romantic partner’s.)
What’s to gain but images in my head that have no personal relevance or value to the quality of a friendship?
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This almost sounds like an anxiety thing. I have a similar dealio. It’s like the risk that that info could mess things up more so than the actual thing itsself being bad or scary.
I’ve realized I’m just uncomfortable with casual platonic nudity, and reasonable friends understand and don’t push it. Some people think it’s perfectly natural to shower or sauna with friends, and like, good for them. I encourage that if they’re into it, and they can engage in it with other friends who match that energy. I know what my boundaries are for myself and as long as we respect each other’s, it’s really a non-issue.
I (38/m) have saunad naked with probably most of my closest male friends, probably with several at a time, and never thought anything if it. I don’t “see” my friends naked because I don’t look, because I’m not interested and it’s not like that. Quite frankly seeing a shirtless dude on the beach probably makes me more uncomfortable than sauna with the bros.
It’s definitely a cultural thing.
It’s a complete non-issue for me, I neither “want to” or “don’t want to”. There’s nothing sexual or intimate about the situation, and I don’t think I’ve ever had it change any kind of friendship or interpersonal relationship one way or another. All things considered I suppose I’d rather shower or sauna privately if it’s an option, but it’s not something that comes up often enough for me to really think much of it.
No. Idgaf.
Naked doesn’t have to mean intimate.
Interesting, yeah I don’t feel this way at all, if anything those kind of situations actually embolden my ability to trust that person and feel that person can trust me.
I’m Finnish, so I have seen my family, my extended family, and my friends of all genders naked. It’s hard to explain but I just kinda don’t “see” them naked? Like I have eyes and they are there but I’m not watching or assigning any meaning to what is in front of me. It’s just completely neutral, I’m completely indifferent if people are naked or in swimsuits.
It’s okay to be uncomfortable with what you’re uncomfortable with, don’t let anyone shame you by calling you a prude.
That’s said, I’ve seen my best bro’s wang a million times, and he’s seen mine.
Wouldnt bother me as I’m usually the first to loose there clothes in social situations
If it did I just wouldnt look 🤷♀️ seems simple to me
1000% agree.
I just don’t like seeking people naked in general. I don’t wanna see friends naked. I don’t wanna see strangers naked. Clothes are good.
There is such a thing as modesty. It’s a boundary. You are allowed to have those.
No, I don’t care. I just don’t look.
Well if you view it as intimacy then of course it makes sense you might not be comfortable with that. It’s not intimacy to see someone naked unless you make it intimate, which is what you’re doing
For me, saunas are not for checking people out. It is polite to keep one’s eyes to oneself.
I think this is quite cultural. I think most Americans would say it’s quite normal not to want to see friends naked.
Yikes, I can’t think of anybody. I want to see naked, at all.
Yeah I don’t really want to see that. But mainly because I hate my own body so much that I’d be far more anxious about me being naked than them, and their relaxed attitude to it would just amplify my own issues.
Yeah, I don’t see why it’s necessary to be naked around the bros.
Hey there’s a reason why wearing clothes is the default in almost every society.
I have never seen any friends naked and don’t care to.
So don’t go in a sauna
I don’t disagree with unnecessary images being burnt in your mind, and I add that I’m sensitive to smell and have no desire to smell anyone’s unclothed body in concentration.
As an American, yeah wtf? I never want to see my friends naked EVER. Why would anyone ever be naked in a sauna. Sorry but 🤮🤮
There hasn’t been any reason for my friends and I to ever be nude around one another. I don’t think I want to see any of them nude, and I don’t want them to see me nude. My upbringing taught me that nudity is done solely in secret, so I bring a swimsuit anywhere where nudity could possibly arise in a social situation.