Nudity in Germany?

Question

Hi All,

1. I believe Nudism is much more accepted in Germany than in other countries, is this true?

2- Does this mean that all Germans (or at least a high majority) are comfortable with nudity in the house or in public with other people? Also, pajarams are not common in Germany?

3 - Would it be acceptable to be in nude in ones own home with people that a person did not know so well (such as in a shared flat or a students residence)?

4 - Is it acceptable to get dressed (while in the process becoming completely nude) in front of a member of the opposite s*x, even if the person did not know them so well.

Thanks

Answer 1

There is quite a difference between east and west. In former east Germany there has always been a nudism culture and even though in the west they always had nude beaches and some clubs it wasn't as popular as it was in the east.

Not all germans are comfortable with nudity in the house. I wouldn't take my clothes off in front of a person I did not know well.

I would go for a nudism club or a beach to be sure...

http://www.deutsche-nudisten.de/html/int...

Answer 2

1. I believe Nudism is much more accepted in Germany than in other countries, is this true?

I'm German, but I'm not really sure about that. As for US citizens, you'll maybe find nudism more accepted than it is in the States. But there are societal rules where it is accepted an where not, and you have to know them. It's not that running naked through the streets wouldn't be punished, but it's only a minor offence that will cost you a hundred Euros and an afternoon in the county jail.

2- Does this mean that all Germans (or at least a high majority) are comfortable with nudity in the house or in public with other people? Also, pajarams are not common in Germany?

No, this doesn't mean it at all. As I already wrote, nudity is only allowed in reserved places; but on the other hand, it's not a crime. We consider it a personal decision whether to wear clothes or not when going swimming, except for the more public places, where kids are around and certain rules apply.

3 - Would it be acceptable to be in nude in ones own home with people that a person did not know so well (such as in a shared flat or a students residence)?

In a students' residence or a shared flat, this can be acceptable, depending on the people you live with. However, you should avoid running around naked; wearing a towel to cover your private parts will be fine.

4 - Is it acceptable to get dressed (while in the process becoming completely nude) in front of a member of the opposite s*x, even if the person did not know them so well.

See #3: In some social context, this may be alright, but you just have to trust your feelings. It is usually considered to be appropriate to turn away from a member of the opposite s*x, not showing your private parts while dressing and becoming nude, but you might be ridiculed and laughed at for being unneccessarily shy.

Answer 3

1. Alwin E has it all right. Nothing much to add.

2. Otto B is right about East Germany

3. My "contribution":

I find that Germans do not think the question is important. What is the big deal? This goes for all Europeans with possibly, the Brits excepted.

"Nudity" with Germans is a question more of "grace, beauty and style", much less so than about sexuality and hidden desires. If you do not feel comfortable, if you do not have it as a classy German woman you just don't do it.

My take also: (g*y) German men appear to me to be more cautious to flaunt their assets and discuss the subject than say, men here in the US.

Final caveat, forget everything I said about "nudity in Germany" if you are in "Berlin" (or Duesseldorf ?).

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PS:  Intrigued, who are the "thumbs down"? Men, women, Brits, Americans ??

Answer 4

Hello there !!

There is a BIG difference between nudity and nudism.

Nudity is really a non-issue in Germany.  Swimming pools have co-ed changing rooms, saunas are generally co-ed (except some have specific days for females only), commercials on television with nudity is common any time of the day or night.  A bare breast isn't going to shock anyone like it does in the states (and I'm American, living in Germany for 20 years, so I know the difference).  It is quite common to see entire families at a sauna for the evening.

Nudism, on the other hand, is not as widely accepted.  There are nudist clubs (called FKK in Germany) where it is acceptable to be nude for extended periods of time doing normal day-to-day activities.  But being nude in your own home while entertaining guests that you hardly know?  No, not a good idea.  In a shared apartment or students dorm, it may be acceptable IF everyone agrees that it is alright.  But to just walk out into a common area of a shared residence "in the buff" would be considered rude and distasteful.

Having said that, if you are nude in your own home and someone happens to see you (through a window or whatever), that's their problem and not yours.  They won't likely be offended (not like in the states where someone could complain to the police that you are walking around nude in your own home and the police or courts could force you to close your curtains to prevent others from seeing you from outside your home).

Answer 5

Honestly, I think most everything everyone has said so far is true.  Nudity in German, or in Europe for that matter (except the prudish Brits!), is no big deal.  Naturally, there is an element of common sense.  You wouldn't walk around naked in your home while entertaining guests.  It probably wouldn't be a great idea to go out to dinner or grocery shopping in the buff.  

Europeans simply do not see the human body as anything of which to be ashamed.  Is it?