What's a little nudity among friends?

[WorkSucks]

This is my first post on what has to be the most addictive site on the internet. I have been reading every word for the last year or so and I now, for the first time, seek your guidance. This is the deal: my wife and I are reasonably frequent vacationers on St. Barts. We are in our mid-40s and have been six times and have absolutely loved every minute. It is the highlight of our year. We speak so highly about the island that good friends of ours, who are reluctant travellers at best, have decided to join us on our next trip!!!! My wife is mortified at the thought because one of the things we love is the free for all sunbathing policy and she is convinced that there is no way she would dream of sunbathing a la St. Barts with friends on the island. I told her that I would post the dilemma here and se if others had dealt with this situation and how. My sense is that what happens on St. Barts stays on St. Barts and that everyone adjusts accordingly. I am curious what the masses think.

Jim

PS -- I do want to thank everyone on this forum for some great laughs and great advice. Barely a day goes by where I don't quote something I read here.

 

[Island Visitor]

King Soloman would have done well on St Barts. Split that baby in half.

"Okay, that was a great breakfast. You two take Gouverneur for the morning and we will take Saline. See you back here at the villa for lunch. Au revoir".

Quo eras demonstratum.

 

[MIke R]

Worksucks..its really simple....

"Im going to Saline and today I'm not going to be wearing any clothes....anyone who can't deal with it....go somewhere else...otherwise...the jeep leaves in 5 minutes."

its black and white...gin clear...and thats that...end of story....

most friends will go anyway.....they love me despite my many shortcomings...no pun intended...and my wife cares even less about who sees what and when.....on vacation any one who travels with us knows we are going to do what we are going to do, with little regard to anyone else's feelings....thats OUR time to do what we want to do....we' ve earned it.......its a non negotiable

 

[Island Visitor]

Miker, let's face facts: Most folks here have seen our faces. After that, what have you and I left to embarass ourselves?

sigh

 

[andynap]

Well that happened to my wife and I once and we talked to the other couple who were all for au natural and we are not and decided that we would occupy different areas of the beach or different beaches altogether and it worked out just fine. You could go to Gouverneur and they to Saline.

 

[MIke R]

Miker, let's face facts: Most folks here have seen our faces. After that, what have you and I left to embarass ourselves?

sigh

at this point in time in my life.....absolutely nothing....

 

[Janice]

Oh please! Woman do not react that way. We hate being naked in front of our boyfriends/husbands . . . in the dark!! If you think we will be comfortable being naked in front of our friends well let me just say that the 70s are over and it ain't happening.

 

[Skateboard Phil]

Miker, I couldn't have said it better myself. When the French or the locals go to the beach in large groups everyone from Granny to the little ones wears or doesn't wear whatever they are comfortable with and nobody gives it a 2nd thought. When we go with friends we tell them what to expect. It is their choice whether they decide to join us or not. "When in St. Barths, do as the Barthians do!"

 

[MIke R]

Janice...perhaps in your world yes......my wife is a French/American who was brought up in a traditoinal European French house...and she lived in France for a couple of years with Aunts and Uncles.... as such, she doesnt share your puritanical American discomfort for nudity.....and she is also not nearly as judgemental about your views as you apparently are about hers

 

[Skateboard Phil]

My wife has no problem with lights on. (probably more than you want to know). Not everyone is ashamed to shed linen on the beach.

 

[MIke R]

ditto...I guess we lucked out Phil eh???....LOL

 

[Skateboard Phil]

yup.

 

[Island Visitor]

It really is all about comfort level. If a woman (or man) wants to wear a victorian era bathing outfit, then I say "more power to them". As to anyone's view on the issue, it is all about "live and let live". So long as folks behave themselves on the beach, what they are or are not wearing (or what they think of my red little derriere) is of no concern to me.

Ladies: Wear whatever you choose and feel comfortable with. It's St Barths. It's all good.

 

[MIke R]

IV..some days we feel like it...some days we dont....but either way.... it aint no big deal

 

[Island Visitor]

Two words to always remember to never say are "always" and "never".

A little wine, a little sunshine, a little nap, a big wave and before you know it, an "unfortunate equipment malfunction" sometimes happens.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Janice]

Probably words to live by but all I am suggesting is that not all of us gals feel so great about ourselves. Guys seem more capable at dealing with their "weaknesses." My thought is only that keeping the friends away is always a good rule. More fun for all involved.

J.

 

[MIke R]

janice...not for nothing but re read your post...seems to me like you were painting with a pretty broad stroke there and speaking for all women......but dont worry because I dont think anyone for one minute believed it is/was as you said it is/was....

 

[NHDiane]

IV - your post made me smile. That was exactly what happened to me in St. Martin during our first visit there about ten years ago and the rest is history. Lost the top all-together...never did find it. Therefore, I spent the rest of that vacation as a very liberated American!

NH Diane

 

[Island Visitor]

Diane: St Martin and St Barts have a way of doing that.

Janice: There is, of course, NO pressure for you to do anything you don't want to do. And, speaking for All Males here (LOL) let me say that St Barts for the most part is about couples. We are pretty much interested in the one we brung. As such, we dont spend a lot of time worrying about everyone else.

You're there for YOU and your lover. Who cares what anyone else thinks?

 

[Island Visitor]

a nice lunch at L'Esprit with a bottle or three of chablis and a little rough surf and before long you're singing the theme song to "Titanic" like a Canadian fisherman/woman...