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Community Corner

Clothing Optional Or Nudist Resorts - What's The Difference?

Where did the difference come from in the first place?

Many people have asked this question: "What's the difference between clothing optional or nudist when it comes to a resort? Isn't everyone nude anyway?"

Yes .. and no.

Back when the lifestyle really started getting popular in the 80s and 90s with the advent of the Internet and bigger, more luxurious resorts springing up around the world (especially here in Pasco County), the owners of some of these resorts came up with the term "clothing optional" for marketing purposes.

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"Clothing optional" means you aren't required to take off your clothes until you're comfortable with the idea. "Nudist" means you are encouraged to be nude at all times, conditions permitting, so everyone is on a level field so to speak.

Resort owners knew that in order to get more people to visit their resorts,which means more business of course, that having an option made it sound more appealing. The vast majority of people end up nude anyway, but some may never peel, even though they enjoy the social atmosphere and laid-back attitudes of Nudists.

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I've been living in a "C.O." property now for about seven years (Paradise Lakes) and everyone gets along just fine. This time of the year when it can be warm in the afternoon and cool in the evening, or downright cold, it's an interesting mix of nude and clothed depending on tolerance to the weather.

In warmer months, nearly 100 percent of the people are nude.

There are many Nudists who believe everyone should be nude all the time, and I can see their reasoning also. I have visited one local resort a few times where the clubhouse is "Clothing Optional," but felt a little out of place because I was about the only one nude in the whole building even though it was warm outside (everyone in the pool area was nude).

The conflict has been around for some time and I can see both sides of the issue. Resort owners are running a business after all, and they want more visitors. But I can also see where if you're a Nudist, you should be nude so everyone can feel comfortable.

If you are considering a visit sometime,you may want to ask what the policy is first and weigh your "options."

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