I have a serious question but it may have the effect of eliciting some discussion. My wife and I will be taking our seventh trip to SXM where it is our custom to lie on the Club O beach every day for a week. We usually go in Sept/Oct when there are less people. We love the Club O beach because it affords us the opportunity to be naked in a place where we can also be anonymous. It would not do for anyone back home to know we do this.

We are not antisocial and we will enjoy the occasional conversation with those who may be set up nearby, but we would rather keep to ourselves and enjoy our time together. So we set up down toward the Papagayo end of the beach and away from the water to avoid walker/gawkers.

We are in our early 60’s. My wife is still gorgeous but I am way overweight (5’11”/300 lbs). For reasons I will never understand she still loves me, but I am self-conscious about it. When I go to Papagayo’s, or anywhere else, I put on an oversize tee shirt and walk about “Donald Duck” style (shirt, no pants). But when we get in and out of the water I have to do so sans tee shirt. My wife assures me that most people on that beach are there to BE naked, not to SEE naked.

So here’s my question, if you were set up somewhere in our vicinity, would you rather I kept my shirt on when I am not in my chair? I know the PC answer is “do what you want, no one cares,” but please be frank with me. Should good decorum and thoughtfulness for others dictate that I keep my tee shirt on? You don’t know me and I don’t know you so please be frank. I will not be offended.

Honestly, for me, I don't know that it is the PC answer, but it is MY answer---I don't give a rat's a$$ what you wear. You might look a little funny to some if the t-shirt isn't quite long enough in the front, but I personally could care less. I honestly don't GET the judgmental people who whine when someone wears some item of clothing on a c/o beach. I guess the exception to me is if you are wearing some items that are more suited to the bedroom, if you know what I mean! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />

Actually, a very good question. And, I am being frank, do whatever you're most comfortable doing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

My answer is do what you want-its your vacation. For the record, I've never been accused of being politically correct!

You say you are in your early 60s so I assume you have been married a long time, so you should know this..."your wife is right!" (they usually are lol). <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />
Go and enjoy your vacation your way. If anyone wants to judge you, that's their problem, not yours!
John <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

I'll second what many here have already said: do what you feel comfortable doing. But, I want to point out that really nobody cares what you look like and nobody is looking at you and judging you. They will not think you are fat, nor will they ogle your wife because she is beautiful (sorry if you were really wanting to show her off). You will find all sizes, shapes, and styles at Club O and other nude resorts. They come there to also be comfortable and because in these miraculous places they know they are not going to be judged based on their appearance. You will never find a more open, accepting, and non-judgmental group of people anywhere. A nude beach is pretty much the polar opposite of a fashion show in every possible sense. So, wear your shirt if you like or not, but don't make that decision because of concern for what others may think, because they really won't give it a second thought.

As the other people have said, do what you feel comfortable with, that's why it's C/O. For the most part people on the Club O end don't care what you look like, you will find a lot more judge mental people on the clothed beaches. This is one reason we love the Club O end,

When I first started going to nudist venues, I was in my 30's. I am now in my mid sixties. I fully understand that I was more attractive 30 years ago. However, I still prefer to do the beach, naked. So the decision is, do I want to avoid offending younger nudists or continuing a longstanding practice. I really don't recall being offended by older nudists, when I was younger. So, why should they?

I always wear the bottom of my swim suit even at Club O. I even wear a wrap from the room to the beach or around the resort. I do this for my comfort and don't worry what other people think. We usually stay one week at Club O and one week else where. Just enjoy your vacation.

Exactly correct... Club Orient is a Clothing ->Optional<- resort and welcomes everyone (as long as they do not harrass other guests) ... It has an excellent security staff to take care of those who will not abide by the rules...

We have been to Club O many times since our first visit in the late 1990s, enjoy it greatly, and always found their clothing OPTIONAL rules wise and effective.

In 2001 we discovered a US naturist resort with a similar attitude and policies about three hours from our home. We have enjoyed Avalon ever since and even bought a condo there...

Just enjoy your vacation and do whatever you find appropriate and comfortable for yourself... Remember the golden rule of nudism..."NOBODY cares what YOU look like...we just all want to relax and enjoy the freedom...!"

Just my two cents...

Could not agree with Carol more. Do what you want to do.