2005-02-18 23:12:11.271088+00 by Dan Lyke 4 comments
Nudist restaurant in New York. Short on details, sounds like they rented out a place for an evening, but... I wonder how this story made its way into the press. Something doesn't feel quite right about the story.
[ related topics: Business Food Nudity Current Events New York ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re: made: 2005-02-19 18:04:41.984558+00 by: Dan Lyke
#Comment Re: made: 2005-02-20 16:55:37.413382+00 by: Diane Reese
What's "not quite right"? We've been to nudist gallery openings and have rented health clubs and bowling alleys for nudist evenings: why not a fine restaurant? (I'm sure you're right, of course, they DID rent it for an evening. And as you might guess, it is not trivially easy to get a business owner to agree to these terms -- wait staff especially would have to be screened, since the patrons don't want to be ogled, drooled on, or laughed at during their meal.) It made its way into the press because the average Jane and Joe usually like to shake their head wryly at the thought of the silly and bizarre people who would choose to have dinner with no clothing on, around others in the same state. Let's all point at the nude people and giggle, shall we? It's like a "news of the weird" and with the presumed yet incorrect tittilation factor thrown in, it's sure to get people to read your publication if you print something about it.
I'll keep an eye out in the naturist/nudist press and let you know if I hear any more about this. I'm certain it's legit, though. Clubs are always looking for places to rent for an evening so members can shed their clothing and enjoy some activity unencumbered.
#Comment Re: made: 2005-02-20 19:54:10.03563+00 by: Dan Lyke
The "not quite right" was a reaction to the process by which the story got into the news process. The fact that there were pictures, and that it made it into so many news outlets simultaneously, makes it a deliberate media event, and I'm interested in what the motivations of those turning it into a media event are.
But for that, it sounds like a perfect evening out.
#Comment Re: made: 2005-02-20 23:47:33.667443+00 by: Diane Reese [edit history]
There are egotists and self-important self-publicists in the nudist community just as there are anywhere else. :-)
PS: I should additionally note what I just glossed over because I'm so used to it now: many "activist" nudists/naturists do strive for publicity, just to keep the "cause" in the public eye, and to get people used to the idea that others might be unclothed around them in an everyday situation someday, to demystify the idea and bring it more into the realm of normalcy.
