Scandinavian Culture and Nudity

[angela146]

How generally "prudish" or "modest" are people in Sweden, Norway and/or Denmark in regards to nudity?

Yes, I know, nothing ever really exists "in general", but I am trying to get a handle on how much of what I have seen is "ordinary" in that particular culture and how much is idiosyncratic to the particular people I know.

In particular, in a family setting of several adult siblings of both genders and the parents - is the idea of several of them being in a swimming pool or large hot tub or sauna either topless or nude - is it generally accepted/expected in Scandinavian culture?

What about at younger ages, i.e. teenagers?

 

[Liar]

Well, I've never seen my parents or siblings (except when so small that noone cares) in the buff. Dad once, in the community pool's shower. But that's not where we usually hang out, so that's it.

And I'd guess we're pretty average Scandinavians in that regard.


Glad you didn't includee the Finns in your question. Nudity, especially public drunk male nudity, is an action sport over there.

 

[neonlyte]

How generally "prudish" or "modest" are people in Sweden, Norway and/or Denmark in regards to nudity?

Yes, I know, nothing ever really exists "in general", but I am trying to get a handle on how much of what I have seen is "ordinary" in that particular culture and how much is idiosyncratic to the particular people I know.

In particular, in a family setting of several adult siblings of both genders and the parents - is the idea of several of them being in a swimming pool or large hot tub or sauna either topless or nude - is it generally accepted/expected in Scandinavian culture?

What about at younger ages, i.e. teenagers?

Interesting question. I visit Norway a lot. I've written a novel set in Norway and had to face just this question in relation to my characters based upon my observation of how people behave with me.

There is an odd puritant streak that doesn't quite fit with the behaviour of the individuals you know. When mixed with alcohol, things can get a little wild very quickly. Add sunshine and inhibition drops away. I was at a family harvest last June outside Bergen. We cut a hay meadow the old fashioned way, scythes and one very small 1930's vintage hand pushed mowing machine. It was hot and hard work, the men took their shirts off, eventually stripped down to shorts. Most of the women came unprepared for the work, two of them stripped down to their underwear, one being my wife who is not Scandinavian. At the end of each afternoon, we trooped down to the lake and cooled off, most wearing their underwear, which was pretty pointless. Age ranges were teenage to mid-fifties. No one seemed embarrassed or bothered and no one got amourous - then again, we were not drinking.

My wife was there on an arts residency in 2003, it is how we came to meet so many Norwegians. She joined a group who swam in the fjord every day. Nude bathing in front of some apartment buildings next to the arts complex. It was both private and public in the sense they were bathing in a public place and in a location where there would be no casual 'passers by'.

Parties, on the other hand, I've found to be occasions to test the boundaries of inhibition. It is almost an 'I'm drinking, therefore I can' approach to flirting. But it tends to be done in full view where there is little danger of things developing out of hand; like its 'safe' to have some fun because were adults, but I'll draw the line here. 2003, when we were there, was an unbeleivably hot summer. People in Bergen shed their clothes to make the most of the weather, and there was real oddness to peoples behaviour. A friend of ours told me her legs never saw the sun all year round, wearing a short dress and no tights or leggings was a strange experience. It was like her legs hadn't been introduced to one another and now they were smooching under her skirt - ok she had a lot to drink.

I've 12 Icelandic friends descending upon me at the beginning of July. We are doing a tour of Portugal and spending a few days on the beach. These are people we regard as family with whom we've shared a good deal of our adult lives. I might be able to upto my views after spending two weeks in close quarters.

 

[Frank Noir]

Speaking from my experiences as a Dane:

Some decades ago - 6o0es, 70es, 80es - danes were quite liberated. It was accepted (in some circles, mandatory) to go to the beach naked or at least topless.

But lately I've heard young girls saying that they don't feel comfortable going topless. It was more a thing their moms did.

As for Finland, the sexes traditionally went to separate saunas. I've heard a Finn complaining about young people going to mixed saunas.