Sauna Nudism - Sharing
Sauna nudism - sharing is a group for nudists as like nudism in sauna and healthcare areas. Sharing good places and photo of the many beautyful sauna areas in the world
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Sauna protocols in different countires
Return to DiscussionsI have not travelled in Europe but it seems nudity is common or expected, certainly in Germany and like minded countries. When I was in China in 2018 the saunas were in the male change rooms so I did what some other men did (Europeans from the accents) and was naked. These were no Chinese men there the first time but other days when I went, I was the only non-Chinese and went naked and the locals seemed surprised or unsure but some did likewise and were naked. Japan has open nudity (I understand) in change rooms and public baths but the Chinese did not seem as open. Nudity in other Asian countries seemed OK (Philippine's, Singapore, Nepal, Bali). What are others experiences?
China is a very socially conservative country - especially in the rural areas - but also in the smaller/less famous towns. I am honestly surprised that the other Chinese men joined you in nudity in the sauna. When I traveled to China back during winter 2006, we stayed a few nights/days in an industrial town near to my martial arts instructor's ancestral home. I had run out of clean pants/trousers so I chose to wear some shorts. I got strange looks and giggled at for wearing shorts in public. These were cargo type shorts - nothing excessively short or anything like that. I can't imagine how such people would react to a man in a changing room sauna going nude. Likewise, I would expect the same type of reaction in any venue where the demographics were largely non-Europeans/whites. Japan is the exception. That's just the way it is in the world.
Back in the 80s, I went alone to a local hammam in a non-touristed area of Istanbul, Turkey, and was surprised at the modesty. I was shown to a changing room with a door to close and someone was still overseeing that I remain modest in changing to wrap a sheet around me. Since I'm used to hotter saunas, the heat snuck up on me and I got light-headed after I stood up and leaned against a wall. I guess I stood out a bit being as tall, pale and broad-shouldered as I am. So two employees promptly led me to a room and squirted lemon juice up each nostril. Talk about a happy ending!
Over the past 25 years I've visited hammams in Paris a good number of times. On days when the place is open only to men, you are issued a towel, a long, sarong-like wrap, and flip-flops. The idea is that you stay covered unless showering, although in practice a lot of men removed the wrap in the steam bath or sauna, showing a very relaxed attitude toward nudity. One day a week is often reserved for "naturistes," meaning that nudity is permitted and expected. Some of the smaller, family-run hammams have closed in recent years, however.