To be or not to be in the buff

Nudity is an integral part of human form. The subject draws the interest of artists, painters, writers and filmmakers alike. But does that mean nudity only appeals to creative people? Across the world, there are people of different races, communities, languages and understandings. Does nudity mean the same to them?

We all are born nude. Yet, nudity of a grown up human being raises eyebrows, and perhaps more than that! Foreign countries may have nude beaches or free societies where nudity is not a big deal, but generally, being in clothes and without them does make a lot of difference worldwide.

Talking of people of every stratum across geographies, what does nudity mean to them while having sex? A middle-class couple staying in a small rented room with their kid(s) may have to mate silently at night when the child(ren) is/are asleep, and therefore, scope of getting fully nude is less in such a situation. In other words, scope and situation play a significant role in deciding on the nudity factor during sex.

In Indian households, especially those in rural parts and those who belong to the lower strata of the society, complete nudity do not hold significance for all. This is largely because of the following reasons:

1. Concept of foreplay is hardly there.
2. For them it is all about intercourse and not love making.
3. Lack of space.

As a result, sex is mostly ‘quickies’ in such households. However, the scenario is quite different in urban households, largely because people in cities perhaps have sex with their minds as much with their bodies.

To find out more on this, I conducted a survey recently. It showed that about 70% of the respondents feel that sex can be satisfying only in full nudity. This is something that we often see in movies. Hollywood and foreign films show that people almost always try to get fully nude when they want to have sex. But whether the same happens in reality, particularly in Indian scenarios, is what I endeavour to explore.

The survey brought out some interesting perspectives and thoughts of people related to sex. One of the respondents in favour of full nudity during sex is of the opinion that human beings are visual creatures and being stimulated by the nude body is part of the entire arousal process. The respondent also feels that clothes might come in the way while one is having or about to have sex.

Seconding the view, another respondent said that one needs to feel the person in order to make the most of the sexual pleasures.

Some respondents are of the view that nudity during sex depends from person to person. Full nudity may not be necessary to enjoy a sex session. However, sex mostly leads to full nudity, which proves that satisfaction during sex mostly comes from full nudity.

Counter view

While the number of people who feel that sex can be satisfying without complete nudity are fewer, their thoughts are quite interesting. According to one respondent, the concept of wearing transparent stockings and high heels might be appealing during sex, but this is not something we can much relate to in the Indian context.

Another respondent feels that sex without full nudity can be satisfying if the clothes one is wearing is accessible enough for penetration.

While the general perception is that foreplay is preferred by most urban couples, one respondent thinks otherwise. The respondent feels that sex without full nudity means that the couple is doing it in the heat of intense passion, which does away with the need of foreplay.

Another respondent who feels that sex can be completely satisfying without full nudity opines that the thrill of the action does not lie in nudity but in the moment, because it is about passion. It is about the rush of blood you feel going through your vein, especially when you are doing it at a wrong place and you have the fear of getting caught. It is a moment one does not want to slip by. The fact that one is doing something at a wrong place gives one a high. Taking off clothes at that moment is immaterial, unrealistic and the utmost luxury one can afford. You cannot imagine having oral sex inside an empty classroom or mating inside a car being fully nude. The whole adventure that surrounds the entire experience is what makes these quickies memorable. Therefore, 'quickies' are the order of the day, feels the respondent.

Therefore, while movies and novels may depict full nudity during sex and most people may prefer it, there is an emerging section of people who are giving sex a completely new definition. For them, the rush of blood, thrill and passion that one can derive from ‘quickies’ can never be substituted by full nudity in the comfort and privacy of the bedroom.