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The Australian neighbors of a European family who have just moved to Sydney are shocked by their new friends' relaxed attitude to nudity.
An expat shared her confusion at her Australian neighbors' shock at her and her family's lack of clothing when they are home.
She said she heard some casual comments from her neighbors complaining about her family walking around their house and swimming nearly naked in their backyard.
'For us, being naked is normal. Of course we wear appropriate clothing when we are outside our home, but inside my husband, children and I are usually naked or close to it. When we are outside, the children (all under 10) are usually naked,” the mother said in a post on Reddit.
“My husband and I always wear some kind of bottoms, usually shorts for him and a wrap or some kind of bikini bottom or something like that for me when we're out in our back or front yard.”
An expat shared her confusion at her Australian neighbors' squeamishness over her and her family's lack of clothing when they are at home (stock image)
The woman said she, her husband and children are “new” to Australia, live on Sydney's north shore and have a “good relationship” with most people living in the area.
“We regularly organize street parties, events at each other's homes, help with childcare, etc.,” she explained.
“But I've heard comments flying around about our family being naked.”
She explained that her family often swam naked in the pool, which only required a few neighboring houses to stretch out to see it.
'When we are inside, it is very difficult to look inside again, but if you really look, it is possible. If we have guests of any kind, we will of course be fully covered,” she said.
'My question is: what is suitable for Australia? I want to fit in and not cause trouble or offense to anyone.”
She said she heard some casual comments from her neighbors complaining about her family walking around their house and swimming almost naked in their backyard (stock image)
The question attracted hundreds of responses from Australians, most of whom were more concerned about the European family being safe from the sun.
'Nude outside in Australia is a bad idea, though. You burn FAST. Someone from Europe will get a cultural shock in no time. I've spent quite a bit of time in Miami, and the sun there looks like a little light bulb,” one person explained.
“We need to worry about skin cancer, the Australian sun is no joke,” one second warned.
“Don't forget to give a slip-slop slap!” a third chimed in and a fourth said: 'If people are commenting on your nudity, you're probably not as private about it as you think.'
Others believed that the family should be able to dress however they want in their own home.
“You do it in your house and if your backyard is as private as you say, then all is well. People shouldn't be watching, so it's their problem and not yours if they do!' said one user.
“In the front yard/in public I would definitely be fully covered (minimum T-shirt and shorts) but I imagine a bra and shorts, bikini etc would be fine,” another added.
“I'm not sure how kids are treated in that regard these days. I remember running around naked as a kid, but times may have changed since then.”
'Swimming in your pool = fine. Belt sanding of the foredeck = not so nice,' laughed a third.
“Culturally, no one cares what you do in your house. But I would strongly advise you to stay away from windows if you are completely naked,” one person replied.