Wednesday, April 18, 2012

$2 bills: A secret sign from nudists?

Yup, that's the case, at least according to a press release I got yesterday from the American Association for Nude Recreation. 


"Nudists in North America are Spending $2 Bills This Memorial Day," the press release read. "If someone pays for a product or service with a $2 bill this Memorial Day Weekend, it just could be a message from a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), who wants you to know that nudists are your neighbors, and that they have economic clout."

Memorial Day is next month, and the nudist, or naturist, group, is spreading around the $2 bills as a way both to demonstrate the economic importance of nudists and spark conversations with curious people. The AANR, which promotes recreation such as hiking, sports and swimming "without the discomfort of wearing clothes," says nude recreation and travel is now a $400 million a year industry.

"Because $2 bills are uncommon, AANR members hope to make themselves “visible” by spending them in local retail establishments and restaurants, demonstrating how important nudists are to the economy. It’s also an opportunity for anyone who enjoys nude recreation to strike up a conversation with someone who might be curious about nudism, but was perhaps reluctant to ask," reads the press release.

So, shopkeepers, pay attention this Memorial Day Weekend: If someone pays you in $2 bills, they just might be trying to tell you something.

Odd footnote: I currently cover business, but I've written about nudists at least twice before. While an intern in Washington, D.C., I wrote a story for a national wire service about a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals "Running of the Nudes" protest in front of the Spanish embassy, to protest Spain's annual running of the bulls. And while I was an intern at The Miami Herald, I wrote a story about a festival celebrating the anniversary of the opening of Haulover Beach, South Florida's nudist hangout. 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

..nudist hangout..?

Anonymous said...

The funny thing is that most nudists are people who don't need to be seen nude.

Anonymous said...

Why is it Nudist are a bunch fat old hippies? Never see hot women playing nude badminton? Just old people in RVs playing nude Badminton and horseshoes.

DistrictSix said...

If so many are worried about giving special marriage rights to people with special mind driven needs, then we need to also include these people.

They should have special right to pursue desires they too have in their minds right rout in the open.

Society can not pick and choose, can they, if we allow for one group we must allow for all.

I just hope we are not listening to one well funded group other the others and to the detriment of groups like this which is not as well funded?

Anonymous said...

You're probably a nudist in the closet yourself!

Anonymous said...

If a naked chick wants to hand me a two dollar bill, I'm cool with the concept.

Anonymous said...

I think it is pretty funny that the front page of the observer says American Ass...with regard to this article!

Anonymous said...

Watkins Glen Raceway used to do that around the time of the US Grand Prix in the 60s. The huge number of $2 bills showed the community how much financial impact the track had. Somehow I think the track had more impact on its area than 'naturists' will, but I may be surprised.

Anonymous said...

The problem with nudism: the people who are into it are generally not the people that you want to see naked!

WashuOtaku said...

Geez, I use $2 bills all the time, because I like to mess with people (the reactions I get from some people are surprising and priceless). So, obviously, I do not support the nudists attempts to hijack U.S. legal tender for their own propaganda.

Anonymous said...

This idea was essentially stolen from the NRA protests of Starbucks on valentines day. As a protest against against starbucks policy to allow guns on their property, anti guns folks were planning to boycott starbucks as a protest. Well, as a counter protest, the NRA started a campaign where pro NRA folks would go to starbucks on 2/14 and spend a 2 dollar bill, to represent the protest. Just some more useless knowledge for you.

Anonymous said...

What is their agenda? Recruitment? More nudist places? For stores to allow nudity? I don't get the point

Anonymous said...

The problem is half of young people these days never saw a $2 bill and often they are rejected as fake.

Anonymous said...

The paperdoll in Charlotte gives you $2 bills for change. Nice...nudists in there for sure.