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nice diddy

this was hilarious yet somehow also adorable. finally, something in this column that required real balls to do.

jeez what's with the shorts?

it is a real shame that you were given so much trouble. Also I am surprised you didn't challenge the park worker who made up the law - which said nothing about it being okay when sunbathing but not when you are going to the restroom. >.> that is crap - guys can stand in line to the restroom with their top off. I hate the fact that people make breasts into such a big hairy deal. lol. Anyway kudos to you! If more of us did similar things we would break down the taboo in no time.

for hungry, topless women everywhere, i say huzzah!

I can't understand why the Raeleans want us to go topless. Will it help facilitate our teleportation to the mothership?

Finally, someone willing to be topless for science. This article is hilarious.

Very well written. I loved the format, the similies, the descriptions, the humor, and the insights. I felt so nervous and excited with you! Keep these great articles coming, Meghan!

man, you must have gotten a wicked sunburn--exposing skin that's NEVER seen sunlight--SPF15?!?!? What were you THINKING???? You needed some 75+ for that job.

you describe your topless experiment in such a charming and witty way. i admire your bravery! a really great article!

meh, got my big brown boobs out in the park all summer long. if anywhere in the US, should above the usual puritanical modesty issues, It's New Yorkers. Most would give a sh*t if I had 3 naked tits out.

No disrespect: but if you were simply very attractive, you'd find the same kind of reactions from other women daily. It works like this: if men notice you, women hate you.

you're so adorable, i almost can't stand it.

...just another reason to love redheads!

@ixv, she's a redhead with nice tits. are you serious?

boy am i glad to have grown up in a country where exposed breasts aren't such a big fucking deal. nipplegate was a joke to us in 'yurp'.

French woman have been topless on the beach for decades.

I was at a festival in NY soon after the law was passed. The announcer at the festival said something about "topless... not just a good idea, it's the law!". A couple of ladies enjoyed their new freedom and were bouncing around. It looked more painful than fun or sexy. I don't understand all the fuss -- it was far easier for me to look at something else than to even think about scolding the ladies who were enjoying themselves.

Way to go! Don't let the man (or park employees) keep you down! This article was hilarious and informative. My favorite kind.

The fear of nakedness, gayness, and stylish clothing in America amazes me. Maybe people need to travel 'back' (meaning forward) in time and evolve. Darwin, are you taking notes on this?

Good for you! I'm surprised that you got so much heat from other women. I guess the last 40 years of liberation haven't had the impact we thought. This is yet another reason to support everyday science!

i want to know...would you ever do it again? there must have been something a little delicious about it all. or maybe i just think you're really hot :)

Topless for both sexes is legal across Canada (Charter of Rights and Freedoms - s.15), but only the boys show their breasts.

You should really go to Burning Man. It's an amazing environment where people can be who they are and do what they want without others judging them. In fact nobody even cares if you're naked or clothed, either way you're just a person.

I'm disappointed that the park official discouraged you. Shouldn't it have been legal?

I wonder, if the breast weren't so taboo in this country, would I be as happy when one was exposed in front of me? It'd be a shame to wreck something that awesome.

Very perky of you!! (sorry, couldn't resist, my eyes are drawn more to your smile than anywhere else)

You might be more comfortable someplace less uptight than the east coast.

i'm no expert, but why can't this girl and and the vibrator girl do this column all by themselves? maybe they can even team up and uh, do things together...okay i just got distracted but the point is, they were both so good, i don't know why nerve keeps throwing other lame ones at us. variety sure, but not at the expense of awesomeness.

What a ballsy thing to do! I love how humorous and insightful the piece is, please keep them coming!

I've never been to Burning Man, but more than one person has mentioned the nudity as a good thing. Maybe it is a better environment, but I think people still do care. Particularly, the guys. :)

When I look at the picture of you holding the drink and dog, all I can think is "Thank God!", that just looks so normal, finally someone gets it. I have NEVER understood why it is OK to discriminate based on sex when it comes to not wearing a shirt in public. Either it is just as OK for women or it is not OK for men - can't have it both ways and be who we say (think) we are as a society. Kudos for your bravery in pushing your personal boundaries in the name of science and equality!

Your French passport is on the way.

Prohibition would be a public morality law. Under Spanish Constitution that kind of laws are not valid. In fact, in Spain it is perfectly legal to go completely nude in public places. And such beautiful redhead, we need more real redheads in Spain. Please visit some day!

Wow. Gorgeous body. (I'm a woman.)

Awesome of you to test this, I've experienced the opposite. I, male, was at a rooftop pool party and was asked to leave because I got naked when they routinely let girls get naked. I had already put my clothes back on, but they were still polite and let me say goodbye before kicking me out.

As mentioned: If you feel to oppressed, go the Barcelona beach, the Berlin parks or actually anywhere in Europe. No shame involved there...

Fantastic! At first I thought that this was going to be some boring story about the American prude rolling over on her towel, exposing the girls for a couple of minutes, and then running off. And then you go for a hot dog and impressed the heck out of me. The bathroom topped it~going topless that is! Reminded me of my first time at a French nudist colony... every time I locked the door to my room to go to the beach I went to put my keys in my pocket and thought "holy crap, I'm not wearing pants-- and I'm in the hallway!"

Nice tits.

Real courage, and adorably reported. No one seems to have connected the author's reactions to the culture that formed them. i.e. the concensus is that it shouldn't be a big deal, but it was obviously a huge deal to the author, otherwise all the, ahem, tittering by the other women wouldn't have phased her. And in the end, we are to understand it's a one-shot deal--that the author wouldn't do it again..... that she's more comfortable getting back in line, as it were. Which I do not point out in the pejorative, but simply that it seems to be the case. Anyway, quite a titilating story.... and a great medium for as many breast synonyms as one can pack into a piece--one that simultaneously decries our obsession with breasts, and celebrates it. Hm.

I don't see what the problem is with women going topless. People here in the US need to get over their problems with nudity.

In Denmark, it's quite normal for women to walk around with their breasts enjoying the same free air as the men's chests. In fact, sometimes I wish that wasn't so (you die a little inside when you see 75 year old nipples)

I'm breastfeeding my baby six times a day all over New York with no discretion whatsoever (except in restaurants; seems like bad table manners) and no one pays any attention. Really, I'd be much more self-conscious in a bikini on the lawn on a Saturday.

So funny how Americans make such a big deal out of nudity. In France we expose our tiny little breasts for all to see and it's no big deal.

I wonder, if the breast weren't so taboo in this country, would I be as happy when one was exposed in front of me? It'd be a shame to wreck something that awesome.

@MJL and that's why breasts exist, sir. to excite you once every couple years.

Great job Meghan!! Keep it up for boobs. *bianca*

I hope you didn't get too sunburned. Our people are definitely not meant to be in the sun.

Did your perky lily white nipples get burned? Because that would be notable.

This was adorable --as is the writer. But--direct sun is not good for the breasts--it will destroy the collogen (sp?)which will make them sag later in life. So-sadly, ladies, keep your tops on when out in the sun. The shade now, that's a whole other matter.

Good for you for trying this! But I'm a pasty white girl too, so ow ow ow for your tender breast skin. Also, I love your Natalie Dee bag!

Very interesting and funny read. I'm a pretty self conscious guy, so I don't know if I could do that. Thank you for your commitment to science. Plus, I believe the murmuring women were just jealous of how beautiful you are and were able to pull that off! Sorry, had to be said.

I'm sure the hot dog guy appreciated your ample tips.

wow, good for you, impressive

I recall when the law went into effect. There was a woman riding the subway topless and being interviewed for TV news but they had her breasts blocked out. It made no sense to me that a child could see her on the street or on the subway but the TV had to have a stricter code. America sexuality.

Maybe for a shy girl Meghan's actions took courage, but honestly, how privileged are you when the most daring thing you can think of doing is to take your top off for an afternoon in a very liberal city in the summer? seriously, if she had ever faced any hardships in her life, she would've passed on this assignment as beneath her. look at how experimental i am! Self-indulgent yuppie. in a world where women are forced to cover themselves from head to toe, and are burned with acid for disobeying a man's wishes, i am not impressed by her audacity. booji, yuppie wuss.

wow, dar, where in the world did you find such a high horse? and when did the orphanage you run in calcutta get internet access?

this is a sweet silly piece. science class should be more like this.

hey dar, are you a girl? if so, i suggest you do it and see if it's sooooo easy. if not, i suggest you shut the fuck up.

Way to go! I've become a big fan of the nude beach... feels good to get the girls out in the sun, without all the giggling & pointing. For future reference... it's all about the spray-on suntan lotion, which spares you having to rub yourself all over ;)

This is so awesome. I frequently have the dream where I find myself naked in public, or often just topless, and instead of being embarrassed, I'm pissed off at everyone else making such a big deal about it. I don't have the guts to do it in real life, though.

Ketchup on a hotdog?

Way to go, pretty Irish girl. Do a sequel, but with more pictures next time.

I can't see your boobs, there's fast food in the way. Your prudishness with the photo kinda runs counter to the point of the article.

Big effin' deal. This county is such a pack of prudes. (Well, maybe as bad as Iran) Best idea for sunscreening the chest bumps: Have your boyfriend apply the potion.

Add "not" to that last message. You know where.

I am 70 years old! First time I went top less was on the Costa Del Sole in Spain and I was 30! Hard to do at first then became very easy and natural. America needs to wake up. There is nothing wrong with going topless or for that matter beeing nude. Dorian

You go girl. Keep up the good work. Why hide your nipples on the subway,I love nipples.

is everyone crazy?! boobs are boobs. women have them, men don't. even though it's awesome she had the confidence to do this, it doesn't justify what is clearly beyond normal exposure. it's not about being sexist..it's a simple anatomical fact. keep your privates covered. i can't help how you choose to dress when the law's on your side, but more importantly, i, or anyone else, can't control what they see when they're standing in line at a hot dog stand. a little consideration would be appreciated by more than just me i'm sure.

hey look what you turned yourself into....WALKING PORNOGRAPHY!!!!!!! go get some boots and stand on a street corner.

Ok, I live in French Canada, and bare breasts are no big deal for us, first of all, most Montreal woman are tens compared to most Americans, so I am not very impressed. Even here in Montreal its hard to get impressed by all the tens, because it like a buffet so much available. Poor New Yorkers, i guess the smallest thing will create excitement, but here it takes a lot for us to get excited!

Seriously guys (I mean Americans) I feel so sorry for you. In Europe women sunbathing hopeless are common view and there is no "funny smiles" from immature, sexually insecure guys. The porn industry in US is thriving but sunbathing naked is an act of feminism? How sad and hypocritical is that? Once again it made me realise that Europe is much more healthy sane mature and tolerant society. Just read those comments "keep your privates hidden", "walking pornography" had sad and funny is that. For me it's simply unthinkable that such a normal, perfectly healthy natural thing as woman sunbathing topless becomes an issue that should be discussed and rises so many different opinions.

ks's vicious comment does not contribute to the discussion and does not meet the standards that should apply here. There always seem to be some who take advantage of the anonymity of the web to be nasty in ways that they would never be in person.

Somehow if you were serious, you would not have put such prudish pics in this article. Hopefully someday this country will move beyond being outraged by public nudity. Alas that day will only come when the last vestiges of Mythology and Superstition (ie. religion) are wiped from its face.

I just wanted to say 'well done' for doing what you did in the park! In Europe it's a normal thing for women to go topless, especially at the beach. I like going topless as I don't like those ugly tan lines. Nobody ever stares or harasses anyone and it really shouldn't have been that stressful for you. The people who gave you strange looks were probably just stunned by, or jealous of your beautiful body. Having read your article, it seems some Americans are not used to such an environment. But if it's never done by people again like yourself, maybe society will never change.

I'm a guy. This is the same type of experience I had the first time I wore a kilt in public.

Poor Americans... I just returned from a holiday in Rügen (Germany where almost 50% of the whole beach is sunbathing FULLY NAKED (they call it FKK German for free body culture). Nobody is bothered or offended. And Amercans already flip at seeing a single boob.... Yeah free country I suppose...

but why are your nipples covered in all the photos in the (great) article - ok in public but on the internet?

Great Job, Meghan. NYC is the perfect place for this experiement and your piece is well-written, interesting and very, very funny.

Thanks for doing this! One day hopefully us ladies everywhere will enjoy the same freedom guys do. It's stupid that my body has been so sexualized that I cannot even take off my shirt without guys turning into animals. And why should I have to change my behavior just because they cannot control themselves, hum?!

i'm a guy. stop saying we turn into animals! I dont care if she's topless. I guess most guys would look, but not go crazy. & why do women wear bras? i know i dont cause i'm a man but i also dont wear underwear. underclothes suck. if u want to be topless then i guess its scary here but many countries they dont give a shit. i actually hate wearing clothes

I would have added one more piece of equipment to the list--a copy of the court decision. If a cop did challenge you it would be a lot easier to show them the law than have to show it to the judge.

Megs you're my hero!

Pics or it didn't happen.

Not only is she a cutie but she's witty too. Meghan, can I invite you to go out for a day of sunbathing with me?

Wonderful and brave.

Wonderful story. I'm sure the country needs a whole lot more non-sexual breast exposure to get cured. Perhaps your honesty and bravery will inspire others. =)

You're cute! Of course, I always did have a weakness for redheads!

Guys don't have a problem with women going TOPLESS. It is WOMEN that have a problem with other women going TOPLESS. What GUY wouldn't love to have women TOPLESS and BOTTOMLESS!

If MORE women went TOPLESS then it wouldn't be such a big deal.

someone said that the covering of your boobs in the pictures runs counter to the article. I disagree. In an article about being topless in a urban environment where it is legal but taboo, showing your nipples online where it is neither illegal nor taboo, makes it less than necessary to the validity of the story. The article was about facing a taboo. posting on the internet isn't. You just want to see nip. lol. But seriously great job meghan! really really well articulated, witty, and ballsy. you should really have your own column or something.

Not a big deal in Berkeley or SF - recently saw two topless women rollerblading in a farmers market.

Great job Meghan! Don't let the haters get you down.

I applaud your courage. I also applaud all the politeness and respect demonstrated by the male-half of the population; it feels nice to see validation that not every guy is a ball of raging hormones who loses all sense of etiquette in the face of unexpected publicly displayed flesh. I am not surprised you were scorned by women; it seems in general people are harshest on their own. I wonder what the reactions would be if you had been in a different park, like one in Brooklyn or The Bronx.

why not especially with a nice pair of tits like yours show them of

very brave. i remember how stressful it was to walk around my college campus in a skirt (i'm a straight dude). i felt like everyone was staring at me and judging me. go you

Meghan. I first encountered topless sunbathing in Manhattan the summer of 1975, on top of the building I was staying on CPW. Toplessness is also legal in Austin, Texas where I live now. You can go anywhere topless here. A public county park called Hippie Hollow is completely clothing optional. Only one of the reasons I love living in Austin! Great article, interesting insights. Lovely lady, too. Thanks for your courage.

Meghan, I forgot to tell you, put on the SPF 70 in the comfort of your home and wear a loose top out to the sunning area. Then you don't have to feel uncomfortable applying to your naughty bits in public. Cheers.

Great article! You should get it published in a widely-read periodical. Can't help but think how it will read in say, 20 or 30 years. Reminded me of those recountings by women in the 1930's who wrote of traveling to German nudist clubs. Once sensational, now commonplace.

so what the hell is the real law? Was the park employee correct? If it's a state law then she was wrong. Was it a Park rule? I'm surprised there was no followup on this. The whole article was "being topfree is my right!" and the ending was "oh, only as long as I'm sitting on a towel"

Congratulations on exercising your freedom to be topfree. Here's the challenge - to make more people aware of their rights. So many assume it is illegal. There is only one way to achieve this, go topfree more often. Are you ready to spread the word of freedom to all? Make it Topless Tuesdays, every Tuesday. Continue on until at least three friends also join in the cause for freedom.

I applaud your actions. Thank you. I take issue with the person that called your actions pornographic, the person that referred to your breasts as "naughty bits", the person that thought they would die if they saw 70yr old nipples and those that only think what you did was good because you have "nice Tits" Man we have a screwed up society. Talk about poor body image and ignorance. Nobody has died (or had anything else negative happen) seeing someone naked or topless. Keep up the good work and ignore the neigh sayers.

Do you know that someone read this story and took your idea a step further? The article is called The science of going topless (thought you might be interested) http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17712-Cleveland-Open-Relationships-Examiner~y2009m9d4-The-science-of-going-topless

Good lord but Americans are so silly about boobs.

Strange that most of the negativity came from women. What's that mean?

Have you ever noticed that nipples outnumber people two to one? I support equal rights for all nipples.

lady, you have beautiful tatas. glad you got to flaunt them.

Just for the record, the difference between SPF 15 and SPF 50 is about 1% of the UV rays. Going higher than SPF 15-20 is a very big waste of money. Do a little research, and you'll probably be amazed and just how many "scams" there are with tiered things like that. As for the actual experiment, it doesn't matter if you are walking around or sunbathing, it is perfectly legal to be topless. The attendant was wrong, though probably indoctrinated by people who thought any sort of nudity was a sin against whatever god they believed in.

hey grl i admire your courage! here in vancouver bc canada i have had all sorts of the same treatment, men are kind and respectful (when over the age of 18ish) and women make either a big show or are rude and vulgar with say 30% of women being actually supportive. its ok if they put you down though because they are afraid jealous or uneducated, just don't take it personally and keep on going...its the only way people learn. the advice given regarding having a copy of the legislation is the way to go...i've had cops try and violate my rights to be topless on my own porch for crying out loud! don't let anything jeopardize your freedom...boobs are no big deal but we gotta understand that when we challenge taboo it takes time and determination...we gotta stay together...the suggestion regarding topless day is great....i am planning next summer to do topless bike rides in the city weekly or bi-weekly, it would be cool if we could organize across borders to support one another...we could each take a day of the week-then we could take comfort that every day across the continent there is a group of people representing the freedom to be topless...for those out there who wanna try it but are still afraid:try first with body paint and work your way down till there's nothing but decorative designs till:yay, your topless!!! its a great way of doing it. ps:truth be told i have been a nudist since i could dress myself but i still feel embarrassed and self conscious so don't think its a matter of feeling good about how you look its about accepting how you feel about it. when you walk around realize that most people got hang ups even the "really hott" ones and they have their cloths on! no one really cares how you look except other women with their judgments(that are really about themselves)... men aren't as picky as we are about ourselves...the often love us how we are... so we should too!

the problem is most women are embarrassed to go topless (many men also) i’m male & i am also scared to do anything. Finally I made a resolution that if didn’t check the mail shirtless I could not rent the movie I wanted several months. I checked it early in the morning and made sure no neighbors were out. I still was like going to die even though I’m male. I’m slowly getting my parents religion out of my head. As far as clothing goes their religion is as strict as the Taliban and topless men and women wearing anything less than a long dress is very taboo and hell bound. If I told them I signed the PETITION at gotopless.org they would think i’m going to hell and they’ll start praying.

Let's gather up our troops and make an official topless day in Central Park. Count me in!

Meghan Pleticha, you are awesome.

Thank you for sharing such a well written and honest piece. You rock. I am very interested in your experiment. I think a next step would be to compare the differences in, say 2 or 3 women together exercising their topfreedom rights together. And in different places to compare responses and your feelings What might be the difference in the reactions? The issue of actually having rights legally, but socially or practically the rights are constrained due to closed minded folks needs to be addressed as you do. Hope you and some friends can continue your experiment over time and see some positive changes. Take it on. (or off!) and be free. Way to go!

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If you don't want sun tan lines on your shoulders, why would you want them on your waist?& why do you care about tan lines, if you're showing anyone that much of your body daily, you're a whore,& being toppless for women is different then men for many reasons, one women have modesty written in our DNA, we're modest by nature,which explains why women dislike others who are showing to much skin, not that they're jealous, I have a lovely bf who adores every inch of me, i love being nude.....in privet. i will never be half nude outside because i will not be a slave to anyone,by slave it means PLEASEING OTHERS, IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM, WHOM I DON'T KNOW. did you know back in,eh, around the 40s women were FORCED to do porno? yep, with gun and iron fist, a women who did a famous movie called "Deep Throat" was forced with beatings & even having a gun held to her,she said it and her husband admitted it,she says those who watch that are watching her be raped,& now that movie stared so much today, sad how someones pain and miseray has pleased others.. this is what america wanted for the whole world, women to ONLY care about taking there clothes off, cause your inferior to men,you can't possibly think of anything smart to care about like say, why less women are scientist in america or why a lack of women in america have jobs that take a lot of intelligence in general? Nope. Who gives a fuck about that right? Lets all just care so much about something that does not have any GOOD EFFECTS, & WILL NOT GET ANYONE JOBS...AND LET ALONE, something we are against PEOPLE CARING ABOUT.do you people realize how hypocritical you all are? hating people for making showing nudity a big deal YET YOU, YOUR SELFS MAKE COVERING UP A BIG DEAL. The day when people actually don't care enough to even CARE THAT SOMETHING IS Censored is the day you'd get your freedom, the day you stop caring about exposing your bodies and care about INTELLIGENCE.You also know that sun on boobs= saggy,cisty sweaty boobs, and heat rash under your boobs from the skin rubbing the moisture. clothes and bras, were made with your BENEFIT in mind, with clothes it absorbs the moisture, see even in my wooden fenced backyard i have gotten nude, and i have experienced this, so i defiantly KNOW. i never go out in sun nude again..and even when walking or running around, boobs tend to bounce, and it HURTS. you're different, deal with it, I love being a woman therefore i embrace doing womanly things, like my desire to cover up so my body remains special & secret, people-women, should put there selfs on a pedistol, let only those who DESERVE TO SEE YOU, SEE YOU. do you really love knowing, you walked passed a man,toppless, and pleased him, and he,who could very well go home with you giving him SATISFACTION and then beat his wife's face in and molest his children? would you REALLY feel good about pleasing such a man? You women wanting this so bad proves your inferior to men because one, YOUR DOING THIS TO PLEASE MEN, CAUSE NO WOMAN LIKES YOU DOING IT AND ITS AGAINST YOUR NATURE AND RUINS YOUR WOMANHOOD,and secondly, because all women do is COPY MEN. stop COPYING THEM AND START YOUR OWN THING.god, the biggest problem with the world is that people keep COPYING OTHERS. no ones creative, no one KNOWS HOW TO THINK, no one ever stops to think, well maybe i don't WANT TO BE A MAN, MAYBE I LIKE BEING A WOMAN AND WILL NOT DO THINGS AGAINST MY OWN NATURE.. NO, you all follow blindly & listen to some dyked out masculine woman preach because she deep down wants badly to be a man, you know most lesbians even started feminism? and as i see what feminism really is, i know i can never be a feminist, i actually LOVE being feminine & being a female, so i desire NOT to do anything men do, and first off you women keep going on about men being shirtless a lot in public... uh NO. i never ever see men in public shirtless, i even read many signs on stores and fast food places that say "no shoes no shirt no service" meaning for EVERYONE.i am out of the house a lot and i've been to many places, never once seen a man just walking to a store or down the street shirtless...& where do you people even have the time to waste on your silly protests? I mean I have college & a job,a bf,friends, no time to waste even going to the park to protest, so any of you with this much time to go out & even be toppless means you really have nothing better to do, but people like me, who are studying to actually have power someday, are those who will actually be smart enough to make a difference, make discoveries.. but all in all, women should cover up and if the reasons i stated weren't clear enough as to why, then heres another, women have domestic violence programs & shelters, men do not,is the same reason men can go to a beach shirtless, women can not, and if you want complete equality,then when a man hits you, don't run away, nope, now u can't go to anyone to help you, your just like a man now, so HIT BACK. and lets see who wins. yeah thats right, you'd lose and cry and beg him to stop, so till you are men by nature, keep your clothes on and embrace your femaleness, feel special,be powerful enough to know, you really do control your body for once, who sees it has to be good to you, has to respect you, once u expose your self, your nothing special, men don't need to be nice to you or respect you, they can go see all the naked girls they want now, by not exposing yourself, you have the most important power of all.

OV, is that a psychotic rant you just wrote down? Visit a nudist resort sometime and learn to relax with brothers and sisters-- not predators and victims! God made us and loves us so have a glass of wine and relax. Meghan, thanks for the fun article and for taking a chance. I've enjoyed social nudity for 30 years now.

Yay you! I love women and everything about them. Would i be rude to admire them?...no. Are you anything but gracious in revealing your assets to those of us who havent earned the honor not at all. I would have looked but only in admiration.