This story has its roots in an actual event that occurred many years ago on an American college campus. Thank goodness it was before cell phone cameras and social media. A bit of embellishment, but several of the activities did occur. Of course all names have been changed to protect what little dignity we may have left. Hope you enjoy it and a vote or comment would be more than welcome!
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Waldorf Hall was an all male residence, nearly 300 college men, mainly first year students, in ten units on four floors. A connected dining hall and surrounded by several all women's halls. In the early seventies, this was as close to heaven as an 18 year old male could get. While this was prior to any official "International Nude Day", the spirit of that event is very evident of the activities we had one spring day. It was "Men's Day" at Waldorf Hall, better known as "Naked Day".
The event had been a tradition for more years than any of the students or even the staff members could remember. It had been around for at least twenty years which was when the building had been built. Actually just prior to most of our births. It was established enough that most of our faculty gave us a pass for attending class that day so we could attend. Of course, we said we were attending "Men's Day", not "Naked Day".
The upperclassmen informed us that it was a form of male bonding and while clothes were optional, it was expected that we would be nude throughout the day. There were a few events, some actual lectures, an actual art show and two performances. The first was the "Waldorf Hall Theatre" which had also earned a second name of the "Waldorf Hall Gross Out." The idea was to have a performance or skit that would disgust 300 young men. I will let you be the judge of whether or not we succeeded. The second was a fairly new activity, and while it didn't have the same blessing from the institution as the "Men's Day", there was a bit of a "wink, wink, nudge, nudge, nothing to see here" attitude as long as we kept to certain limits. The day would culminate with the men of Waldorf Hall streaking through the campus.
The day began with a general announcement over the public address system that "It is Men's Day, Waldorf Hall! Clothes are optional, but strongly discouraged. The day will begin with an address from our hall director and hall president in the main lobby in ten minutes." . For those of us who rolled over the announcement was repeated at five minutes prior, four minutes prior, three minutes prior and followed by groups knocking on every door to ensure complete participation.
Once assembled, a good number of people were naked, but some of us had our 'tighty-whiteys' on. Still not quite sold on the idea. Clearly we weren't the only ones. Our hall director and the hall president wore academic gown, like the ones for graduation ceremonies. They began with a welcoming address. "We welcome those present to the annual celebration of Men's Day at Waldorf Hall. A day of bonding and celebrating each other in ways that respect and further the knowledge of each other." They ran through the activities and a bit more flowery language and the crowd began to get restless. There were mumbles and general shifting back and forth.
Finally our hall director left the stage after introducing the hall president, one of the few upper class residents. There was a bit of quiet while the director exited (Looking back, I am sure this provided him with 'plausible denial' of what was to come). "Men of Waldorf Hall, I am pleased to announce.... MEN'S DAY!!! Get naked!" The president yanked off his robe, revealing himself beneath. He had on a pair of what could be considered gaiters, half pantlegs that had given the illusion that he had worn pants. Most of us who has modestly work our underwear to the meeting now stripped them off and threw them in the air like ersatz mortar boards. And so began Naked Day.
We had gang showers in the building, so most of us had seen our floormates naked. But that was maybe a dozen to twenty fellows. Here were upwards of 275 bare assed men jumping around celebrating being in the buff. Although we were a pretty homogeneous group, all men ranging in age from 18 to a few 20 somethings, there was diversity. In orientation (yes, we had gays back then!), race (African American, Native American, Asian heritage, Hispanic and perhaps more). The real diversity was also in body type. Some were athletes. Some were obese. The majority of us were somewhere in between. Our male equipment varied significantly as well. Length ranged from small to "Oh my fucking God". Six pack abs to abs obscured by six packs. Yet here we were all celebrating our maleness by being naked.
The art show had been set up in the lobby/lounge area and featured a lot of classic pictures, and even some statuary that celebrated the naked male form. While most were Greek or Roman/Italian in nature (Think 'David' by Michelangelo) There were a few African, Native American and Eastern pieces showing fertility deities. Two exhibits that were the most popular, the Indian 'Kamasutra' and examples of Japanese woodcuts of rather explicit content. Interestingly enough, Most of us filtered through the exhibits without much snickering or sophomoric behavior. I find that term particularly appropriate, even as freshmen, we could be pretty stupid. But here we were, mostly buck naked (or do you say 'butt naked'? Both are accepted) walking around viewing artworks. I guess being naked can help you appreciate other things.
There were a few sessions. A wide variety of topics, everything from fishing to grooming to card games (poker, bridge, hearts, spades among others). There were even some socially aware topics including "No means no", "Draft resistance or compliance", "Voting and Citizenship". The draft session was especially popular. The vast majority of us had just registered and the event where our numbers would be drawn to determine our place in line to go to the armed services was drawing near. That was another milestone event of our first year in college and not to be dwelled on here, but it shaped a lot of our lives. But back to Naked Day!
Lunch was especially interesting. Since we shared a dining facility with one of the women's halls we wondered how this would work. As we entered, we found that all the windows were covered over and the women had received passes to another dining facility or a bag/picnic lunch. Even the lunch ladies had been replaced by male servers, all properly naked. Unlike other days we actually had linen tablecloths and set place settings. The dining hall was 'men only' for the day. And over lunch we had an etiquette presentation. The explanation of how to cover yourself with a napkin was especially well received. It was one of the few times I did not feel that a food fight was about to break out. We were all perfect gentlemen. Naked gentlemen, but I do think I remember more about that etiquette presentation than any other.
The afternoon was mostly social. There were countless card games in progress everywhere you went in the hall. One intriguing aspect was that while there had been regular card groups on each floor and within each living unit. They were not evident. People were playing cards with new people. I believe that the fact that we were all nude, we actually sought out some new connections. I do know that several people commented they learned how to play several new card games as a result of that day.
