I've always had a bit of an unrequited exhibitionism & voyeurism kink that has made me curious about nudism. Unfortunately, I've never had the chance to explore this craving as it's just too wild a hobby for my somewhat conservative, vanilla self. My friends, family, and definitely co-workers would flip if they found out I went to nude beaches!
I travel for work a lot, however, and have spent a lot of time in Germany over the last couple years. On one of those trips I discovered a crazy facet of German culture when I went to use a hotel spa and saw a "Nude Only" sign next to the mixed gender sauna.
That's right, for those like me that didn't know, saunas in Germany are mixed gender and strictly nude. Not clothing-optional-go-nude-if-you-want, but mandatory nude. Prudish, swimsuit wearing Americans like myself get ordered in no uncertain terms to disrobe completely if they try to wear any clothing into a sauna. Because you are going to be naked in front of others no matter what, even the changing rooms tend to be unisex, with women and men stripping down next to each other!
Even more intriguing, I learned that going to a sauna isn't a niche or deviant activity, but rather a mainstream and very popular form of wellness. Spas and saunas are everywhere and everybody uses them, including the young and the old, men and women, and the ugly and the beautiful. It's not unusual to run into your co-worker naked next to you in a sauna, or your professor, or even your boss! Nudity in the German culture is generally not a big deal and saunas are definitely not viewed as sexual thrills, although everyone steals glances at times.
After years of fantasizing, one cold and rainy early April morning during a work trip I finally decided to take the plunge. I had to experience going to a sauna myself and see if reality could match the fantasy I'd built up over time. My hotel sauna was not feasible to visit as I had co-workers staying there with me and I didn't want that awkwardness. After some research, I picked a public pool that had a sauna area figuring I could tell my colleagues I was going to swim some laps.
With butterflies in my stomach, I entered the pool lobby and navigated paying for a 4 hour pool and sauna pass. Trying to act casual, I told the cute, female receptionist that I wanted to add the sauna option to the regular swimming price. My heart pounded as she considered me thoughtfully.
"No textiles in the sauna... you must be naked, understand?" she finally asked me in a stern voice. "A swimsuit is still required in the pool."
As an American who's rarely naked except in single sex locker rooms or at home, her scrutiny and direct questioning made me suddenly feel like a pervert. Why else would an American, known to be prudes, want to strip naked in a German sauna?
"Y-yes, I understand," I stammered out, while vigorously nodding agreement.
I could feel my face flushing as I smiled innocently. For a half-second I thought about aborting to just buy a pool pass, but before I could change my mind she nodded back and handed me the entrance wristband.
"Very well. Enjoy your visit!" she called out, a sly smile flashing on her face as I turned to walk away.
Given this was my first time visiting a German sauna, I purposely chose a quiet time in the late afternoon. Things get busier when people get off work and I was seriously concerned about getting an erection in public as I'd never participated in mixed nudity before: no nude beaches, no skinny dipping, nothing! So I was actually relieved that there seemed to be hardly anyone at the facility. Walking down the rows to find a locker, I passed a middle-aged woman in her underwear who was finishing getting dressed. I spied a quick glance, letting my eyes linger for a second on her impressive breasts as she leaned down to pull on pants, but she never even seemed to notice me. That peek was a nice thrill and made me keenly aware that I was in a co-ed locker room for the first time in my life. After walking the full room, I chose a locker by the end that was next to the showers and started stripping down.
Right as I was pulling down my boxers, two women walked out of the shower area wrapped in towels. I froze like a deer in the headlights as they turned and strolled by while chatting with each other. Both of them glanced at me, eyes dipping briefly to my hanging dick, and continued on with friendly nods of their heads. I was stunned as conflicting emotions battled in my body. My heart was racing at the shock of being caught nude by strangers, but at the same time my cock was starting to harden with arousal from the thrill of being seen. I watched the women continue further into the locker room in a state of paralysis. Had that really just happened? They hadn't even batted an eye. Wow.
I put away my clothes, grabbed one of the supplied white, fluffy towels to wrap around my waist, and headed to the communal showers. It was mandatory to shower before entering the sauna area and the room was brightly lit with an open floor plan design that notably had no privacy shields. The bare room was adorned only with a simple line of shower heads mounted on the walls and a cluster of towel hooks on the side that exited to the saunas. The set-up was an exhibitionist & voyeur's dream! As I stood under the stream of water in the empty room I realized I was already getting turned on, my cock rising to half-mast from just the thought that a woman might walk in on me at any time. There would be nowhere to hide my arousal and my towel was a long walk across the room. The thought caused a stab of worry, that my whole visit might be derailed by getting an erection and being asked to leave before I even entered the sauna! Fortunately, or unfortunately for my kinks, no one joined me and some cold water at the end of my shower steeled my nerves and slowed my arousal enough to safely move on.
