Parading a public penis - that is, exhibiting one's penis in a public setting - is something that many men enjoy; however, unless the public setting is a nudist gathering of some sort, doing so can land a man in plenty of legal hot water. Many who have never visited a clothing optional beach or a nudist colony assume that such places are essentially "anything goes," but nothing could be farther from the truth. There are many points of etiquette, as well as simple rules to protect penis health, that a man should take into account before embarking on a nudist escapade.

Rules can vary.

First, it's important to realize that rules and restrictions can vary significantly from one nudist gathering place to another. Sometimes, as with clothing optional beaches, there are rules that are laid down by government bodies; at other times, as with a private nudist colony or club, the rules are established by the coordinators or participants. Therefore, it's important for a man to bone up on what the rules are for any clothing-free event he wishes to attend.

However, there are some general rules that apply to most nudist gatherings.

1. Go natural, not nude. This may not seem like a big deal to the general public, but most people who enjoy a clothing-free lifestyle prefer to be called naturalists rather than nudists. A newcomer should respect this and employ the term "naturalist" when talking to other people at the event.

2. It's about freedom, not sex. The vast majority of nudist gatherings are about the joy and freedom of walking around without clothing, not about engaging in sexual activity. (Those that are really just orgies hiding behind the naturalist tag are usually easy enough to identify.) It is considered the height of rudeness to engage in sexual activity at a nude beach or other nudist event. This includes both masturbation and partner sex. Breaking this rule is a quick way to get kicked out.

3. What about erections? Probably the question of most concern to men is whether sporting an erection is against the rules. In general, most nudist gatherings accept that erections sometimes occur; the basic rule of thumb is to not flaunt the aroused state. If a man's penis hardens while sunning on a beach, it is best to either turn over on the stomach until it deflates or cover it with a towel. And speaking of towels…

4. Bring a towel. This makes sense when going to a beach, but many outdoor colonies and indoor gatherings also request guests bring a towel to cover seats, etc. It's simply more sanitary.

5. Don't stare. It is fine to glance at other people and observe their bodies, but staring or gawking is impolite.

6. No pictures. Never take a photo or video without getting permission from anyone who might appear in the picture; some clubs prohibit pictures altogether.

7. Respect privacy. Many attendees prefer to use their first names only; respect this and do not insist on learning more than a person wishes to tell.

8. Favor plastic over glass. Because glass can break and create a danger to exposed areas, plastic bottles are generally preferred over glass containers.

9. Bring sunscreen. If going to a beach, definitely bring sunscreen - and make sure to use it on the penis, testicles and posterior. Nothing is more painful than a sunburned tool.

While a nudist gathering is not about sex, men with the opportunity for a public penis display want to make sure that their equipment looks nice and healthy; using a first class penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can be a big help in this area. Regularly spreading on a vitamin-rich cream can deliver important nutrients directly to the penis, a big advantage over oral administration. Men should select a cream that includes alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that can offset penile cell aging and help prevent a wrinkled penis look. In addition, the cream should include vitamin C, which also helps maintain a youthful-looking penis.