Smash hit

“Most people are around 50 years old, says Richard, “but we had one American couple in their seventies. Like us, guests are couples whose children have fled the nest. They see this as a chance to have a good night out in good company.”

Swinging is strictly off the menu, a no-nonsense approach that is spelt out on the couple’s website. To safeguard against undesirables the couple chat with people over the telephone first. Couples are not given the home address but instructed to meet Richard at a nearby hotel. Here he assesses the couple’s sleaze potential over a pre-dinner drink. If the couple pass, which all have until now, he shows the way to his home where Roxanne gives the guests the final once-over. Only after this final check, lasting about an hour, do the clothes come off.

“I’m sure the day will come when we get the wrong sort visiting. It’s bound to happen just because of the law of averages. We expected to have more bother. But so far we’ve been really lucky,” says Richard.

And what’s the key to a good nude dinner? Satisfactory room temperature? A ban on double entendres involving meat and two veg? No hot soup on the menu? None of the above. It’s just like any other dinner party, according to Richard, who says he is “a sociable character, willing to speak to anyone”. Keeping wine and conversation flowing is essential. Many people — especially first-timers — are understandably nervous about revealing all in a stranger’s home. Job descriptions, addresses and workplaces are kept secret as diners attempt to safeguard themselves from unwanted revelations on departure. With napkins strategically placed on their laps and bare bottoms resting on discreet hand towels, guests and hosts keep to safe topics of conversation such as football, naturist holidays abroad and, of course, the weather.

Despite becoming increasingly expert in the art of nude dining, Richard and Roxanne maintain that the best dinner was their first. It was the guests’ wedding anniversary and the couple — an Australian and a Scot — decided to dine nude to celebrate. Richard remembers: “It was just one of those nights where everyone got on really well. Sometimes conversation can dry up after an hour or two when you don’t know people. But that night the chemistry was just there.”

The good experiences have encouraged them. The couple once considered buying a holiday flat in a naturist resort abroad, but they couldn’t imagine how they would keep it a secret from their non-naturist friends and family, who are currently unaware of their passion, but who would have wanted to visit. These days, emboldened by their success on the dinner party circuit, the couple have plans to open a naturist B&B of their own.

“It would mean moving house, but it would be worth it,” reckons Richard. “A nice place in the country where people can come and relax would be great.”

Until then, they’ll spread their naturist good news at home, but with the curtains firmly shut.

www.nudedinners.com

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