Nudity taboos in Trek

[F. King Daniel]

Okay so a thread bringing up Carol's infamous shuttlecraft stripdown in Star Trek Into Darkness got me thinking about the various contradictory depictions of nudity taboos (or lack therof) in Trek.

We had the Lower Decks communal shower scene, which Boimler wasn't a part of because they made him uncomfortable (according to Mariner, at least)

Phlox was nervous about undressing in front of T'Pol in Star Trek: Enterprise, which also had T'Pol and Hoshi use handbras in topless scenes. Nobody seemed to bat an eye over lotioning each other up in their underwear in the decon chamber, though.

Worf was anxious about attending Riker and Troi's nude Betazoid wedding, but everyone else seemed to be up for it.

So it seems the majority are happy to be naked in the future, but a few are still uncomfortable with the idea. Whether the real-life reasoning is attempted humour or trying to depict the kind of future Gene Roddenberry wanted (wink, wink) around what TV censors would allow, it makes for something of a mess. Was Worf shy about his (established many years later) double appendage?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

So it seems the majority are happy to be naked in the future, but a few are still uncomfortable with the idea.

Understandable.

Some people just don't enjoy being naked. It's unavoidable. Not everybody is an exhibitionist.

As much as people like to say "in the future, everybody will go around naked", it'll never happen. There will always be those who just aren't into it.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

Yeah, even in situations where it's socially acceptable to be naked, some people are just not going to be comfortable with it. Except Betazoids.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

It's definitely unsurprising that Worf doesn't like to be naked. Klingons, being a warrior race, would naturally be used to wearing protective clothing at all times. Nudity is vulnerability.

Although I admit I'm confused as to why Phlox doesn't like to disrobe in front of others. One would think that in a culture like the Denobulans, who not only have multiple marriages but also encourage their partners to have flings with strangers (i.e. Phlox actually wondering why Trip didn't let Feezal seduce him), they'd get naked at the slightest provocation...

 

[NCC-73515]

Was Worf shy about his (established many years later) double appendage?

2 streams don't have to mean two complete faucets (2 openings make more sense).

 

[fireproof78]

Although I admit I'm confused as to why Phlox doesn't like to disrobe in front of others. One would think that in a culture like the Denobulans, who not only have multiple marriages but also encourage their partners to have flings with strangers (i.e. Phlox actually wondering why Trip didn't let Feezal seduce him), they'd get naked at the slightest provocation...

Individuals can vary.

 

[Oddish]

Worf doesn't like being naked because naked people can't carry concealed weapons.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Okay so a thread bringing up Carol's infamous shuttlecraft stripdown in Star Trek Into Darkness got me thinking about the various contradictory depictions of nudity taboos (or lack therof) in Trek.

We had the Lower Decks communal shower scene, which Boimler wasn't a part of because they made him uncomfortable (according to Mariner, at least)

Phlox was nervous about undressing in front of T'Pol in Star Trek: Enterprise, which also had T'Pol and Hoshi use handbras in topless scenes. Nobody seemed to bat an eye over lotioning each other up in their underwear in the decon chamber, though.

Worf was anxious about attending Riker and Troi's nude Betazoid wedding, but everyone else seemed to be up for it.

So it seems the majority are happy to be naked in the future, but a few are still uncomfortable with the idea. Whether the real-life reasoning is attempted humour or trying to depict the kind of future Gene Roddenberry wanted (wink, wink) around what TV censors would allow, it makes for something of a mess. Was Worf shy about his (established many years later) double appendage?

What is "contradictory" or a "mess" about it? It's different people from different societies and different species from different planets reacting differently, as would happen. Why should consistent lockstep behavior between so many varied individuals be expected?

 

[NCC-73515]

Worf doesn't like being naked because naked people can't carry concealed weapons.

A type 1 should fit in there easily...

 

[valkyrie013]

Depends..
This being an American production, American morals would be shown.

But for a actual space story, depends in the specues, some might not use any clothes at all except in extreme cold. Take the Caitians, there covered in fur, so clothes may be not natural to them.

Even amoung humans, nudity isn't a taboo to some areas. Natural to go topless on a European beach, etc.

Some species, maybe the Deltans would consider our hang up on nudity to be amusing.

Me, I'm all for body positivity, love the skin your in, warts and all.

 

[FormerLurker]

"We're supposed to just sit here?" sums it up for me regarding Worf and nudity. He really didn't like the mudbath.

 

[Oddish]

Bodily modesty has actually been increasing, not decreasing, with swimwear anyway.

Bikinis are still worn, but sarongs and tankini are making inroads.
Men are rarely seem wearing speedos anymore, longer shorts seem to be the thing. And where it used to be the norm for boys to swim shirtless, we now often see their swimsuits including shirts.
At the rate we're going, swimsuits will cover most of our bodies again by the 2070's or so.

 

[F. King Daniel]

If attitudes are essentially as varied as today, why even have communal showers on the U.S.S. Cerritos (and presumably others)?

 

[dupersuper]

Bodily modesty has actually been increasing, not decreasing, with swimwear anyway.

Bikinis are still worn, but sarongs and tankini are making inroads.
Men are rarely seem wearing speedos anymore, longer shorts seem to be the thing. And where it used to be the norm for boys to swim shirtless, we now often see their swimsuits including shirts.
At the rate we're going, swimsuits will cover most of our bodies again by the 2070's or so.

Just in time to hide our shame from those robed, lanky Vulcans...

 

[Alexander Corrino]

I love how Jean-Luc went from Troi remarking that he’d be “very relieved” for not having to attend a traditional Betazoid wedding in “Haven” to teasing Worf for being anxious about attending a Betazoid wedding ceremony in Nemesis and then remarking that he’s gonna go hit the gym. THAT is character development right there, y’all.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

If attitudes are essentially as varied as today, why even have communal showers on the U.S.S. Cerritos (and presumably others)?

Because Captain Freeman is a jerk! Plus it seems like people can opt out if they're uncomfortable.

 

[NCC-73515]

It also seems the whole crew can watch sexualized and fully nude crewmates in holo training simulations

 

[Richard S. Ta]

If attitudes are essentially as varied as today, why even have communal showers on the U.S.S. Cerritos (and presumably others)?

Because Starfleet is analogous to a military organisation. Except when it's not. Which it isn't. Not at all. I definitely didn't just say Starfleet is in any way military, because obviously it's not.

Except when it is.

Though it's not of course.

Right?

 

[NCC-73515]

It only is a military when it has money and the yellow uniform is green. I think. So most of the time, it's not, but sometimes it is.

 

[Sakonna]

One I always thought was so weird was Tuvok's dream in "Waking Moments" of going to the bridge naked. That's a nightmare that seems very particularly human, and quite un-Vulcan, to me.

Though maybe @Mr. Laser Beam has a brilliant fanwank for it, because I always felt similarly skeptical about Worf's nudity anxiety, but this is fucking perfect:

It's definitely unsurprising that Worf doesn't like to be naked. Klingons, being a warrior race, would naturally be used to wearing protective clothing at all times. Nudity is vulnerability.

Makes perfect sense! Love it.

2 streams don't have to mean two complete faucets (2 openings make more sense).

Lorca also referenced the Klingon Double Dick when taunting L'Rell that human men don't have the right number of organs for her.

I am very on board with the KDD. Retroactively makes all the Troi/Worf stuff much more interesting.

Also puts a fun new spin on K'Ehleyr's comments that her Klingon father & human mother needed "a fair bit of help" in that area. I'll bet!