A reader sent in a question to the Atlanta Journal and Consititution that appeared in Sunday's edition (Feb 22). The question is not about travel per se, but it is one of such complexity that only well traveled, highly experienced, well educated, and highly articulate people such as the ones who contribute to this forum can help me find an anwer.

Here is the question:
Is a swimsuit model really modelling a swim suit when she is buck naked and the swimsuit is lying on the ground?

What say you all to this conumdrum?

You can tell that it is February and I am dreaming of warmer climes.

Hmmmmmm,

Can a female be *buck* naked? Shouldn't that be doe naked?

Well, she's certainly going to increase sales of that swimsuit, which is the raison d'etre of models. Meanwhile the male readers will have to jump in the ocean to cool off after viewing the pages. In order not to frighten the horses, they will don swimsuits first. That, in point of fact, is why it's called the 'swimsuit edition' of Sports Illustrated.

Aren't you glad you don't live in Europe bob and ira? So much more fun when nudity is somewhat taboo....

Well, she's getting you to look at the page, if not the swimsuit. My observation is that while such things tend to offend some people, many of those most offended tend not to be members of the target market anyway.

in the south, we really refer to this as "butt nekked", but if you yankees want deer, go for it!

as to the question at hand, i would assume the marketing ploy is that the suit looked so good on the model, her paramour was enticed to remove it (ie. it made her look amorous enough on to make an impact to male suitors).

i can't believe that two guys living in georgia went for the "buck" thing. y'all must be carpetbaggers.

My thoughts:
If a model is "modelling" a swimsuit, then it has to be ON her. Otherwise, she is naked girl in a magazine and that would sell more magazines.

well, scarlett...

you obviously missed the point (message) of the 80's and 90's benetton ads.

even the implied possibility of sex sells everything from clothing to viagra.

Suh, ah will have you know that Beauregard P. Cornpone Brown wern't no Yankee.

I hate to say this, but a dictionary definition of modelling does not say that wearing is mandatory. It only says that a model is a person that displays the item. Therein lies the heart of the matter. What is being displayed?

I think I will ask my Italian daughter.
She lived in the USA for 2 years and still laughs at American prudity.

subcon, I think that is what I meant. They will sell more magazines if she is not wearing anything.
I personally dislike Benettons ads and avoid them if I can.

Bob, would that be the girl from the country where the churches require shoulders and knees to be covered?

My point: if different institutions or population subgroups subscribe to a different set of values than one's own, surely this in and of itself isn't sufficient to render the former values of questionable merit. (I can imagine the outcry if I posted that Italian churches are 'prudish.' And frankly, were I to do so, I consider that I'd deserve what I get.)

Look, it's not that I don't appreciate that everyone indulges in competitive oneupmanship from time to time. I object only to the insinuation that when it is done by a European, such as your 'daughter', that that is somehow of significance.

Hi subcon,

I admit to having been unfortunate enough to have been born in the North, but that is not my fault.

Sue,

I have this somewhat amusing picture of our swim suit model in a church, shoulders and knees carefully covered but otherwise starkers.

The company's message is probably that the swimsuit is so beautiful that even the owner wants to see it and therefor doesn't or cannot wear it! Lovely message!
And those who are shocked by the nudity aren't aware of the beauty of the swimsuit! But they will give it free publicity.
Swimsuits have always been presented on models, and we all know why. This publicity goes one step further: it doesn't participate in the quest for a very beautiful young lady presenting the suit in the most 'common' way.
Strange that wristwatches aren't always presented on wrists, shoes on feet, and belts on belly's, isn't it?

What is the swimsuit brand, bob?

Would she still be a runway model if nekkid, lying next to the runway? (to keep this travel related)

As I said, the inspiration for this post came from Vent section of the sports page of the AJC.
There was no picture, just the printed words. Sorry. I will have to look at Sports Illustrated to get a few swimsuit names.
If nudity were not somewhat taboo, we would never give it a second thought.

Der Englishe Garten in Munich in summer is often the scene of mixed sex nude sun bathing. No one except a few foreigners gawk.