Naked in the garden - what to do?

onamissionEU

I am after a little advice on a small issue which recently come about. A little background: My wife and I purchased a detached house in Germany recently from a very nice couple in their 50's. The house has a selfcontained "flat" in the basement. The sellers asked us if they could retain use of the flat for half a year whilst they wait for their new house to be built (very common here to build your own). This was a condition of sale and not a problem for us as the price was good. The flat has a seperate front door so all seemed to be fine. They seem to be a sociable couple, lots of visitors on weekends etc but they never get in our way and we dont really notice them.


Fast forward a few months and we come to my problem. The couple have a sauna in the (our) flat and use it regularly (a very German thing) - and last weekend I was in the garden and happened around the corner to where their front door is and came face to face with the pair of them, butt naked enjoying a glass of wine. They were obviously having a sauna night as their towels were on the railings.
In my shock, I wished them a pleasent evening and turned on my heel. Now I am unsure what to do or say - they are technically on "rented" property and not harming anyone, but I do feel rather akward. Any ideas? It is all rather embarrassing!

moneyistooshorttomention

Ignore it.

It's pretty "standard" in some European (and Scandinavian) countries and not to be viewed in the same light as it would be in Britain.

They've paid the "rent" on that flat for those months (ie by openly agreeing a lower price to buy the whole property - on that basis).

No big deal imo.

spadoosh

You could try asking them to keep their clothes on but i can imagine theyll say no.

Not sure on German laws but i think for the most part nudity is accepted as we are born not wearing clothes.

I think even in the uk you can be nude as long as your not doing it to provoke.

I would suggest either not looking or joinging in. Not looking would avoid your embarrassment, joining in would embrace the human form and make you realise that there is nothing embarassing about naked people. After all, we are not born wearing clothes. We generally use them for fashion and comfort. When using a sauna it seems an appropriate time for people to be naked.

Smodlet

Just how "small" is this problem?

lynz68

I would say absolutely nothing especially if they are only going to be there for a few more months. Maybe just avoid that area to save yourself any future embarrassment.

davidmcn

They're Germans in Germany, doing what Germans do. I suggest you get used to it.

DaftyDuck

Hedge trimmer first, then shears to tidy the bushes up.

Or, accept it as normal, and carry on wishing them good day and passing on.

onamissionEU

Normally I would have no issue with this at all and it is certainly possible to "avoid" that area, there is no need to go around that corner unless wanting to go into the flat, BUT we have 2 small kids (4 and 6) and the makes me feel a little uncomfortable (not suggesting anything inappropriate). And it is my property at the end of the day! I am not sure I can stick a few sausages on the bbq now withought wondering what might be around the corner!


That said it was late evening, past the kids bedtime and more than likely a one off! I guess I should leave it for now and hope they stay inside in the future!

marliepanda

There is nothing wrong with young children seeing a naked body.

The human body is not sexualised and inappropriate unless you make it so.

As said above, that part of 'your property' is their home, and is nothing to do with you at the moment.

agrinnall

It's a good thing the OP wasn't in Hull early on Saturday morning.

k3lvc

agrinnall wrote: »

It's a good thing the OP wasn't in Hull early on Saturday morning.

Is that what's traditionally known as a blue movie ?