Dear Readers: I’ve stepped away from my column for a week while I put the finishing touches on my new book. Please enjoy these “Best Of’’ columns in my absence.

Q. My wife and I are both 34 and have been married about a year. My wife knew I was a naturist before we married. She dislikes seeing me in the nude all the time. I do my share of the housework and all of the yardwork in the nude. When we have people over, I wear clothing. We went to a clothing-optional resort one time. I was nude the whole time, and she wore shorts and a shirt. What can I do to change her mind about being a naturist?Bob

A. You knew that your wife was a fully-clothed non-naturist when you married her, so why does she have to change to suit you? Why don’t you change?

The website for the Naturist Society (www.naturistsociety.com) offers this advice: “Typically, women are more wary than men of clothing-optional venues. But everyone, male and female, has ‘body issues.’ For some, the idea of being seen nude — and seeing others nude — is filled with psychological tension. A spouse, friend or partner can help reduce the tension, but only if caution and sensitivity are exercised. . . . There is a line between encouragement and coercion. Don’t cross it if you want to introduce someone to naturism.’’

Amy Dickinson can be reached at askamy@tribpub.com.