# Anyone else's BS meter going off in response to the pyjama pants girl thread? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 20, 2002, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902 "2002-05-20T03:57:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Sengkelat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Sengkelat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sengkelat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/81 "2002-05-21T16:52:34Z")
It’s funny, people are citing Skewbald’s writing being “too good” as evidence that his story is fake, while simultaneously saying it’s “too much like a Penthouse letter” to be true. I don’t remember Penthouse having good writing. Perhaps I flatter myself, but I could write as well as Skewbald when I was a teenager, so at least for me that’s not evidence of fakery. The later posts do start sounding like Penthouse letters, but my first attempts at describing sexual situations did as well. This is because, despite having read plenty of non-sexual fiction, my only reference for erotica was the lame letters in porn mags. Also, folks in the thread are praising his powers of description so much that he may be going into a bit more detail than he ought, leading to the penthouse-letter syndrome. At least he’s not saying “Her firm scoops of flesh” or anything. As far as wearing PJs to school, I knew a girl in high school who wore her boyfriend’s silk PJ pants to school occasionally. She had to safety-pin the fly closed to avoid flashing everyone. Memories of her are what hooked me on Skewbald’s thread. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/82 "2002-05-21T16:59:07Z")
I think the point is, I don’t give a crap if it’s fiction or truth, but I’d like to know because Skewbald’s Ultra Sap Coyman act at the beginning had me wretching from here to Oak Street Beach. The chick is flashing her twat at him from day one, telling him how much she likes his cock and he says “gosh, do you think she may like me?” I honestly believe that this board has so many people interested in reading and writing that if he just said “ok, here’s my fantasy about the pj girl” we all would have read it just as eagerly. I have people asking me for my writing all the time But if he feels that he’s putting one over on us, being all cutesy and living out the ultimate romance…I’d like him to know…he’s not. j ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/83 "2002-05-21T17:18:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\* > But if he feels that he’s putting one over on us, being all cutesy and living out the ultimate romance…I’d like him to know…he’s not. > > j \*\* So does this mean our date is off? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/84 "2002-05-21T17:22:26Z")
It’s on baby. Bring your penis! ---
**Author:** ![Stephi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stephi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/85 "2002-05-21T17:27:45Z")
Well, I’m just a lurker here usually, but I wanted to give my 2 measly cents on the topic. I live by the rule that anything you see on the internet you should assume is false unless there’s a good reason to believe it’s true. I’m not seeing a lot of reasons to assume it’s true. Nothing personal against Skewbald, I just don’t see many reasons to be convinced. It sounds like more of a fantasy situation than reality. Actually, I kinda hope the story’s not true. If I was “pajama girl” and I found out all the details of my romance had been typed up in glorious detail to thousands of people to peruse on the internet, I’d be pretty damn upset. But, maybe I value my privacy more, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![pezpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@pezpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezpunk)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/86 "2002-05-21T17:28:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sengkelat \* > \*\*At least he’s not saying “Her firm scoops of flesh” or anything. > \*\* Oh No? Then how do you explain this? > [@](#): > > I watched TV and played with her fat cat What say you now?!? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/87 "2002-05-21T17:34:09Z")
I hadn’t read that thread until I followed the link posted here. It’s not really to my taste but it is a cute story, I don’t see the fuss. Whether it’s true or not a lot of people are enjoying it, it’s making a lot of people feel good (you know, like those feel good movies). I don’t mind the story has brightened my otherwise nondescript day, I really don’t care if it’s true, false, or a clever way of pitching a new movie. ( All these people liked it, it’ll make millions ) And, to be fair, I don’t see the point of bringing this to the pit. What is it going to achieve ? If **Skewbald** is making this up then he’ll probably know when/if he’s going to reveal the truth, otherwise he’ll bring it to some sort of logical conclusion, or stop posting. I doubt this thread will change that. On the other hand I can’t see the point of posting a fictional account as if it where fact, but that’s just me. Actually, thinking about it, posting a fictional piece as truth means you get praised for your writing style (if it’s any good) but avoid most of the (mostly constructive) criticism that would spring from posting a fictional piece. For what it’s worth I don’t really see a problem with anything that’s happened being too ‘out there’, although I admit my world view can a touch more rose-tinted than some when it comes to tales like this. I’m saying it’s all true, just that I don’t see it being _that_ implausible. Bottom line, I’d don’t really care if it’s true or not and I don’t see what this thread is going to achieve. SD And, on preview, what Stephi said about it being true and Pajama Girl finding this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/88 "2002-05-21T17:37:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*It’s on baby. Bring your penis! \*\* We’ll need a second boat for it. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/89 "2002-05-21T17:44:30Z")
For those of you saying “Aaaawww…it’s just a story. No-one’ll get hurt.” please take a look at the following shitstorm [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=65049), [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65319), and [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=65245#post1221858). Assuming that **Skrew** _is_ making it up (and I’ll conceed that there’s no proof that he is), how is what he’s doing any different than what Little Tassie did, except that Little Tassie’s story was sad ☹ not happy 🙂 ? It seems that many of the people saying “It’s just a story. No one gets hurt from stories on the internet” are newer posters, Please read the linked threads to see what sort of grief this kind of thing can stir up. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/90 "2002-05-21T17:48:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Whether it’s true or not a lot of people are enjoying it, it’s making a lot of people feel good (you know, like those feel good movies). I dunno, it made me feel all queazy like those tear-jerker spam-mail stories. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/91 "2002-05-21T17:50:36Z")
JAR sez: > [@](#): > > I think the point is, I don’t give a crap if it’s fiction or truth, but I’d like to know because Skewbald’s Ultra Sap Coyman act at the beginning had me wretching from here to Oak Street Beach. I agree. I couldn’t make it through his first three posts without worrying my teeth would fall out from all the sugary goop. So I can’t speculate about whether it’s true or fake, though I’m guessing fake [sub]what, I just speculated? Oh, hush up.[/sub]. Some people loved _The Bridges Of Madison County_, sighing over the romance of it and clasping the book to their (heaving) breasts. Some people loathed it as overheated setimental shite – a book which, in the words of Dorothy Parker, should not be laid aside lightly; it should be thrown with great force. I take it what we have here is another _Bridges Of Madison County_. Those who love it don’t care if it’s true or not. As one who did not love it (at least the part of it I could get through), I wouldn’t love it any more if it were true. But the guy is apparently putting forth an entertaining story that many people are thoroughly enjoying so, real or not, good for him. ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/92 "2002-05-21T17:56:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\*Assuming that **Skrew** _is_ making it up (and I’ll conceed that there’s no proof that he is), how is what he’s doing any different than what Little Tassie did, except that Little Tassie’s story was sad ☹ not happy 🙂 ? > \*\* You know, that’s a good question, and one I wondered about before posting what I did. I think this is slightly different in a couple of ways. There has been speculation in the thread itself that this may not be the whole truth. I think most people reading the thread are accepting this fact. Although, as you say, there’s no proof either way. I do take your point about this causing a big mess and feelings getting hurt. I think I was trying to question the validity of _this_ thread, if the stories true then people questioning come off looking cynical (at best) and if it’s false it just generates more attention to the original. But I can’t find (or word correctly) an answer to “Does it make a difference because it’s a happy story?”, although I think somehow it does. So, let me ask the rest of you who’ve followed the original thread from day one, if the story was revealed to be utterly false tomorrow how would you feel ? I doubt I’d care, but then I read the story today, maybe I’d feel different if I’d followed it day to day. SD ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/93 "2002-05-21T18:00:17Z")
I seem to recall a poster several years back who would create fictional stories, pass them off as true, get repeatedly banned and repeatedly come back. You know what we called that? Trolling. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/94 "2002-05-21T18:13:31Z")
> [@](#): > > He has a very nice writing style, a little more descriptive than mine, but that is nothing to raise a BSometer ranking. As far as it being too “good” for someone his age, I wrote as well, perhaps better at 18. A different style, sure, but still good enough to be published nationally as a poet, playwright and writer of short stories. I disagree. I didn’t say he has write well, once again I’m unable to notice if something is well written or not in english. But he doesn’t use the direct style most use on this board. He isn’t recounting events but telling a story, and tries to tell it in a pleasant way. As soon as he’s telling a story, I must envision that this story could be fiction. That’s what made me suspicious at the first place. > [@](#): > > And this diagnosis comes with what qualifications? Drop us a link to a scan of your masters or doctorate in psychology please. Oh, and a copy of her test results from your examination of her. If you don’t have such a thing, I’d suggest you drop this as a criteria. Come on, 3/4 of the way to “BS” on your meter for this? Just because she was different in her attitudes towards modesty and the woman’s role in the courtship than women you have known personally? Is it so hard to believe there are women out there who are not romantically repressed? I believe there are, I married one. I won’t drop the criteria. Being a human being is enough of a credential to judge human behavior. My BSmeter is highly dependant on what I feel. Do you always believe whatever a stranger say just because you don’t have a PhD in psychology?And “not being romantically repressed” is certainly not the way I would qualify her attitude. Her behavior is full of contradictions. > [@](#): > > Please recall, this is NOT a story about an American Boy and an American Girl. Other countries raise their children differently. I don’t find his description of her behavior/attitudes unbelievable. In case my english wasn’t enough of a hint, I’m _not_ american. > [@](#): > > What you see as careful organization, I believe to be simple recitation of fact. I could relate one of my own encounters from when I was dating and it would “titillate” just like Skewbald’s story. The actual situation was pretty titillating too That’s possible. That’s why I only added ten points. But note that there’s always an erotic element, and the author _never_ trespass the line of the “slightly erotic”. What he describes could happen, sure. It also happens to fit perfectly in what would be allowed on this board while still offering some titallation to the readers. > [@](#): > > This is just your own cynicism. This love story is far from “perfect” in my eyes. It’s very nice, yes, but not “way too perfect”. You want “way too perfect?” Go read The Princess Bride by William Goldman. The most beautiful girl in the world, (yes there is a ranking mentioned in the book version and she is classified as the most beautiful) a boy who loves her for years and patiently waits for her to notice him. This same boy conquers his mind and body in the hope that she might be pleased by a strong body and bright mind. All the while she grows to love him by abusing him and he never gets tired of it, blah, blah, blah. Great story, COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE. She’s a dream girl. Physically, for instance. She’s very erotic. More important, she always seems to follow _his_ own pace. Never rush him. Always offers him what he want and just a little bit more to lead him closer to her. If she’s for real, she should apply for a job of Geisha. Real love story are usually much more disorganized and there are quite always differences in the expectations of both partners. Extremely few 18 y.o. would be able to cope in such a wise way with these difference. She appears to be a wise guardian angel, not a teen-ager. Please note also that they happen to be exactly 18 y.o. Which means they are the youngest possible persons who could indulge in an erotic story without it being an issue for anybody, or an issue for this board. According to _US_ laws, of course. It could be true. But how convenient! > [@](#): > > I don’t see this as “American.” Dates pre-dated the US, hate to tell you this, but courtship rituals and outings happen in other countries too. Modesty is also worldwide. The speedo issue, is just plain weak. Speedo is international, they grew up in Australia, they have stores all over the Americas, and they are just built a brand new Superstore/Regional HQ in Britian. Yep, that’s Speedo, embarassing men the world over. If you don’t perceive it as as “American”, it’s probably because you’re american yourself. I can’t be absolutely sure about these cultural differences, since for instance this guy could be, say, Norwegian, and norway could be extremely americanized. I never lived there, so I don’t know. But indeed the story clearly made me think about an american soap-opera. Concerning the specific point I noted : -The date thing. The very formal american system of “dates” is a mystery for most europeans. it seems extremely ritualized, full of implicit rules, etc…A lot of us plainly don’t get it, and don’t even understand exactly what the status of one’s “date” is. -The prom thing : well…perhaps there are actually proms in some northern european countries. But proms aren’t an universal concept. Even less so proms where kids would go with their most beautiful outfits (as opposed to the most “cool” attire). There could be proms where he lives. Kids could dress well for these proms. That’s possible. But this is another detail which raise my suspicion in a long list -The modesty thing : well…americans are quite well known for stressing “modesty” more than europeans. I noticed this “modesty” several times. I just can’t remember right now, and didn’t even paid much attention. But to give you an example : how many attractive young european girls would tan on the beach with a top? Sure, part of them won’t go topless. It’s not a proof that the story is faked. But another suspicious detail, once again. -The speedo : you got it wrong. I didn’t mean that speedos don’t exist in Europe. But at the contrary that they’re extremely common. It’s the most usual bathsuit for a male, and even mandatory in swimming pools in several countries. So, pretty much everyone would have one, and nobody would be embarrassed about it. Once again, perhaps in this unknow european country the norm is different and a speedo is unusual and embarassing, like in the US. But, still…another suspicious detail. Though perhaps I’m misleaded on this one, since you seem to consider “Speedo” as a brand, while I understood as a generic name of the little swimsuits used by professionnal swimmers. -Something else I just thought about : the guy notice the “cursive” writing of his gf. Perhaps in this mysterious country people notice cursive because most people write in print. But there are many countries where cursive is the overwhelming norm, and pretty much nobody write in another way. Another detail. > [@](#): > > Check this link out You can click on various European cities and get a 5-day forecast with high and low temps there. I just checked Amsterdam and Hamburg, both have temps up into the 70s(Fahrenheit) this week. Not exceptionally warm by my own personal standards(I live in Texas) but perfect beachgoing weather in those countries. With a nice sun, that would be great. Well…I mainly noted this point because I found it amusing, actually. However, what is the _water_ temperature of the North Sea now? A couple of scandinavian people posted on this thread. Would they bath on their shores, currently? Of course, that’s possible. There are people much bolder than me. > [@](#): > > I don’t see what people have a problem with this for. Hell, I grew up a few miles from a lake and I would see people out riding occasionally. I grew up in a major metropolitan area of 3+ MILLION people. You couldn’t keep a horse within 15 miles of where I lived, but I still saw them sometimes. Why is this such a big deal? Because, once again, though it’s _possible_ (I already saw horse riders on the seashore myself) it’s very _uncommon_. What’s the likehood of such an event taking place on their first date on the beach? But it adds a pleasant element to the story. It’s the accumulation of unlikely _but always pleasant_ (sometimes, one could see for instance a bike on a beach…for some reason, such displeasant occurences never happen in this romance…just like they don’t in movies) details which makes the story unbelievable. Also the writer mentions a galloping horse, but no rider (it would be much less romantic, don’t you think?). How many horses galloping freely on a beach have you seen? (especially since horses don’t really appreciate beaches, usually) > [@](#): > > I could get a boat if I wanted one, even on fairly short notice. Flatbed skiffs are quite cheap actually, the only boating around me is lakes. I’m sure they would be even more common if I lived in a coastal area. I also have memories of a “secret” island from some family trips to visit friends in a neighboring state. We took canoes or flatbed skiffs out to it a few times. Yes…once again, it is possible. He could have a boat. He could know a perfect and desert island. How likely is it? How many perfect and always positives unlikely details are needed for someone to doubt that a story is for real? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/95 "2002-05-21T18:18:38Z")
> [@](#): > > He has a very nice writing style, a little more descriptive than mine, but that is nothing to raise a BSometer ranking. As far as it being too “good” for someone his age, I wrote as well, perhaps better at 18. A different style, sure, but still good enough to be published nationally as a poet, playwright and writer of short stories. I disagree. I didn’t say he has write well, once again I’m unable to notice if something is well written or not in english. But he doesn’t use the direct style most use on this board. He isn’t recounting events but telling a story, and tries to tell it in a pleasant way. As soon as he’s telling a story, I must envision that this story could be fiction. That’s what made me suspicious at the first place. > [@](#): > > And this diagnosis comes with what qualifications? Drop us a link to a scan of your masters or doctorate in psychology please. Oh, and a copy of her test results from your examination of her. If you don’t have such a thing, I’d suggest you drop this as a criteria. Come on, 3/4 of the way to “BS” on your meter for this? Just because she was different in her attitudes towards modesty and the woman’s role in the courtship than women you have known personally? Is it so hard to believe there are women out there who are not romantically repressed? I believe there are, I married one. I won’t drop the criteria. Being a human being is enough of a credential to judge human behavior. My BSmeter is highly dependant on what I feel. Do you always believe whatever a stranger say just because you don’t have a PhD in psychology?And “not being romantically repressed” is certainly not the way I would qualify her attitude. Her behavior is full of contradictions. > [@](#): > > Please recall, this is NOT a story about an American Boy and an American Girl. Other countries raise their children differently. I don’t find his description of her behavior/attitudes unbelievable. In case my english wasn’t enough of a hint, I’m _not_ american. > [@](#): > > What you see as careful organization, I believe to be simple recitation of fact. I could relate one of my own encounters from when I was dating and it would “titillate” just like Skewbald’s story. The actual situation was pretty titillating too That’s possible. That’s why I only added ten points. But note that there’s always an erotic element, and the author _never_ trespass the line of the “slightly erotic”. What he describes could happen, sure. It also happens to fit perfectly in what would be allowed on this board while still offering some titallation to the readers. > [@](#): > > This is just your own cynicism. This love story is far from “perfect” in my eyes. It’s very nice, yes, but not “way too perfect”. You want “way too perfect?” Go read The Princess Bride by William Goldman. The most beautiful girl in the world, (yes there is a ranking mentioned in the book version and she is classified as the most beautiful) a boy who loves her for years and patiently waits for her to notice him. This same boy conquers his mind and body in the hope that she might be pleased by a strong body and bright mind. All the while she grows to love him by abusing him and he never gets tired of it, blah, blah, blah. Great story, COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE. She’s a dream girl. Physically, for instance. She’s very erotic. More important, she always seems to follow _his_ own pace. Never rush him. Always offers him what he want and just a little bit more to lead him closer to her. If she’s for real, she should apply for a job of Geisha. Real love story are usually much more disorganized and there are quite always differences in the expectations of both partners. Extremely few 18 y.o. would be able to cope in such a wise way with these difference. She appears to be a wise guardian angel, not a teen-ager. Please note also that they happen to be exactly 18 y.o. Which means they are the youngest possible persons who could indulge in an erotic story without it being an issue for anybody, or an issue for this board. According to _US_ laws, of course. It could be true. But how convenient! > [@](#): > > I don’t see this as “American.” Dates pre-dated the US, hate to tell you this, but courtship rituals and outings happen in other countries too. Modesty is also worldwide. The speedo issue, is just plain weak. Speedo is international, they grew up in Australia, they have stores all over the Americas, and they are just built a brand new Superstore/Regional HQ in Britian. Yep, that’s Speedo, embarassing men the world over. If you don’t perceive it as as “American”, it’s probably because you’re american yourself. I can’t be absolutely sure about these cultural differences, since for instance this guy could be, say, Norwegian, and norway could be extremely americanized. I never lived there, so I don’t know. But indeed the story clearly made me think about an american soap-opera. Concerning the specific point I noted : -The date thing. The very formal american system of “dates” is a mystery for most europeans. it seems extremely ritualized, full of implicit rules, etc…A lot of us plainly don’t get it, and don’t even understand exactly what the status of one’s “date” is. -The prom thing : well…perhaps there are actually proms in some northern european countries. But proms aren’t an universal concept. Even less so proms where kids would go with their most beautiful outfits (as opposed to the most “cool” attire). There could be proms where he lives. Kids could dress well for these proms. That’s possible. But this is another detail which raise my suspicion in a long list -The modesty thing : well…americans are quite well known for stressing “modesty” more than europeans. I noticed this “modesty” several times. I just can’t remember right now, and didn’t even paid much attention. But to give you an example : how many attractive young european girls would tan on the beach with a top? Sure, part of them won’t go topless. It’s not a proof that the story is faked. But another suspicious detail, once again. -The speedo : you got it wrong. I didn’t mean that speedos don’t exist in Europe. But at the contrary that they’re extremely common. It’s the most usual bathsuit for a male, and even mandatory in swimming pools in several countries. So, pretty much everyone would have one, and nobody would be embarrassed about it. Once again, perhaps in this unknow european country the norm is different and a speedo is unusual and embarassing, like in the US. But, still…another suspicious detail. Though perhaps I’m misleaded on this one, since you seem to consider “Speedo” as a brand, while I understood as a generic name of the little swimsuits used by professionnal swimmers. -Something else I just thought about : the guy notice the “cursive” writing of his gf. Perhaps in this mysterious country people notice cursive because most people write in print. But there are many countries where cursive is the overwhelming norm, and pretty much nobody write in another way. Another detail. > [@](#): > > Check this link out You can click on various European cities and get a 5-day forecast with high and low temps there. I just checked Amsterdam and Hamburg, both have temps up into the 70s(Fahrenheit) this week. Not exceptionally warm by my own personal standards(I live in Texas) but perfect beachgoing weather in those countries. With a nice sun, that would be great. Well…I mainly noted this point because I found it amusing, actually. However, what is the _water_ temperature of the North Sea now? A couple of scandinavian people posted on this thread. Would they bath on their shores, currently? Of course, that’s possible. There are people much bolder than me. > [@](#): > > I don’t see what people have a problem with this for. Hell, I grew up a few miles from a lake and I would see people out riding occasionally. I grew up in a major metropolitan area of 3+ MILLION people. You couldn’t keep a horse within 15 miles of where I lived, but I still saw them sometimes. Why is this such a big deal? Because, once again, though it’s _possible_ (I already saw horse riders on the seashore myself) it’s very _uncommon_. What’s the likehood of such an event taking place on their first date on the beach? But it adds a pleasant element to the story. It’s the accumulation of unlikely _but always pleasant_ (sometimes, one could see for instance a bike on a beach…for some reason, such displeasant occurences never happen in this romance…just like they don’t in movies) details which makes the story unbelievable. Also the writer mentions a galloping horse, but no rider (it would be much less romantic, don’t you think?). How many horses galloping freely on a beach have you seen? (especially since horses don’t really appreciate beaches, usually) > [@](#): > > I could get a boat if I wanted one, even on fairly short notice. Flatbed skiffs are quite cheap actually, the only boating around me is lakes. I’m sure they would be even more common if I lived in a coastal area. I also have memories of a “secret” island from some family trips to visit friends in a neighboring state. We took canoes or flatbed skiffs out to it a few times. Yes…once again, it is possible. He could have a boat. He could know a perfect and desert island. How likely is it? How many perfect and always positives unlikely details are needed for someone to doubt that a story is for real? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/96 "2002-05-21T18:19:28Z")
> [@](#): > > _orignally by Jarbaby_ Bring your penis! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\* > > We’ll need a second boat for it. \*\* [heckler]Yeah, a dinghy ! D&R… ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/97 "2002-05-21T18:24:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SpaceDog \* > \*\* > But I can’t find (or word correctly) an answer to “Does it make a difference because it’s a happy story?”, although I think somehow it does. > \*\* Thanks for the thoughtful response **SpaceDog**! Let me add one additional point. Now that (some) people are wrapped up in the story, (again, assuming it’s fiction), what if he DOES pull a “Little Tassie”? ================================ \< sob \> Pyjama Girl and I were on Pirate Island when we saw a storm coming in fast. We decided to get out, but first I admired the way the dappled sunlight highlit her creamy skin. We were half-way across the lake when the storm struck! Lighting and thunder were crashing around us! The waves roiled! Despite it being the middle of the day, it was black as night. And the rain pounded down. I tried to shelter her with my coat, but it did no good. The boat capsized. I awoke on the shore and tried to get up. Strong hands held me down. “Where is she?!” I cried, as I vomited up lakewater. “Where is Pyjamagirl?!” “Just try to relax” a voice said. “Not until I see her!” I screamed and pushed the ambulence driver away. She was no-where in sight. They took me to the hospital and there she was…in a coma. I can’t… I won’t lose her! Can all you people pray for her? I’ve never been religous before, but now… ====================================== At least _some_ people believe he’s telling the truth (and he may be.) But **IF** he’s not, what’s the point of not just saying it’s fiction or a fantasy if not some sick sort of manipulation of people’s emotions? Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Dryga\_Yes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Dryga\_Yes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dryga_Yes)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/98 "2002-05-21T18:50:05Z")
I love you, Fenris. ---
**Author:** ![Stephi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stephi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephi)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/99 "2002-05-21T18:50:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\* > > Thanks for the thoughtful response **SpaceDog**! Let me add one additional point. Now that (some) people are wrapped up in the story, (again, assuming it’s fiction), what if he DOES pull a “Little Tassie”? > > ================================ > _snip scenario 1_ > > At least _some_ people believe he’s telling the truth (and he may be.) But **IF** he’s not, what’s the point of not just saying it’s fiction or a fantasy if not some sick sort of manipulation of people’s emotions? > > Fenris \*\* Or what if it ended like this? =============================== “I leaned in to kiss her when all of a sudden…” If you’d like to learn more about what happens to Pajama Pants Girl, please send $19.95 plus shipping and handling to: Skewbald 1234 Road Street Hometown USA 12345 (Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.) =============================== I think you’d all be really pissed. Not that I think he’d do that, maybe I’ve just seen the movie “Clue” too many times. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902/100 "2002-05-21T18:53:17Z")
Based on some of the posts here, it is true that you can fool some of the people all of the time. More amusing is the quasi-personal attacks by those “all of the time folks.” Anyone interested in this great surplus bridge I have for sale? Further, isn’t posting fake stuff as real a bannable offense? If you want to do soft-core porn for the masses fine- just label as such. Posters putting up fiction as the truth some be dealt with harshly. For those asking why not just keep our heads in the sand-- please see the mission of this site. No wonder it’s taking so long. . . . _-me_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-meter-going-off-in-response-to-the-pyjama-pants-girl-thread/109902.md?page=6)