# Can I learn to be a flatulist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2006, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780 "2006-02-16T11:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/1 "2006-02-16T11:32:42Z")
I think it would be a great party trick and get me lots of dates. But how did the greats like Petomane produce so much (let alone on cue). Is it swallowed air or a bad diet? Any tips appreciated . I have done a little searching but Wiki etc wasnt much help ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/2 "2006-02-16T13:22:29Z")
[The Master speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_394.html): > [@](#): > > Joseph Pujol, born in Marseilles in 1857, owed his remarkable career to an extraordinary ability to control the muscles of his abdomen and anus. As a youth he discovered he could take in via the rectum as much as two liters of water, which he could then expel at will. Later he found he could do the same thing with air. So it appears the fart gas was not the result of diet or air swallowing, but a unique ability to inhale rectally. Good luck with that. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@TheBoneyKingofNowhere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoneyKingofNowhere)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/3 "2006-02-16T14:51:04Z")
> [@scm1001](#): > > I think it would be a great party trick and get me lots of dates. Are you sure about this? ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/4 "2006-02-16T16:44:04Z")
I’m pretty sure most people can flatulate without special training. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/5 "2006-02-16T16:46:04Z")
“Pujol”? Really? ---
**Author:** ![Squee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Squee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/6 "2006-02-16T16:51:02Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > [The Master speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_394.html):So it appears the fart gas was not the result of diet or air swallowing, but a unique ability to inhale rectally. Good luck with that. I had a friend in high school that could do this… probably not something he puts on his resume, but he was pretty proud of his “skill”. Later in life he did experience intestinal problems. He thought it might have been related to showing off his skill way too often (often just about every party). ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/7 "2006-02-16T16:52:53Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > I’m pretty sure most people can flatulate without special training. And play the ocarina? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/8 "2006-02-16T17:32:36Z")
> [@](#): > > I think it would be a great party trick and get me lots of dates. You must know some interesting women. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/9 "2006-02-16T17:36:18Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > [The Master speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_394.html):So it appears the fart gas was not the result of diet or air swallowing, but a unique ability to inhale rectally. Good luck with that. I’m visualizing a bicycle pump. A helium balloon. Fix-a-flat. ---
**Author:** ![MrSquishy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@MrSquishy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrSquishy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/10 "2006-02-16T17:53:28Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > “Pujol”? Really? I just read about this guy the other day, and that was my first thought too. Was that his real name, or did he change it? If it was his real name, I wonder if it somehow influenced his choice of career. Kind of a “chicken or egg” question, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/11 "2006-02-16T18:10:33Z")
I had a sigmoidoscopy recently. (This is when they insert a camera up your bottom, so to speak.) The medical staff were both professional and polite. They explained the procedure and asked which side I would like to lie on “do you want to watch the picture feed, or not?” (I declined!) Then the consultant asked if a student doctor could observe the procedure. Naturally I agreed - it’s a real chance to learn, As it happened, the student was a gorgeous young blonde female. 🆒 She was most reassuring to me throughout. As us chaps do, I fell in love. :eek: Now bear in mind they needed to constantly pump some air into me to keep the camera going up the passage. (It didn’t hurt.) Finally my bowels are given the all-clear 😃 and I start thinking how to ask the student out on a date. At this point they release the pressure on the tube and I fart… …and fart… …and fart… …for about 2 minutes, continuously. This blew my dating plan (so to speak.) ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/12 "2006-02-16T18:31:11Z")
> [@Squee](#): > > . . .showing off his skill way too often (often just about every party). Did _he_ get a lot of dates? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/13 "2006-02-16T19:13:20Z")
The appreciate a good farter! [Women of Cambridge](http://users.ox.ac.uk/~karate/images/varsity-2005-women-team.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![aahala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@aahala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aahala)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/14 "2006-02-16T19:23:21Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > I’m pretty sure most people can flatulate without special training. > > Robin It’s becoming more difficult to distinguish yourself in the field without further education. Formal training toward certification would include seminars in choosing the right food, controling your bowels and disrespect for others.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/15 "2006-02-16T19:29:42Z")
> [@scm1001](#): > > I think it would be a great party trick and get me lots of dates. But how did the greats like Petomane produce so much (let alone on cue). Is it swallowed air or a bad diet? Any tips appreciated . I have done a little searching but Wiki etc wasnt much help If you could learn to “inhale” 151 proof rum–and aren’t afraid of matches–I can guarantee you a date at Carnegie Hall. ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/16 "2006-02-16T20:00:18Z")
Well, first you’ll need a flute, and then… oh, _flatulist_? Never mind… ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/17 "2006-02-16T21:09:22Z")
> [@TheBoneyKingofNowhere](#): > > Are you sure about this? well at least they would notice me 🙂 thanx for the replies. I suppose the next question is how does one learn to control ones muscles like that. Do they teach that at pilates? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/18 "2006-02-16T21:51:25Z")
> [@](#): > > This blew my dating plan (so to speak.) With a med student? It sounds to me like you missed the opportunity to take advantage of a great icebreaker. She’s seen (amd heard and smelled) plenty of grosser things before, I’m sure. But someone with the balls to ask her out afterwards? That would probably have impressed her. ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/19 "2006-02-18T00:54:31Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > If you could learn to “inhale” 151 proof rum–and aren’t afraid of matches–I can guarantee you a date at Carnegie Hall. I think he’ll need one of those little flame guards attached like on the 151 bottles… just in case… ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780/20 "2006-02-18T14:18:14Z")
Umm, I would rethink the “I think it would be a great party trick and get me lots of dates” part of your post. Because I am reminded of an old joke about this guy who could so control the escape of gas that it came out as a whistle. And, he could modulate that “whistle” so as to do our national anthem. A talent scout, seeing this one night, called a theatrical booking dude at 2 am, saying “You just HAVE to see this!!!” So he did, and after the performer went through the anthem, the agent turned to the talent scout and said: wait for it… “You got me out of bed at 2 o’clock in the morning just to hear some asshole whistle The Star Spangled Banner?” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-learn-to-be-a-flatulist/344780.md?page=2)