# Hey! Nice ass! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 9, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581 "2003-04-09T16:54:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/1 "2003-04-09T16:54:07Z")
Inspired by [this post by **flight**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?s=&action=newreply&postid=3255425), I decided it was time to ask folks something I’ve been wondering about for a while. It seems to me that men and women mean different things when they use the phrase “nice ass”. In my experience, men mean exactly that. They see an appealing derriere. There is not necessarily any implication that the rest of the person is attractive, to my knowledge. Women, on the other hand, seem to use “nice ass” as an alternative to “what a hunk”, or similar phrases. It seems to imply that the total package (not _that_ kind of package, you pig) meets with their approval. A guy with a nice ass may, or may not, rate the comment “nice ass”, depending on any number of other factors, as far as I can tell. What do you think, ladies and gents? Am I on target, or way off track? And, if my assessment of women’s usage of the term is correct, can anyone explain that? ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/2 "2003-04-09T17:00:17Z")
Off target IMO. When I tell my fiance he has a nice ass, I am talking about his derriere. And believe me, he has a nice ass 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/3 "2003-04-09T17:05:56Z")
When I say “nice ass” I mean “attractively-shaped derriere.” As opposed to when I say “nice, ass” which means “way to go, bonehead.” ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/4 "2003-04-09T17:07:51Z")
Yes and no. I think when they (we) say “nice ass” it’s because the ass is particularly nice. However I don’t think woman compartmentalize as much as men do, so they’re not going to notice a nice ass on an ugly guy. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/5 "2003-04-09T17:10:04Z")
Um. I’m a girl. You needed to know that in order to answer your question. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/6 "2003-04-09T17:23:46Z")
When I say “nice ass” I’m requesting that someone not fart. ---
**Author:** ![Branwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Branwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Branwen)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/7 "2003-04-09T17:30:49Z")
When I say “nice ass”, I mean “nice ass”. Even if I don’t find a guy particularly attractive, I will usually still notice his backside. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/8 "2003-04-09T17:37:19Z")
Well, when I say “nice ass,” I mean, “Hey, could you slap my face clear across the room for me? Thanks!” At least, when it’s not my wife, that is. I’m afraid to say this to my wife because I’m not sure how she’d take it. ---
**Author:** ![Breezy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Breezy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breezy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/9 "2003-04-09T18:18:36Z")
When I say somebody has a nice ass, I am referring to just that. Their ass. haha BUT, I don’t think I’d notice a nice ass if the rest of the guy wasn’t that good looking… 🙂 I do think that all people think different qualities = a nice ass, though. I couldn’t personally tell you what I think makes an ass nice. hahaha I just know it when I see it. It usually involves the Levi’s 501 jeans. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/10 "2003-04-09T18:38:10Z")
Female vote here, agree with the OP. I would only say it about a guy who was, overall, hunky. And if was, overall, hunky, but a PIG, I’d say something like “but he has a nice ass” or “still, nice ass…” Girls, here’s a fun game: when you are walking the streets with a male friend (straight or gay) and he says “Hey, nice ass”, quickly clap your hands over his eyes and ask about the hair-color of the sex object with the ass. You’d be surprised how often they DON’T KNOW. Seriously. Jeebus, you guys. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/11 "2003-04-09T18:42:53Z")
I say “nice ass” to keep the ass calm so it won’t bite me until I can grab a stick or run away. “Nice assie…That’s a good little ass…” ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/12 "2003-04-09T18:53:49Z")
I can compartmentalize. I proved this recently when a guy caught me staring at his nice ass. Whoops. The rest of him wasn’t as worthy. Brown hair. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/13 "2003-04-09T20:17:51Z")
I usually follow “Nice ass” with “Can I ride it”? :::_ **Spiff** gets slapped upside the head_::: What?!??! Horses are too big and scary for me, so I prefer cute little donkeys instead. Is that so wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/14 "2003-04-09T20:35:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by j.c. \* > \*\*Female vote here, agree with the OP. I would only say it about a guy who was, overall, hunky. And if was, overall, hunky, but a PIG, I’d say something like “but he has a nice ass” or “still, nice ass…” > > Girls, here’s a fun game: when you are walking the streets with a male friend (straight or gay) and he says “Hey, nice ass”, quickly clap your hands over his eyes and ask about the hair-color of the sex object with the ass. You’d be surprised how often they DON’T KNOW. Seriously. Jeebus, you guys. \*\* And when he says, “Hey, nice hair”, do you clap your hands over his eyes and ask him what the woman’s ass was like? Jeebus yourself. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![BytopianDream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9de0a6/32.png) [@BytopianDream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BytopianDream)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/15 "2003-04-09T22:16:50Z")
When a co-worker friend says to me, “Nice butt,” I know she means that she likes my body/looks. How: She told me. When I tell her, “Nice breasts,” I really mean, “Let’s do it.” How do I know this: The little captain told me so. But when my aunt’s (crass midwestern women) tell me, “Nice ass.” I just scream in terror and run to the hills. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/16 "2003-04-09T22:49:16Z")
I’m going to go with the faction that identifies itself thusly: Nice Ass! = Cute Guy! I don’t know that I would actually inspect the ass of a guy I find unattractive. I don’t comment on women’s asses all that much. I hate my own ass, but hubby likes it. I have never ridden a small donkey. FaerieBeth ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/17 "2003-04-09T23:11:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Contrary \* > \*\*When I tell my fiance he has a nice ass, I am talking about his derriere. And believe me, he has a nice ass 😃 \*\* I’ll take your word for it. But, that isn’t exactly the scenario I was referring to, unless your engaged to a guy who has a nice ass, but is otherwise unattractive. 😉 I should have supplied more background, in the OP. I’ve been wondering about this ever since I learned that the women at a former employer used to get together and rate the men in the company. Apparently, there were only two categories; nice ass, and not. However, having spent a considerable amount of time hanging around gay men and talkative women, I have a pretty good sense of what most women would consider a nice ass on a man. Many of the “nots” had butts that were just as nice as the “nice asses”, IMO. So, obviously there were other criteria involved, but I could never get the women to explain them to me. So, ladies, if you saw a man walking down the street or at work, and decided he rated a “nice ass”, would you mean _just_ his butt? Or, would you be talking about the whole man? ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/18 "2003-04-09T23:35:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by betenoir \* > \*\*However I don’t think woman compartmentalize as much as men do, so they’re not going to notice a nice ass on an ugly guy. \*\* That’s a good point, and pretty much what I was thinking. I think there’s even more to it, though. If a woman knows a man, at least to the extent of knowing whether he’s a jerk or weird, etc., it seems to me that the personality is also a factor in the decision. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/19 "2003-04-10T00:08:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Davebear \* > \*\*That’s a good point, and pretty much what I was thinking. I think there’s even more to it, though. If a woman knows a man, at least to the extent of knowing whether he’s a jerk or weird, etc., it seems to me that the personality is also a factor in the decision. \*\* Yeah, but I am wiling to defer to my sister posters who say they can compartmenalize. I guess some of us can. Still I stick to my generalization as a generailzation. Also, (generalizing here) women do take personality and levels of jerkness into whether they find a guy attractive, but I think j.c. is accurate to say we can find a guy a jerk and still admire his nice ass. ---
**Author:** ![superkentclark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@superkentclark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superkentclark)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581/20 "2003-04-10T04:14:57Z")
When i notice a nice ass im thinking to myself “oh baby i just wanna give that rump a good squeeze and a little slap (for good luck… of course)”. But if the girl turns out to be deceiving me with her ass (she’s oo-gah-lee) those notions are repulsed and i dread ever thinking them. However, if she turns out to be worth noticing i continue my train of thought to “i wanna pull that ass in close to my…” i think im getting a biit outta hand here but u get the idea. oh and if u havent noticed im a guy. And **j.c.** , i usually look at a girl’s face first so the hair is normally noticed before the ass, yet if her ass is facing me i have no choice O:-) .Hell, u can do more with the face than the rump anyways… just use your imagination. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nice-ass/167581.md?page=2)