# Is there any point to collecting beads (showing tits) at Mardi Gras? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 16, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631 "2013-07-16T02:29:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/1 "2013-07-16T02:29:01Z")
So, I’m watching a “Cops” episode from New Orleans and as much as I appreciate the blurred-out images (which can be easily found elsewhere on the Internet, or so I’m led to believe) I wondered if there was, in fact, any end game. Are there prizes to be won for most beads? Otherwise why are seemingly normal women from all walks of life flashing their tits? Not that I have any aversion to this convention, but why? What causes ordinary women to go apeshit crazy and flash their tits? Serious question. Really. ---
**Author:** ![cletus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@cletus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cletus)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/2 "2013-07-16T02:32:47Z")
They are drunk. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/3 "2013-07-16T02:34:19Z")
Beads are fun. Tits are fun. That’s all there is to it. My guess is that the whole Mardi Gras thing gives women permission to do what they normally can’t do without social repercussions, so some of them do. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/4 "2013-07-16T02:34:59Z")
A lot of women enjoy showing off their tits, especially after consuming a lot of alcohol. The beads are a trophy for an exhibitionist’s night well-lived. It actually doesn’t happen all that much outside of Mardi Gras, you might spend all night on Bourbon Street without even catching a peak. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/5 "2013-07-16T02:35:08Z")
> [@cletus](#): > > They are drunk. I’ve been drunk lots of times. In fact I’m teetering on the edge right now. I don’t think I’ll be cruising the neighbourhood with my dick out. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/6 "2013-07-16T02:37:28Z")
Women would love to expose their breasts in exchange for beads, or anything else, at any time, but for some reason it’s only socially acceptable at Mardi Gras. I can’t prove that, but it’s the only explanation that makes sense. Except for the alcohol part. That might be a factor. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/7 "2013-07-16T02:37:30Z")
I will say that a very large percentage of the girl’s I’ve seen flash for beads are sporting some pretty expensively enhanced chests, and it seems that when a girl pays for that kind of thing, she likes to show off what she spent all that money on. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/8 "2013-07-16T02:38:56Z")
Concur. ---
**Author:** ![BorgHunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@BorgHunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorgHunter)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/9 "2013-07-16T02:39:29Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’ve been drunk lots of times. In fact I’m teetering on the edge right now. > > I don’t think I’ll be cruising the neighbourhood with my dick out. Maybe you should. It’s a fantastic way to meet people. People with steady, government jobs and nice, shiny badges, no less. And can beads really stand up to badges in the shininess department? ---
**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:** [July 16, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/10 "2013-07-16T02:39:35Z")
Attention. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/11 "2013-07-16T02:43:31Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’ve been drunk lots of times. In fact I’m teetering on the edge right now. > > I don’t think I’ll be cruising the neighbourhood with my dick out. You should try it…it makes a much better target for a string of beads, I’m thinking… ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/12 "2013-07-16T02:44:05Z")
My husband has a few strings of beads from NO. Some women got him to take off his shirt, then lower his jeans, and they were trying to get him to lower his shorts, too, when his cousin dragged him away. No, he hadn’t had anything to drink, but apparently he enjoyed the attention. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/13 "2013-07-16T03:48:02Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > My husband has a few strings of beads from NO. Some women got him to take off his shirt, then lower his jeans, and they were trying to get him to lower his shorts, too, when his cousin dragged him away. > > No, he hadn’t had anything to drink, but apparently he enjoyed the attention. I call BS. Either the pant-lowering is BS, or the no-alcohol is BS. Take your pick. Unless “some woman” was planning to execute more personal attention. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/14 "2013-07-16T04:05:11Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’ve been drunk lots of times. In fact I’m teetering on the edge right now. > > I don’t think I’ll be cruising the neighbourhood with my dick out. Your dick would probably not get the same public approval that women’s breasts do at Mardi Gras. That’s what Mardi Gras is about. One group of people is saying “we think you’re good looking” and another group of people is saying “we like being told we’re good looking.” Some people are there to objectify and some people are there to be objectified. It wouldn’t be good as a way of life but it works for a day or two. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/15 "2013-07-16T04:37:12Z")
In a grim world where Winter is Coming–although one wonders whether anybody will be left alive to greet the first snowfall–one of the saner characters muses: > [@](#): > > The Lord of Light wants his enemies burned. The Drowned God wants them drowned. Why are all the gods such vicious cunts? Where’s the god of tits and wine? Bacchus is one of the patrons of Mardi Gras… ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/16 "2013-07-16T04:41:50Z")
> [@Chief\_Pedant](#): > > I call BS. Either the pant-lowering is BS, or the no-alcohol is BS. > > Take your pick. > > Unless “some woman” was planning to execute more personal attention. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Your dick would probably not get the same public approval that women’s breasts do at Mardi Gras. I think the two of you have vastly underestimated how much adult human beings like seeing other adult human beings naked. If you doubt this, I have a little thing called “the internet” to introduce you to. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/17 "2013-07-16T04:44:37Z")
I had lots of fun a bunch of years ago at the Pride Parade. Lots of ladies lose their tops somehow, and there tend to be rainbows of beads available to wear. I got loaded and lost my top, too. On my friend’s rooftop on Halsted Street, I kept flashing people from up there, too, long after the parade was over. Women who are loaded enough and encouraged in an environment where they feel safe, will do all kinds of crazy shit with no end game other than having fun. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/18 "2013-07-16T04:47:32Z")
i think a couple of good points have been made. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/19 "2013-07-16T13:08:37Z")
I should point out that a lot of people on the balconies will throw you beads even if you don’t flash and just ask nice. It’s just fun to toss beads at people, even if there is no payoff. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631/20 "2013-07-16T13:51:27Z")
There are plenty of exhibitionists in the world and New Orleans is their Mecca. Bead throwing isn’t just a Mardi Gras thing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-collecting-beads-showing-tits-at-mardi-gras/663631.md?page=2)