May 12, 2003
Cry Pee Me a River.
Okay, we've covered the whole nakedness sells subject already. Granted, I am yet to see any hot, naked guys talking about how effective their jock itch remedy is, but injustice is everywhere... I'll get over it. However, there is one area where French men reign...
Peeing. Everywhere.
Granted, I realize there are times when you've got to go, and waiting for a more appropriate location just isn't feasible. Long road trips in the middle of nowhere are perfectly acceptable peeing occasions... find a nice shrub on the side of the road, and let it go. Camping out in the wilderness? No problem.
While I wouldn't say 2am in the morning in the middle of the city on a building because, well, the bars just let out and now it's time to let all those beers in your bladder escape as well is the best of occasions, as long as you don't pee on my shoes or anything, I'll turn my head and make sure my muttering is kept at a level where you won't hear it.
But you, Mr. Old Guy that just decided to make a yellow river in the petanque court near our house at 5:30pm? There is a bar like two feet away... go pee there!
Perhaps I was just too young and naive to notice this sort of thing in my US days, but somehow I'm thinking that europeans are just a more free-spirited people in many, many ways.
Posted by Kim at May 12, 2003 04:12 PMGuess in Europe it's the thing to do. A girlfriend of mine was over in some country there several years ago and came back with two photo albums - one of the places of interest and one of characters relieving themselves in a multitude of various landscapes. Got your digital with you? Is it too late for the May project?
Posted by: Roberta at May 12, 2003 04:54 PMWomen do it too, they're just more careful about hiding themselves from public view :) You don't really have much of a choice if you go on a long car trip and don't take the autoroute (motorway), because there aren't any public pit stops. That or go and buy a drink in a café to use their facilities... but that takes too long and costs money!
Just yesterday we were out taking a scuba diving lesson, and there was another diving boat next to our schools' boat. At one point our instructor shouted at them jokingly, "Hey whaddya think you're doing?! Cover yourself, man! My daughter might see you!!" We then noticed that one of the guys on the neighboring boat had his shorts around his knees and was peeing over the side without a care in the world.
Posted by: fraise at May 12, 2003 07:21 PMIn China all the babies and toddlers wear jumpsuits with a big split crotch - kinda cute seeing lots of little baby bums hanging out, less so when their parents sit them betwen their knees and let the kid shit on the floor next to you at some noodle bar.
In Mongolia in the depths of winter, during long jeep rides in the countryside, the women get out and squat with their jackets tied around their waists, which offers protection against both the freezing cold and prying eyes.