Okay, I always thought the idea of Mardi Gras beads was pretty straightforward. It is not too hard to understand: people beg you for beads, and they have to impress you enough to earn them. Seems like it is simple, right?

Well, the way most people think of it, women lift up their shirts and get beads? But what do guys do? I was on Bourbon Street this year for the big day and I found my friends urging me to earn some beads. I didn’t really know what to do, so I started dancing. That earned a few beads! I got the hang of it pretty quickly, but one lady seemed to have the idea backwards and I will never forget what happened.

So I am looking up at this balcony waving my hands to show I want beads. A friend of mine said there was a girl in a white dress up there who was looking at me. I started making begging and pleading motions but she shook her head “no.” I started dancing a little and even flex my muscles for her and she still shook her head “no.” I made a shrugging gesture like, “What do you want?” And here is what she did: she decided to flash me, and then she threw beads down to me!

She didn’t seem to get the natural order of beads on Bourbon Street, but she made an impression nonetheless! I scooped up my beads quite happily and continued on my way.