Sexual Anarchy in the UK: American girl style
Our former sex columnist learns the differences between British modesty and American openness when talking about sex
This can be attributed to English fashion, or lack thereof, as some may say. The most common teenage female outfit is a pair of skintight jeans, a mumu-like patterned dress layered with T-shirts or sweaters, messy hair precariously held up by a multitude of oddly place bobby pins and obnoxious cheap jewelry. Girls do not wear anything low-cut, too tight fitting on the bust or waist area, or short skirts or shorts without opaque leggings. Skin exposure is quite minimal. Even at clubs, you won't see the backless, strapless, stomach-less, ultra deep V-neck skin-tight tops common at the Power Plant. British girls may be edgy and fashion-forward with their metallic flats and Mod dresses, but they are not sexy or sensual.
The British also have sadly not been introduced to the art form of grinding. The Brits could never pull off inappropriate, boner-inducing quality grinding. Their form of dancing is more spastic and seizure-like. You jam out in your own world awkwardly kicking your legs and moving your arms in a windmill fashion. This ensures that another person doesn't come within three feet of your swirling dance bubble. Don't expect to get any action on the dance floor to the blaring British indie music.
That being said, there are two twists to the sexuality situation here in London. The first is the British obsession with PDA, or Public Displays of Affection. It's shocking upon first encounter, especially when you have a preconceived image of the cold British character. You will literally see people making out all over! Public transportation is the unofficial domain of first base. I saw a couple completely engulfing each other's mouths with tongues sloshing about for the enjoyment of other bus travelers like myself. And no, these weren't some young kids on the night bus coming back drunk from the clubs impatient to return to the dorms. It was mid-afternoon on a weekday, and they were two totally normal looking individuals. The young, the old, the hip, the nerdy - all can be seen getting intimate on escalators in the tube stations.
The British also have sadly not been introduced to the art form of grinding. The Brits could never pull off inappropriate, boner-inducing quality grinding. Their form of dancing is more spastic and seizure-like. You jam out in your own world awkwardly kicking your legs and moving your arms in a windmill fashion. This ensures that another person doesn't come within three feet of your swirling dance bubble. Don't expect to get any action on the dance floor to the blaring British indie music.
That being said, there are two twists to the sexuality situation here in London. The first is the British obsession with PDA, or Public Displays of Affection. It's shocking upon first encounter, especially when you have a preconceived image of the cold British character. You will literally see people making out all over! Public transportation is the unofficial domain of first base. I saw a couple completely engulfing each other's mouths with tongues sloshing about for the enjoyment of other bus travelers like myself. And no, these weren't some young kids on the night bus coming back drunk from the clubs impatient to return to the dorms. It was mid-afternoon on a weekday, and they were two totally normal looking individuals. The young, the old, the hip, the nerdy - all can be seen getting intimate on escalators in the tube stations.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Ash
posted 5/20/08 @ 10:20 PM EST
What upper class university are you going to ?
Derby uni is nothing like this.
Tara
posted 5/21/08 @ 1:12 AM EST
Well, they're okay with nudity because it's so desexualized, aren't they? That makes sense to me, anyways. America is so sexual that we have difficulty seeing nudity as anything but. (Continued…)
Alasdair
posted 5/28/08 @ 7:32 AM EST
I suspect the lack of grinding has something to do with the fact that we realised R&B was wank a few years ago and re-discovered guitars...
Something that hadn't happened for the American exchange students I know. (Continued…)
nimal
posted 3/17/09 @ 1:30 PM EST
sex
Brad
posted 6/08/09 @ 8:55 AM EST
what doughnut is writing this article?? can we see a pic of her, because I am guessing that might be the reason behind her not getting laid while over here. (Continued…)
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