Jeana and I were discussing all the slapping of behinds that happens in sports. Specifically, we were watching the NCAA mens basketball tournament when this topic came up. I have this question:
Why is it acceptable for one man to slap another man’s behind on the basketball court (or any court of your athletic choosing) when it is unacceptable to do it at other times?
I’m not lobbying here for the acceptability of slapping off the court. I’m just questioning what society has accepted as okay on the court.
For instance, if I were to go out to lunch with two male coworkers, can I slap one on the back-side and say, “Nice ordering of those fries Sean” or “Now get up there and place your order Brad – you can do it”? No I cannot. Nor would I want to. It’s just down-right unacceptable.
Definitely not fun when you are the one getting slapped. Slapping seems to happen more often in your more traditional sports. You don’t see it as much after skiing or swimming events (thank goodness). You’d probably be safe joining in a cricket league, don’t you think? Maybe slapping is more of an American thing?
Maybe it is an American thing, and I agree that’s it’s found more in the mainstream sports. What’s ironic is that you would expect macho football players to be a little self conscious about the slapping. It’s just a weird phenomenon and I don’t like it.
I know what you mean, and why is it even more unacceptable to slap a woman’s butt!?
You know, it’s just an all out violation of personal space, same gender or no. I guess for professional sports, ones for which the athlete is paid, an athlete could file a harassment claim since the violation would happen on the job.