New Orleans Mardi Gras

New Orleans Mardi Gras is Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of the most famous Carnival celebrations.

Standards of decency

In the last decade of the 20th century, commercial videotapes catering to voyeurs helped encourage a tradition of baring breasts in exchange for beads and trinkets. Many non-residents now associate this activity more than any other with Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Related Topics:
Videotape - Voyeurs - Breasts

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While standards of what is considered indecent exposure might be relaxed during Mardi Gras, and women showing their breasts to encourage receiving beads is documented since the 1960s, the practice was mostly limited to tourists in the upper Bourbon Street area. Until recent years, New Orleans police tolerated women flashing their breasts in the French Quarter if the display did not cause public disruption, but would arrest people for more explicit nudity. In the last couple of years, however, police have been cracking down on such actions, reasoning that flashing can incite acts of indecency against women who expose themselves.

Related Topics:
Indecent exposure - 1960s - Nudity

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Outside of the French Quarter, attitudes are much less lenient. While many visiting tourists think of Mardi Gras as an "adult" holiday, for most local residents it is a time of family traditions; indeed, many view the parades mainly as sources of enjoyment for children. Many families with very young children gather along the parade routes Uptown and in Mid City. In these areas, nudity, public drunkenness and other bad behavior is discouraged and could lead to quick arrest.

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