Monday, March 03, 2008

Touching Story

Look, Ma, No Hands

It’s not the gift of the gab this time, it’s the gift of the grab. The Italian supreme court has outlawed men from touching their genitals in public. Crotch-grabbing is an ancient superstitious habit in Italy that is believed to ward off the evil eye. It's traditional for men to do it if passed by a hearse or when discussing serious illness or disasters. Judges pointed out that if men needed to grab their crotches, they should wait until they were in the privacy of their own home.

FOOTNOTE: Crotch word puzzle.

24 comments:

Lee said...

That's interesting. I remember back in 1976 when the USNavy decreed that it was sexual harassment for a man to mess with his genitals in any way in public to include unbuckling and buckling his belt. I totally agree with the Italian Supreme Court's decision.

Peace!

lime said...

i had no idea this was a superstitious activity in italy. sounds like an excuse for self fondling to me! too funny

Misty DawnS said...

"Judges pointed out..."

ahahahahahahaha - you'll have to forgive me, I found that rather hysterical.

Leslie: said...

This gave me a good chuckle! I'll have to check that out next time I'm in Italy! lol

Sandi McBride said...

Funny, I didn't know that Michael Jackson was Italian!
Sandi

Epijunky said...

I agree completely with Misty Dawn's comment... I laughed out loud.

Cheryl said...

Both your title and your subtitle totally killed me.

BRUNO said...

Well, there goes any hope that the Italians will ever take-up the game of BASEBALL as we Americans' know it...!

The Egel Nest said...

Alternate Footnote:

Noted crotch grabber Michael Jackson permanently banned from Italy.


Bradley
The Egel Nest

Merisi said...

Sorry, gotta go home and ...
Methinks this is a case over overregulation. I mean, what are we outlawing next? Bulging tummies?

Lew said...

Can this ruling be extended to American baseball?

Alex L said...

Thats a bloody outrage, that would never pass in Australia thank god

Tom said...

Hi David.. when I read this I though great now to put something whitty.. I could not come up with anything better than yours so I will not even try... great post and it made me laugh.

Spellbound said...

I do realize that Italy is not exactly a bastion of equal rights, but this strikes me as an incredibly sexist ruling. Are Italian women protesting?

nitebyrd said...

I didn't realize it was part of a superstition in Italy (or anywhere, for that matter.) Perhaps we could get the US to ban it and RAP music as well.

i beati said...

And I thought it was just rearranging equipment

Shrinky said...

Are they still able to pinch any hapless females bum in public?

Suldog said...

This is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard of. I am rearranging my trouser furniture even now as a protest!

Akelamalu said...

I don't think the practice is confined to Italy! :)

Hilary said...

Who knew that evolving society also suffered from groin pains... ;)

imac said...

A wily crossword puzzle indeed.

Kat said...

HAHAHAHA!!! I was thinking about outlawing crotch grabbing in my household.

Am'n2Deep said...

So what happens if they break the judges ruling?

skinnylittleblonde said...

Wow...learn something new every day. I always thought it was an 'Italian Stallion' thing.