Beyond the “Slut” Look: From Incitement to Identity

Abstract

I was in a downtown coffee shop the first time I recognized it as a style. I had just settled into my seat when I looked up to see the “ass crack” of the teenage girl sitting in front of me. Her jeans were so low on her hips that they simply could not contain her backside. I sat for a moment wondering if I should tell her. Would she want to know? After debating the issue in my head, I walked over to where she was sitting and politely interrupted the conversation she was having with a friend. “Yes,” she murmured, looking up at me. Suddenly realizing the bizarre nature of the news I was about to deliver, I leaned in closer so as not to embarrass her. “Um, I was just sitting behind you, over there, and I noticed that, well, I could see your, um, I could see your behind. Like, quite a lot of it. I just thought you might want to know.” I figured that she would say a quick “thanks” and then head to the bathroom to pull up her pants. But she did not move. Instead, she stared awkwardly at her friend..”Okay, sorry to bother you,” I said quietly, suddenly realizing that the message I had been at pains to deliver was unappreciated. I started to back away. “I-I just thought you’d want to know. I mean I would want to know, so I thought you would too.” I went back to my table, some-what confused. When I felt compelled to look again, I saw the girl, who might have been sixteen or seventeen, reach around and touch the back of her jeans.

Yeah, the low jeans are very cool. And you gotta show your thong.

Ratch, “punk” style