So what's this I hear about giving ladies mardi gras beads?!
Question: You can have the beads if I can have something in return -- it's a trade Platy.
Answers: You can have the beads if I can have something in return -- it's a trade Platy.
I assume you are asking about "flashing for beads". There is certainly no need to do so - just go to a parade, wave your arms, and scream "Throw me something!". You get so many beads and other tokens you need a bag to carry them home. Note that no parades roll through the French Quarter. Also, about 97% of women DON'T flash for beads.
The "SHOW YOUR T**TS" thing (flashing) does happen, but it is restricted to the French Quarter and mainly to the first 7 blocks of Bourbon Street. It isn't legal but you can get away with it in the FQ if you are reasonably discreet. The police use a lot of discretion and give at least one warning, but continuing to do so after the warning(s) is a ticket to jail.
Virtually 100% of the people who appear in videos like "Girls Gone Wild" are tourists - meaning they are from wherever YOU live and not from where I live.
Carnival is a family holiday for those of us who live here. We take our kids to the parades and go to parties & balls. Someone "flashing" on the parade route may not get even one warning before being arrested.
Go to www.mardigras.com for more info on Carnival in New Orleans.