New airport security full body ex-rays machines are being introduced in Manchester England. This full body ex-ray is designed for those who don’t like to have a physical search of their body when going through airport security. Watch the video carefully. The image presents your body with no clothes and outlines all body parts. Are we ready for this in America? I am not so sure. It is conventionally known that Europeans are more “open sexually” than Americans. So, am I surprised that they are unemotional about such a new gadget? I think not. If you will recall the time that Janet Jackson exposed her right breast in a costume malfunction during the Super Bowl, we American’s went nuts. “Forget spam. Forget the latest virus. You want to get pretty much every electron in the US of A stirred to a frenzy? Get a singer's breast exposed on Super Bowl Sunday, then watch the phone lines buzz with moral indignation, hear TIVOs whir into overdrive replaying the pivotal moment in Super Bowl History, and wait while internet routers hum with a sexual buzz. All fixation, all the time, it seems” (Martin, n.d.).
I work for a company that has offices in 49 countries. The week after the Super Bowl game, my co-workers in Amsterdam were laughing themselves silly over the reaction we were having here in the United States over Janet Jackson’s breast exposure. The term “prude” was being tossed around as a perfect stereotype of us Americans However, that doesn't mean that there aren't odd attitudes about sex or breasts in Europe, it's just that, taken as a whole, the attitudes about sexuality and the human body are a bit more relaxed than they are in the US; so there's no need to get fixated on an object like Janet Jackson's right breast. You've see 'em before--even, quite likely, as an infant (Martin, n.d.).
Next week I am flying to Belgium and Amsterdam for meetings with the European HR team. In Amsterdam, legal prostitutes in skimpy lingerie knit in front of picture windows while waiting for customers. I hope I am able to experience the culture differences while I am there on business. No, I am not interested in obtaining the services of a prostitute…just thought I would clarify. :-)
Would you go through one of these new full-body ex-ray machines?
Reference
Martin, J. (n.d.). Janet Jackson's right breast and european sexual attitudes. Retrieved October 14, 2009 from http://goeurope.about.com/cs/sex/a/euro_sexuality.htm
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This is a very interesting article. I knew that they were going to try and put these x-ray machines at the airports and after looking at your video. I don't want any strange woman or man being able to see my body that close. There are pedophiles in all walks of life including at the airport. This could cause a decrease in American fliers that are not job related. If we Americans are modest in that aspect. Then so be it, don't know what to say about those who have to fly for a living.Very good article.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good article, as a prude, i don't feel comfortable at being exposed like that even if it is for the nation's security, but the soldier part of me has to go along with it so we won't have to go through another 9/11 again. that was good
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