The other kind of butt stuff.
Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed
This is especially true in the context of romantic relationships, when you probably want the other person to think — at least to some degree, and at least for some period of time — that you’re cool, sexy, and in control. Pooping and farting are loud, messy, smelly activities...so often they are the polar opposite of what you’re going for around someone you like and want to impress.
But in any intimate relationship, you have to decide which aspects of your messy, imperfect self you’ll share, and which ones you keep to yourself. And attitudes about pooping and farting are super personal and also very cultural — so much of what we consider “OK” with regard to farting and pooping has to do with what we were raised to believe is “OK.” Perhaps your parents are a “Together for 30 Years And Still Blamin’ It On The Dog” couple. Maybe you grew up in a “🙈 🙉 🙊 ” household. Or maybe you’ve always agreed with the famous Marilyn Monroe quote, “If you can’t handle me at my sharts, you don’t deserve me at my best.” Regardless, having to re-consider and re-negotiate these deeply-held beliefs with a romantic partner can be a huge source of anxiety for a lot of people.
The guidelines are informed by personal experience (from two people who, FWIW, abide by two extremely different Butthole Bills of Rights in our respective relationships) and the Golden Rule: You do you...but also, don’t be a dick.
