SeXo Y beLLeZa

We all recognize beauty if we see it, but what is considered 'sexual' is something that few can agree on. I wonder if sex is like a work of art, influenced by a matter of opinion, taste and culture. I can safely say, yes! The most suitable explanation I found for 'sex' is "the instinct or attraction drawing one person toward another, or its manifestation in life and conduct." As an American traveler temporarily living in Europe, I couldn't help but notice the sex portrayals in German culture. I believe most people who have visited Berlin will also agree.

In my opinion, and in comparison to the U.S., Germany is obviously less constrained regarding the stigma on sex. As I stroll around 'town,' I try and capture the moments when I've come face-to-face with 'out of the ordinary' advertisements and displays. I assume that what I've confronted throughout my stay in Berlin has to do with standards of the German culture. Obviously, decency varies by community, where standards can be raised or lowered (compared to the U.S.).

First, I will focus on what I believe to be the most obvious ‘sexual’ difference between U.S. and German cultural norms. As a true tourist, I made sure to parade around the city with my camera ready to snap a photo-op. Among the many, I was able to capture a picture of several adult magazines on display in public. In the U.S., regulations don’t allow magazines with X-rated photography to be displayed outside of a specialty store or in direct view of the public. What I found interesting was the fact that I would walk into a gas station or past a newspaper stand and find Playboy, FHM and other adult magazines showing naked women on the cover.

What's more, Berlin has one of the leading gay communities in the world, which is also evident in the city’s advertisements. Many ads geared at the homosexual community depicted photos of men kissing men. All the while, H&M promoted ‘Safe Sex’ with their Fashion for Aids campaign where condoms are given out after making a purchase.

Also, on one of my weekend trips to Prague, I noticed that the stigma on sex was more liberal than the advertisements led you to believe, in Berlin. As opened as I believed Berlin to be regarding sex and beauty, Prague blew my mind. There were ads for sex toys with naked women posted on every street corner. Without giving it a second thought, products were advertised by ‘sexy’ half-naked men and women.

*sex. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved June 10, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sex