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Carnies up in arms over Vyuz article about carnies

By Brian Swarthmore

July 3, 2006

San Diego--America’s carnies are mad as hell – at me!

A few weeks ago in this publication, there was an article titled “Carnies get carnal with San Diego women: the truth behind the Del Mar Fair” that detailed how rich babes near Del Mar enjoy having sex with grizzled greasy carnies when the Del Mar Fair is in town.

Although the story was accurate in many details (such as mentioning the carnies’ lack of teeth and social graces), not every carny took the story in the mean spirit in which it was intended.

Many, in fact, found it enjoyable.

Therefore, all the comments in this article are printed just as the mullet-wearing, toothless scribes wrote them.

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For instance, one carny, who is known only as CBSDough, writes:

“I hate to dignify this filthy "penthouse-forum" type article with a response but, It sickens me to think that people will read this piece of fiction and it will reinforce the idea that we showmen are a group of, " grizzled carnies, (with)... missing teeth, greasy bodies, (and) our colorful abuse of illegal substances and the English language.

My whole adult life, I have fought this image by proudly wearing a show shirt to all four of my Calculus finals, under my gown at graduation, and never hesitating to declare my association with the carnival. God help us overcome this racial stereotype and help the author overcome his fascist views.”

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Meanwhile, Skywheel88 feels the article was “disgusting and stupid and not in the least bit entertaining. Very debasing to both carnies and patrons.”

I did get some support from Back40, who writes:

“Sorry to say this but if you two think that this is not happening! Get a grip, open your eyes. And if you are saying that "not on my show" it doesn't happen ... well, then I feel sorry for you! The writer may be mad because a carny stole his gal, well then I guess he didn't know his girl all THAT well, if she ran off with a ride guy.

"From the dawn of time the carnival industry has had to live with the degrading remarks of the "marks", the industry is chaning, but you will still have just a few out there that will always look at carnival people as such.for the poster that said he worn is show shit under his cap and gown good for you ! being proud of where you came from is a good thing, I talk to people in my hospital every day about my carnival days they are eager to hear what it is like to be carefree and travel the world most never have the balls to do it, they can only wonder what a wonderful life it must be... this was a very funny artical...”

To which Skywheel88 replies:

“Yeah, I agree it's funny - but kinda sad at the same time too. Kinda makes me wish this guy and this girl give each other the forever gift, herpes - along with the guy who wrote this article. Not tryin' to start an argument, just sayin'...”

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Midge002 was offended by the article’s reference to the carnies’ missing teeth but Kiddie Ride Red says, the article’s depiction of sideshow sex “was certainly true for me. It’s how I met two of my four wives. I’m also proud to say that at 62 years old I still have most of my original teeth. The ones I am missing were knocked out by those same two wives!

Meanwhile, a carny who calls himself FrankiesFoods is more philosophical, saying, “You know I used to care what people thought of me. But as of late it doesn't really matter to me. I was in the joint the other day working some town kids when one said to me "Why don't you go and get your education" It made me think why people dont understand just because my office isn't a cubical that i'm not a Businessman, Or if the Corporate Office is in the middle of a corn field that im an idiot. The whole Carny thing doesn't bother me at all. Yes I am a carny. Some people I know drive Trucks that cost more than the house in the town they play, but i don't say anything to degrade them.”

Pat T Hat is bothered by the lack of imagination regarding what he perceives as insults to the carny lifestyle.

“If at least they'd try to be a little more creative and original...well maybe that's why we're in showbiz and they're not. We can think on our feet and they do it sitting on their big fat air-conditioned asses!

By the way I'm getting a brand new set of munchers this winter so another stereotype busted!”

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With-It is more bothered that some carnies are upset with the article’s depiction of them as sex objects. He says, “I think the ones that get upset over a artical like this are the ones that never got laid at the Carnival by a local chick....lol.

“It's Ironic that some say it's Racist about Carnies which incidently is'nt a Race. Those are the same people that will tell a Polock, Jew, Chink, Nigger, Rabbi, Lawyer, Fireman, Trucker,ect,ect,ect...Joke. It shows that some can dish it but when it's about Carnies they get bent out of shape.”

Sixcat believes the article’s depiction of the money takers as the ones who get the most poontang is proof that times have changed in the carnival industry.

“Hmmm, back in my day, (the 60's, 70's,) the ride help always got the 16 year old possem belly queens. The Joint guys got the women.

I do have to admit though, I meet my first wife and the mother of my 4 kids when I was running a #5 Eli wheel for a friend. I wouldn't let her sister off the wheel until she gave me her number. I should have let her off.”

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At one point, the message board bogs down in the correct terminology for the hos who pick up carnies. My sources told me the ladies are called “lot lizards” but other carnies apparently use the term “lot lice” or “possum belly queens” to which Kiddie Ride Red explains….

“Lot lice are people of either sex who spend hours hanging around the lot but don't spend any money. Most are just killing time but some are looking for an opportunity to steal something. Lot lizards are girls and women who come on the lot looking for a job, a cheap thrill, a way out of town or a home. Thats how I met my third wife. Speaking of cheap thrills, before I found my calling I was a "student" at a reform school in eastern North Carolina.Boys who had been good all week got yard privileges on weekends. Coeds from the Methodist college up the road would drive by on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and throw packs of cigarettes over the barbed wire fence to any guy who would "show it hard". Needless to say I was never without a smoke the whole time I was there”

Then a woman named count it up0-99 has this thought:

I'm not really upset about the artical just alittle sad that people have such a poor "idea" of how carnival people are. I met my husband on the fairgrounds in sarasota 27 yrs. ago, I was 18 and he was in his mid 40's, We have been together ever since. All the replys to this subject made sense and in one way or another I agreed with all or parts of the replys. I have a real strong urge to email the author but guess I should just leave it alone.

But the most cogent comments about the article are from a ride operator named Sue.

“If you look at that article, I believe it ran in some porno/sex type magazine, not the mainstream press. It might be all a joke, or maybe the writer is just PO'd about his wife taking off but I wouldn't take it too seriously. I]ll be in Del Mar soon - I'll try to go by the Tilt and see what this joker looks like and report back if it's the real guy!”

Better hurry fast, Sue, the Del Mar Fair ends July 4.

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