Farting is a natural body function that society has now frowned upon and turned into a taboo. The release of a fart can lead to humor and embarrassment, which has led to the establishment of social rules about when and where it’s acceptable.
The science behind farting is the release of gas from the digestive system. Gas comes from the intestines by swallowing air while eating and drinking. Foods including broccoli, dairy and beans especially produce gas.
An anonymous junior drank a lot of milk before inviting their family and friends over. “When I was young, my family and friends came over one time. My crush at the time was there, and I had drunk a lot of milk 30 minutes before,” the student said. “After that we all know what’s about to happen, I let out a loud and smelly fart. This was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.”
The average person farts between ten and twenty times a day. Even though farting is a completely normal body function, it is considered unacceptable in many social situations.
Most cultures view farting as rude, especially in public areas. Whether it’s during a social gathering, meeting or in a classroom, people try to avoid being caught farting. Many even endure the physical discomfort or pain just so they don’t break the unwritten rule or feel ashamed.
Many individuals have experienced embarrassing situations of passing gas. “There was one time back in elementary where I let one rip. I tried to sniff it back in, but it was useless,” anonymous student said. “People around me got infected, there was nothing I could do about it. Everyone was laughing at me and it was a complete embarrassment.”
The stigma around farting also stems from certain cultures. Children are taught from a very young age not to fart in public, and they soon learn that letting one out in a classroom or at any social event can lead to laughter or embarrassment. Over time, this supports the idea that farting is something either to be avoided or kept in.
Although some cultures have strict rules about farting, not every culture takes the same attitude toward farting. Other cultures have more of a relaxed attitude towards farting. For example, in some countries like China and India, farting is just considered a normal part of digestion, and others will not pay mind to it when someone lets one rip.
In Japan, public farting is considered extremely impolite and is something to avoid at all costs. The cultural idea is saving one’s “face” and not disrupting others, which the smell and noise of a fart would violate. On the other hand, other countries take a more humorous view of farting and see it as an acceptable part of life.
An anonymous senior once went to a school in Des Moines where this embarrassment happened. “Back when I went to my old school in Des Moines my teacher would always keep a large bucket of candy on her desk,” the student explained. “My friend and I would always take candy without her knowing, but one time I tried to take candy but it did not go as planned. My friend and I started laughing and I let out the most embarrassing fart that the whole class heard.”
Farts have always been a source of humor. From whoopee cushions to Tesla making their cars fart, the sound of a fart instantly makes many people burst into laughter. Farts are always unexpected and uncontrollable, making it all the funnier when it happens.
While the release of gas may be normal and natural, the social taboo often feels embarrassing or inappropriate. Reactions to it have shown the messier aspects of being a human being. It might be time to move on from the stigma and taboos and accept farting as a normal body function. After all, it’s just air that is passing though, something all humans experience.
