New Orleans Parade Traditions: Flowers for Kisses

If a man approached Mrs. X on the street, smiled, and kissed her on the cheek at any other time, she'd knock his block off. During a New Orleans parade, not only will she not hit him, she'll accept his gift of a kiss and a carnation with a smile and many thanks.

In fact, Mrs. X will compete fiercely for his attentions and those of other strangers. She has a large bouquet of plastic flowers to prove it. She also probably got kissed once for each of the strands of beads around her neck. Look at the fancy ribbon and lace garter on her leg!

To get that coveted garter, she had to submit to a kiss, then allow the gentleman to help her slide it up her leg. Hot stuff, but all in fun. Mr. X held her loot for her while the other man puckered up. He also helped her to keep her balance while the stranger adjusted his wife's garter. Nearby children cheered them on.

Giving out flowers in exchange for a kiss is a staple of New Orleans parade culture. This tradition is most closely associated with the St. Joseph's Day and St. Patrick's Day parades. Each year, they wind their way through several neighborhoods, ending up in the French Quarter.

The flower 'guys' aren't always men. Women participate, too, to the great joy of male spectators. The flower ladies are more in demand and so, they are more selective about giving out their prizes.

It's amusing to see the variety of people toting those big flower displays. Some will approach shyly, only after you indicate interest. Others are old hands at this, and will steal a kiss before the target realizes what is going on. There are a few smug smoochers, who act as though they are doing the world a favor by kissing mere mortals. These are often shy guys in disguise, so don't be too hard on them.

The best way to avoid getting kissed is to carry a camera and look serious. Stand back as far from the street as you can. If approached, give the customary greet of, "Happy/Blessed Saint (fill in the blank)'s Day!" and quickly aim your camera at something further down the street while fiddling with the focus. When you get kissed anyway, just wipe your cheek and grin.

Whatever you do, do not hold a flower, even if you find one that another brave soul has dropped. Plastic flowers transform instantly into kiss magnets. Flower guys see that a person is holding it, and assume that they are willing to play along.

After a parade, people can be seen walking around dripping in beads and carrying an armload of flowers. They accept remarks about the size of their plastic bouquet with good grace, for the most part. See Ma, you can kiss strangers in public and still be a lady!