Pineapples

@RusticMagic, Thanks for the information! I always fine "lore" of any type fun and interesting to hear/learn about. Maybe that's why I'm hell in a game of Trivial Pursuit????

There is a pretty cool pineapple logo company out there called TUGS Nation if you look them up.

Beachcpl1204 There are many stories about pineapples and how they were/are used. The most likely one relating it to swinging was when the pineapple is up it is safe to visit as the husband is home but when it is gone do not visit. Way back a man (even as part of a married couple) visiting a married woman was a no no. Of course over the years the whole "missing" pineapple came to mean the husband is away come to play. That was way too obvious so the willing and ready woman took to removing the top nail and letting the pineapple turn upside down which could be explained by the nail coming loose. This is the most accepted story behind how an upside down pineapple came to be "the" swinger's symbol. Of course I can recall when it was a pin that was an apple with a bite out of it. That was the whole "Bite out of life" or "Original Sin" type meaning. Then let's not forget the whole woman wearing an ankle bracelet which really never was a swinger's thing except in some people's imagination. And then there are the black rings which I know several people who wear silicone ones for "safety" versus a hard metal ring and they do not swing.

The thing is what one sees as a "swinger" symbol or sign very much may not be. This fact explains the lack in results for using such things. Like I said the whole pineapple is such a big part of decor in our area with no modern meaning other than it is "southern" seeing one at the most upstanding preacher's house is not unusual and while they may be a swinger I know the one I have in mind and his wife most definitely are not.

@hotluvrs, yep 3 years..... that just made it even funnier to all of us.

@BBEinVenice, We've stuck pineapples in our basket upside down too; many times. I usually get it straight off the bat and place it in the pop out part where you'd sit a child so it up there and obvious. We've got a few looks and have had one gay guy actually walk by and go "ooh swingers.... kinky"

@RusticMagic, a pineapple has been a long time symbol of welcome; I think the swingers just started to turn it upside down to let everyone know just how welcome they could actually be!

BBWinVenice honestly the thoughts are as they have always been that no one really wants to "mistake" the sign (whatever it is) and get into an awkward situation. For example while we are swingers we also really like a good fresh ripe pineapple so we would put one in the cart. So this very vanilla couple does the same. Do we approach them and ask about swinging or do we be safe and assume they too really like pineapples? Or I have a better example. Here in Charleston, SC (near where we live) a pineapple is simply was a sign of hospitality and if you go downtown not only does almost every old house have one but there is a freaking pineapple fountain in a park. Of course many new houses have them as well because it is something "historically" done and fits in with the overall theme and atmosphere of the area. Everyone seems to have some kind of pineapple decor around here and with the exception of perhaps the actual swingers it is meaningless and honestly I doubt many of those know what it implies.

Now I have said this before but the problem with any "sign" you are swingers is not only making the mistake mentioned above but also the fact that everyone will now be able to tell you are a swinger. Of course if you live in Florida, California, or many other places this is not much of a problem. Even then many people do not want everyone to know what goes on behind closed doors. Here in the deep south bible belt (Florida is Northern South) we are not that far off from people being stoned for things (not really but persecuted and shunned). Heck in SC alone (not to mention ever more strict laws in certain counties) many activities between consenting adults are still illegal. Mostly you really do not want folks to know you are a swinger or really involved in and adult activities except missionary with your spouse around here. Even then that can be too much shared. Honestly this is not much of an exaggeration but if a corner does not have a Dollar General on it it has a church. In fact Charleston, SC is also know as The Holy City due to the number of churches. Imagining living is an area that is so repressed swingers clubs and events are so underground if you don't know someone you will never be able to "break in" as it were especially if you are new to the area.

For shits and giggles the last two times I went shopping I placed a pineapple in my card, absolutely nothing. I know that where I live we have swingers based on all the local messages I get here from locals. I'm wondering if I'm missing something because I saw a car with an upside down pineapple sticker. Any insights?

Three years?!?

@willystn, As a joke I placed a gay pride sticker on my wife's bosses car; driver side rear bumper.
3 years later when he had several members of his daughters teenage softball team with him in Houston they stopped for gas at a convenience store and all the girls went in for a snack. Coming back out one of the girls ask his daughter why her dad had a gay pride sticker on his car.

My wife had told his wife about it and we all wanted to see how long it took him to notice it. He's a good natured guy and got a big laugh out of it!

So I suggest your rear bumper on the driver's side!

Must have pineapple decals have arrived. Although there are 3 of them, the spouse has stated a need for more. Where HE thinks he's going to display them, I have no idea. The mystery continues. Keep your eyes out for placements. Suggestions would be fun.

Last weekend my husband went to a car show, his pineapple pillow in the rear window in our approved upside down position, he got a kick out of watching people walking by, checking out the pillow, (as well as the car). Several nudging each other, looking around. He just watched and giggled. Very interesting :)

@mildlykinky I suggest you just use the pineapples as a conversation starter. Mention how you like them and it was interesting that they have been used symbolically historically. As a sign of prosperity during colonial days to swinger couples today, if they are swingers and are interested in you they will likely make some sort of response directing the conversation towards the swinger part with some smiles. If they either aren't in to the lifestyle, or you, or not interested in playing now they will probably express disgust with swingers or some other response that will let you know without it being awkward.

We chatted for a bit, had some fun conversation including this girl asking if she could feel Mrs. Moonlights boobies which she did. Took a pic with her holding the boobies and the girls kissing. We invited her to join us that night or at a later date. She said, "really you would want me for a 3some? How cool". In the end she said she fantasizing about it but Is too shy to go through with it. It was a fun moment nonetheless.

Moon, maybe it’s implied, but did she say if she liked the upside down pineapples also?

We recently went to a concert and got into a conversation with a girl afterwards. Everyone had a few drinks by then and was feeling pretty good. Not to far into the conversation, she asked us if we liked upside down pineapples. Kind of surprised to hear that, we just replied, yes we do. She said I knew you were swingers. She said we gave off that vibe but still no clue what we did.

That is when you bring out the black rings and the pineapple upside down cake and invite them over for coffee.

So we just got back from a camping trip (well we got a cabin) where there was a camper with 2 solar pineapple lights. We declined to inquire about them as they were with several other folks in what seemed like a family group (they were our age but had what seemed to be adult children and grandchildren in other sites next door). It did make us wonder though however the bigger question is if you were swingers and had them for a "signal" why would you put it out with children (like ages 3m-8y) in your group and would you want to be approached? I think they just liked the lights.

-The pineapple sticker on my car is already starting to fade!

-I just got my "Lifestyle" badges for my Subaru, and wouldn't it be cool if there was a pineapple?!

-I have had several people comment on our black rings, but almost everyone was someone who already knew our (not-so) secret, so those have a higher success rate than pineapple stuff. One cashier even sort of knew what ENM is, but said, "Oh that's with an extra person." He was on the right track, and there was a line do didn't go into details. Unfortunately, he hasn't been there since that day, which sucks, because he seemed interested!

Pretty much all our vanilla friends know about our sexy liaisons (in general. We're not name droppers!), and we figured if any of them want to hook up, they'll let us know. We don't want them to be uncomfortable with unwanted advances, and we certainly don't want to be left out of campouts and bowling parties because they think we just want to fuck them all.

Overall, I'm not impressed with our pineapple stuff, but I just bought Young some pineapple boxers to wear at the nudist resort, I got some earrings and a cute little top, but I'm going to see how it goes with those before I dive in to any more of it. Also, we've barely gotten a glance with an upside-down pineapple at the grocery store.

Lots of comments and opinions on the pineapple but does anyone know the proper way to approach someone male or female to talk about the pineapple in the cart? Curious...

Beach, "Southern Missionary Baptist minister", he told the ladies' had the key to the gaits of heavens in his pants and they were blowing Saint Gabriel's horn.

We look for signs of pineapple all the time along with the so called black rings that some say are a sign.

This brought up an old memory; the ex and I did a little swinging way way back when and I didn't know about the pineapple then. Later on in life (post divorce) I was in church listening to a sermon about the sin and debauchery in today's society and the minister mentioned gaydar and other things and then said "and did you know.... the people with "open marriages".... "swingers"..... use a pineapple or a pineapple symbol to indicate to other "swingers" that they participate in the same sinnin"

He by the way, being the good Southern Missionary Baptist minister he was got caught with someone that wasn't his wife a few years later......

@zinfulcouple I have heard it being talked about during a couple of main stream media outlets. It was even discussed on one the many house wife shows, I think it was NJ.

@dman, fiancee loves everything pineapple, kitchen decor, outdoor stuff, etc. What caught us off guard is how did she know the meaning? We didn't ask further, nor did they.

@zinfulcouple We are very discreet about our involvement in the lifestyle with our vanilla friends, work colleagues and family but we love to meet others in the lifestyle especially when we are out along at bars, beaches and restaurants. Your story a great example of why I really like the symbol, 1) Its recognizable in the community 2) Its easy to feign ignorance to its meaning 3) Plausible deniability 4) It has historical significance (was very popular in the prosperity in colonial home)

I have been seeing a lot of pineapple stickers on cars also