When you’re out camping or RVing, you might see a sign that says “Flamingo Crossing” or something similar. You may have wondered what do the pink flamingos mean in an RV park and why it is used in many campsites.
To some, they’re more than just cool RV décor in the RV community; they’re a sign of the swinging lifestyle.
That’s right, we said it.
Those plastic pink flamingos mean that whoever has them up is into and openly accepting of the swinging life.
It’s not a hard and fast rule (seriously, no pun intended!), as some RV campers enjoy the pink plastic flamingos and have them as a harmless RV patio feature.
Don’t worry; we’re not judging. It might not be the lifestyle for most people, but whatever you do in your own spare time is up to you.
While flamingos can be a sign of swinging, there is another prominent sign: upside-down pineapples.
What about upside-down pineapples?
A pineapple by itself is a symbol of hospitality and friendship. But when it’s seen upside down, it can mean that the RV campers or campground is open to swingers.
Yes, pineapples, whether right-side up or upside-down, are delicious, but be careful of what you put out. You might be sending a message.
So if you’re ever at an RV park with pink flamingos and pineapples hanging upside down, the message is loud and clear – this place is a swinger community.
Where did these ideas for swingers come from?
As with most things in pop culture, the idea of pink flamingos and upside-down pineapples must’ve come from somewhere, but where? Whether hanging in your RV space or on the door of your cruise ship, these fun symbols that happen to indicate swinging had to have come from somewhere, right?
The history of plastic pink flamingos.
Flamingos are fun and cute creatures, and pink plastic flamingos started popping up in post-WWII neighborhoods. You’d see them on someone’s lawn, but they didn’t have a connotation with swingers until much more recently. Today’s interpretation of the potential meanings of these yard birds is a bit different than that of the vintage era.
You’ll often see these birds adorning people’s yards as decorations or on cabin doors on a cruise ship. It’s usually fairly harmless, just as other symbols you might think have a hidden meaning, but sometimes they have a hidden meaning.
In fact, the pink flamingo is not as common of a sign of the swinging lifestyle as the upside-down pineapple.
The history of the upside-down pineapple.
In Hawaiian culture, one of the things they like to do is serve pineapple upside-down cake to their guests. This is a gesture of hospitality and welcome.
When you turn the pineapple upside down and hang it in an RV park or campground, it is a sign to those who understand that this is a place that is open to swingers and the swinging lifestyle. When someone is down with wife swapping, they must be very welcoming.
While the flamingos and upside-down pineapples might be symbols of swinging, there are other symbols you should be aware of as well.
The more common signs of swingers.
Pineapples and flamingos aside, there are other symbols to tell if you’re in the presence of swingers.
The most prominent is the black ring on the right hand. It’s worn like a wedding ring, but it means they’re open to meeting with other swingers.
Another way, although less common, is the garden gnome. That’s right, the cute little creatures you see at homes and in the RV community can sometimes be a sign of a swinger.
It’s worth noting, though, that not all of these are definitive symbols of swinging. Some people just like the pink flamingos, pineapples, and garden gnomes for fun – so don’t think that everyone who has them up is into the lifestyle!
You can still decorate with a pink flamingo.
Don’t be afraid of decorating your camper or home with upside-down pineapples and flamingos. Yes, the pink bird CAN have a swinger meaning to them in RV parks and on cruise ships, but it doesn’t necessarily have to.
If you like pineapples and flamingos and want to embrace them in your RV lifestyle, go for it! Sure, others in the RV community might think it means something, but who cares? It’s your RV campsite, and you can do what you want!
Pineapples and flamingos everywhere!
Now that we got your brain ticking, whenever you see a pink flamingo or upside-down pineapple at RV parks, you’re going to assume they’re a swinger. Now only that, you’ll see pink flamingos everywhere!
It’s a lot like when you say you’re interested in a certain car model, maybe you’re even shopping for one, and you happen to see them all over the place. You’ll see upside-down pineapples and pink flamingos all over the place.
We’re sorry about that. Don’t over think it.
However, now you have a little background on the pink flamingo and the upside-down pineapple and will understand what you might be getting into. You know what those pink flamingos mean in the RV park if you happen to see them.
Whether you swing or not that’s up to you. I’ll just be enjoying my cold beverage by the campfire, minding my own business.
