Trope Discussion #6 : The "Pulling Pigtails" (Teasing/Bullying the one you are attracted to)
- What to you is the most appealing part of this trope? Is this something you enjoy?
- This is a trope that can have very extreme ranges in terms of what constitutes "pulling pigtails", be it from light teasing that is just verbal to the really extreme cases where wires get crossed and one half of the pair physically hurts the other. But for yourself, is there a "sweet spot" in terms of this kind of dynamic? (I personally find this to be separate from the pair engaging in banter / verbal duels) Alternatively, when does this trope go too far for you?
- What kind of characters do you like to see having these moments? Do you prefer it to be more equal in terms of both of them poking each other, or is it typically more compelling when it is one way?
- What do you think the actors need to bring in terms of acting for this trope to succeed?
-Is there a specific setting or age range you prefer for this trope (high school / college / office / etc.) ?
-When DOESN'T this trope work for you? Or when do you feel like it is not done well?
-Have you noticed any big differences in how different countries use this trope?
- bonus 1: some favorite examples of this trope?
- bonus 2: any other thoughts you want to share 😁❤️ (It was hard to come up with questions for this one!)
- DR anon
Another interesting trope!
I like this trope is exactly one show and it is My Beautiful Man and I really can only barely explain why it works for me there when it doesn't basically anywhere else. This is one of my most beloathed tropes and I tend to... take a lot of issues with it. Honestly, it's why Rome is never gonna be my favorite Aou character (I mean, besides the fact that Tan will never be outdone). I tend to genuinely hate this trope in shows and I find bullying/teasing of this style to often be deeply uncomfortable for me.
This trope almost always goes too far for me. I can handle some light verbal teasing but I prefer it in an established couple dynamic versus a flirting dynamic. If they aren't together yet? I don't like it. I find it to be a very uncomfortable and unpleasant way to flirt and I often just want it to stop. And go away.And not come back. It's why it took me SO long to like J in Head2Head and why I despite FUTS so damn much. I do not like this trope.
Equal is better? But it has to be truly equal. Like, both characters have to genuinely be having fun with it and that's rare. It's almost always more one-sided than the other. To make it work? It has to be My Beautiful Man. Where the bullying is partially there and partially exaggerated by the viewpoint character and then explained by the other character as well as supported by the narrative that the teasing went away once they started to like each other.
Be My Beautiful Man? Uh. Really, for this to work, everyone has to be working together. The character getting teased has to either genuinely be able to enjoy it, stand up for themselves or be damaged/traumatized enough that we understand why they take everything like this. And the one teasing has to know their limits, genuinely apologize and stop at a certain point. And actually stop!
Uh. No? Not really?
I feel like I've spent this entire post doing exactly that. But anyway! I don't like this trope. I don't like teasing or pulling pigtails, I often take it too seriously to my detriment in the enjoyment of shows and I find it frustrating how lightly shows take this. I struggle to recognize the idea of teasing just being 'fun' or 'flirty' and if it's serious enough to get the trope label... I'm probably annoyed. It can work but it has to be VERY good and VERY specific.
Japan does/did it best. Japan really does this well, honestly, because they like that big emotional climax kind of moment and give us, basically, an answer to the teasing/bullying and explain it to us and often from both sides! Thailand is definitely the weakest in this because they typically just kind of excuse the teasing and never actually apologize or make it better in any way shape or form.
My Beautiful Man. That is... basically all. The Proper Way to Write Love also has this trope and I did enjoy how they handled it as well.
I hate this trope but especially when GMMTV does it. They just... they love to do this trope with no sense of catharsis. Head2Head did it best but like... that's about it.
You gave some good questions for this! Too bad it's just me being a hater.