Mooning - Geographic distribution

The custom of mooning to show disrespect may be limited North America and some countries of Europe, where it is generally considered a rude and insulting act (but much less offensive than flashing). It is often performed as a form of protest. Also, the Maori of New Zealand moon as a sign of disrespect. Mooning is considered offensive because the buttocks are considered taboo, and mooning therefore exposes the victim to the taboo.

The Liberty Bell is a variation of mooning that may be local to Pennsylvania. It combines the traditional moon with dangling male genitalia and a side-to-side rocking motion to emulate the ringing of a bell. The butt-crack represents the crack in Philadelphia's Liberty Bell. When the buttocks are pressed against glass one gets the so-called pressed fruit bowl, where the banana and peaches would be the male genitalia.