The Difference Between Thirst Traps and Jealousy Pics
Dear friends,
I haven't had internet all week, which I thought might make me more virtuous and less corrupt, but I have found that I am becoming more corrupt regardless of whether I spend my time reading Elena Ferrante or peeling dead skin off the bottoms of my feet watching Intervention. Since I've been broken up with two times in the past year, of course my instinct is to post both thirst traps and jealousy pics on Instagram, targeted both at my exes and at potential new partners (and anyone who might come into contact with either party). The choice between posting a jealousy pic and a thirst trap takes careful discernment, because they actually send very different messages. I will show you how with my personal comparisons.
A. Thirst Trap
First of all I don't know why TinyLetter uploaded this upside-down but I'm leaving it this way because it speaks to how disorienting it is to be vain. I was going to post this on Instagram when I realized someone who'd previously muted me started watching my stories again - I think it's hot because I'm not wearing a bra and my breast seems bigger than it actually is, but there is a stain on my shirt which means I didn't try too hard. I ended up not posting this because it's obviously a thirst trap.
For something more ambiguous...
B. Jealousy Pic
A jealousy pic accomplishes a similar goal as a thirst trap but does so in a less direct way, so it's easier to get away with without seeming like too much of a dumb vain bitch. This is a jealousy pic because while I do look hot, no one can prove that the photo was taken to get attention. I'm just having fun with my friend and someone happened to take a photo as we both turned around laughing.
A. Thirst Trap
Once again I cannot figure out the trick to the TinyLetter text editor, but it doesn't really matter because vanity turns you sideways. In retrospect I don't look as hot as I thought I did in this selfie because you can see how huge and imperfect my forehead is, but I am wearing mascara and my shirt is open. This is a somewhat gentle thirst trap, since I'm outside in nature and clearly rode my bike to Prospect Park that day. But I knew my ex would see it, and my intention was to give the effect of staring straight into his eyes when he opened this, to remind him how much he fucked up by letting me go.
B. Jealousy Pic
Like many other spontaneous moments in my life, here I am in an unstaged photo during quarantine. If my friend Walter knew he was an accomplice to this media study, he would be really upset, but he's not subscribed to my newsletter. Anyway, this photo is just effortless proof that I have a lot of friends.
Basically exposing my tits at the most flattering angle possible;
Just having fun with my friend. Again, it's not like I intended for my crush at the time to see how fun I am on Halloween.
This clearly represents a hand job.
Less sexually explicit/direct because I am just having fun in a wholesome way with the carrot.
Some final notes:
1. The effect of a jealousy pic is enhanced if you are posing with one or several friends. You want to give the impression that you are obliviously happy and spend all your time with people who adore you. This can also be done with pets or really any animal.
2. I am not claiming here that jealousy pics are in any way more effective than thirst traps - I wholeheartedly admire both forms. I am simply clarifying that they each have the power to accomplish different motives. I regularly engage in both.
3. If your motive is to directly attract and show unabashedly how hot you are, go with a thirst trap.
4. If your motive is to create a little ambiguity for your target, not necessarily invite direct compliments but definitely show hotness, happiness and a general satisfaction with life, go with a jealousy pic.
5. It could be argued that a jealousy pic is a more wholesome version of a thirst trap, but I don't think that's necessarily true. It is only true if that is the intention. Thirst traps have just as much capability of being wholesome, and that's something I will gladly elaborate on another time.
To Vanity, in all its thriving forms,
Allie