Selfie Craze Hits an All-time High in Mexico But Selfie Stick Creator Is Leery of the Frenzy
We have all been subjected to the infamous Kardashians who have mastered their selfies with their puckered lips and over-the-top outfits; we've seen "San Andreas" star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson set a record for taking 105 selfies within three minutes; and more recently we've seen Mexico attempt to take the world's largest selfie.
While reality TV and Hollywood stars and Mexicans (among others selfie enthusiasts around the world) have become obsessed with this craze, not everyone is on board, including "the father of selfie sticks," Wayne Fromm.
According to MTV News, Fromm is less than thrilled with the idea of having selfie sticks, more specifically at music fests.
Apparently, the craze of the selfie stick has also caught on so much so that music fests, such as Coachella and Lollapalooza, as well as Disney World and some museums have had to ban them for the safety reasons, not to mention the constant annoyance of self-involved people.
"When I first started marketing [selfie sticks] 10 years ago that was one of the features that I had in mind -- using them for overhead shots at concerts," Fromm told MTV News. "I had taken them to many in those days as well. It's unfortunate that that is going to be snagged in this whole thing, but we can't legislate common courtesy and respect for others and if in any way they become intrusive to people in the audience or unsafe, then I can understand [banning them]."
"An actual stick -- if it's waving in the air and somebody gets subconsciously into the music more than they realize... it can become dangerous," he added.
While the safety of the selfie stick wasn't in question at the huge Mexican selfie shoot, selfies and the seflie sticks have indeed caused quite a stir. Whether you are a fan of the old-fashioned arm or the modern-day selfie stick, or neither, people are crazy about photography and in Mexico's case, sharing them with the world.
While Guinness World Records hasn't come up with the officials rules for the biggest selfie, Mexico is no stranger to these type of over-the-top crazes.
When it comes to breaking world records, Mexicans are passionate about their food, music, public displays of affection and being in their birthday suits in a public square. Mexico aims to be world-class in breaking records.
Thus far, they have scored the biggest meatball, enchilada and cheesecake, cup of hot chocolate, most varieties of tequila on display, the longest line of tacos, the biggest smoochfest on Valentine's Day and the largest display of nakedness, according to reports.
Mexicans are also serious when it comes to paying homage to "The King of Pop."
On Aug. 29, 2009, a Mexican impersonator whose moniker is Hector Jackson led 13,597 of prancing zombies to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The wonderfully spooky and funky event took place on what would have been the King of Pop's 51st birthday, The New York Times reported.
Guadalajara has set at least three world records -- "twice, it has broken the record for the most mariachi musicians gathered in one place: 549 performers in suits and sombreros in 2009, just days after the 'Thriller' event, and 700 in 2013."
Also in 2009, a record was set for the world's largest group kiss, when almost 40,000 people locked lips in the Zócalo on Valentine's Day, reportedly besting 32,648 British smoochers who had held the record since 2007.
They are also not shy when it comes to shedding their clothing - for the sake of art.
On May 6, 2007, about 18,000 people ditched their clothes and "saluted, crouched in fetal positions and lay on the tiles of the Zócalo in Mexico City, one of the largest city squares in the world," the NY Times added. This broke the record of American photographer Spencer Tunick who had captured 7,000 participants in Barcelona.
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