Although this is anecdotal, it's the best I could do to address the assertion:
this, however, is preposterous spin
I ski only very occasionally. I was too poor in youth with different priorities and limited opportunities. So I know little of "ski bum" culture. However, I personally know only one ski bum, who happens to be closer a contemporary of Bob's than I. He is my brother-in-law. His peak ski bum years were '78-'82 when a 'real job' interfered with his desire to go full-time ski bum. Without any context, I texted him whether he had heard the line/joke, and how he would read it. The following summarizes the exchange.
Have you ever heard this "ski bum" culture line/joke:
"You don't lose your girlfriend, just your turn."
In your opinion, what is it a commentary on:
- There are no serious relationships or permanency in ski bum culture, so males shouldn't ascribe any when dating.
- No female ski bum is interested in getting serious when dating.
- Female ski bums are promiscuous (aka skanks).
Or something else.
He answered:
- His initial response would be #1.
- He would add "or female" to the statement, although there were not that many female ski bums back then.
- He would rank possible interpretations in the order I presented them.
- He did know one female ski bum, and wouldn't have labeled her a "skank."
Eventually he asked why I asked, so I briefly explained. It seems to me the line could apply to similar dynamics where time in the environment is seen as short-lived, is largely lived in the moment, and there is a substantial disparity between the represented sexes.
If nothing else, I do my due diligence.
Edit: I had also asked him to spread 100% among possibilities. He just realized I asked and texted his opinion as follows:
1 - 60%
2 - 35%
3 - 5%.
My work is done here.