earthycouple -> RE: D/s and TPE..........and switching? (5/20/2007 2:30:52 PM)
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ORIGINAL: Bearlee Corresponding with a new online acquaintance, I asked a couple questions: “What is the difference in submitting and bottoming” and “What does TPE mean to you?” What prompted this was, while he lists himself a Dominant, he has explained he sometimes switches ‘…behind closed doors’. I am very curious about that, especially as he seems quite interested in things sensual (not that that’s bad) and less interested D/s as I know it. Yes, of course, I plan to continue chatting and discussing these things WITH him, but there is no harm in trying to get background information. So, here goes… First let me apologize for lumping two topics in one thread; but I really do think this is related. In that my new friend seems less interested in D/s and quite interested in switching (‘just let things develop without labeling them or even trying to understand them you get pleasantly surprised’) yet while he says he is comfortable both ‘as a Dom and as a sub’, he also says “we would both realize that Mine would be the final word.” So, in some ways I’m trying to determine if we’re just playing semantics. So far I see semantics as well. To me, being submissive is my making sure my Dom’s life is easier because I’m there. While I hopefully am treasured and admired for who I am, I feel being submissive is more about being the co-captain or assistant in a relationship. To me, a submissive is one who’s very nature is to yield power and control to another…not for a scene, not for play; it does not go on and off with a whim. I agree with this. A Dominant is, in my opinion, the one who accepts control and authority…as a personality trait; again not just for a specific period of time but rather for the relationship. It is certainly not ‘just in the bedroom’. And this. But a bottom (no pun intended) OR a Top, is one who submits or Dominates for the evening, for a scene…just to play. For me, this is more about sensations than power or control. The Top is the do-er, the bottom is the do-ee. The Top is ON top, the bottom…well, you know. The Top is the aggressor or giver; the bottom is receiving what the Top offers. That is how I see it. I feel this way as well. Sooooooo…you can see why I can say I am a submissive who Tops, but that I am not a switch. To me (and I wonder sometimes if this is changing), I do not see HOW one can switch…and still put any value in the nature of submission or Dominance. That said…I have no such problem with people who Top or Bottom from time to time, regardless if they are submissive or Dominant, as that is more of a temporary activity which either can enjoy. I consider myself a domme who occasionally bottoms...so I'm still with you here... Moving on to The Power Exchange (total or not…) I see it as the giving up of authority and control to another…to whatever degree they mutually agree. For me, the ‘Total’ part is with regard to the fact that it may, or may not, include income, property and employment. To me TPE has to do with the commitment to a D/s or M/s relationship; that the exchange of power is always on (not just for play), that the one accepting the authority bears the responsibility and the one giving the power gives up the control. Yet another ditto from me.... Okay, here is where I falter. Given what I have stated, you can see where I have trouble with a Dominant being submissive (rather than bottoming to), or a submissive suddenly becoming Dominant to (rather than Topping) the partner with whom they’ve pledged TPE. Am I just chocking on semantics, here? ARE people who, otherwise are deeply steeped in D/s as a lifestyle…in TPE…really able to switch with the same partner? Or…are those of you who can do it into a ‘lighter’ kind of BDSM that is more about what happens in the bedroom for fun than actual TPE? You have made a long lived thought in me change with this paragraph, Bearlee. I was once in a situation where I was a collared sub who had my own subs on the side. Eventually my dom came to me and asked that I dominate him as well. I did, it was fun. We could flip flop with each other over the course of an 8 hour night. As I really read your post I realize we really just topped each other on occasion. We weren't in a TPE and while each wound up collared to the other....I don't think I was ever Domme to him...I only topped him. *S* You killed my dream (kidding of course). No...a total power exchange can't flip flop like that....total is total is total... I personally could not switch with my slave in a tpe exchange...Which leads me to the question....could I make my collared tpe slave top me for fun? Would I ultimately still be in control if I "make him" do it? I guess...but it's a fuzzy line for me, today, typing here and now. I admit I may have a more dominant attitude for some others than I imagined…Topping is such great fun…and perhaps I can do more, But …switching places to dominate my Dom? I just cannot imagine it. So, we’re back to how I see some as quite interested in things sensual and less interested D/s as I know it…which is where I get the BDSM-lite thought. I know I could have it wrong, but 'lite' is not what I'm after. Robert absolutely under no circumstances could top me even if I wanted him to and I'm ok with that. If I want to be topped (and I do sometimes) I will find another for that. I truly suggest if taking this farther with this person, you tell him you simply can't engage in a tpe with him and then top him later. Make it clear right away, through effective communication techniques where your limits are in this. I started the post here because I feel I might get more responses to all of my questions than just the pieces regarding switching. OMG…Please do not flame me…this is a discussion; I am stating my thoughts………which, I might add are subject to change. Have a different opinion? PLEASE state it…I’m asking for different ways to see this. Thank you all so much, beverly I have no idea if I've been helpful here or not...but that's where I am. edited for errors...
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