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ORIGINAL: Dusty15

Ma'am I like what you said and I can tell that you know what you are talking about. I am looking forward to what my Mistress teaches me and what she likes.

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spinntja wrote: Some people in the U.S. say "European Lifestyle" to mean "British Style." Again, that means different things to different people, but in my experience it's usually some kind of recreation of Edwardian or Victorian culture.

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ORIGINAL: beeble

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spinntja wrote: Some people in the U.S. say "European Lifestyle" to mean "British Style." Again, that means different things to different people, but in my experience it's usually some kind of recreation of Edwardian or Victorian culture.

BDSM in my country does not, in fact, mean `pretending to be a hundred years ago.'

I know.  Let's have a thread where we Europeans speculate about how BDSM in the US is about [insert egregious stereotype about American life here, probably involving guns, burgers and lectures about freedom].  And let's completely ignore the Americans when they tell us it isn't like that because, hey, what could they possibly know about it?

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ORIGINAL: azropedntied

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ORIGINAL: KaramelGoddess

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ORIGINAL: azropedntied

I know they like fish and chips ,football,tea , and very diverse in cultures . Great music , and shopping too !

*sighs*
Do us all a favour, get an Atlas or a globe and FIND Europe.  Then come back and try that again.

I see so they do not play or watch "football" ,cricket,have no shopping ?Europe does not have great music ?no divercity ? wow the place sure has changed .I checked the atlas and a globe and yet its in the same location its always been .

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ORIGINAL: LadyHugs

Dear GoodManners, Dusty15, Ladies and Gentlemen;

First, GoodManners--Thank you very much for your kind words. Indeed, when I was in the military family and then later overseas on an extended basis, my exposure to the ‘lifestyle’ in the Master-slave culture was where my roots are based.

MystressDream has made excellent points and wrote well.  I would heed her words well and that of GoodManners.

In response to European Trained, there is such a thing as having training and or exposure in Europe. I do not see it any different, than individuals being exposed and learning and or ‘trained’ in the United States as being “American Trained,” should they be speaking in a majority European situation and or forum. That said, although there are many who use the claim of being “European Trained,” as to pull the wool over some people’s eyes, it is no different when Heterosexual men were claiming they were Old Guard trained, as to impress women of a submissive nature--unless, someone had the opportunity of being associated prior to Leather men who were Gay. This is when the “Internet” culture took off with the term and it gained a life of its own. Once the “European Trained” ploy is exhausted, something else will be invented as to out posture others. But, as Mistress Dream and GoodManners have attempted to impress upon; just because there are some who have no connection to the European M/s culture and or S&M culture; BDSM, D/s and or fetish culture--that does not mean that there are absolutely no individuals that have exposure and or experience in the European way of doing things --to include living the lifestyle, in their houses in the style of their choosing. If the Europeans said the same of the Americans, everybody’s undergarments would be in a wedge and people would be insulted. So, I wish Americans would give the same consideration that Europeans are excluded from the class, the art, the style and or mastery of M/s, D/s, S&M, BDSM and or Leather--is insulting to me and to those who have been to Europe and gained knowledge/skills and or lived the lifestyle as M/s and or those who remain in Europe, living their life.

Individuals are influenced by their journey in life and experiences. Culture, employment, friends, sport and such; people create what they feel is ‘fitting’ to their comfort, dignity and grow from many influences and borrow from influences which have institutionalized authority-subordination structures, such as military, religion, civilian and or Imperial/Royal institutions.
Those who have been exposed to and or experience life in a monarchy system have a different perspective from those who have no monarchy and or royal culture to understand, appreciate and or accustom to. I believe that those who are not exposed to such for a good length of time, do not have the same view as those who envelope themselves as an extended guest in another country and or nation.

Another point I wish to make, is that the club/dungeon culture is different to a private home culture. People run their homes their way and to their standard and people agree to the standard/protocol/rules of a public club, dungeon and or private dungeon like The Crucible in Washington, DC--to which I am a member. There is a totally different behavior in The Eagle compared to Tracks, Bound, The Edge and or The Crypt. These individually cannot be clumped into one big mass. These clubs/bars/dungeons are as individual as we (in general) are. I think it is unkind to compare a private home/House to a private commercially set up dungeon, like The Crucible which is a members’ club as well as open to the public; and or bars and clubs that have BDSM activities and or Leather cultures.

Another area of which I wish to address, is the attitude of individuals who think “House” systems do not exist. Well, they do. Some identify their home in a more flourishing manner however, there is often a need to identify homes in a non-described manner, as to keep their privacy--as there are some who cannot be discreet and have a motor mouth that won’t stop. At times, if there are those with shared names--to distinguish the right person they may use “House of Pain,” to which is immediately identified by those local and privy to know it’s location and those who live within it. There were “Houses” in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. I know of one that is well know.

Just because you (in a general sense) do not know it exists and or not invited (probably for good reason)--that doesn’t mean they do not exist or, that they are not real.

Another area to which often finds people who deny such existing are ‘training academies.’ These do exist--two in the United States for certain and might be several more. So, why can’t Europe have their own academies, Houses and such? It is folly to make an assumption based on opinion and not fact. In addition, sometimes people have to move--some marry and names change. Several individuals have a habit of changing their scene identity as often as they do undergarments. This does not always mean that they are fake or frauds, although it does raise a question as to why someone would have many identities.

I also cite, that Miss. Autumn Rose Taylor, to whom practiced a very high protocol household of her own as well as giving presentations to Black Rose Conventions several years in a row, was heavily influenced by the British way of discipline and training based on the Alice-Kerr Sutherland Society International. It would be considered to some “Victorian” and or “Edwardian” in its structure, style, protocols and training. Miss. Autumn Rose Taylor, an American would never be in a post as Executive Director in New York by the Alice-Kerr Sutherland Society, if she did not achieve the high standards and practices of that Society. I deem Miss. Taylor “European Trained.”

My question then would be, Miss Taylor in the Society and a member, as well as other American ladies being trained in a strict manner as to continue the Society’s expectations--wouldn’t this be ample argument that American women trained in the “European” way of doing things--be accepted as real also? --To read these posts, the answer would be no to Miss. Taylor and other Americans who trained in England at the Society and or under the training of Miss. Taylor directly.  But, in my opinion --those who train in the 'style' of the English way, the Victorian way and or any other style with European influences-- are people and should be judged on an individual basis based on their skill, knowledge and ability to demonstrate it well in person.

With clusters of BDSM in the entire world, I believe that it would be insulting and in the true form of the reputation of ‘the ugly American;’ to dismiss others overseas and or those who have been overseas and are in the United States as fake, frauds and or anything other than American BDSM as not being the ‘true/real’ way--especially if they have never experienced anything outside the United States and or never had any experiences other than BDSM clubs and or bars, to make an assumption those who life ‘the lifestyle’ do not exist. I am of the belief that Europeans and or Americans are not beholding, as to prove that they are real by opening their private lives in house to be judged by judgmental individuals. For as the hundreds of homes open --there are thousands that remain unknown and not open to public approval.

What matters most, to which I agree with MystressDream--the main thing is pleasing your own Mistress and don’t be discouraged by the many who are shouting from the ‘peanut gallery’ who are not personally witnessing your relationship with your Mistress.

Each Dominant will train different and borrow from many experiences, influences and what style best suits her and her relationships with you. Her way is what matters--not mine and or others.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
Lady Hugs

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Politesub53 wrote: Quick point about tea and China cups. China was a very expensive item, even the equivelant early English China cost a small fortune. As Lady Hugs says the hot water often cracked the cups, this is the reason why the milk was always poured into the cup first, as it helped transfer the heat.