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RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/23/2007 3:36:12 PM   
simplyserves


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quote:

ORIGINAL: ghitaPVH
Is it possible to be assertive while still being submissive. What are your thoughts?


For a submissive person in general it is possible, of course.  On this site, I would say that 100% of the self-identified submissives are assertive as a rule.  They've asserted their motives and feelings in communicating them and looking for a situation where they can express their needs, which is assertive. 

Not all subs are comfortable being assertive beyond that, and perhaps relative to each other they are more or less assertive but we've all asserted ourselves to some degree just by being here.

Assertive can also be said to be able to express your intentions, feelings and  to put them into action.  Some dominants may want a completely passive person, or a puppet, except once they get one and realize how much work it is to pull the strings every second.

I take it you mean more whether or not it's in keeping with the spirit of submission to assert specific needs or desires, or to aggressively seek out the situation you want for yourself.  That's a bit stickier, only in so far as how it's approached.  In general though it's more then possible to be assertive, submissive and to show respect and humility toward dominants.  Of course this assumes a lot about your question.

The biggest problem that I see concerning submissives being either not assertive enough to the point of disappearing or overly assertive to the point of being demanding is that they don't know what they want.  I think it's extremely common because none or very few of us grew up in an environment where D/s was around us, and "knowing" what you want can only come from a lot of trial, error, and experience.  So it's very excusably, in my mind.  That said, when someone knows what they want through experience more then just thinking it about it a lot, it doesn't feel uncomfortable to be assertive, it just feels like honesty and forthrightness.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ghitaPVH
Do you find assertiveness a good quality or one you want to repress in some way?


I don't want to be demanding, but assertiveness is a good quality.  I am some what passive with women, regardless if they're dominant or submissive, generally deferring to them.  However, I'm not passive in expressing myself when they ask for feedback or in general otherwise unless they've told me to not do so specifically.  Being assertive also means that you go out of your way to please them, instead of passively waiting to carry out their demands or orders.  In every way it's a good quality to be sure of your motives, to express them and to act on them, when and how it's appropriate.  And that is the only caveat, when and how it's appropriate.


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RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/23/2007 4:12:44 PM   
Politesub53


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i see assertiveness as being an asset. It allows me to serve a Mistress, and free up her time from the more mundane things in life. Unless i am with someone who likes to micro manage, then i suspect that a degree of assertiveness is welcomed. i admit to sometimes being maybe more assertive than i should, for example insisting Mistress sees a Doctor, when that " Its just a cold" has lingered for weeks.
They key in this is knowing just how far one can go before being assertive turns into being pushy.

(in reply to simplyserves)
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RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/23/2007 4:59:16 PM   
Griswold


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quote:

ORIGINAL: ghitaPVH

Is it possible to be assertive while still being submissive. What are your thoughts?

ghita~


No.

The only reason I know this is....several "Dommes" have told me.

(Of course, they must be right).

(Right?)

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Profile   Post #: 63
RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/23/2007 5:01:37 PM   
pinksugarsub


Posts: 1224
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ghitaPVH

Is it possible to be assertive while still being submissive. What are your thoughts?

ghita~


<Remembers the 'assertiveness training' movement.>  What choices does an uncollared submissive have?  To be a doormat?  To be passive-aggressive?  Neither one is a great way to relate to the world and take care of oneself.
 
i feel i am a submissive; just like i am many other things.  However, when the cable company overcharges me i can cope adequately.
 
pinksugarsub 

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RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/23/2007 10:21:58 PM   
littlehumbledone


Posts: 72
Joined: 10/2/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ghitaPVH

Is it possible to be assertive while still being submissive. What are your thoughts?

ghita~


Yes, for me it certainly is, my special one likes the fact that I speak my mind, have my own opinions and share them with him, we can agree to disagree, but simply because he is a Dom doesnt mean i give up all my rights to have my own POV and act on it.



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I don't need anyone to blow out another woman's candle to make mine burn brighter.

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Profile   Post #: 65
RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/24/2007 12:12:06 AM   
laurell3


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Griswold

quote:

ORIGINAL: ghitaPVH

Is it possible to be assertive while still being submissive. What are your thoughts?

ghita~


No.

The only reason I know this is....several "Dommes" have told me.

(Of course, they must be right).

(Right?)


rofl  you crack me up Griswold, in a good way.

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I cannot be defined by moments in my life, but must be considered for by the entirety of my existence.

When you fail to consider that I am the best judge for what is right for me, all of your opinions become suspect to me.

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Profile   Post #: 66
RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/24/2007 6:41:45 AM   
Griswold


Posts: 2739
Joined: 2/12/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: laurell3

quote:

ORIGINAL: Griswold

quote:

ORIGINAL: ghitaPVH

Is it possible to be assertive while still being submissive. What are your thoughts?

ghita~


No.

The only reason I know this is....several "Dommes" have told me.

(Of course, they must be right).

(Right?)


rofl  you crack me up Griswold, in a good way.


(It's gotta be the drugs...I really have to stop mixing cough syrup with LSD).

(in reply to laurell3)
Profile   Post #: 67
RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/24/2007 6:46:43 AM   
rmanrr


Posts: 358
Joined: 7/25/2006
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Greetings
While not reading the rest of the thread, in a word, yes.


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Be Well, Be Careful

Jarl Rmanrr

"the road untravelled is the loneliest." Me
Courage...the ability to overcome obstacles during the course.
"to be insane is to be original!"...Me

(in reply to ghitaPVH)
Profile   Post #: 68
RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/24/2007 6:56:41 AM   
juliaoceania


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Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
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I am assertive much of the time, but I have a hard time being assertive with my Daddy. He has been encouraging me to be more so when it comes to telling him what I want and feel.

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Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to ghitaPVH)
Profile   Post #: 69
RE: assertive vs submissive - 11/25/2007 12:52:09 PM   
LuckyAlbatross


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Joined: 10/25/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Focus50
The most boring and frustrating (D/s) relationship I was ever in was with a sub who *always* did as she was told; who, when asked for her opinion on something generally replied with "whatever you think/want" etc.

See to me that's not doing what one is told to do at all and in a LOT of relationships I know about, an answer like that would be considered disobedience and insubordination.  You are asked to give an opinion- if you honestly do not have one, then that's decent enough (and a sign to the dom that perhaps he needs to educate their sub some more), but to just say "whatever you want/think" is completely unreasonable and avoids answering the question asked completely.
quote:


It drove me nuts - how does one discipline a bratty lapse if it never happens?  How does one have a spirited conversation when the other agrees with *everything*?

Well personally I'm fine with never having a "bratty lapse."  A slave can be spirited, thoughtful, aggressive, assertive, opinionated and all that and still never once be bratty or undisciplined.  There's wit in grace.
 
So yes, only ASSERTIVE subs need apply! 
 
Gotta go - will read the whole thread later....
 
Focus.


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Profile   Post #: 70
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