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Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 9:20:56 AM   
SusanofO


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Since it might be something that determines for some which letters they answer and which they don't - I took a hard look this week-end at my Own Bdsm interest list

After considering my interests (again) - as well as some letters I've received where people state they are Experts at this or are Beginners ,or, Average - it just made me realize even more that  -even though I consider those terms relative, they can help to 'narrow the field' of what Activity people might be:

1)Extra interested in. Or maybe, really are
2) Extra Experienced at .

In my own profile, I checked Like It for the things I tried that I like.

I did not check Love It for very much - simply because I don't think I have enough experience to know if I Love It or not.
Maybe I could Love it ________whatever if I tried it more (or maybe this is viewed as "un-enthisiastic". It's not. *It's a lack of experience mingled with an attempt at honesty about the lack) .

Loved the idea of Mental Domination because I figured: That's key (for me) in BDSM activity and-or relationships. If I'm not feeling mentally dominated, why would I be whipped (emotionally or otherwise) into a frenzy about much of anything else as an interest? I might not be. So I rated it a Love It.

Loved the idea of Orgasm Control (but also have spent at least the past 8 years, except for one of those years, in a situation where there was almost no heterosexual sex at all). Maybe I was mis-reading what Orgasm control can be used for (and I know men's orgasms can be controlled as well as women's, but I did not check Chasity as a "Hard Limit", or even as something I'd just "Tolerate" - so if asked, or made to, I suppose I could engage in Chastity.

My question is: I am (relatively) new and am wondering if I am not the only one who wonders how people's thought process (including my own, which I am taking a look at) works when checking Interests off (and "levels" of it - when checking interests off a BDSM interest list.
 
Some don't think it's important and they'll talk about it later.
Others think it's a "big deal". Some don't think about this at all, apparently, and might think if another person does think about it, it is viewed as some kind of threat somehow.

So - I guess I "Re-evaluated" my BDSM interest list.

Hypnosis: If you're really Dominant, why would you need to hypnotize me?
You'll be doing it with your powerful personality. Ergo why would you need it? Sounds a little "too creepy" for me -and thus it came Off my "Curious About" list. There is another thread on Hypnosis on these boards that discusses "pros and "cons" and for now, for me - the "con" side has won.

Suspension: Another that came off  my "Curious About" list.
If I only "Tolerate" of "Clubbing" then unless you've got a well-equipped dungeon at your house, or your friends do (I don't) then we are out of luck here -  - off the "Curious About" list. Even if Clubbing was on an activity list not a specific BDSM activity list, I did this because it seems many associate an interest in "Clubbing" with
BDSM clubs (not non-BDSM bars or clubs).  

Shibari: isn't this Japanese Rope Bondage? I like Bondage so I guess that covers the question (for me) of whether I would try an "exotic" alternate method of basic bondage. I would.
Note: If you can bind someone with Plastic Wrap I suppose I could try that - not at the top of my list nor am I "opposed" - although am confused about whether that is considered Mummifcation or Bondage. This is confusing (maybe I should not be thinking about these things but I can't seem to stop myself).

Gags: Don't Bondage and gags sometimes go together (I imagined so). I have never been gagged, but would not oppose a gag. I did say I was Curious About: Speech Restrictions so maybe that covers it. Maybe not. 

Public Play: To me this is different than "Clubbing" (going to clubs) so it means private play parties people have in eachother's homes. Never have done it, not ruling it out. I like the privacy aspect and it if it's your house, you make the rules (maybe one more reason to be cautious, but alos onemore reason it could be more "liberating").

Uniforms: I would be a French Maid. Uniforms (to me) are different than Corsets. Corsets are a piece of pretty clothing (and I will wear those).
Not going to be a Drill Sargeant, or  a "Rubber Doll" encased in latex being beat senseless for you (although I was offerred that option recently. Not my "thing" (sorry if this offends, it isn't meant to do that). **That is also maybe why I did not check "Rubber Fetish" as an interest (for now). 
That qualifies for me as being part of a "Theatrical Scene" (which I also did not check (although I can see people liking Rubber. I am not experienced in being encased in Rubber and it's not at the top of my list of things I want to try just now - there's so much else I want to do first.

Outdoor Bondage: I can see where that would maybe be fun. I'd try it. I am hoping someone would not leave me tied to a tree in the middle of a hailstorm in a graveyard naked at mid-night, driving off and leaving me alone there to cathc pneumonia and have a panic attack - because they want to "de-sensitize"' me of a phobia they think I have of ghosts (or, bad weather). As an general interest, it could be a lot of fun, but we'd need to talk about what it includes. 

Watersports: To be honest, I haven't tried this one - it's just a big squick to me. If  I cared a lot about someone, that might change (but not for now).

Anything else I checked as an interest I checked because I'd tried it at least one time (but things I checked that I've never ever tried but am interestd in I noted in my profile).

I didn't check Expert, Average or Beginner for anything - but maybe should go back and check Beginner for most everything on a BDSM interest list.

***I've only had ten-twelve scenes (hours and hours and-or days as far as time, for each) with another person in my entire life. I think people have little idea what other people mean by these terms until they talk or write to eachother. It's nice to see it in a profile I guess, but maybe other people don't care about that (people do things differently I know).  

As far as non-BDSM interests and checking Expert, Average or Beginner for those: For now, I am mostly concerned about the BDSM interest list as fas as talking about experience levels - I guess (I'll get to the others sometime soon).
I've listed what I am interested in and particpate in as far as general, non-BDSM interests.

There are a lot of non-BDSM interests to consider and I do like to try new things (and have some pretty specific non-BDSM hobbies). Those are the ones I checked. I did not check an experience level for those -

*Because I wouldn't be on a BDSM site at all if my interest in BDSM actviity did not outweigh my "vanilla" interest level in general to begin with. If someone could not live without sky-diving and wanted to do it 6 months out of the year, and LIVED FOR IT -I guess that could be a problem for either one or both of us (I am afraid of heights).   

***Hard Limits (BSM): To be honest, I am confused about how some people view these.

I have a hard time with the idea of Fireplay.It just plain scares me and it seems there's a lot of room for mistakes and permanenet bodily damage unless you really are positive the other person is an Expert and have checked-them out. I also don't know all that much about it except it has to do with literally setting someone on fire.
Knifeplay, I see as less potentially damaging than Fireplay, and like the idea of using things like razor blades or someone maybe just using a small knife to tear off a piece of clothing - but checked Hard Limit because - I pictured some person with a machete coming at me who was out of control but maybe could not admit it , and trying to kill me with a big knife and thinking that was funny. I was also raped at knifepoint - and it still can give me the willies to even see big knives (Chef's knife, Butcher knives) in a violently construed situation. But - I do think both of these areas could be re-visited - with the right person perhaps someday. 

Face Slapping? I dunno, it just sounded a bit brutal to me - maybe it's not always. Again I pictured someone trying to break my jaw (I am not kidding);this has to do with experience levels I guess

**Does that mean these three things should be under Tolerates and not Hard Limits?
 
Just wondering how any out there view determining activity interests and limits. 

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 4/17/2006 10:19:56 AM >


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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 9:54:07 AM   
FirmhandKY


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Susan,

The Interest list means different things to different people at different times.  I take them all with a grain of salt, and only as a general indication of possible interest, and figure if I ever write someone, we will discuss in detail what they really mean by all their "interests".

So, yes, put some thought into it, but don't let them be a straitjacket, and talk about them in detail with anyone you get interested in.

FHky


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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 10:03:32 AM   
truesub4u


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Susan.. I like to see you post.. and like to read your post... sometimes they are soooooooooooooo long..... Give me a few to catch up here.... but for now... my profile simply states what it does so one who looks at it knows I have limits.. but open minded and subject to be discussed. 

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 10:27:37 AM   
cillydom


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The check off thingys are the last and least interesting to me. I’m much more interested in what she actually has to say in her own words. I’ve often seen profiles where she says she wants a master/slave relationship but then checks off a long list of hard limits which leaves me completely confused. Ok maybe not. I’m more interested on why she thinks she’s submissive and what submission really means to her. Knowing that I can determine wether there is something of interest to me and something I can work with. I’m probably more extreme in the relationship I want than most so her emotional make up is more important to me, is there something there I can safely work with. Not what she may think her limits and abilities are. Often she is wrong.

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 10:48:53 AM   
OedipusRexIt


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Susan,

I enjoyed this post a lot.  Wish more people were as expressive and that they were able to explaine their interests and preferences so clearly.  Meanwhile, I agree with Cillydom, that the checklists aren't something I pay a lot of attention to.    If someone is of interest as a person, I want to get them into a conversation that is away from checking the boxes and into actual individuality as soon as possible.

Other people may find it a useful tool, and it may well be one.  However, the checklist doesn't usually represent too many deeply held preferences, in the people I've run across here.  Others may disagree.

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 10:49:03 AM   
SusanofO


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Thanks for the replies, folks. Appreciate it a lot. I just plain wondered what goes through people's minds when they go through the activities lists. I know sometimes I could be more succinct  and my OP was too long.

Maybe this is "passive-aggressive" or not nice of me , but I must admit I also wrote my OP because I sort of hoped (one can always hope) that people who send mail who check - almost No BDSM interests at all And-Or send one-line messages, or ones that say not much about themselves - will maybe read this post (I know lots of people receive these) - and that they consider it's possible it might help them sometimes help to expound. Today I decided I am going to just delete those. And I know I am to going to 'change the world' in that regard, and best of luck to those folk.

I had to find a solution to getting so many  of those (and heck, I don't even have a pic up), deleting some and maybe feeling guilty about it. I could just not say anything about it (I could have probably written them all back in the amount of time it took me to write that original post on this thread. But then, they'd maybe get their feelings hurt. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.
- SusanofO

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 4/17/2006 11:41:49 AM >


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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 10:53:59 AM   
truesub4u


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When I first joined CM.. I did the check list thingy.. lol.. deleted alot of them sense then. When I read someone elses profile... I don't even read the check list. I do scroll down to the dislikes... but the rest of it.. I don't bother with. 

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 11:06:26 AM   
LaTigresse


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Susan, I also love reading your posts! I share your feelings about the activities lists and avoided even considering going there on my profile. I do not have alot of RT "hands on" experience in BDSM being a late bloomer and all, but I do have alot of interests and given the right person that should come along and share those interests would like to explore more. I have always told people there is not much I would not try but will always err on the side of caution in the beginning. So much of BDSM play can be dangerous, not just physically but mentally also.....I do not want to do damage because of over zealous inexperience.
I am much more interested in getting to know the person and then moving into our "list" interests after some other more basic things like trust have been established.

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 11:50:57 AM   
SusanofO


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Thanks everyone for replying. I am re-writing my profile in my own head (eventually on paper). It helps to know that I don't need to get a guilt complex over simply deleting one-liners that have little mentioned in the way of interests in BDSM activity. If they have a profile that says nothing (or says little about them). I also state I am just learning more right now in my profile (it's true). People have been  helpful, and i am grateful for these boards. The idea of pinpointing in a more vivid way why I like submission is an excellent one to think about expounding on in my profile (good suggestion). Happy Monday everyone. - SusanofO   

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 4/17/2006 11:52:36 AM >


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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 12:45:22 PM   
Proprietrix


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SusanofO
My question is: I am (relatively) new and am wondering if I am not the only one who wonders how people's thought process (including my own, which I am taking a look at) works when checking Interests off (and "levels" of it - when checking interests off a BDSM interest list. 
 


Interest lists are fairly important to me. There are certain activities which I greatly dislike and don't want anything to do with. I put them either in my hard limits, or hate, or dislike. If I see a theme of those same activities in someone's lives for, loves, or likes, chances are, we aren't going to be a good match.
(and of course, vice-versa, if my loved interests are under their hated activities)

I used to have a few interest "levels" listed, but I wiped all the levels out on my profile. I could probably call myself an expert at a few things. I have a good 20+ years under my belt at cutting, but somehow I don't feel that qualifies me as an expert. I figure I'm not much of an expert at anything really because there's always more to learn and ways to grow. So that dissolved the whole "expert" thing. As for the beginner classification, I found myself in a minor quandry about putting that beside things. I found that most of the things I would consider myself a "beginner" at, were things I wasn't much interested in doing anyway. So all down through my "hates" and "dislikes" it said beginner. I felt that this put forth a message like "If I haven't tried it, I hate it." which wasn't the case at all. So, for me personally, to feel like I was putting out a more "me" message, I just wiped out the "level" part altogether.

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 12:55:24 PM   
SusanofO


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Thank you.Appreciate the response. - SusanofO

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 4/17/2006 12:58:16 PM >


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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 1:00:38 PM   
ShiftedJewel


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I have no BDSM activities mentioned in my checklists, I did at one time, but I removed them because that seemed to be the first thing people saw. It simply isn't what I am looking for. I'm looking for an M/s relationship. Yes, I see a difference between an M/s or D/s relationship and BDSM. The two can mix beautifully but are not one and the same... IMNSHO

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 1:00:51 PM   
Daddysredhead


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quote:

ORIGINAL: truesub4u
When I read someone elses profile... I don't even read the check list. I do scroll down to the dislikes... but the rest of it.. I don't bother with. 


My Master and I also do the same thing.  We generally read the dislikes and hard limits and the written-out profile content.  That kind of gives a basis of where things are on a first glance level for compatability.  The other stuff is (for the most part, for us at least) just filler.

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 1:41:14 PM   
dave1212


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My congrat's to SusanofO for yet another thought provoking post..
You are right of course i think too much can be read into the bdsm  checklist and for us relative "newbie's" it could on occasion sort of narrow the field for us..

So im gonna dash now and recheck my own profile

PS your post was not too long but informative and topical.."for me anyway"

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 2:00:34 PM   
SusanofO


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Well thanks to anyone who read this - I want to know how my thought process compared to others' (and I am a relative Newbie) regardless of my little icon to the left (I just wrote a lot this past week I guess, on the boards). It makes me feel maybe not so weird after all. 

And -I just read your profile dave1212 - it looks like you already did run and re-check your interest list Hope the weather is nice in England - SusanofO 

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 4/17/2006 2:05:42 PM >


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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 2:08:35 PM   
enthralled


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Great post SusanofO!!!

quote:

My question is: I am (relatively) new and am wondering if I am not the only one who wonders how people's thought process (including my own, which I am taking a look at) works when checking Interests off (and "levels" of it - when checking interests off a BDSM interest list.


It almost made me run over and change my profile
I see what you're saying though. I DID go back and look at my interests. The things I listed as 'expert' are things I have participated in many many times and know that I love them . . . at the hands of someone I TRUST though. Just because I love whips doesnt mean I'm going to let just anyone come at me and start wailing away!
This somewhat goes hand-in-hand with what I tell a lot of people- Just because I'm a masochist doesnt mean I have an orgasm when I stub my toe!

Respectfully,
enthralled

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 2:13:28 PM   
heartfeltsub


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Not wanting to change the flow of this thread, but it is rather annoying sometimes, especially from Doms who post in the forums saying they are looking for well written profiles and expect the sub to make the first move, that so many of the Doms profiles have nothing in them at all, no checklist, no introduction, nothing. How is one supposed to know if there is any level of compatibility if she is given NO information on which to make such a judgement call.

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 2:16:10 PM   
SusanofO


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Exactly what I was meaning when I wrote it this OP. Nice to be understood.
This was not meant to be a rant, (for anyone who might wonder) -I just wanted to know if people think about this stuff (and now I know they do, because the replies here clarified that's true). - SusanofO

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 4/17/2006 2:23:25 PM >


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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 2:35:16 PM   
Vancouver_cinful


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quote:

ORIGINAL: ShiftedJewel

I have no BDSM activities mentioned in my checklists,


I did the same thing. I purposefully left off the BDSM-related items. As far as I'm concerned I only share that information when I feel it neccesary. I'd rather use that list as a way to show a bit more of the non-BDSM side of me. I'm not just my sexuality, I'm far more than that.

If I don't have more in common with someone than an interest in bondage for example, then I'm not interested.

Cin

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RE: Defining BDSM Interests and Hard Limits in profiles - 4/17/2006 10:39:46 PM   
FirmhandKY


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hmmm ... after reading some of the other posters, I DO have more to say.

I don't think it's a good idea to not have any interests - and especially no bdsm interest on your profile.  I disagree with the thought process of the people who do that, because the first thing that comes to my mind when I see a profile like that is "Why the heck are you even here?  Go to match.com or somewhere!"

There are so many options however, I do think it is a waste of time to figure out each and every available option, and then choose your level of "expertise".  My original post about how we will all define things differently stands.

But there are certain interests that always catch my attention, especially in combination with others, and in comparison to mine that are red flags - either good or bad.  I think its a good thing to have those interests listed somewhere.

Just a couple of examples - "Bar hopping". If I see that on someone's "Lives For" interest, I'll guarantee that I won't contact her.  Conversely, if it's on her "Tolerates" to "Hard Limits" ... it might be the thing that pushs me over the edge to contact her.

Another example is a list of "Lives For", or "Likes" that are generally service related bdsm type of activities.  I am looking for more that type of service/sensous type of person, rather than one that has "Lives For"  asphyxiation,  (and no, that's not really an available option, but it is a good example)., cutting and is "Expert" at CBT. 

Some of the options are just "shake your head" at, such as "Expert" at ... Amusement Parks?    wtf?

So, I think that you should have some interests, both vanilla and bdsm related - just that you should realize that they are a starting point for discussion.

FHky


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