Complaining about S&M.

[MinimaMagistra]

Quoth xlr82xs
i've gotten complaints from customers (about other customers) for everything from "that boy is wearing a skirt" to "i do not feel safe being in here while that girl with the spiky hair is here" (keeping in mind the punk girl had been here for a few hours before the person who "didn't feel safe" arrived)

I read that and I automatically thought of myself in that situation, what I'd do. If somebody came up to me, complaining about whatever not-strictly-vanilla thingamajig. I imagine a pretty much mute response, because no matter if I would or wouldn't get in trouble for something, it's difficult for me to snark off like I sometimes really want to do. So I would raise my brows at them, for starters. Then lift my hair to show my industrial, tragus, and other various ear piercings. Then display my one easily visible tattoo (on the inside of my wrist). Maybe point to my collar, if I'm wearing one. Then, if they're still there, ask them politely what it was, again, that they'd like me to do?

[JustADude]

*Cookies for who gets the reference!

Sgt. Detritus of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Troll. Has badge carved into (stone) arm. Carries a Ballista instead of a standard-issue crossbow, which is referred to as the Piece-Maker. Has lately been seen wearing a cooling helmet to allow his silicone brain to function better in warm environments. Need I go on?

Of course, it just so happens that I'm re-reading Jingo right now, so I had an unfair advantage... but anyway, I'll take chocolate chunk please.

[Pagan]

Those girls rock!

As others have already stated, as long as you're not hurting yourself or anyone else, whatever floats your boat! Seriously, there's enough bad in this world without looking for it where it's not.

And nosy people like that woman? I think it's more because they don't have a life of their own that they feel the need (The need for speed! Choc chip cookies to whomever gets it!) to get into everyone else's business.

i've gotten complaints from customers (about other customers) for everything from "that boy is wearing a skirt" to "i do not feel safe being in here while that girl with the spiky hair is here" (keeping in mind the punk girl had been here for a few hours before the person who "didn't feel safe" arrived)

Was it really a "boy in a skirt" or was he wearing a kilt? You never want to refer to one as a "skirt" to a big, brawny Highlander!

And I'm one of those girls with spiky hair! (Well, it's not right now, it needs cut.)

An old lady spies a couple, one with a leash on the other. "Why does that girl have that boy on a leash?" So she takes a closer look. "DEAR GOD THAT'S A GIRL!"

Reminds me of a story one of my former co-workers told me when she went to see Brokeback Mountain. Seems two little old ladies sitting behind her were expecting it to be strictly a Western. After all, it was based on a story co-written by Larry McMurtry, what else could it be? Well, got to one of the more, um, interesting scenes and this is what she heard: "Oh my. Oh My. OH MY!" And then they got up and left!

Well, if you mean "Horse" as in her in a leather harness, a bit in her mouth, and a very intricate plumage. And him in a very Gothic Cowboy type of deal. During Halloween.

I would have paid to see that!

[Ill_Used_Heroine]

God, collars. Really hard to find good ones. The best collar I have is a really good-quality one with thick leather and three sturdy rings. No idea how to get another, 'cause a friend gave it to me when he was replacing it with a new one. I get VERY lucky with hand-me-downs like that.

http://www.leatheretc.com has a very nice selection of collars.

[Tigress]

Actually, to the one who said I hope you wouldn't've. If they were just kids playing around, that's one thing. But if it actually was a lady with her sub, that would've been unquestionably rude. Most folk would know better than to interrupt a scene at a bdsm club to ask if they could give the flogger a try (though, unfortunately, some would), and even though this sounds a lot more domestic, it's not necessarily any more exclusive.

There's also the issue of safety and trust. Way too many people translate an interest in S & M as "chick likes being beat hur hur hur" and will go to the club looking to act out some violent misogynist fantasy on a girl without any repercussions. So they have to be on the lookout for it.

There's a reason the byline for this activity is "Safe. Sane. And Consensual." If someone doesn't think you can follow those basic criteria, you will be shot down at best and have an encouter with a splatterer named Detritus* at worst.

*Cookies for who gets the reference!

[Dreamstalker]

S&M Bathrooms, anyone?

Aw, and here I was expecting something really weird.

There's a B & D Auto Repair near here...

[trunks2k]

this is the best thread ever.

[Aldous]

S&M Bathrooms, anyone?

Rapscallion

Hey Raps, did you catch that it's a "Family Business?" Yep, like my momma always says, "Incest is best."

[Rapscallion]

S&M Bathrooms, anyone?

Rapscallion

[queenbb]

You know, I used to agree with you on this one until I started watching small children. Even the best parents can't keep their eyes on their kids CONSTANTLY. Say, if you are at a fair and have to stop holding your childs hand for a few seconds to say, grab a plate full of funnel cake and look away for just a split second - ZIP - the kid is gone.

When I was younger, I didn't think of pulling shit like that because my father would've tanned my ass - public or not - but today, most parents don't handle stuff like that. So, I can see a good use for the kiddie leash.

one of my customers was saying that she put all her kids on leashes, the reason, one of them was nearly kidnapped, the kid was right next to her, she was looking at some items on a table at a store, the guy just came up and walked away with the kid. she realized it instantly, and had to fight for her kid back.

[JustADude]

Which on a stronger dom/sub setting should have prompted your bf to go over, and kick their ass bloody. I mean you don't run to someone, grab their pet/pda/wallet/XXX-stuff from them and run away to show it without getting into serious trouble... same should happen with a sub.... People never cease to amaze me with the levels of stupidity they will fall to.

I had a friend back in college that was into the collar-and-leash thing. Even though I wasn't even on the radar (she's a lesbian) I still kept a big-brother type of eye on her whenever we ended up hanging out together, since she's very mild and sweet, as well as gorgeous enough to make grown men walk into tables. Pretty much an open invitation for assholes, it seems, and I've had to put The Fear* into more than one guy who was either trying to play Grabit with her leash, or wouldn't take no for an answer when they got shot down.

*I won't go into details but, while I'm normally a teddy-bear, I can put on an aura that has made grown men, nearly my size, take a physical step back when I lock eyes with them, before I even open my mouth. I've been told I end up giving off the impression of a cross between Hannibal Lectre and a snarling wolf. Any way you slice it, though, it beats having to come to blows with someone.

[MinimaMagistra]

those parents who put their young children on leashes.

I know you were talking about how it offends you, but the whole image never fails to make me giggle.

Actually, to the one who said

i would have asked if i could walk her,

I hope you wouldn't've. If they were just kids playing around, that's one thing. But if it actually was a lady with her sub, that would've been unquestionably rude. Most folk would know better than to interrupt a scene at a bdsm club to ask if they could give the flogger a try (though, unfortunately, some would), and even though this sounds a lot more domestic, it's not necessarily any more exclusive.

God, collars. Really hard to find good ones. The best collar I have is a really good-quality one with thick leather and three sturdy rings. No idea how to get another, 'cause a friend gave it to me when he was replacing it with a new one. I get VERY lucky with hand-me-downs like that.

[earl colby pottinger]

Personally

I would find it offensive to myself personally. But out in public it is NONE OF MY DAMN BUSINESS.

These people did not break any moral code found in most towns in North America, and it does not sound like they were even using the same section of the book store that she was.

Good thing she never been up to my cabin, the local group consist of:

Property A, like walking around in a studded dog collar and until last year where it seems he fell in love (yes, he is now planning a wedding) had a different girl up every single weekend.

Property B, loves to smoke weed, even grow their own.

Property C, collect old junk to build things. And he is good at it too.

Property D, nudists. They arrive the clothes come off till they leave.

Property E, don't mess with him, his wife just died from cancer and he is taking no shit from anyone.

Property F, ???????

Property G, thinks they can outsmart the government, sues at the drop of a hat.

Property H, My brother 6'4", sons are bigger.

Property I, My property, know how to make liquid explosives just for fun.

[aurelemsrealm]

I'm a fairly conservative, plain-looking type, myself. I tend to make friends with people who dress and look vastly different. I have quite a few goth friends. I have quite a few gay friends. The list goes on. The point is that I don't look like I fit with them, and they don't look like they fit with me. Even so, we've found a common ground -- sense of humor, interests in things like movies or music, our personalities just mesh, whatever applies. The bad part of living in a small town is that you get to know the local busybodies, gossips, and other such undesireables who always feel compelled to probe into the gory details of our lives. My life really has no gory details, but I'm sure you'll make up a few stories to justify your concerns. That's okay, I know plenty of people around town, so those whose opinions do matter to me probably already know the real story anyhow. I'm just thinking of a few rumors I learned about myself here a while back through the grapevine. I just always loved learning new things, and so it was quite a laugh when word got back to me.

[mischugenah]

Well if you wouldn't wear the choke-chain, it wouldn't be that much of a problem.



I once spent an entire day of class in handcuffs. Don't ask me why, I really don't know.

*chuckle* While I was in high school, me, my brother, and my sister decided to 'kidnap' a friend for a day. We did the works, handcuffs, threw a blanket over her head, stuffed her into a car, and drove off. We ended up at a mall where we were going to hang out, but when I offered to remove the cuffs, she refused. She wore them all day, it was fun the looks and comments we got. A couple of kids even thought we were undercover cops who'd arrested her!