Hi Alex.
It's not uncommon, we all have felt this way, I can share with you what has helped me.
1.) Tickling is
already part of flirting and foreplay. It has to do with intimate, sensual touching, exploring the body.....which is what lovemaking already is, am I wrong?
2.) Now think about OTHER fetishes, the stuff you could be cursed with. You could be into necrophilia. Pervs who puke to show their love. Human toilets. Human receptacles for ejaculate. Ugh. Inflicting pain and suffering upon another person. The list is endless. Now go back to what we're into; it's pretty benign, if you think about it!
3.) Unlike most other kinks, such as some of the ones I mentioned above, this kink is shared by both male and female. When I was younger, pre-internet, I thought it was just me. Then, when I first discovered this kink online, I thought it was just a few other "pervy" guys. Then, through the TMF, I discovered lots of women had the kink as well. Now I see it's found throughout the whole spectrum of sexuality.
4.) Often when I have told "vanillas" about this kink, they have completely understood, and often been intrigued. Often there is a "lightbulb" "eureka" moment where it dawns on them that tickling is actually hot.
5.) Of all the kinks to have, ours is one of the most sanitary!
6.) Every time you see a movie, play or TV show and they want to indicate something sexy, sexual or flirtatious is going on in the next room, laughter (usually female laughter) is heard. Ours is almost the turn-on that's underneath everyone's noses......they just haven't made the connection.
7.) Touching.....reactions.....laughter. That's what we're into. That's pretty cool!
It's great that you have had such good responses. "It's cute" is a common response. As you get older and older, I think you will find you grow into the kink and it won't bother you as much. I'm almost proud to have the kink, now. Just hang in there and realize it's not that big of a deal. Everyone's into
something.....and there's nothing wrong with being confident and decisive about what you like. Being shy about what you're into is also not uncommon; as long as you don't find it cripples your ability to connect with others. Which it sounds like you don't have that problem.
Good luck!