The four categories

[bellystrokes]

Based on observation and experience, and many discussions with my rock star, Strider and my goddess, Steph I have concluded there are four main driving forces that bring people to the tickling and/or bdsm community, the gatherings, the dungeons and then keep them in the scene. Granted, most people are a little of all four categories but overall I think most people I know can fall into one main category listed below:

I want to emphasize this is not how people necessarily play in all their scenes, or at gatherings or in privates, but what individual desires drive them. Obviously, situation, venue, participants, etc all effect the play and interaction.

With encouragement from my goddess, Steph who is interested in other observations or categories, I present mine:

SEXUALIST:

This is a person who is sexually turned on by tickling and wants to eventually have his/her traditional sexual organs gratified, most likely via direct stimulation, leading to orgasms. The most intense of all.

SENSUALIST: (This is me):

This person enjoys the journey more than anything and prefers the focus to remain on tactile stimulation. Reaching the zone and/or experiencing orgasms are a bonus and not necessarily achieved through traditional sexual organs. The most experimental of all.

LOVER:

This person wants to be seduced and views tickling as part of the love-making process and hopes to develop a monogamous relationship with their tickling partner. The most serious of all.

ROMANTIC: (This is Steph)

This person treats a tickling scene almost as a first or second date with cute flirty light ticking, teasing, and dialogue. The most playful of all.
Sub-Category: The Player: Pure innocent fun and just silly good old times, a la, wresting with your best childhood buddy.

 

[steph]

I really liked this when you presented brave Goddess, I think your assessment of me is accurate~but, I'm not looking for love and I do see elements of some of the others in me. Hmm...what to do about all that and still satisfy everyone I like... I'd love to hear other's comments! C'mon gang~show us what you're made of? 😉
XOXO

 

[bellystrokes]

I believe the Romantics make up the majority and probably can play the best with most At most gatherings, I see mainly "Romantic" type play even F/F. When I came up with the word, "Romantics" I didn't mean looking for romance but instead bring a certain amount of flirtation and "sophisticated adult silliness" to the scene as oppose to just adolescent goofball silliness (which yeah, I can bring to a scene).

 

[Strider]

I agree that romantics are probably the majority in this community.

I also agree that most of us probably lift aspects from all four types, but most of us probably have one that's clearly our predominant mindset. And obviously, I agree both with your self-categorizations, and your categorizations of me (given that we've already talked about some of this).

And it's interesting that you bring up the different types playing together with different levels of compatibility. I hadn't thought about that, but it's pretty accurate.

 

[steph]

I think so too, and may be the reason for my so called "celebrity" status as Dan & Jan like to tease me, but I always call 156 on that stuff ~it's a friendly nuttiness w/a bit of seduction that's appealing but not overly threatening~think Sandra Bullock! Behind closed doors, watch out, but you can still bring her home to Mom...Be very afraid...(snickers)
XOXO

 

[bellystrokes]

I pegged you as a sensualist, and as I recall, you agreed.
The muses for our original discussions were compatibility issues, vibes at gatherings and alternative paths some of us were exploring.

I also want to add that I don't consider any one of the four a better or more desired category.

 

[bellystrokes]

I think so too, and may be the reason for my so called "celebrity" status as Dan & Jan like to tease me, but I always call 156 on that stuff ~it's a friendly nuttiness w/a bit of seduction that's appealing but not overly threatening~think Sandra Bullock! Behind closed doors, watch out, but you can still bring her home to Mom...Be very afraid...(snickers)
XOXO

Exactly!!!!! Now I have to think of some actress who will exemplify a sensualist. heheheheh

 

[tklbd]

Just plain FUN!!!

I really liked this when you presented brave Goddess, I think your assessment of me is accurate~but, I'm not looking for love and I do see elements of some of the others in me. Hmm...what to do about all that and still satisfy everyone I like... I'd love to hear other's comments! C'mon gang~show us what you're made of? 😉
XOXO

Romantic can be such a sweet and innocent way to describe you though, and I have to agree somewhat with Goddess too!! Besides, you are such fun to just be around and talk with also.
Bos misses you!!!

 

[steph]

Bosley~OMG!
And Bellystrokes, how about Angelina??
XOXO

 

[Strider]

And Bellystrokes, how about Angelina??
XOXO

Took the words right out of my mouth

 

[bellystrokes]

Wow, talk about great minds................I was thinking Angelina---not comparing myself to her, so don't write those nasty letters----but she is into exploring and the headrushes one can get.

Bos, my sweets, so nice to have you back, but you phrased it very well--sweet and innocent.

And Strider, the mindset is also a great way of saying it.

No wonder I keep you guys around. heheehehe

 

[tklbd]

Wow, talk about great minds................I was thinking Angelina---not comparing myself to her, so don't write those nasty letters----but she is into exploring and the headrushes one can get.

Bos, my sweets, so nice to have you back, but you phrased it very well--sweet and innocent.

And Strider, the mindset is also a great way of saying it.

No wonder I keep you guys around. heheehehe

You know you will never shake me, my Dear

 

[AquaFeline]

Not that I am one or that it's the majority of people here, but aren't there people who *actually* view it as a form of torture and lump it into the BDSM category?

 

[bellystrokes]

You know you will never shake me, my Dear

I can try my dear, I can try.

 

[bellystrokes]

Not that I am one or that it's the majority of people here, but aren't there people who *actually* view it as a form of torture and lump it into the BDSM category?

I kind of think of them as "Sensualist" to some extent. Strider and I were discussing our journeys into the bdsm category and wondered aloud what sent us there and why others remained just in tickling. I think "sensualist" tend to go into bdsm more---I know I know stereotyping.

 

[Strider]

I kind of think of them as "Sensualist" to some extent. Strider and I were discussing our journeys into the bdsm category and wondered aloud what sent us there and why others remained just in tickling. I think "sensualist" tend to go into bdsm more---I know I know stereotyping.

They do. It's that whole pushing boundries thing again.

 

[drew70]

A very cool list. I would rate myself as a sensualist, as I'm all about the tactile stimulation. 😀

 

[milagros317]

Most of the time I'm in your Romantic category, but occasionally I'm a Sensualist. 😀

 

[kis123]

Mostly sensualist with a touch of romantic. But can easily be the lover and sexualist depending upon how I feel about the person I'm playing with.

 

[maskedmaiden]

I think this is a great observation, I guess I would be a SENSUALIST.

 

[bellystrokes]

Thank you all.

Sounding like a broken record here, but I am not trying to stick anyone is a precise box but it is fun to evaluate your own personal mindset and desire and to understand the mindsets of others.

BTW, Drew and Mils, what I knew of you, those would have been the categories I would have placed you in (I'm good, I'm good). hehehehehe

 

[ticklerofsoles]

grat point bellstrokes

I AGREE WITH YOUR CATAGORIES. I THINK MAYBE THEIR COULD BE A FEW MORE BUT WHAT CAN I SAY ITS PRETTY GOOD.

BUT AS FOR ME ALL THE POINTS YOU BROUGHT UP, I THINK ARE IN ALL OF US. BUT NATURALLY, I BELIEVE A CERTAIN TOPIC THAT IS IN EACH OF US ONE WEIGHS IN MORE. FOR ME IT DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND HOW COMFORTABLE I AM.

AS FAR AS SENSUAL I HAVE HEARD FIRST HAND THAT F/F IS SENSUAL. AFTER SPEAKING TO CERTAIN FEMALES IN PRIVATE AND GROUP PLAY THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT AS LONG AS THE PERSON IS REALLY INTO THE SESSION ITS A TURN ON OR FUN. THEY ALWAYS WANT MORE FROM CERTAIN TICKLERS.

TICKLING DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOUR INTO IT OR WHAT YOUR ATTITUDE IS IT COULD BRING OUT VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS IN A PERSON. TICKLING IS DEFINATELY AN ASPECT THAT CAN BROADEN YOUR TICKLEES HORIZENS AND INCREASE ONE BEING MORE OPEN MINDED.

Thank you all.

Sounding like a broken record here, but I am not trying to stick anyone is a precise box but it is fun to evaluate your own personal mindset and desire and to understand the mindsets of others.

BTW, Drew and Mils, what I knew of you, those would have been the categories I would have placed you in (I'm good, I'm good). hehehehehe

 

[Headsnap]

I AGREE WITH YOUR CATAGORIES. I THINK MAYBE THEIR COULD BE A FEW MORE BUT WHAT CAN I SAY ITS PRETTY GOOD.

BUT AS FOR ME ALL THE POINTS YOU BROUGHT UP, I THINK ARE IN ALL OF US. BUT NATURALLY, I BELIEVE A CERTAIN TOPIC THAT IS IN EACH OF US ONE WEIGHS IN MORE. FOR ME IT DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND HOW COMFORTABLE I AM.

AS FAR AS SENSUAL I HAVE HEARD FIRST HAND THAT F/F IS SENSUAL. AFTER SPEAKING TO CERTAIN FEMALES IN PRIVATE AND GROUP PLAY THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT AS LONG AS THE PERSON IS REALLY INTO THE SESSION ITS A TURN ON OR FUN. THEY ALWAYS WANT MORE FROM CERTAIN TICKLERS.

TICKLING DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOUR INTO IT OR WHAT YOUR ATTITUDE IS IT COULD BRING OUT VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS IN A PERSON. TICKLING IS DEFINATELY AN ASPECT THAT CAN BROADEN YOUR TICKLEES HORIZENS AND INCREASE ONE BEING MORE OPEN MINDED. WOARG I AM SCARY WOOOOAAARGH.

Please don't hurt me capslock man!!!

I think my preferences lie somewhere between sensualist and whatever the second one was, with a bit of "sadistic jerk" thrown in for good measure. It's all good.

 

[bellystrokes]

I think the sensualist are more inclined to be "sadistic jerk" or be lees who appreciate "sadistic jerks". Again, it is the pushing the boundaries thing.

As Steph (my idea of a romantic) puts it, she is not into pain and a long term session with her would not necessarily push any boundaries with her or put into a zone but would be more adoring, if that makes sense.

 

[steph]

Ya, and lots of adoring back after the fact of course~YUMMY!
and ticklerofsoles~I'm sure Goddess wouldn't mind if you expanded on her brilliant list~what you got?
XOXO

I think the sensualist are more inclined to be "sadistic jerk" or be lees who appreciate "sadistic jerks". Again, it is the pushing the boundaries thing.

As Steph (my idea of a romantic) puts it, she is not into pain and a long term session with her would not necessarily push any boundaries with her or put into a zone but would be more adoring, if that makes sense.