Why tickling?

[reflexology414]

This question came up in my life recently, and I've been looking for articles and other resources that really explain it well. Jeff from Magic Touch Productions used to have some good articles and/or FAQ's about this on his web site, and there were at least two popular articles I found online... but they all appear to be gone.

Does anyone here know of any good articles or resources online? Do any of you have your own perspectives about this that you'd be willing to share?

 

[jaba]

Can you elaborate a little more on your question? It may be the same question I have been pondering.

 

[reflexology414]

sure

Thanks for replying so quickly.

I was confronted by a young woman who isn't at all into tickling. She directly asked me what's the big deal with tickling and/or being tickled. She wanted to know why people enjoy this and I couldn't articulate my thoughts and feelings on the subject... and that's why I posted here.

 

[Red Jester]

You'll never get a satisfying answer. We're into tickling because we are. All things tickling related like bondage and laughter do nothing for me unless I can stroke my fingers over some skin to get a reaction. Its a weird untraceable pleasure. No choice but to embrace it I guess.

 

[reflexology414]

...

Jeff did a wonderful job of summing things up on his web site, but he took the post down a while ago. There were two other articles I found online at various sites, but those have vanished as well.

 

[jaba]

Thanks for replying so quickly.

I was confronted by a young woman who isn't at all into tickling. She directly asked me what's the big deal with tickling and/or being tickled. She wanted to know why people enjoy this and I couldn't articulate my thoughts and feelings on the subject... and that's why I posted here.

Hmmmmm....yeah, I would be interested in the responses to your question here....my question has a little bit of a different nuance...so I won't divert the direction of your thread with my question....

 

[Leo tickles]

When asked why, I simply shrug. Most things I look into, but this one I don't. Why? Because this is something that has always been a part of me and something I truly enjoy both playfully and sexually.
I'm not afraid of the answers I'll find, I just don't have a need to find them.


But good luck, I remember the article Jeff had on his original site, and it was a good one from what I remember reading.

 

[reflexology414]

...

Hmmmmm....yeah, I would be interested in the responses to your question here....my question has a little bit of a different nuance...so I won't divert the direction of your thread with my question....

I just wish I could find some of the articles I mentioned before. They were wonderful. Hopefully someone from the forum will have ideas or other resources.

 

[toyou444]

Please allow me this short rant:

My wife and I have had this discussion too many times to remember over the years and my answer has ever wavered:

My brain is hardwired to like tickling.

I can't explain it anymore than why I like pizza. It feels good, I enjoy it, its part of what makes me...me!

When I am with someone I am intimately connected with it can be an incredible turn on.

When I am among friends it just fun to watch and participate in!

I love the thought of being tickled mericilesslly...and hate it when it actually happens! LOL!

To sum up: It is what it is.

~ toyou

 

[Stage Whisper]

I would ask the girl what her kinks are, if any. Then if she answers you that, ask her why she likes that. If she can't give you a satisfying answer, tell her "It's the same reason why I like tickling so much."

At least, that's how I would respond.

 

[Iwant2Btickled]

Well, with me, its a control thing. Being tickled makes me lose it. I love the rush it gives me, it makes my heart race and my blood pump so hot its like having a fever.. when I have no control over the situation and can't stop it, it just makes it more intense.. I like being in control, but I LOVE having it TAKEN from me... if you know what I mean... so that I just have to take all the sensations I'm feeling whether I want to or not.. although, I mostly want to...
I dunno if that made sense or not...

 

[Leo tickles]

Well, with me, its a control thing. Being tickled makes me lose it. I love the rush it gives me, it makes my heart race and my blood pump so hot its like having a fever.. when I have no control over the situation and can't stop it, it just makes it more intense.. I like being in control, but I LOVE having it TAKEN from me... if you know what I mean... so that I just have to take all the sensations I'm feeling whether I want to or not.. although, I mostly want to...
I dunno if that made sense or not...

That made sense more than the burnt egg omelet I tried to have for breakfast this morning. Looked like hash browns. The post and the burnt omelet did have something in common though, they were both hot. 😉

 

[subZer0]

There used to be a video here (probably still is) taken from a TV show in the US which explained why people have a foot fetish (you could apply it's theory to any fetish I suppose, including tickling). It mentioned something to do with the brain - I couldn't remember what. If you can find that video, or if someone has it, I'm sure it would help you. I've tried to find it, but to no avail.

 

[jaba]

Well, with me, its a control thing. Being tickled makes me lose it. I love the rush it gives me, it makes my heart race and my blood pump so hot its like having a fever.. when I have no control over the situation and can't stop it, it just makes it more intense.. I like being in control, but I LOVE having it TAKEN from me... if you know what I mean... so that I just have to take all the sensations I'm feeling whether I want to or not.. although, I mostly want to...
I dunno if that made sense or not...

That does make sense, and that's about the most common answer I hear to that question....

But I do wonder why is it specifically tickling? Why doesn't "bondage spanking" give someone the same release and satisfaction?

Or does it?

 

[milagros317]

I agree with toyou444. I can't explain it any more than I can explain why I like choicolate and don't like strawberries.

My brain and body chemistry are such that tickling feels wonderful and always has, chocolate tastes great, and the flavor of strawberry makes me want to puke. I have no idea why.

 

[ViperGTS]

Why not?

 

[minerva]

That does make sense, and that's about the most common answer I hear to that question....

But I do wonder why is it specifically tickling? Why doesn't "bondage spanking" give someone the same release and satisfaction?

Or does it?

My answer is very similar to Iwant2Btickled's plus I just love the feeling of being tickled. Why I don't really know. Maybe it's this feeling of having to take something unbearable, while still knowing I'm actually safe. Extremely thrilling, but no real danger.
It's really not easy to explain.
Why not "bondage spanking"? That's easy for me to answer - while being tickled is a pleasant feeling, being spanked just hurts. I hate pain.
As much as I love the control aspect, the pain would ruin everything for me.

 

[Iwant2Btickled]

Why not "bondage spanking"? That's easy for me to answer - while being tickled is a pleasant feeling, being spanked just hurts. I hate pain.
As much as I love the control aspect, the pain would ruin everything for me.

Minerva,
I was just gonna type that... no kidding... we're both on the exact same wavelength... introduce any kind of pain at all, and its over like getting a cold shower...

 

[LindyHopper]

For me...

I think it comes down to two things:

1) I enjoy being pushed to the point where I can no longer control my reactions. I love, being tickled, getting to where I couldn't stop laughing if I wanted to. It's wonderfully freeing, and a thrill to let someone else work me into that state.

2) I love the feel of feathers or fingers lightly stroking my skin - it's a great pleasure, pure and simple. And if it happens to tickle, well, that's just the price you pay! 😀 Some of my favorite tickles are the touches that are sensual and erotic first, then make me giggle in spite of myself.

So basically, I think it's the combination of giving up control to someone else, combined with the pleasure of the touch itself, that turns me on. 🙂

 

[jaba]

My answer is very similar to Iwant2Btickled's plus I just love the feeling of being tickled. Why I don't really know. Maybe it's this feeling of having to take something unbearable, while still knowing I'm actually safe. Extremely thrilling, but no real danger.
It's really not easy to explain.
Why not "bondage spanking"? That's easy for me to answer - while being tickled is a pleasant feeling, being spanked just hurts. I hate pain.
As much as I love the control aspect, the pain would ruin everything for me.

Ok....NOW we are getting somewhere....I'm beginning to understand (despite Minerva's blatantly shameless attempt to distract jaba with that edible tootsie picture )

However, you are aware that some folks can take spanking FAR easier than they can take tickling? I know ladies in bdsm that would gladly have their tushes turned a bright cherry red from the rod, but tickling is off limits....

So I guess it depends on which sensation truly tickles thy fancy, huh?

 

[Paultickler]

i guess that is really nice to make the other person laugh and to have the control and everything like this, It's amazing when you change roles of course!

I guess that everybody with or without our fetish tickle because it makes them feel powerful.

I also watch a youtube video where they said that tickle wars are like fake attaks to the body so it's like a training to fight but the body knows that nothing bad could happens, or something like this!

 

[Heavenlee]

tickling vs spanking?

My opinion:

1. Threshold is greater for tickling than pain.
2. The average person would rather make you laugh than cry.
3. Laughing could easily be interpretted as enjoyment, even if the person doesn't like being tickled. Screaming in pain on the other hand, could easily be interpretted differently, even if the person likes being spanked.

For these reasons I believe one would rather tickle you than hurt you.

Control, of course, is a big part of it.

 

[Coda]

A couple of posts here put it very well.

As humans, I think we tend to think we dream about the things we can't do... flying, being invisible, doing magic, having powers.

When you're tickling someone, you actually do have the power to <I>make</I> them laugh, and they can't help it. If they have any resistance at all to the idea of being under someone else's control, then it can be a highly emotional experience that, I think, overlaps the feelings associated with sexuality for many. For the tickler, knowing that they're able to invoke that experience can be equally thrilling.

I'm really amazed when people say they don't bother to think about why they have a proclivity like this. It strikes me as similar to not being curious about things like how old the universe is, or whether its space is finite, or whether time will end.

 

[jaba]

lees who love tickling are unique....

My opinion:

1. Threshold is greater for tickling than pain.

Maybe not in all cases, miss lee....some ladies embrace the spanking rod, but run from the feather....some ladies are actually on a version of a "no tickle" list at some fetish clubs.....they just can't handle tickling like they can handle other presumably more painful sensations....

Bless the lee who loves the feather's kiss....

 

[tkl-pen]

I just had a go at it with my wife - she caught me an my daughter (11) playing - I chased her and when I caught her I tickled her foot - my wife says I'm sick and that tickling is only the beginning of other things - I don't think so - for me the tickling is a sexual orientation - I have no intention of doing anything else ever with any one - so what do I do to explain it? Or should I leave? As far as I know, its my orientation and my passion to tickle females - I can't change it - and I don't want to change it either.

Then she brings up the way I look at other women - my wife complains that I look at their toes and the soles of their feet - and, she says, then they give her a dirty look. So what, aren't we supposed to look and appreciate things that God has created?