Make love, not money. CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

[KittenToes]

In response to a couple of recent threads, the beginnings of which are quoted below...

Is there any way to get any models to attend the NEST? lil Dee would the the greatest!

First of all, I've never been to a gathering and probably never will ... actual tickling models ...available to be tickled for a fee...tickling that model you've always wanted to tickle. Again I'll probably never attend a gathering myself...

Once a model makes herself "available" to her fans/viewers for a fee, she's no longer modeling. It becomes "something else". I won't go so far as to call it prostitution. I've nothing against foot parties, etc, etc, and I've worked with Dee, mentioned above, who deepthroated my feet very nicely on a video, and she's a lovely person. I know she does "foot sessions" and I think no less of her for it.

But NEST is not the place for this. Some of us who attend NEST are actually models, there on our own time because we want to be and because we love to tickle and be tickled, not because anyone paid us to be there. We are not on the clock, our meters aren't running, and we'll play only with those we choose to.

Even if a video producer hires a few of his models to attend, they aren't there to give "sessions" either. They are just there for promotional purposes, not as "working girls".

So, artists- Mimi? SnailShell? Feathery, and all the talented others I haven't met, I need your help, since my embyronic attempts to make this image in Paint resulted in something resembling a peanut on legs leaning on a post.

A silhouette of a spike-heeled prostitute, leaning on a lamppost, in black, on a white background. Over this, a red circle with a slash through it- the classic "No" symbol. And above this, the NEST logo. This should get the message across nicely. Let's see what you can come up with!

 

[curious]

It shouldn't be a problem

I for one don't see the problem with paying models to do sessions at NEST, so long as it is on the up and up and the sessions are done in a controlled environment and if the models have the right refuse to do a session and even end a session in midstream. Also they should be able to come and go as the please. I mean what is the difference between getting paid to do a tickling video and getting paid to do sessions at tickling gathering? I think that alone could really boost attendance.

 

[BellaRisa]

I for one don't see the problem with paying models to do sessions at NEST, so long as it is on the up and up and the sessions are done in a controlled environment and if the models have the right refuse to do a session and even end a session in midstream. Also they should be able to come and go as the please. I mean what is the difference between getting paid to do a tickling video and getting paid to do sessions at tickling gathering? I think that alone could really boost attendance.

You're right that it's not a problem, it's just not what NEST is about. NEST is about true tickling enthusiasts meeting to enjoy one another's company, rather than people who are only there because they're paid to be. There are other times and places for that

 

[Snail Shell]

Gatherings like NEST, I find, have a specific pattern; you go to your first one because you're into tickling. You keep going back because you want to see the people you meet there again. Ultimately, the people are the reason you keep going back. Tickling is a distant second, if that. That being said, having people attend NEST or any other gathering because they are being paid to be there would take away from that experience.

Oh, and while I'm here...

Snail Shell

 

[Libertine]

I for one don't see the problem with paying models to do sessions at NEST, so long as it is on the up and up and the sessions are done in a controlled environment and if the models have the right refuse to do a session and even end a session in midstream. Also they should be able to come and go as the please. I mean what is the difference between getting paid to do a tickling video and getting paid to do sessions at tickling gathering? I think that alone could really boost attendance.

If you want to pay for it, go to a foot party or escort agency where the female participants are used to being paid to 'interact' with men they wouldn't ordinarily go anywhere near.

Let 'pay to play models' attend a gathering, and the Sad Bastards will immediately begin to hover like a flock of bespectacled vultures in polyester short-sleeved shirts. It's inevitable that a large percentage of those men so bereft of people skills that they cannot get anything without paying for it, will mistake 'regular' female guests for 'professional' women, and insult them by offering them money.

Can you say "Social skills'?

 

[FMfan]

If you want to pay for it, go to a foot party or escort agency where the female participants are used to being paid to 'interact' with men they wouldn't ordinarily go anywhere near.

Let 'pay to play models' attend a gathering, and the Sad Bastards will immediately begin to hover like a flock of bespectacled vultures in polyester short-sleeved shirts. It's inevitable that a large percentage of those men so bereft of people skills that they cannot get anything without paying for it, will mistake 'regular' female guests for 'professional' women, and insult them by offering them money.

Can you say "Social skills'?

You are very lucky that you've found someone you like who is into tickling. Some of us have not. Some of us are still "in the market", so to speak, but see no need to surpress their desires until they do, even if this means paying somebody. These people's social skills are fine; it's their ability to confess their fetish to others people, people they need to deal with in their vanilla life, that needs work. Or, perhaps they just don't want to be bothered with the dating game at all, on any level. Not everyone who patronizes sex workers is a "bespectacled vulture in a polyester short-sleeved shirt."
I will not be attending NEST (not because of this, but because it's too close to finals), but if, as KittenToes said, video producers send models there to promote their videos, I see no problem with tickling-oriented sex workers being their to promote their own services.

 

[Libertine]

These people's social skills are fine; it's their ability to confess their fetish to others people, people they need to deal with in their vanilla life, that needs work.

That IS a social skill. Your comment proves my point and I need say no more.

 

[BellaRisa]

Some of us are still "in the market", so to speak, but see no need to surpress their desires until they do, even if this means paying somebody...if, as KittenToes said, video producers send models there to promote their videos, I see no problem with tickling-oriented sex workers being their to promote their own services.

Occasionally a producer will bring a model or two, but that's rare and it's for video promotion. As has been said and apparently needs to be said again, NEST isn't about 'paying somebody'. There's nothing at all wrong with doing so, but that isn't what NEST is for; there are other events for that and if that's what you're looking for you need to seek elsewhere. NEST is an event for real tickling-enthusiasts to interact, not sex workers.

People 'in the market' have met and fallen in love at NEST, and believe it or not no money was exchanged, only true passion for tickling

 

[drew70]

Fortunately, it's not up to any single individual except Max Speer to decide what NEST will or will not be about. The rest of us can state what we would PREFER to happen or not happen at NEST, and if we're arrogant as hell, we can even state that preference as indisputable fact and underline it for emphasis, but it's still just one more opinion.

If I were polled for my opinion, I'd vote no for the pay-per-tickle, but I'd be willing to go along with whatever Max and Lee decide.

 

[FMfan]

That IS a social skill. Your comment proves my point and I need say no more.

Or they could just not be willing to risk embarassment, which could be substantial depending in just how many other connections you and the prospect have (work, etc). Again, what's the difference between paying someone to tickle you, and paying for a tickle video to wack off to (which people have indicated they find acceptable)?

 

[Angelique]

Again, what's the difference between paying someone to tickle you, and paying for a tickle video to wack off to (which people have indicated they find acceptable)?

I'm sure many women wouldn't just come, because they wouldn't want to have to "compete" with the models, or to feel rejected or placed at the second level of interest. I never went to Nest and I probably will never go, it's much too far anyway, but I'm sure I definitely would resign if I heard that pro models were hired there.

 

[CrystalLight]

I think we need to put a link for NEST FAQ/INFORMATION on every damn page to avoid this..clusterfuck. Or, maybe.. Reading the helpful NEST threads before posting questions.

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

a factor that many don't consider...and a mini rant

First of all, I agree with those above who've stated that it would make NEST less than it is. It's about the people, not just the play. If it was only about the play, I don't think we'd be anywhere near as big as we are. This is true no matter what those who've never been and want something different think it should be. Fact is fact, no matter how much you wish it to be otherwise.

That having been said, there's one other factor that hasn't yet been mentioned here. Most municipalities (and therefore the venues within their jurisdictions) have very specific rules and regulations about what can or cannot take place. To pay to play is one of those things that is against the rules in Philadelphia. So, even if we wanted to make NEST something else (which we don't), we couldn't.

We hear a lot about how difficult it supposedly is to find someone into tickling. Yet, last year's NEST alone had three newly wed couples who are into tickling...and met at least partially because of it. There are several other couples in the mix as well. It all comes down to, you don't have because you don't ask.

We hear about how there's nobody to play with. Yet, most of those who complain about that have yet to look or make the effort to approach anyone...even at a gathering where you KNOW that those there are into it. Most of the gals (myself included) who attend NEST are happy to play with other people. Just take a few minutes to get to know us before asking and we're likely to say yes.

To insist that the only way to be able to play at a gathering is to pay for it is an insult...to yourself especially. What? You're so butt ugly or such a loser that nobody is going to give you the time of day unless you pay them for it? Give yourself a break! Get your head out of the sand and actually try.

It's also an insult to those who already attend NEST. Do you think we're all so stuck-up or closed-minded that we'll just ignore you? I really get sick of hearing guys insist that none of us will play with them. You have no problem voicing your desire here. Voice it where it counts!

Bottom line? If you want to come to NEST just to play and get your rocks off...don't bother. If you wouldn't mind that but actually want to get to know some wonderful folks...GO! Quit bitching about what you're afraid won't happen long enough to give yourself a chance to have some fun. You can't get them off if you don't have a set.

No, I'm not in a bitchy mood, for any who will read this and think I am. I just get sick to death of people insisting that an established (and amazing) function like this has to be turned into something else in order to pimp for them. This is not an orgy. That is NOT what NEST is about!

*** Disclaimer: Just to avoid confusion. I am not on the NEST team this year. This is strictly my personal opinion and does not speak for the team.

 

[Libertine]

Again, what's the difference between paying someone to tickle you, and paying for a tickle video to wack off to?

If we ever meet, please forgive me if I don't shake hands with you...

 

[dvnc]

There's actually more than one thread calling on models? At gatherings?

If you want to pay to tickle someone, there's dungeons with professional submissives and/or switches who will happily take your money to allow you to tickle them for a fixed time period. That's an appropriate place for such a transaction. Likewise, if you have the financial means, you CAN arrange to meet women who are in tickling videos, foot fetish videos, bondage videos, etc. I hear about such things from a few people at the LA gatherings.

I mention hearing about this because we're socializing, and it's come up in conversation. There's a good deal of conversation.

There's also tickling.

That's a gathering.

I know this for a very specific reason. The silly term is one I coined for these socialized-play-parties-for-ticklephiles. Ain't the only way the word is used. English is funny that way. Colloquial usage reigns...

The BDSM community has had play parties since back before most reading this were aware of the interest. It's a good, simple term. Ours are not simply for play. Very similar events, though. BDSM events can spook ticklephiles. Gatherings are less spooky.

They're social.

The hosts of the gatherings will keep them this way, largely. How can I say this with confidence? Besides being such a host, I know a lot of them. We LIKE the social.

We also know that there's folks who would prefer the ease of simply paying for what you want. You read the top of this specific post. You thus know there's a place for that practice. Enjoy, and more power to you in it.

We'll be here when you wanna socialize, and meet folks who are really into this, in numbers.

dvnc

 

[BellaRisa]

If we ever meet, please forgive me if I don't shake hands with you...

You, Sir, owe me a new monitor and keyboard

 

[TMF Jeff]

Is it really necessary to pile on like this? Can we not just quietly say this isn't a good idea?

 

[CrystalLight]

this is not a good idea.

 

[Mimi]

You rang?

 

[milagros317]

Here is what I said in another thread on this topic:

I have attended gatherings and greatly enjoyed them.

I have attended foot parties and greatly enjoyed them.

But I agree with Libertine that the two types of events aren't compatible.

At a foot party, all the women present are prepared to do 10-minute minisession for $20 with anybody who pays them. (The minisession can be tickling, trampling, foot worship, massaging, or some combination of these things. Some foot parties allow use of private booth for an extra fee; not all the women present are willing to use them.)

Libertine is correct, it would totally ruin the atmosphere at a gathering and drive away all or most of the women TMF members if there were professional minisessions going on.

There is nothing wrong, in my opinion, with going to a dungeon where there are Dommes, switches, and submissives for hire to tickle or be tickled or both. There is nothing wrong with going to a foot party or BDSM play party where there are women for hire for minisessions.

But these are an entirely different type of event than a gathering. At a gathering, people come to socialize and be friendly with people of similar interests.

I had fun being tickled and tickling at NEST 2007. But the best part of the gathering was meeting people who had only been screen names before, eating and drinking with them, talking to them about life in general as well as about tickling.

So enjoy both types of events if you wish, but don't spoil a gathering by mixing them.

 

[LindyHopper]

Thoughts from a woman who does both:

Some of us who attend NEST are actually models, there on our own time because we want to be and because we love to tickle and be tickled, not because anyone paid us to be there. We are not on the clock, our meters aren't running, and we'll play only with those we choose to.

That sums up the fundamental difference for me as well. I work as a "model" for Footnight, so I do paid sessions at parties. When I'm there, I'm in customer-service mode: what does the client want, and how can I best deliver that? When I'm at a gathering, I seek out the interactions that I want. It's a completely different way of interacting.

As a host, I encourage all attendees, particularly the female ones, to be up-front about what they do and do not enjoy, and to be assertive about making that happen. And since I believe that gathering attendees in general really value their partner's genuine enjoyment, that authenticity is very important. Throw money into the mix, and suddenly you can't be sure if she's actually enjoying this, or even is she's truly ticklish, or if she's just faking the reactions she thinks you like so you'll go in for another $20.

I'm sure many women wouldn't just come, because they wouldn't want to have to "compete" with the models, or to feel rejected or placed at the second level of interest. I never went to Nest and I probably will never go, it's much too far anyway, but I'm sure I definitely would resign if I heard that pro models were hired there.

FWIW, I suspect that most guys (at least the good ones, ) would prefer to talk and play with a regular woman who likes tickling and enjoys their company, than a model-hot woman who's only in it for the money.

I see no problem with tickling-oriented sex workers being their to promote their own services.

I don't think most people would have a problem with such individuals registering for NEST, paying admission, and even giving business cards to people interested in their services, as long as they didn't charge for sessions while they were there. It's having pay-for-play sessions taking place at a gathering that changes the dynamic, not the mere presence of people who do this for a living.

As a sidenote: the LA gatherings often take place in a dungeon, and I believe there are usually professional dommes and submissives in attendance. But they aren't charging for sessions at the party? I haven't been to one of these myself, so I don't actually know - someone else might be able to clarify.

Let 'pay to play models' attend a gathering, and the Sad Bastards will immediately begin to hover like a flock of bespectacled vultures in polyester short-sleeved shirts. It's inevitable that a large percentage of those men so bereft of people skills that they cannot get anything without paying for it

I think that's unkind, and inaccurate. The majority of the men who have paid me for foot sessions are very polite and do just fine in the social arena. A good handful of them have been people who I'd personally consider fine dating material. Many of them can, and do, get what they want, fetish-wise, without paying for it, or else are in otherwise perfectly good relationships with uninterested partners. For the most part, these are just guys who have unconventional foot-related interests, and who like variety. That's all.

You rang?

I made two different logo's, both posted below. Hopefully between all of us, you'll find one that will work for the message you're seeking to send.

It's probably just me... but when I look at these two logos, I think "No pole dancers!"

As for the larger logo issue... perhaps I'm being overly sensitive, but I don't think you want to imply, through the use of a graphic, that NEST's doors are closed to people who work as "models." What you want to disallow is pay-for-play sessions, not the people who do them. Perhaps the logo should highlight the exchange of money for services, more than the woman in question? Just a suggestion, from a person who can't draw.

 

[milagros317]

As a sidenote: the LA gatherings often take place in a dungeon, and I believe there are usually professional dommes and submissives in attendance. But they aren't charging for sessions at the party? I haven't been to one of these myself, so I don't actually know - someone else might be able to clarify.

In the L.A. gathering at Passive Arts in July 2007 I was tickled by three professional Dommes, Mistress Stephanie Locke, Mistress Feral, and Lady Eden Winter. All of it was for free, they were just showing off their expertise to the crowd. It was a lot of fun.

This may well have gotten them future business, but they were not charging any money at the gathering.

 

[Snail Shell]

You rang?

I just got hosed.... lol

Snail Shell

 

[NEST Team]

A request -

Please refrain from using the NEST logo in ways which the NEST Team
has not asked for.

 

[NEST Team]

A request -

NEST has a lot of guests, some are professional models in their private
life, most are not.

Even if a video producer brings professional models with them, or a
model came on their own, in keeping with what NEST is all about,
which is to say, bringing people with a love of tickling together in a
SOCIAL situation, no money changes hands at NEST for tickling,
playing with feet, hanging out with other NESTees, or any other
activity.

If anyone wants to host an event where there is "pay-for-play",
then by all means go ahead. It won't be a NEST, and for some people,
that's not a problem. For those who put NEST on, and those who
return year after year, it's nice to know what there's a definite
separation of the two kinds of events.

NEST Team