3 Questions about Gatherings for those who don't go to them

[MasterPaladin]

I'd have to travel 2000 miles to go to any US based gatherings. 😛

But there's one planned within 100 miles from me, but the thing is I'd be going as a male without a partner, and I don't know any of the people that will attend that gathering.

I expect lots of laughter and all kinds of people ticking eachother.

It's also that I will have to explain my whereabouts to my SO and I'm not op for that either.

you make very valid points LOL

 

[KrazieDog]

I think this is a great thread for a few reasons, the most important being that others can see that they aren't the only ones with fears and apprehensions about attending a gathering for the first time. It's also comforting to see many others have the same concerns. We try to address it on the TMF Radio shows often.

I don't think you could have a better testimonial than the one Slacka gave above. He's self admittedly not a social person, and the comfort level he felt was pretty evident. Tickling was going on but nobody is ever tickled without permission (except between friends that are playful with each other in that way) nor ganged up on without permission. As Slack said, there are some people that do not like multiple ticklers/ being held down/etc and simply telling someone that, is enough. There isn't an expectation of anything YOU don't want.

I barely played at all at Bella's in Ohio, except with a couple people I'm already close with. I played quite a bit more in Albany and as Slacka also said, it didn't encroach on what I've always held private about tickling in my personal life. It was a few friends horse playing and having a genuinely great time together. It was never all consuming or distracting in Albany. We were able to watch the superbowl in the living room while play was going on in one or two of the bedrooms and the wrestling match between Legacy and HDS was going on across the hall. Everything was so fluid and you could walk in and out on the game and the craziness and go out for a smoke or stop and visit in the halls. The entire get together is literally like have a bunch of your friends over to your house for a night of eating, drinking, and enjoying each others company. In "my" experiences there is far more hanging out then tickling and when you go back to the tribute thread or "favorite moments" threads, most of the best times are during those hangout sessions.

Mr Legacy, who is not into tickling, but was there with his wife said it best when he said, "Any ideas or misconceptions I had of it being a big orgy were sooooo off base. These things are not what I thought, and barely fetish based as much as it's about family, love, and being together in ways that just seem natural and almost utopian". When you talk to people that go often, almost all of them agree that had the same fears before going to their first gathering, but that is quickly washed away after attending. I hope to see a shitload of people come to NEST and experience all these cool people and experience.

 

[MasterPaladin]

With nest coming up I thought this thread might help. I went to the 2nd SBG and and had a great time there were a few shy people there and a few 1st timers me included but this is where you get to know people. If you never go to one chances are your not going to meet many people. Gatherings are a safe place to meet and as soon as members realize that the more they will be going to Gatherings. My prob is always money lol or I would be at them all. Dave2112 and I met there and hung out together for most of the weekend, I met Ed or TTD there and since have been to his house. You make loads of friends

 

[venray]

When Tracy and I went to our first Gathering (SBG1 in Albany) we knew no one. Tracy wasnt even into the fetish at the time but went only to let me explore the goings on. We were nervous. We booked a room that we could retreat to if we felt the need and her mom lives about a half hour from where it was being held so we had another safety net.

We nervously approached the suite hearing the loud screams of someone from within.....

we came close to turning and walking away but mustered up what little courage we had and walked in....

We felt instantly as if we were home. As we were greeted and introduced around to those with familiar screen names it was like we were at a reunion..

AS the weekend progressed we joined in with the play and it was then that my wife realized that this should be a part of her life. Something I am forever grateful for.

We met many that weekend that have become lifelong friends and cant wait for the times we get to see them again

I remember meeting MasterPaladin at SBG2 and we clicked well together (both having a rather twisted sense of humor)

I have had many opportunities to attend events both large and small over the years that followed and make every effort to attend for the purpose of renewing old friendships and making new ones. Nothing pleases me more than reading the posts that first timers type after they have attended one.

As DVNC and others say... "It's all about the love"

It's a feeling of knowing that people around you KNOW that you are into a fetish or two and are all OK with it and you can truly be yourself even moreso than with some of your friends and family.

When it is time to go no one wants to say goodbye.....

 

[Mister Scruff]

1) What makes you leery about going to a gathering?

The fetish weirdos who attend them 🙁

2) What do you expect at a gathering?

I demand pie and biscuits, and also Ovaltine. Sex on tap would be nice but lack thereof is not a deal-breaker.

3) Do you actually fear going to a gathering and why?

Yes, because all the good ones are in the United American Emirates and thus would be prohibitively excpensive. I'd maybe try and go to some of the British ones if the UK scene wasn't so chock-full of pituitary mongoloids, drama *****s and ugly Scottish tarts.

 

[MasterPaladin]

Ray I remember that well and that was my first. I loved it. I have to fig out how to get the cash to get to nest I should know in the next 3 weeks or so but if I can't make it I will surely go to the next one that comes up around here. If people only knew how safe it is and how laid back I think more would go. Thus the reason for this thread.

ps I beg your pardon I'm not twisted. Oh and that was a dirty trick your wife Tracy played on me

 

[Mephistopheles]

Yes, because all the good ones are in the United American Emirates and thus would be prohibitively excpensive. I'd maybe try and go to some of the British ones if the UK scene wasn't so chock-full of pituitary mongoloids, drama *****s and ugly Scottish tarts.

Sounds nasty, you've been to UK gatherings?

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Yes, because all the good ones are in the United American Emirates and thus would be prohibitively excpensive. I'd maybe try and go to some of the British ones if the UK scene wasn't so chock-full of pituitary mongoloids, drama *****s and ugly Scottish tarts.

'Bout that time eh chaps?



Righto.

 

[MasterPaladin]

'Bout that time eh chaps?



Righto.

LMAO

 

[Mister Scruff]

Sounds nasty, you've been to UK gatherings?

Not as such no, but you learn enough from the forums to know they're mostly not the sort of people you'd hang round with. Or piss on if they were on fire. There are exceptions but on the whole, yeah; arse biscuits.

'Bout that time eh chaps?



Righto.

Top shelf old girl; hoorah for Blighty!

 

[locker669]

1) What makes you leery about going to a gathering?

While I like tickling and talking to the people on this forum, I'm not so into my fetish that I would travel to meet other people into it.

2) What do you expect at a gathering?

Horny men looking for love.

3) Do you actually fear going to a gathering and why?

Only if I saw someone I know outside my fetish

 

[BOFH666]

Not as such no, but you learn enough from the forums to know they're mostly not the sort of people you'd hang round with. Or piss on if they were on fire. There are exceptions but on the whole, yeah; arse biscuits.


Top shelf old girl; hoorah for Blighty!

Thanks for that, lovely recommendation, although I wasn't aware you were on the Tickle Brits Forums? Just for the record if you want to actually come along to a munch at some point I believe you'll find that you're just a smidge off base with your opinions here. Certainly every munch and gathering I've been to in the UK has been, much as others have described here, a fun, friendly atmosphere with some trully great people (not to mention some very attractive ones as well!).

Which leads me on to my point here, and really it's just reinforcing what others have said with far more elequence than I ever could: gatherings are, in the final analysis, just a fun way of meeting new people and only playing if you want to. No-one will ever force you to do something you don't want, there's always at least a couple of experienced folks around who tend to be focused on making sure newcomers get to know the rest of the group and there's ALWAYS someone keeping an eye on what's going on to make sure everyone is safe and nothing happens that isn't wanted. Most of all though, it's about making friends - some of the people I've met through the community have become very, very close friends indeed and the main memory I have of every gathering I've been to is that feeling of.... belonging, of community, of friends.

 

[EcEu]

talk about eloquence, BOF put it perfectly.

I joined the forums to meet friends, and the people i've spoken to so far are wonderful people and i can't wait to meet every single one of them this may.

I'm going to nest with absolutely no expectations, no preconceived notions, and the knowledge that i'll finally put a three dimensional form to those people i've spoken with for hours prior.

so to answer the topic.

1. what makes me leery about going?

- That i feel like i may never want to leave

2. What do I expect

- To have a lot of fun meeting great people

 

[MasterPaladin]

talk about eloquence, BOF put it perfectly.

I joined the forums to meet friends, and the people i've spoken to so far are wonderful people and i can't wait to meet every single one of them this may.

I'm going to nest with absolutely no expectations, no preconceived notions, and the knowledge that i'll finally put a three dimensional form to those people i've spoken with for hours prior.

so to answer the topic.

1. what makes me leery about going?

- That i feel like i may never want to leave

2. What do I expect

- To have a lot of fun meeting great people

you have the right idea and your gonna have a blast if you go to nest

 

[Empyrium]

Maybe your fears can be put to rest and open your mind a bit more to what gatherings are all about. I hope the experienced will help eliminate your doubts.


1) What makes you leery about going to a gathering?

2) What do you expect at a gathering?

3) Do you actually fear going to a gathering and why?

1. I've been on the TMF for a long time, but it seems to me that most of the people that attend gatherings know each other on a somewhat personal level. Maybe not through actual face to face meetings, but it shows through their interactions on the forum. I like meeting new people, I'm usually fairly sociable, but I'm still a bit nervous going into something like this alone. I enjoy the good conversations here, nearly everyone here seems respectful and sincere, but I don't think I've really established any kind of solid relationships with anyone who attends the gathers. I really don't mean any offense, so please don't take what I'm saying the wrong way, it's nothing against any of you. Even though I think a gathering is something I'd like to do, I'm more than a little apprehensive. I'm sure if I got to spend time with everyone, we'd get along wonderfully. I guess what I'd be worried about is nobody would know me...I've read a few of the threads where people talk about their first time and relate the people they met to their forum names which I recognize, but I feel like most people would be like "Empyrium? Who the fuck is that?"...Maybe not in such harsh language, but that's just to get the point across. Anyway, it's nothing against anyone here, I'm actually fairly certain most of you would make me feel at home, I just can't help being nervous about it.

2. At a gathering, I'd expect me to be sitting at the bar. Otherwise, even after what I've read about other people's experiences, I'm still not really sure what to expect.

3. I don't think fear is the right word. I've actually been thinking about going, depending on my financial situation. I'm more nervous than anything else, though.

 

[MasterPaladin]

it was said here already but to say it again when you finally do go your gonna kick yourself for not starting a long time ago. If you have the finance to get to one do yourself a favor GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO lol