Follow-Up Re: fear factor of the obvious kind
I want to open with the fact that while I have never had the pleasure of attending a NEST and that while this year will be no exception to that track record, unfortunately, I have heard nothing but high praise and acclaim for past NESTs from pretty reliable sources who have had first-hand experience with them.
Max, DVNC, and QBWeaver, this is YOUR gig and I do not want to sound like I am trying to micromanage it. Heaven knows, you (and others) were great in helping to support and even moderate SBG1, and for that I shall be eternally grateful and I simply have much more respect for you all than that. So correct Me anytime you feel it necessary here.
I just wanted to offer My extended perspective to SirBear's concerns, because I deal with these "feelings and emotions" at every gathering I attend, subjectively, since I feel a special connection between tickling and sexual arousal myself. Being blessed to be in an LTR with njjen, she and I have agreed that if a "spark is caught" from tickling another, we simply "bring it home" and act on it in that more appropriate setting.
It is worth rementioning that there is a "no-nudity" policy at NEST, which will help address the onset of SOME of those potentially sexual feelings. Still further respect and consideration is due to those who will tickle and submit to tickles, in attendance, who do not admonish ANY connection between tickling and sexuality. It is a matter of prerogative and respect accordingly for both sides of this issue. It has been my experience that a special modicum of respect is due those of that "asexual tickle" mindset, just as the "sexual mindset" ticklephiles hope for that same respect is return. IN ANY EVENT, my experience tells me that a SUCCESSFUL tickling event is NOT an OPEN FORUM to become sexually active for ANYONE who claims a connection between tickling and sexuality.
SirBear, there are MANY females in this community that know I derive "sexual excitement" from tickling them at a gathering, or at any other setting. I also go on to point out (in the same breath) that I WILL NEVER act on those feelings JUST because they occur inside of me. They also know I am in a committed, but somewhat open, LTR with jen, who understands and applauds the "sparks" I bring home after such an event. Still, I make it VERY CLEAR that I DO NOT EXPECT ANY OF THEM to become intimate with me, just because I tickle them and experience arousal from it. While no single approach is necessarily correct for this situation, I have found that BRUTAL HONESTY upfront, mixed with respect and some compassion for the female's perspective on my mindset has averted ANY potentially embarassing situation I may have otherwise felt thrust into in such a communal tickling setting. I do much of this online, in private messaging, and preface my discussion with mention of the fact that I AM NOT INTENDING to be inappropriate with them, so please don't take this wrong, I just don't want to unpleasantly surprise them in person. Some discretion is involved here too, such as knowing that the object of your discussion is emotionally and morally capable of having such a frank discussion comfortably. Probably would make sense that you would be best served not to even attempt tickling with someone who lacks the ability to even discuss it with you and/or understand your potential reaction. And YES, I do sometimes get rejected for a tickle, taking this approach. But I feel that I would ultimately have had issue tickling with such a person anyhow, and now I have avoided that problem proactively. What often happens, is that those who decline to tickle with me after such a disclosure UPFRONT, often have a change of heart after watching me tickle with others and realize that I was trying to be considerate of their reaction, and not inappropriate as a select few initially surmize.
Above all, SirBear, be yourself, but be considerate, respectful, (and even appreciative) of those who tickle and ESPECIALLY those who extend enough blind trust to submit to a tickle with you, and you will likely be appreciated and invited to do future scenes (in some cases, where chemistry is good, you MIGHT even be asked to tickle privately from the gathering environment, where you have the opportunity to change the rules, by mutual discussion and agreeement!)
My $.02, after inflation! LOL!!!
*GuitarPeteTklr shreds his way back into tickling oblivion*
I was nervous both about the idea of boundaries being respected, and that we would disappoint others by our lack of participation. See, I totally did not expect to participate, figuring to find my own comfy chair in a corner and observe. Contrary to anything you have seen online or at the gathering, I do tend to lean towards being an introvert unless I am among people who make me feel very comfortable.
