Honorifics

AnnaKink
AnnaKink
on August 15 2022 at 08:26 AM
Thought I would start an educational thread and open up to thr community to discuss. 
 
I came across this from a pro-Domme on instagram and I was trying to work out why this post rubbed me the wrong way. 
 

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So I thought about why it didn't sit right....
 
My thoughts because this is a pro-Domme talking about how things work as a SexWorker and Professional Dominant. But that this doesn't always work inthe real world with the average person.
 
Why? Because every BDSM community is different - so thr above post doesn't reflect that the BDSM lifestyle is customisable and in different regions morals and acceptable behaviour is different. It also doesn't consider the history behind the phrase "submission is earnt" - which was coined years ago in an attempt to educate submissives in the lifestyle because there was an upsurgence of abusive dominants and practices.
 
There is a movement in the online community that talks about honorifics not to be used unless consented to or only with someone you are in a dynamic with. Its not about hierarchy, it's about consent.
 
But depending on what community you evolved in what is written may very well be what happens in your local community. 
 
I am interested in other people's thoughts on this because I think discussing these topics is important. 
 
AnnaKink
__________________________________
Owner, Founder and all round BOSSLADY of Altlife.Community
Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
AnnaKink    
From Sir Drgn said:
OK, this is when a video reply would be quite helpfull... I have quite a bit to say on this matter... I might have to record a video and link it... 
 
What instantly rubbed me the wrong way is the use of the word superior... I'm sorry, even if I am in a negotiated committed M/s or D/s dynamic that involves God/esse worship neither person is actually superior to the other... we may play that one is, with consent, and within the negotiated consent it would absolutely be expected to use hinorifics the way this post mentions, but this is not specified. Even in a paid/pro situation thus should be negotiated and consented to... so to suggest that "all" Doms ate superior to "all" subs/slaves, even in a pro environment is simply megalomanicle. 
 
Which was essentially what I said to them. The good thing was that they agreed that there needed more clarification an nuance.
 
Which then touches on a separate issue which is someone's willingness to engage in a discussion and admit when something isn't right or not clear etc as they did respond saying that negotiation and consent was still required etc
 
I guess what this highlights a coupleof points that in this lifestyle:
 
1. Social media is not that conducive to proper informed education. Because a lot cannot be composed in 1post, or a 3min video. There is too much nuance  
 
2  the importance of using multiple sources for information and education. 
AnnaKink
__________________________________
Owner, Founder and all round BOSSLADY of Altlife.Community
OK, this is when a video reply would be quite helpfull... I have quite a bit to say on this matter... I might have to record a video and link it... 
 
What instantly rubbed me the wrong way is the use of the word superior... I'm sorry, even if I am in a negotiated committed M/s or D/s dynamic that involves God/esse worship neither person is actually superior to the other... we may play that one is, with consent, and within the negotiated consent it would absolutely be expected to use hinorifics the way this post mentions, but this is not specified. Even in a paid/pro situation thus should be negotiated and consented to... so to suggest that "all" Doms ate superior to "all" subs/slaves, even in a pro environment is simply megalomanicle. 
From AnnaKink said:
 
 
I agree i think when it comes to daily averagee lifestyle, honorifics is part of negotiation and consent which touches more on the side of "kink is customisable". 
 
This particular piece was written by a Professional Dominant (sex worker) and I think in a professional/paid service setting what they are saying is probably correct. 
 
But it's not correct for the general population. 
 
I had a great conversation with them actually and they agreed that they needed to make their posts clearer about the different settings - so when you PAY a professional, as part of their service agreement before engaging them you would be signing a contract which would include things like expectatoins around use of honorifics etc. But then you are paying them for that experience and service they are providing. 
 
Which is a completely different circumstance when you are not paying for a service - and are interacting with individuals online or in person. 
 
It then becomes nuanced even further - because in different regions, BDSM is different and has different moral codes and culture. Termonology can be nuanced and have different history and meaning. Taking that even further, there are times where there are rules, for example you may go to an event  that has rules which includes rules around addressing other individuals at that event. 
 
 
That does make a lot of sense.  I can understand if it is in the terms of the service agreement that that is something that is to be expected.  Which I feel does fall under the terms of a negotiation or discussion.  Because the person is then aware before they even pay for the service that it will be expected of them therefore if they can't do that then they should not pursue that service.  So in a sort of interesting way it is negotiation, but in the way of everyone entering into the agreement knows what is expected ahead of time.
AnnaKink    
From Bald_Boi said:
Oh dang do I have some thoughts on this.  To start, when I was first learning about the kink lifestyle it was exclusively online through a few different websites.  Luckily I did not jump into a dynamic until I could delve into everything possible and learn what it truly meant to be a dom and to be in a power dynamic.  This writing does not feel like the writing of a true dom/domme.  This feels like the writing of someone who still does not understand that in any kink dynamic, both parties have equal power and equal in terms of any kind of "hierarchy" there may be.  What sits wrong with me is the entitlement that any submissive should call them by their "title" even when zero negotiation or vetting has happened.  So any random person who identifies as a submissive should be calling them by a title that they have not earned from that person.  That is ridiculous to me.  In any situation where I am interacting with a person who is submissive, I treat them as a normal person just as I expect them to treat me.  Until such time that we both discuss and feel comfortable with honorifics being exchanged.  Hell I even like to discuss before something as simple as a nickname is used just to make sure both parties are comfortable with it.
 
I guess the kind of TL/DR of it is this.  If you are a dominant of any kind, you do not get called by your honorifics until discussing its use with the individual in question.  And this has to consist of, at bare minimum, you asking if they are comfortable using that honorific.
 
Also as an aside, I fully believe personally that the submissive should decide which honorific they would like to call their dominant.  Mainly because some titles might have a lot more meaning than others and I don't believe the dominant should demand a certain title if a submissive is not comfortable with it.  But that's just my two cents 👍
 
I agree i think when it comes to daily averagee lifestyle, honorifics is part of negotiation and consent which touches more on the side of "kink is customisable". 
 
This particular piece was written by a Professional Dominant (sex worker) and I think in a professional/paid service setting what they are saying is probably correct. 
 
But it's not correct for the general population. 
 
I had a great conversation with them actually and they agreed that they needed to make their posts clearer about the different settings - so when you PAY a professional, as part of their service agreement before engaging them you would be signing a contract which would include things like expectatoins around use of honorifics etc. But then you are paying them for that experience and service they are providing. 
 
Which is a completely different circumstance when you are not paying for a service - and are interacting with individuals online or in person. 
 
It then becomes nuanced even further - because in different regions, BDSM is different and has different moral codes and culture. Termonology can be nuanced and have different history and meaning. Taking that even further, there are times where there are rules, for example you may go to an event  that has rules which includes rules around addressing other individuals at that event. 
 
AnnaKink
__________________________________
Owner, Founder and all round BOSSLADY of Altlife.Community
From AnnaKink said:
That was my thoughts  the Pro-Domme responded to my clarification and agreed that they were referring to professional services but in the general population and lifestyle it is very different. 
 
I didn't see this before I typed out my initial reply, but I still think there needs to be some discussion before expecting the title to happen.  Someone you don't know yet should not be calling you by an honorific, regardless of if it is professional services.  I feel like the honorifics can have too much of a potential emotional impact to expect it from anyone who comes to you.  I think it should be up to the person approaching you on if they feel comfortable enough to call you that initially.
Oh dang do I have some thoughts on this.  To start, when I was first learning about the kink lifestyle it was exclusively online through a few different websites.  Luckily I did not jump into a dynamic until I could delve into everything possible and learn what it truly meant to be a dom and to be in a power dynamic.  This writing does not feel like the writing of a true dom/domme.  This feels like the writing of someone who still does not understand that in any kink dynamic, both parties have equal power and equal in terms of any kind of "hierarchy" there may be.  What sits wrong with me is the entitlement that any submissive should call them by their "title" even when zero negotiation or vetting has happened.  So any random person who identifies as a submissive should be calling them by a title that they have not earned from that person.  That is ridiculous to me.  In any situation where I am interacting with a person who is submissive, I treat them as a normal person just as I expect them to treat me.  Until such time that we both discuss and feel comfortable with honorifics being exchanged.  Hell I even like to discuss before something as simple as a nickname is used just to make sure both parties are comfortable with it.
 
I guess the kind of TL/DR of it is this.  If you are a dominant of any kind, you do not get called by your honorifics until discussing its use with the individual in question.  And this has to consist of, at bare minimum, you asking if they are comfortable using that honorific.
 
Also as an aside, I fully believe personally that the submissive should decide which honorific they would like to call their dominant.  Mainly because some titles might have a lot more meaning than others and I don't believe the dominant should demand a certain title if a submissive is not comfortable with it.  But that's just my two cents 👍
AnnaKink    
That was my thoughts  the Pro-Domme responded to my clarification and agreed that they were referring to professional services but in the general population and lifestyle it is very different. 
AnnaKink
__________________________________
Owner, Founder and all round BOSSLADY of Altlife.Community
I definitely agree that it doesn't sit quiet right. With it being a pro-Domme, I understand it a little since (in most cases, but I'm not sure about this one) it's a paid service where the respect should be implied. In the real world. I do believe it should be earned and consented to. I've been in plenty of situations where the fake Dom would demand to have an honorific used before I was ready and trusting. Said Doms would then just ghost me. So I will always stick by my vetting before giving the honorific. But on the other hand if I have the respect for said top but not ready for that full honorific, my good ole southern manners demand manners. So i just don't capitalize. "Yes sir", "Yes ma'am", etc. 
Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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