How different must be the feelings on either side of that mystical slash between one reaching out, hoping for some reaction from the other, possibly even a connection that might lead to a D/s relationship...and the other, most likely overwhelmed by a pack of rude'n'crude hyenas ever circling, making risking a response so daunting.
For the one reaching out, maybe generalized as a D type, there was something intangible about the sub's profile that triggered interest. But who knows about another off the single page of a profile? Still, it takes some courage, and there's risk of simply being ignored, or worse, blown off.
And for the other, more often a newbie, or an s type, there are often simply too many choices, too much mail, too many one-liners. The questions of who to even send a short reply to, who might be a fake, or bring hurt, is always present. The volume of incoming offers can be simply overwhelming. Fending off the entire herd is often the go-to defense.
Some of those reaching out are doomed to fail from the start, sending canned one-liners half a dozen at a time, or being too quick to claim mastery over someone who has barely responded, or not bothering to create a decent profile.
Some of those fending off so many offers toss out a potential diamond with the rest of the dirt by not screening with care, or just being overwhelmed.
Is it any wonder that Doms and subs do actually find each other even here in The Cage? Not everyone is an urbanite, with munches and kinky venues available for potential meetings. Rural kinksters need the services of a Cage or a Fet. This is so, even with the number of abusers crawling around in the dark underbelly of these sites.
It takes a decently crafted note for one reaching out, then good luck that the intended sees, pauses and responds instead of simply fending off. Best of good hunting to those searching both sides of our slash life....It is rough out there sometimes!