KarmaCollar wrote:
One can really only assume (like all human qualities) that there has to be a spectrum or slliding scale on which any given individual would travel depending on their natural baseline, events in their lives, and influencing interactions, etc.
A Dom/Domme is probably more inclined to define a sub using personal standards/preferences- wanting to ~make~ them fit their expectations rather than accept the more basic (and less interesting) fact that a sub is a unique individual and He/She may be the factor that doesn't actually fit in the situation.
The same can be said for many subs who are so ready to concede control/responsibility that they would rather accept an uncomfortable situation than conclude, "this is a Dom/Domme but not the right one for me" and probably find it even harder to be responsible for declaring/enforcing a reasonable departure.
You often have two people who don't mind an 'uncomfortable' fit trying to shove a square peg in a round hole. Often neither know when to give up the effort.
I also feel like there are probably many male subs who haven't had the experience or are even aware of their potential preferences
Was so happy to discover this thread this morning, so many thoughtful and insightful replies.
i too like the "spectrum" theory thinking of it as not only linear, but multidimensional (iow, "it's complicated). i discovered this thread inadvertently while reading through gay Dom male profiles turned up using the search engine here. It's not my first time doing that since i have been here, but i typically end up feeling rejected and disqualified reading those profiles and ads by things like "looking for a young,...." or the first few lines are demanding "complete" this or "total" that from someone they have never met or interacted with? Or they are the few word profiles or ads: "Strict but fair Dom looking for sub who knows their place (and will do my dishes too.)" i tried expanding the search to Bi Dom males, but gave up fairly early on because they kept talking about "she," or "her," and i again felt like they were't referring to me (even though they could call me that and i'd wear lace panties for them, i don't get the impression i'm what they are looking for by what they write lol, sigh).
So, your point:
"A Dom/Domme is probably more inclined to define a sub using personal standards/preferences- wanting to ~make~ them fit their expectations rather than accept the more basic (and less interesting) fact that a sub is a unique individual and He/She may be the factor that doesn't actually fit in the situation. "
That resonates and relates to my more frequent experience.
i don't think my indviduallity makes me less interesting, but understand that chemistry is part of "interesting." i'm encouraged by the number of Dom's here who do not think they are going to ~make~ their sub "fit," but understand that part of intitial communication is to determine "fit," (compatability).
i think you are spot on about a Dom being more inclined to "make" a fit, and sub inclined to "concede" a fit, and there seems to be few who try it on first to determine fit before 'purchase.' Communication, eh?
i'm a male with a submissive nature. i can trace my sub nature back to age 6-7, though i had no understanding of it at that age. In fact, i learned how to hide and cover that part of me pretty well by the time i was 12 or 13, for survival. Retrospectively, i can see it clearly in all sorts of places.
"I also feel like there are probably many male subs who haven't had the experience or are even aware of their potential preferences."
^^^This^^^
More generally, i think that relationship is a big part of the process of self discovery and self expression. Everyone is at a different place of self discovery, and not everyone knows how to express the parts of their self even if they are aware. One of my most profound experiences was with a Dom who saw something in me and knew how to bring it to the surface. He ended up owning a piece of me forever because of it lol, but it wasn't even on my radar until He showed me that part of myself. Which is a really poor way to explain what happened. The reality was, He saw something in me that He needed and wanted and i had a reciprocal response of need and want. Attraction, chemistry and bond. wow.
i think reality is, Dom or sub is a state of being, but also a continuous journey of self discovery, learning how to express and finding people to express that with?