Marcelo recently put up a controversial tweet on the protocols of corporal play. He’s since deleted it, so I can’t quote it directly, but the main thrust was that a lot (most?) subs dislike having to count the strokes when receiving a thrashing. He suggested that it takes them out of subspace and doing a ‘thank you’ per stroke seems fake.
I’m not sure why he deleted it. Hopefully it wasn’t because he got a lot of disagreement, because I’m on his side on this one. Obviously there’s no objectively bad play style here – YMMV and I’m sure some people love that protocol. But personally I find it weird to repeatedly say thank you and the counting always pulls me out of subspace. It makes sense in a very traditional school roleplay scene, but I’m not sure why it’s so common outside that niche. Or at least, why it’s so often the default way to do a corporal scene.
The only time I’ve really enjoyed counting the strokes is when it’s done playfully. Sometimes I’m not sure if a stroke really counted or not. Was it a sighting tap or the real thing? What if I don’t count and it really was one? But if I count it, and it wasn’t one, I’ll look like a wuss! That kind of dynamic can be really fun when executed in a teasing way. But if we’re going for a serious beating, then at least let me zone out into subspace.
I sourced this image from an old tumblr feed. Hunting around led me to this photo print by coop, which appears to be from the same series.
I don’t really mind one way or the other, I’m just happy to be beaten. Sometimes my Mistress makes me count the strokes and sometimes she doesn’t and it is entirely up to her. I’m not one of those who deliberately miscounts in order to get extra strokes although I have been known to get a fit of the giggles during the punishment especially if she is whipping my genitals. I think that sometimes I realise just how ridiculous the situation must look to an outsider. Years ago I was being whipped by a very young Australian domme and we both started laughing at the same point. I can’t remember exactly what it was she said that made us both start giggling but I do remember that it was a lovely cheerful session.
Imagining how things would look to an outside perspective always gets me smiling as well. Before I ever did a session I thought the weirdness would make it all too awkward and strange to ever be able to enjoy it. Then I discovered it could be ridiculous but also hot and fun all at the same time!
Thanks for stopping by to comment!
-paltego
This is an interesting one for me and not something I had thought about – I guess I assumed it was a one size fits all kind of thing.
Peersonally I have always liked being made to count strokes – for a number of reasons.
Firstly precisely because it pulls me out of subspace. Now that may sound strange but I like the fact that I can’t easily ‘escape’ the pain of a beating and being extremely masochistic this is as much a turn on as anything.
Secondly there is the whole protocol thing. I like that even in my punishment I am being controlled, being ‘made’ to be courteous and respectful in accepting the pain that my Mistress chooses to give.
Thirdly, and finally, this ties in with the fact that it is easy for my Mistress to make me slip up and make a mistake in counting. The frison of fear that I fear knowing that if I make a mistake then she may start again from scratch is mentally horrific and exctiting simultaneously. And I have had that on a number of occasions.
Thanks for the post, it is interesting to see it from others viewpoints.
Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Getting pulled out of subspace like that sounds like tease and denial for masochists. You’re almost zoning out but no – there’s counting to be done!
Your comment about control was interesting. I really kink on control, but never really see counting and orders in that respect. It’s all heavy bondage and objectification that fires me up. Your perspective on the protocol as control makes sense, but doesn’t really work that way for me. Funny how what looks like the same kink (being controlled) can work differently for people in an identical activity. Kink is complicated! 🙂
-paltego