Public Party

[MollysMaster]

So we are thinking of going to a public party next month. Have you gone to one? What is to be expected?

[Ozme52]

Yes, I've been to a few.

Ask your host ahead of time. Just like everything between you and (preumably) Molly, communication is key. Once you ask, you'll know whether or not that particular party is one you want to attend... or maybe one you want to be the first one you attend.

The parties I've attended had rules about touching other peoples' equipment without permission v. rules about "house" equipment, rules about appropriate and inappropriate touching other people, rules about joining in on ongoing scenes, rules about having a scene unattended by a 'dungeon monitor, rules about alcohol, and rules about barrier protection (even if you're exclusive to the partners you arrived with.)

Some groups have required initiations... you may not be comfortable with that.... and some have requirements that you only observe the first 'n' times... and you may become bored with that.

There are so many variables... you really owe it to yourself to ask the host.

[_ID_]

I HIGHLY recommend that you read the following link.

http://www.domsub.info/playpartyett.html

[MollysMaster]

I HIGHLY recommend that you read the following link.

http://www.domsub.info/playpartyett.html

Thanks! That was a lot of usefull information. I'm not sure that we will participate in a scene (never know) but sounds like a lot could be going on.

[Silus]

Thanks IDCrewDawg. The wife and I have attended a few Fetish Parties, the biggest was in Germany its called BoundCon. You can look it up on line if you have the time. The most important thing we found, was just be yourself.

[_ID_]

I attended several in Germany as well. The largest was in Karlsrhule, it is a monthly event, and extremely fun. I would agree that just being yourself is a good rule of thumb. However there are some people that being them self become intrusive on a scene, and this is behavior that wouldn't be accepted. Always a good idea to understand the etiquette of being at such a place.

[MollysMaster]

Well we went and did it. And it was an experience! We watched the whole time and didn't participate. But we sure did see a lot of different styles and approaches. Even learned a little bit about fire play.

The thing was, it was so laid back. We felt very comfortable and even met some new people.

I think we will attend another.

[Arria]

*looks in here* What the hell is everybody doing in Germany? *grins*

Oh, and I would not call the BoundCon a party - it is a Convention. There is a party supposed to be held elsewhere afterwards, but as far as I know the one before last was cancelled on extremely short notice (last year), so we did not bother to inquire about the next (this year).

The one I loved best was the Europerve in Amsterdam. One thing I like about parties is that whenever I come in and see what people do, I think "oh my God, I am really harmless by comparison". Ahem.

As for the etiquette - one thing I don´t understand are people with no manners. I myself try to treat the "pervy people" as normal and politely as I would treat any stranger I would meet at any other party/place, and that always worked well, without me having to learn tons of rules.

With private parties or groups that meet publicly on a regular basis, I agree there may be lots of different styles and rules. But as I am not a scene person (I hate scenes of all kinds, as from what I experienced it is alway blabber and stupid games being pulled off behind other people´s backs, and I really hate that), I cannot really tell. Hubby has way more experience with that, as he was among the founding members of the first German BDSM Association.