Interesting topic.

Well the "Smart-Ass Masochist" are one type of sub. These tend to be bratty and challenging enjoying the struggle and fight both in the play room and out.

There are true-submissive's like the stereotype submissive oriental daughter or the women in the Eugenspeil Society - eyes downcast, and willing to be treated like property. They dont want to think for themselves or have any responsibility. This might be fun for a play-weekend or so, but it takes a lot of energy from the Dom. It's almost a rescue-relationship.

The happiest lifestyle couples I have met are what I would call "part time". They tend to be somewhat hippie style of couple very relaxed with each partner taking care of areas of the house and work and family roles. But when a signal is given either a word or putting on a collar, they switch to different roles for playtime/weekend fun. When I was younger this confused me how this could work, but now knowing I wear Husband, Father, Brother, Employee persona's - this is just another hat to wear.

Then there are switches or subs who try to "top from the bottom" by manipulation.

It might be fun to come up with some questions for newbie subs. Describe several interactions with a Dom and ask them to rate seeing themselves in the scene. This could range from submissive Domestic role, the sex-slave role waiting naked by the door for daily inspections/attention, the schoolgirl role with a punishment book where infractions are recorded all week to be delt with Friday night, The "drama queen" where you act like a normal couple except for every few nights she mis-behaves to provoke the dreaded "wait till I get you home missy!" reaction.

(A lot of this can touch on WHY the sub wants to be submissive. Which may be questions we dont want to ask.)