Yes, Sir.
No, Ma’am.
Yes, your Honor.
No, your Majesty.
Why do we offer ‘special titles’ to those we may not know in the mainstream, yet, sometimes hesitate to offer them up in D/s circles?
Perhaps it is the lack of disciplinary structure and training in most SL communities, few of which employ high protocol. But let’s dig a bit deeper into the honor behind the honorific.
Why do we honor someone? Is it out of respect or esteem? Is it because they have earned a special rank through arduous study and practice? Or is it a sign of humility? Putting others before yourself, and your own ego or pride?
At DSF, honorifics are expected. Each Divine choosing Her own preferred designation, that appears (most often) above her head in the group tag. For some, it is Miss or Lady, for others, Divine Goddess or Divine Sadist, and each title is to be remembered by the s-types, and served up with reverence to the amazing Women of O/our community.
But again, why?
I’ve heard people at other sims vehemently state, “I kneel for no one but my Mistress, or address another Dominant as Sir or Miss, because they are not my owner.”
Call me old fashioned, but I was raised to show respect to everyone, not just my elders, or teachers, or neighbors… but everyone. Every person in a position of authority. Everyone at church. A stranger with a flat tire. And I’m a D-type. It’s in My DNA.
So, do not become an automaton and spew titles lightly, without thought behind them. Understand why, for you as an individual, it is important to honor those you engage with, in any community; but, especially in high protocol BDSM environments.
Serve them up on a silver-tongued platter, and take them seriously. Reverently. Offered with honor.
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