Sub Vs. Slave

[Beck31]

Are these terms actually interchangable? I could easily be wrong but in my mind they are two different things. I think someone on here once pointed out that not every slave is a sub and not every sub is a slave if that makes sense at all. I consider myself a sub rather than a slave and my Mistress has always refered to me as a sub or a puppy. I would think a slave would be 24/7, 365 while a sub may be only in certain aspects like the bedroom or when they are with their dominate one. Feel free to correct or add additional info. Thanks in advance.

[HottieMama]

For me, a submissive retains the rights to their own limits, whereas a slave has only the limits imposed on them by their owner.

[Redkate]

I definitely feel they are two different things.

I prefer the term submissive over slave because I choose to submit to my partners as an act of desire, lust or love to fulfil their needs or desires. To me a slave has no choice.

But this is the way I feel, I'm sure others may feel differently and that is just as valid.

[Beck31]

Thank you both for your imput. That is the way I look at it too.

[desertslave]

Some of it, IMO, is semantics, a vast amount of it is extremely subjective. Master calls me 'slave' so that's who I am. Others might not agree. We're 24/7, but I'm also allowed a fair amount of personal discretion. Once in a while I forget where the virtual fence is, and get my ass zapped.

We each have personal limits; but as his, I take on what he defines as our way. That said, we recently discovered that I had an unexpected limit, and he has agreed to respect it.

I'm pretty sure that I'm completely capable of functioning on my own, but I vastly prefer being under his control.

[njlauren]

It is a matter of viewpoint more then anything else, how the person feels. For example, when we say a slave has no choice, their master's will is imposed on them, that isn't entirely true, in the sense that you can't be 'forced' into being a slave. People who see themselves as slaves enter into that relationship and even though they have given total control over to the owner/master/mistress, they agree to that and the terms are usually formalized in a contract. I also have known slaves who saw themselves as such, where there master/mistress gave them latitude with things and they felt they were slaves; also have known 24/7/365 people in d/s relationships who were pretty much TPE (total power exchange) yet they saw it as a dominant/submissive relationship and called themselves a total sub *shrug*.

Want my take on it? Don't worry about the labels, don't worry about authenticity and simply do it. If you like the idea of calling yourself a slave, do so, that is your and your dominants business, not "empress X''s definition or whoever *smile*. Nice part about the wacky world of BD/SM/D-S and so forth, is you can make up your own world within it.

[catalina_francisco]

We see it as 2 different states, but as you will probably already know, many do see them differently and as interchangeable. Haven't much time to search right now, but if you do and also check the library you will find some older discussions around this of interest.

Catalina

[Beck31]

Originally Posted by catalina_francisco

We see it as 2 different states, but as you will probably already know, many do see them differently and as interchangeable. Haven't much time to search right now, but if you do and also check the library you will find some older discussions around this of interest.

Catalina

Interesting. I recently asked a friend offline what his opinion was. A sub still retains his/her rights and is still their own person while a slave has no rights and is whatever their master/mistress tells them they are. I identify myself as a sub b/c I don't submit 24/7, 365 like others might. That bieng said I should point out that there are certain elements or aspects that are 24/7. Such as staying in touch whenever I can or continuing to follow rules no matter what.

[angie19]

I am somtimes what one would call a bottom, because I'm bitchy and a bit bossy but ultimately, I'm a sub that plays a slave. Because I reserve my rights and stuff but in roleplay I like that idea of having no choice, being forced, etc etc, but that's because I tend to the ideas of capture, (play)rape, force, etc.. So that's just me. A sub that plays a slave. x) Right now it fits perfectly with my online owner :P And I'd like to stay the way I am


As for definitions, I think yeah, there are some guidelines to it, but we each make of it what we can, and what fits us best.

I'm not the best at defining this really, since my POVs are quite different. To me, (in my very own point of view, so I don't much care for criticism about it) a slave always has a choice anyway, in the real current world, a bdsm slave has placed themselves in that position, if they didn't, rape and other legally punishable factors would come into play. As for the rest of slaveship you can all say what you want because I honestly don't know.

[Beck31]

thanks for ur imput.

[Kinky_Sprite]

I saw a conversation on another board where a girl said she didn't identify as either submissive or slave but had submissive tendencies and thought she might be a "pet." That's kind of where I am... although I'm more of a "stray pet"... it all gets so confusing some times...

[Beck31]

I forgot about "pet". I guess that is another aspect all together. You're right in that it can get confusing.

[Sir_Winston54]

It doesn't have to be confusing at all.

Labels are what we use to try to explain ourselves to people who aren't a part of our relationship(s). They're not who/what we are. You are what you and your significant other(s) feel you are. As for those other people... let them figure out who/what *they* are.

[Beck31]

a very good point.