Carrot or Stick?

[missginger2177]

So I was out today and overheard somebody say "In this world you are either the carrot or the stick." Naturally this really got the neurons firing. And I started to wonder, in terms of D/s who's which? Who's the carrot? Who's the stick? Is it possible to be some of each?

Then my thoughts turned to what for me has been an age-old question: Are we stuck in roles that are pre-determined for us?

I'd like feedback. Whatever thoughts you have, especially about the whole carrot/stick thing. It's actually kind of bugging me, and I think an interesting question.

Respectfully

 

[graceanne]

Honestly, I've heard the phrase used in relation to domination before. As in which works better, the carrot or the stick?

 

[missginger2177]

Actually this was in reference to the people themselves being either the carrot or the stick. Which is where I thought it was a slightly more interesting idea. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[00Syd]

I have never in my life heard that phrase before. What the hell? I have no idea what that means. It sounds like someone was trying to say something like "your either with us, or against us" but got it wrong.

What do the carrot and stick represent in this context?

I am completely bewildered by this concept.

 

[FurryFury]

I'll help!

The carrot is the thing on a string in front of the horse. It makes the horse go forward in hope it will get to eat the carrot.

The stick is something to beat the horse with so it will go forward to avoid being beaten.

I've decided to be a carrot dangling on a string making a stubborn beast move because it hopes to eat me!

 

[callinectes]

I always thought the saying was "a carrot on a stick" not a carrot and/or a stick.

 

[FurryFury]

I always thought the saying was "a carrot on a stick" not a carrot and/or a stick.

So some people say but language and ideas are both slippery.

 

[00Syd]

I'll help!

The carrot is the thing on a string in front of the horse. It makes the horse go forward in hope it will get to eat the carrot.

The stick is something to beat the horse with so it will go forward to avoid being beaten.

I've decided to be a carrot dangling on a string making a stubborn beast move because it hopes to eat me!

AHHHHHHH I get it now. I had no idea of that context.

Why isn't there an option of causing the horse to want to move forward of its own volition?

Are you the carrot? The stick? Or are you the horse whisper who got the horse to want to move on its own?

 

[BiBunny]

If a horse doesn't want to move, neither the carrot nor the stick will MAKE it move. I know this from bitter experience, LOL.

 

[Vixandra]

I'll help!

The carrot is the thing on a string in front of the horse. It makes the horse go forward in hope it will get to eat the carrot.

The stick is something to beat the horse with so it will go forward to avoid being beaten.

I've decided to be a carrot dangling on a string making a stubborn beast move because it hopes to eat me!

This gave me an odd image of pony play mixed with suspension and carrots... its kinda hot.

As to the topic at hoof... predetermined rolls are not always the most fun ones (but sometimes they are). Make your own roll, play it well and enjoy life.

 

[YourCaptor]

So I was out today and overheard somebody say "In this world you are either the carrot or the stick." Naturally this really got the neurons firing. And I started to wonder, in terms of D/s who's which? Who's the carrot? Who's the stick? Is it possible to be some of each?

I thought a carrot stick was a single item.

Then my thoughts turned to what for me has been an age-old question: Are we stuck in roles that are pre-determined for us?

No, we can change ourselves, but its very difficult. You will need help to do so.

 

[frisky-leo]

This gave me an odd image of pony play mixed with suspension and carrots... its kinda hot.

Lmao! I had (almost) the same image pop into my head. Reading this made me laugh, and now I have people looking at me funny.
Oh well, SSDD.
Thanks for the giggle.

~FL

 

[N_B]

I had no idea what that metaphore meant either. I spent the first four posts thinking "If it wasn't for my horse, I would not have spent that year in college."

Then I found that it was about horses. Imagine that.

 

[missginger2177]

Love that quote and the guy who coined the phrase. However I was trying to be at least a little metaphorical.

 

[00Syd]

If a horse doesn't want to move, neither the carrot nor the stick will MAKE it move. I know this from bitter experience, LOL.

EXACTLY. That's why there needs to be the third option of a horse whisperer who makes the horse want to move.

 

[FurryFury]

Heh, some say it's a mule. LOL!



I can just hear the Whisperer now, "You want this baybee, you know you do."

 

[MisterSir]

Heh, some say it's a mule. LOL!



I can just hear the Whisperer now, "You want this baybee, you know you do."

And if that fails, pick up a decapitated head from your local morgue and leave it in the horse's stall.

To answer the original question, the stick. If I remember rightly, the old "you catch flies with honey not vinegar" was actually proved to be a lie somewhere, so I just roundly ignore it.

 

[RawHumor]

I've never heard it phrased that way either.

I was thinking the stick was the thing the carrot was tied to.

It sounds like it's equivalent to the saying that you'll get more flies with honey than vinegar.

 

[Netzach]

AHHHHHHH I get it now. I had no idea of that context.

Why isn't there an option of causing the horse to want to move forward of its own volition?

Are you the carrot? The stick? Or are you the horse whisper who got the horse to want to move on its own?

That's the carrot. The Horse Whisperer has a pocket full of carrots. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

Eventually not so many carrots and the horse is used to doing things you want it to - most of the time or some of the time. Carrots bank trust.

Then there are those times where you can be the goddamn god of all equines and it's still going to lie down and roll in the dirt and no one knows why. Ask Dick Francis about Devon Loch.

Personally I'm a stick who wants to be a carrot. My first impulse is usually off with its head, but I realize that's stupid.

 

[Homburg]

I don't like this either-or business. I use the carrot, and I use the stick. And I whisper too. Each one has a useful application at different times.

 

[00Syd]

That's the carrot. The Horse Whisperer has a pocket full of carrots. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

This made me smile. I can't help but you sometimes.

 

[missginger2177]

So a blend? a mix? But how can a PERSON be such a mix?

 

[MisterSir]

So a blend? a mix? But how can a PERSON be such a mix?

I'm not even sure a person can be one or the other to begin with. Maybe if they only ever use the stick or the carrot, but that's just a bad idea in general.

 

[CutieMouse]

So a blend? a mix? But how can a PERSON be such a mix?

If one is always the stick, one will become an 'effing asshole and one's social circle/romantic prospects will quickly dry up like the Sahara.

If one is always the carrot, one will get steamrolled on a regular basis - and not in the really hot kinky way.

 

[midwestyankee]

FWIW, I prefer carrot tops, carrot muffins, and carrot cake.

And frozen bananas on a stick.