The pain during sex thing, and rape fantasies, I believe, are borne of internalised misogyny and the conditioning we've received via religion which conflates sex with dirtiness.

I’m curious what you mean by “hurt them.”

Are you saying the regular ol’ vanilla spank or firmly holding the head by a fist of hair close to the scalp low at the back of the head is hurting them?

I don't get off on pain, but mild painful stimulus delivered at the right time in the right place enhances the sensation. Usually it doesn't happen at the beginning of the ummmm... Encounter.. More like in the middle. As most people responded already, lots depends on partners, mood, and surrounding. Plus torture can mean different things for different people. Js.

Pain is subjective and I have a very high threshold for pain. Sexually, I am very much aroused by control and dominance and power struggle/power exchange. Furthering that there are acts I enjoy that are exceedingly stimulating to me yet for another person would simply be painful. I can see this distinction because having a safe word means I can stop any stimuli before it breaches my own pain tolerance, and I can say very clearly that crossing that line and resulting in actual “pain” for me is not enjoyable and ends my arousal. It all comes down to personal levels. We all have that point at which a certain set of stimuli crosses that line. As a tame example: If I press my thumb into the forearm of three different people, there will be three different points at which it goes from non-painful to painful. My level seems to be Way out there, but it does exist.

I think variety is the spice of life, & the partners different moods would indicate what type of approach is used. That being said, I agree with you about the 'pain' aspect. Gentle at times, aggressive at times, pinch & nibble, yes, yes & yes. Actual pain? I don't want it & I would be very reluctant to administer it. I don't really have any outre fetishes, but would be willing to join in a partners in many cases. I just don't need more than sharing & appreciate that enough that not much more is needed to put a grin on my face. so, I didn't vote, as it would be one & two, tho seldom three.

I like variety and typically a combination of many things mentioned. But there are no hard and fast rules. When you are with someone you both bring your experience and experiences to the interaction. You may develop something unique that fits perfectly, just for the two of you. Adding and/or exploring other things as the relationship evolves.

Some people experience cathartic release from the infliction/cessation of pain. It's not MY cup of tea, but I don't judge.

The correct type and level of pain can be electrifying.
Electrosex, ride the lightning.

I love to explore< try new things but not pain__for me it"s communicating and sharing

C) Any one (or combination of) the above, depending on mood, situation, partner, energy level, etc -- lots of variables. But with the right partner? I'm down for pretty much whatever -- there are only a small handful of things that are on my "absolutely won't do" list. Communication is key.

As far as the pain thing, though... I've noticed something interesting (purely my observation, not data) -- I feel like there is a direct correlation between a person's desire for rough sex, and how high their natural pain tolerance is.

My experience has been that partners with low pain tolerances have only wanted things in the soft-n-gentle realm... anything over that was sensory overload for them. And those with high tolerances not only preferred getting rough, but disliked soft-and-gentle, because there was very little sensory input for it (almost to the point of being an annoyance instead of pleasurable). It seems that those with that higher pain tolerance required more "oomph" to register sensations, whereas the person with the low pain tolerance could only handle a very gentle touch, to not red-line and overstimulate.

Just an observation over time... I could be completely and utterly wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. =D

I'm a big, sturdy guy and I like to lead. I tend to attract women that like to be tossed around, they like strong and I love when they melt in my hands(and my mouth)

I'm a gentle girl.

Yes, in combinations.

Reading this further reinforces my belief that I REALLY need to explore my heterosexualality.

I think you should break up the poll into men and women. I'll make a prediction, More men will like soft and gentle and more women will like fast and aggressive and an even split on kinky

I'm a rough and tumble person and that just translates I guess.

Something that might be painful without sex - might have an entirely different sensation during.

So something that might sound like you would be inflicting pain? MIght be pleasure - at that moment.

But you do you. That's kind of important.

All of the above

Slow/gentle to start, then more aggressive. I don’t seek out pain, but intense sensations that are close to pain feel pretty good. I get more pleasure as a giver than receiver, especially with female partners.

Soft, hard, slow and then fast, aggressive, domineering, a little bit of fear and a lot of trust. No hitting... not into pain.

A great dom is hard to find.

For me, either one gets boring if I have it all the time. Mix it up, and I'll be happy.

Why do I like pain? Well, that's impossible to say since I don't even know myself. One thing I will say is just because I enjoy pain on occassion, does NOT mean I look forward to the dentist. You can't imagine how many times I get asked that.

It depends on your mood, your partners mood, what you both enjoy, how you enjoy it, how adventurous you feel etc etc. All of the above have applied and all have been fantastic

My experience has taught me there are as many different types of people as there are shades of gray. Ann Landers once wrote that between consenting adults nothing is wrong or taboo. Whereas you may not be turned on by BDSM there are some who are and that's OK. If it isn't your cup of tea, don't drink. I think all of it is wonderful or can be wonderful given the right set of circumstances.

does "fetish" always seem to imply S&M? it's a silly stigma, also I don't particularly like to be in pain but I'm not a sissy boy.

I can't choose just one of the above. Slow, soft, gentle sex has its place, but so does fast, wild, sweaty sex. I'm not really into pain, but there's something really hot about having my hair pulled or being held down and taking it. But I also love giving as good as I get. (I usually give better than I get, but the more I participate, the more I enjoy it.) If you want to know more than that, you're gonna have to PM me.