What does the term bottom mean to you?

[Mistress Whip Atlanta]

We have all heard the term before but what does it really mean? Is a bottom different from a slave? Are you a bottom or are you a slave? Perhaps your not a bottom or a slave but someone who just wants to come out and have a little power exchange fun for the night! Can you be one or all of these at any given time?
What does the word and term bottom mean in this lifestyle?:D
MsWhip

[humblegentleman]

We have all heard the term before but what does it really mean? Is a bottom different from a slave? Are you a bottom or are you a slave? Perhaps your not a bottom or a slave but someone who just wants to come out and have a little power exchange fun for the night! Can you be one or all of these at any given time?
What does the word and term bottom mean in this lifestyle?:D
MsWhip

Well, if you ask me, there is definitely a difference between a bottom and a slave, and also between a bottom and a submissive.

I consider myself a submissive, which is the role I take in a D/s relationship. That also means that I am a bottom. But not everyone who "bottoms" is submissive. A switch or even Dom/Domme can bottom for a certain person or under a particular circumstance.

I don't consider myself a slave. I have certain limits that I abide by, not just in a play scene, but in life and in general. I have principles I abide by, that I will not compromise for anyone, including a Domme. I think for me that is the difference between a submissive and a slave.

For example, I don't smoke, drink, do drugs, etc. If I were out to dinner with a Domme and she insisted that I drink, for example, I would have to decline. (I don't care if she drinks; I just won't drink myself.) To comply with such a task, for example, would mean to me to surrender my integrity and the principles I have chosen to abide by, which I am not willing to do. Fortunately for me, I have never had to deal such with a situation; every Domme I have ever met has respected my limits.

I think bottom means to be submissive or subservient to another person in a certain situation or under certain circumstances.

At the end of the day, though, I don't think there is or can be a correct answer. It means what it means to the people who are involved, and that is what matters. I'd be interested in hearing some other members' views on it, though.

[Kat]

hello Ms,
it is my understanding that a bottom is the least involved of the three terms... someone who wants to be dominated physically (maybe not even to that extreme) but hasnt fully committed themselves to being a sub.

slaves... as i understand... are fully committed to one or more master, and serve them wholly and complete...

between the three (bottem, sub, slave)... i think they represent the different levels of depth in play, respectively. :o

[Mariavixen]

We have all heard the term before but what does it really mean? Is a bottom different from a slave? Are you a bottom or are you a slave? Perhaps your not a bottom or a slave but someone who just wants to come out and have a little power exchange fun for the night! Can you be one or all of these at any given time?
What does the word and term bottom mean in this lifestyle?:D
MsWhip
I agree with what the others have said so far. I think that a slave is someone who has given up their own identity to fulfill the needs of their master. I have an extreme amount of respect for these women and men. To be able to do that is astounding. I however simply do not have this in me. I am a sub. I think a bottom is a weekender who simply wants to have the physical experience. To pardon my language i think most subs enjoy a good mind fuck as much as any physical dominance imposed on them. With my situation , my ultimate goal is to be a total sub to my husband, and a partial sub or weekend sub to someone else that will teach/show us what we need to complete our coupling.

[gapeach]

<<the rowdiest lil bottom around.. lol...

and i say that, because i enjoy the 'temporary' power exchange and the 'physical and mental aspects of the lifestyle, without giving my heart and soul to just One...

i have given my entire being, mind, body and soul, before, to a One - fell madly in love, and the submissiveness in me just burst forth! i trusted the One with my life - was comfortable enough, and believed enough to do whatever i was asked to do - a very deep commitment...

i'm not gonna try and explain slave vs sub, as i'm not well versed in that area ...i will only say, that regardless of whichever 'role' is assumed, i feel that the person should/does always have a final say/decision in things - else it wouldn't be consentual, would it??

[Mistress Whip Atlanta]

Great input everyone,
I definitely see this...

A slave gives completely and limitlessly (generally)
A sub gives but has quite a bit of say so
A bottom is strictly a player, they want to come out and play for a while! The bottom may play submissive in their play time but they are a bottom and not a sub!
I think all are great and all have their place, but it is necessary to determine what someone is before play time or serious real time otherwise it just may not be so good at the end of the day!

Input anyone? We have 4,000 members so lets keep this ball going! Everyone has a general idea or experience that they can bring to the board so what say U?