Fifty Shades of Socializing: Slosh and Munch Events in the Bdsm Community

Abstract

All over the world, BDSM practitioners meet together in public, often in restaurants and bars. The socialization that happens at these events is a critical part of the BDSM lifestyle/community. However, no previous research has collected large quantities of data to learn about the event. In this article, we look into BDSM practitioners and their experiences and attitudes towards the munch and variations on the munch. What we find in this international survey on munches, and other similar nonplay BDSM events, is that it seems to be the central social institution of the BDSM lifestyle. Respondents report going to munches frequently and rate them highly as part of their lifestyle. The data also suggest that these events tend to be much less sexually charged and alcohol driven than many outsiders would expect them to be. In general, we see that these events seem to not only be a critical institution for those in the BDSM lifestyle but also works as an important conduit to newcomers, enabling them to integrate quickly and well into the BDSM lifestyle in a safe public environment.