Our Definition
refers to rules and behaviors that establish and enforce a hierarchy between partners in a dynamic. For example, a submissive may be unable to sit in certain areas and must refer to their partner by a title such as “Your Grace,” “Sir,” “Mistress,” or other honorific.
Common Practices & Experiences
Everyone is different! You'll see this repeated throughout our website and glossary. Common practices involving protocols include, but certainly aren't limited to:
- Use of honorifics or titles
- Ritualized practices, either physical or linguistic
- Consequences when a protocol is ignored
- Varying degrees of formality
Kyle prefers to be referred to in-scene as “Chef”
Skylar is expected to kneel at the feet of their dominant partner whenever they sit down to watch TV together.
Isabella requires that her partners say “mother-may-I?” before achieving orgasm
