I often get asked "how hard can you take corporal punishment" or "how many strokes of the cane can you take?" These questions are difficult to answer at best and impossible to answer at worst. I think because a pain threshold is not static (mine certainly isn't), but varies depending on how well you feel physically, how much you gel with the person you are playing with and whether your threshold changes with the presence of a scenario.
Here is my answer to "how hard can you take corporal punishment?" Well, if I gel with you (and we gel with each other) then my threshold increases, which I know is probably unfair but is part of the human condition; If you like a person you tend to open up to them more. If I am run down or not feeling well (for instance if I have a cold), then obviously my threshold is not so good, as in this situation I really should be in bed not bent over desperately trying to concentrate on breathing whilst I am caned! Finally, for me personally I prefer a scenario when I am to play with CP. I need a reason for what is happening to me, generally not involving giving me a choice in the matter! Without a scenario, I find I cannot take CP at the same level, as psychology is a big part of the play and is almost more important to me than the sensation of the CP itself. I know that role-play is not the ONLY way to play but it is my preferred route, and I am sure I am not alone in this. So, in summary to how hard can I take it? I am afraid that is not an easy one word answer and it is also not an equation that can be solved by evaluating a set of variables. The truth is, it depends on what I have written above and sometimes my threshold will not become apparent to me until I have begun playing a scene with someone. I hear you, not exactly helpful!
To "how many strokes of the cane can you take?" I must ask how anyone would think this is a question that can be answered easily. It depends on what implement you wish to use (kooboo, dragon, Singapore?), as a Singapore cane will hurt me a great deal more than a kooboo will, and so I will be able to take more of the latter. I also enjoy a slow, methodical caning more than one that is delivered at speed. With a good, slow build up I can really go into sub space and enjoy many more cane strokes. Finally, and quite obviously, it depends on how hard a dom(me) wishes to punish me. If I am doing a judicial then I am unlikely to make it beyond 24 strokes, but at a light-medium level I can go to well over 100 strokes. So, again, my answer to this question is, I really could not tell you!
Pain threshold has always interested me and the source of the variable nature of it is most fascinating. I have given you my thoughts folks, so what about yours? Does your pain threshold vary? And if so how and why?
