Ask the Experts
Childhood trauma
Open-minded and practical, Dr Angela Brokmann has answered the nation's sex problems for 18 years. Here, she answers your dilemmas.
Dear Angela,
My boyfriend (38) wants me to bring him out for walks on a collar and leash. I spontaneously said "OK, let's give it a try." We went online and ordered from a fetish store. Our package finally arrived and now I'm having second thoughts. I know it's too late to back off now, but what if I bring my boyfriend for a walk and somebody we know sees us? It would be pretty embarrassing, and it would be hard to explain. We constantly bump into friends and neighbours when we're out walking.
ANSWER
It's not too late to back off, so tell your boyfriend about your concerns. It's understandable that you don't want to play the collar and leash game in public.
It's not only potentially embarrassing; others might find your display of submission and dominance disturbing, especially people who don't recognise it as consensual and harmless fetish play. As an alternative to putting your boyfriend's new fetish on public display, play the game in the privacy of your own home or garden.
See how it goes. If you ever feel like playing in public, join a fetish meeting to keep it among like-minded souls. But of course you'll have to wait until it's safe again to mingle.
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