Personally if I want to be aroused by or perv over breasts then I want to see the nipples as well. Pasties covering the nipples just don't cut it for me. I'm more aroused by a Burlesque performers presence on stage, her facial expressions, her hair or a nice cute and shapely bottom. Boobs are nice but in the context of Burlesque less is still less.

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show

Yes, exactly, the point is that the experience is different for everyone. To go into what we do or don't find arousing is not for this thread, but feel free to start one up! The point is that you shouldn't feel it is bad if it is what you get out of watching burlesque. There's nothing wrong with it. Admiring the dancer's body is as valid a reaction as enjoying the choreography, admiring the costume or loving the performer's personality or humour. There's no need to distance burlesque from sexiness. It doesn't devalue it as long as your attitude towards sexiness is healthy.

I'm thinking Leyla needs to drop the tagline "The Burlesquer They Tried To Ban" (despite my connections to it!) and go with simply "The Voice of Reason"!

Actually I was just thinking the other day how it takes so much more to shock people these days. A little moral rightousness can be good for business! It just makes it seem all the more intriguing to those who haven't seen what the fuss is about yet when someone is clammering on about how wicked and sinful it is.

Aside from that there are bored losers in every walk of life, the fabulous thing is knowing how much more exciting our lives are that they feel it's worth pointing their vitriolics in this direction.

Hugs, Your probably the least pervy guy i know and you go about your way to avoid the ladies changing room.
The poor bastard who messaged you is obviously lacking the socil skills to form friendships in the real world, which is a shame as im sure with there urbane wit there a real find.

Even before you learnt how to cook you were curvatious and beautiful fat never came in to it.
But it does for some folk, i don't see how anyone gets off posting nasty messages.There a couple of guys i know get off on posting, but there mostly us chubby enthusiatst.

How is it DG gets hate mail and perverted goat slaughterers like you get away with harrasing the general female population. Come to think of it how do i get away with it.
High five

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Happy Happy Joy Joy

Wow I must admit when I started this thread yesterday, I certainly didnt expect the way it would go but hot damn it has been fascinating!
A chink in my normally resistant armour was hit yesterday and I was upset. I think I took more issue with the choice of words: "sleaze bag" than being accused of perversity, I am The Decadent Gent after all so thats prertty much counted for, but in retrospect this individual really doesn't deserve the time of day so begone!

In reference to the rest of the thread, I have to say I couldn't agree more with Leyla's main post. I love the art of burlesque but thats not to say I dont enjoy aspects of the female performers, as Leyla says it is about context.

Thank you everyone for the words of support, it only reconfirms my view that people in the Burlesque world are the nicest!

I'm exceptionally lucky to have found a medium to express my love of burlesque and have been given the chance to share with all of you.

So heres a treat for you a teaser of who is coming up on the next four Tassel Times:

Episode 8 : Des O' Connor

Episode 9: Princess Farhana

Episode 10: Leyla Rose

Episode 11: Red Sarah

Thanks again everyone and keep the Tassels Twirling!

DG xxx

I have to agree that I've found the whole of this thread really interesting, there are some really well reasoned and mature thoughts expressed here by everyone and I am proud to part of this supportive, intelligent and witty community.

(sorry about to go off on a little tangent, but bear with me)

For nearly 40 years I hid myself, a little mouse, and didn't admit out loud some of the things I enjoyed for fear of what people would think and say.

Luckily in the last two years I've come to my senses. Yes I am fat, there is no doubt about that, but so what, fat doesn't automatically mean ugly or unattractive, and I totally believe that the sexiest thing is someone who can totally be themselves and is confident about who they are. It is through the world of burlesque even though I'm not a performer that I have found myself and rebuilt my confidence.

I'm massively surprised that I've only had one hateful comment on my flickr, myspace or facebook pages - I was expecting loads more "you is fat and you is ugly" type comments. But I'm sure they will come and all I have to say "yes but you is ignorant and missing out bigtime!"

Life is too short to give hateful people the time of day. Life is too short not to enjoy watching beautiful, sexy, confident women who have spent time perfecting routines to make people smile, laugh or get aroused. Time spent getting upset about comments like these is time that you could be enjoying life and who knows what tomorrow brings (though I totally understand how it can seriously hurt you, I'm not belittling this).

And DG, you're getting to judge the Big Burlesque Bout, so all I have to say to you is you jammy lucky !!

Love to all you wonderful people for helping me become the real me!

Tempest xx

I was in a pretty bad mood today but reading this thread has really cheered me up. Fantastic to see everyone's thoughts and of course support for each other xxxx

I don't slaughter goats or harass the general female population - but I suspect that the general missrepresentation you speak of keeps all but the stupidest people away. Shame really, I like stupid people who go after me, it gives me a chance to 'play' with their minds.

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show

Well everyone gets comments negative and positive. Think mostly these people are jealous that you get involved with so many attractive ladies decadent gent.

Others are jealous that a bigger lady has the confidence to show her curves and says look that's me. Probably because they are too busy to starve themselves to a size 0 rather than enjoying their lives and does that look pretty?

As long as people are commenting on you either way at least you know you're interesting enough to get their attention.

(god why do I always sound so philosophical)