Over the past few years I have frequently been asked about numbering subs. Since 2007 I have assigned a unique number to each sub that has visited me. The reason I started doing this was to dehumanize the sub. Instead of having a name, the sub simply became a number that was written on his chest or neck. It is a simple concept and yet it can really add to the headspace of those involved in a scene.
I have explicit specifications about how I number subs. I never allow a sub to chose his number and he does not know his number until his first visit. I am not using consecutive numbers and all the rest is right in front of you. It has surprised me that some subs get very excited at the prospect of becoming a number. I have even caught a few explicitly trying to look down to figure out what their number at the start of their first scene.
Often in life it is funny how little things work out – in 2009 I was sitting at a cafe having lunch with a kinky friend in San Francisco. As we were eating I mused that I may stop numbering subs. He suddenly had a look on his face as though I had just kicked his dog. He pointed out that this had become a bit of a “trademark” of mine and he felt strongly that I should continue. I really credit him with convincing me to continue numbering
I was recently numbered, not by Fossil9. It really is tough to describe the head space that created. I don’t know if I would say dehumanizing, but certainly robs one of individuality to an extent and is a heavy reminder of ones place on the food chain.
I go further than just numbering the sub. the sub is blindfolded on arrival – ie before he even enters my place. He puts on the blindfold at the door and is led in. He never sees me – throughout the whole session he just experiences everything by touch / taste / feel / fear etc…. V V erotic for both me and him / them
AMEN! Please keep numbering Your submissives, SIR. ANYTHING that reinforces a sub into his role and empowers a DOM is welcomed.
I don’t play much, so I don’t have the long consistent use of numbering system, but I do feel the same about taking away a sub’s identity as an individual. What I have done is sometimes I assign “reference numbers” to subs that they are required to cite in their correspondences. The idea is to make them feel they and materials related to them are classified in a file system using that number.