In your experience, tickling is most likely to be ...

[Kamino_Neko]

…a very bad move.

I’m likely to reflexively lash out. And I’m VERY ticklish.

(And, no, it seriously IS a reflex…I don’t want to hurt the tickler…)

[Kaio]

Boo that I can’t choose two. For me it’s playfully erotic, since I always do it when we’re in a playful, silly mood, and never do it without the intent that it leads to, uhhh… other things.

Same if I’m on the receiving end, FWIW, although I get additional amusement from the fact that I can choose to turn my ticklishness off or on at will. (And yeah, I rather enjoy teasing them that way. )

Hrm, maybe “sadistic” should be in there too. Sadism is fun. Heheheh.

[BleizDu]

@Manwich

My brother was a highly skilled tickler, versed in advanced tickling techniques such as the typewriter – sit on the victim’s body, pinning down their arms and tap out a message on their chest. Periodically tap their head and say “ding!”.

My bro did the “little indians dance”, immobilize someone flat on their back, then with a finger, rapidly “dance” in a circle on their stomach while yelling/chanting stereotypical “indian war sounds”.

Yeah, not the playful version of tickling either.

[Rala]

From what I’ve seen, tickling is generally playful. Tickling me is either inconsiderate or sadistic because the first time someone tries I tell them I don’t like it. They either stop (which is good), ignore me (which is inconsiderate) or say “Oh, you’re ticklish, huh?” (which is sadistic).

[KarlGrenze]

Depends. If it is with my relatives (mom, dad, brother), then it is usually playful.

Anybody else, my tolerance will go to zero really quick and I’d like to smash their fingers to pulp if they continue.

[Nava]

Playful with or without a side of sadism, sometimes veering into downright abusive.

When I threaten Middlebro with a stretched finger (I don’t even need to tickle, Littlebro and I are the only people who know where exactly do we need to touch Middlebro for him to break in giggles), it’s playful with a side of sadism. When I tickle him or the Nephew, it’s playful (and I always take care to do it in a situation where the spastic giggling/rolling on the floor won’t cause harm).
When his brother in law refuses to stop “tickling” (he doesn’t even do it right, never gets to produce giggles) the Kidlets, even when said Kidlets are crying from the pain, it’s bullying. I consider these people close relationships of cheek-pinchers, they should all rot in the same circle of Hell. Being bigger than someone doesn’t give you carte blanche to be mean to them, it should be just the opposite!

[BigT]

There’s also the complication that some people like the sadistic, if YouTube videos are to be believed. There are people who say stop when they don’t mean it, and enjoy being trapped. And I’ve actually met the former.

Also, I noticed that there was this one girl who really liked tickling growing up. A bit too much. I was not surprised when she wound up pregnant at 14.

But, otherwise, I think it’s usually playful, with a side of affectionate.

[Zeldar]

This should have been multiple choice because like most things of the sort, “It Depends.” Going with “most likely” and “in your experience” I went for “affectionate” but I would have checked as “almost as likely” the options “playful” and “erotic.”

[6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast]

@Manwich

My brother was a highly skilled tickler, versed in advanced tickling techniques such as the typewriter – sit on the victim’s body, pinning down their arms and tap out a message on their chest. Periodically tap their head and say “ding!”. Stop *just *before the victim wets themselves or screams *too *loudly.

I hope it was referred to as “Typewriter Torture” as my brother insisted it was…mostly, the last “message” was “O-h o-h, h-e-r-e c-o-m-e-s M-U-M-!-!-!” - always with the key shift, comma, 3 exclamation marks and ending with 3 new lines - “DING! DING! DING!”

[TruCelt]

@Skald_the_Rhymer

@TruCelt

. . . An excellent test of boundaries and respect.

I’ve come to believe that you can tell almost everything you need to know about a potential partner by how they tickle, and how they react when you say “stop.”

But what if he (or she) doesn’t tickle at all? Huh? What about THAT, hotshot?

Is he respecting my request not to be tickled? High five, you found a good one.

Is he ignoring my invitation to tickle play? Expect to be bored in bed by year three.

Does he twitch and adopt a defensive posture at the mere mention of the word? Not accustomed to his own boundaries being respected, his parents will be absolute hell as in-laws.

I think there’s a book in here somewhere. . .

[DianaG]

… an excellent way to get yourself hurt. I’m likely to lash out at you reflexively if you surprise me, and if you persist in tickling me after you’ve been told I don’t like it, I’m likely to lash out at you very purposefully with intent to cause memorable harm.

[MeanOldLady]

They think they’re being playful, but I really don’t like it.

[Skald_the_Rhymer]

@MeanOldLady

They think they’re being playful, but I really don’t like it.

I doubt people who continue to tickle after being asked to desist honestly believe they’re being playful.

What prompted this thread was my despised oldest brother wondering why my stepdaughter had not invited him to an event she’s hosting. It’s because he’s a sadistic tickler whose tormented her when she was little (well, she’s still little physically) and she can’t stand him.

[MeanOldLady]

Right. If anyone continued tickling me after I let them know that I honestly don’t like it, he’d lose his balls and/or hand immediately. In the beginning, they think it’s cute. They’re touching me, I’m laughing, everyone’s having a good time, right? No.

[Zeldar]

I believe I may have misunderstood the action of “tickling” in the OP and poll. I took it to be the sort of things like “tickling your back” and not “goosing.” My earlier comments were based on that meaning. If you meant “goosing” I would change my response(s).

[Swallowed_My_Cellphone]

I’d say it’s intended to be playful, but is often unwelcome, met with hostility, and if you don’t stop when asked, you should get a smack.

[Hello_Again]

@Zeldar

I believe I may have misunderstood the action of “tickling” in the OP and poll. I took it to be the sort of things like “tickling your back” and not “goosing.” My earlier comments were based on that meaning. If you meant “goosing” I would change my response(s).

Goosing? You mean pinching someone? No the thread is about “tickling” – that sensation that some but not all people enjoy, of being touched in certain “ticklish” areas like under the arms, causing the recipient to either laugh uncontrollably, or punch you in the face, depending on their inclination.

I am curious about people who find it to be a very erotic or sexual act – how you feel when an adult family member tickles you? Do you tell them to stop? Does it feel inappropriate?

[Zeldar]

@Hello_Again

@Zeldar

I believe I may have misunderstood the action of “tickling” in the OP and poll. I took it to be the sort of things like “tickling your back” and not “goosing.” My earlier comments were based on that meaning. If you meant “goosing” I would change my response(s).

Goosing? You mean pinching someone? No the thread is about “tickling” – that sensation that some but not all people enjoy, of being touched in certain “ticklish” areas like under the arms, causing the recipient to either laugh uncontrollably, or punch you in the face, depending on their inclination.

I am curious about people who find it to be a very erotic or sexual act – how you feel when an adult family member tickles you? Do you tell them to stop? Does it feel inappropriate?

I checked Urban Dictionary and Webster’s to see that the term we used when I was a kid of “goosing” has become something else entirely. And it’s not what I meant.

The “tickling” I took the OP to be talking about is (in my experience) the gentle application of the fingernails to the back or neck or arms of another person. Whatever term has replaced the one for a rather aggressive effort to cause discomfort in the underarms (we called it goosing long ago) is what I was trying to distinguish. Looks like I’m out of touch with the terminology.

Disregard my earlier replies – and this one.

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

… exempt from Federal minimum-wage laws.

[Skald_the_Rhymer]

@Zeldar

@Hello_Again

Goosing? You mean pinching someone? No the thread is about “tickling” – that sensation that some but not all people enjoy, of being touched in certain “ticklish” areas like under the arms, causing the recipient to either laugh uncontrollably, or punch you in the face, depending on their inclination.

I am curious about people who find it to be a very erotic or sexual act – how you feel when an adult family member tickles you? Do you tell them to stop? Does it feel inappropriate?

I checked Urban Dictionary and Webster’s to see that the term we used when I was a kid of “goosing” has become something else entirely. And it’s not what I meant.

The “tickling” I took the OP to be talking about is (in my experience) the gentle application of the fingernails to the back or neck or arms of another person. Whatever term has replaced the one for a rather aggressive effort to cause discomfort in the underarms (we called it goosing long ago) is what I was trying to distinguish. Looks like I’m out of touch with the terminology.

Disregard my earlier replies – and this one.

[bolding mine]

I don’t think it’s a matter of the meaning changing. I’m 40, and in my experience tickling has always been used as I and the other persons in the thread have been using it. Maybe it’s a regional thing.