# Lights On or Off? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 8, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586 "2005-12-08T00:10:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/1 "2005-12-08T00:10:21Z")
You know what I am talking about. Personally I like them off, but I do like some residual light from a nearby room and the door slightly ajar. The darkness I think adds to the intimacy. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/2 "2005-12-08T00:16:43Z")
Usually off, but sometimes the mood strikes mid-day. Then it’s just throw the cats out of the room and go for it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/3 "2005-12-08T00:20:05Z")
I like low light, too. I also like candlelight–but not at the current let’s-buy-out-the-Yankee-shop-and-light-them-all level. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/4 "2005-12-08T00:25:20Z")
I like a little light (but not full light), but hubby prefers it very dark. However, like **Silenus** , sometimes the mid-day urge hits (well, the mid-day urge hits often; but sometimes it hits when we can actually _do_ something about it!), and the day light is fine. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/5 "2005-12-08T00:37:29Z")
The Christmas tree lights last night were…very pretty… ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/6 "2005-12-08T00:42:39Z")
Another vote for low lighting (when the lighting is artificial). I want enough light to see, but not bright enough to read by - takes away from the feeling of intimacy & is inhibiting - I have to feel relaxed to be in the mood. But sometimes, daylight is good, too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/7 "2005-12-08T01:37:35Z")
Daylight’s good, but usually it’s either darkness or with a paper lantern by the bed that gives the room a warm, intimate glow. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/8 "2005-12-08T02:04:05Z")
With the lights on, you can see what’s going on - does nobody else find that sexy? I have nothing against the dark, though. Pitch dark, candlelight, diffuse light, daylight… as long as I’m with my man, it doesn’t matter a whole lot. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/9 "2005-12-08T02:28:46Z")
I like it all. I don’t think I have a preference. Wherever and whenever it happens is good. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/10 "2005-12-08T02:47:36Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Usually off, but sometimes the mood strikes mid-day. Then it’s just throw the cats out of the room and go for it. 😃 “Thinkin’ of you’s workin’ up my appetite Looking forward to a little afternoon delight Rubbin’ sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite…” Ok, I’ll stop now. Anway. Never turned them off for that reason. Why? They’re so much to see. On the other hand if the lights are already off, well we have a pretty good idea of where everything is. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/11 "2005-12-08T04:01:35Z")
I like them on, that way I get to see her body, and how she moves it. I’m a very visual person. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/12 "2005-12-08T04:28:57Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > I like it all. I don’t think I have a preference. Wherever and whenever it happens is good. What she said. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/13 "2005-12-08T04:40:10Z")
I like to _see_ what I penetrate, be it man, woman, or beast. Lights ON! ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/14 "2005-12-08T16:58:39Z")
Lights on, please. There are only two things I do well in the dark. One is sleeping. The other is using my shins to find furniture. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/15 "2005-12-08T17:33:45Z")
I’m just self-conscious enough to prefer mostly-darkness, but I don’t object to lights-on. Hey, if it’s happening, I’m not going to mess with the formula. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/16 "2005-12-08T18:15:05Z")
Kleig lights and camera crew, please. ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/17 "2005-12-08T18:18:24Z")
On. I like to be able to see my partner. Although dark is fun too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/18 "2005-12-08T18:37:25Z")
Any of that in my life needs to happen in the dark. I do not like who it is I would be with and would rather not look at her face. Anybody else? Candles or first faint light of dawn. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/19 "2005-12-08T19:11:49Z")
Depends entirely on the mood - but never in total darkness. It can be a little candle light, or full sunshine on the beach. ---
**Author:** ![neisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4bbf92/32.png) [@neisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neisha)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586/20 "2005-12-08T22:57:01Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > You know what I am talking about. Personally I like them off, but I do like some residual light from a nearby room and the door slightly ajar. The darkness I think adds to the intimacy. … [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lights-on-or-off/334586.md?page=2)