Yes, Master (entry 48): Great Expectations

The bondage world takes us into all sorts of interesting places.

As one of my buddies just found out for themselves, what we expect (and hope for) is not always what we end up getting.

Before joining a dungeon (getting a membership, etc.) or hooking up with/hiring a Dom or a sub, it never hurts to see what it is exactly that you're diving into.

No one wants to waste money or time. No one wants their evening or weekend to be a letdown.

If you're joining a dungeon club or plan on spending time/$ on any kink establishment, make sure that you take a spin around their St. Andrew's Cross before forking over your dough. The strong places don't hestitate to show off their goods and answer questions.

The same goes for nabbing a play partner. Ask questions, visit, and/or hang out for a while before jumping into a scene. Faulty communication is inexcusable. If they sound drunk, stoned, or just plain dim, take that as a red flag and run for the hills. There are definitely other fish in the sea. Unfortunately, bad/lame experiences can turn some people off, permanently, from BDSM which doesn't help our community as a whole. We need all the good enthusiasts that we can get.

As with most other things in life, if you're gonna do it, do it right. And make sure that whatever establishment and/or play partner that you're aligning yourself with understands what you're hoping for and expecting.