Bringing
another couple into your relationship can be intimidating to couples not
accustomed to “sharing” a partner. However, once the initial reservations are
overcome swinging can bring excitement and a sense of newness to your
relationship that is nearly impossible to find anywhere else. Any couple that
is exploring the lifestyle for the first time should first establish their
comfort zones, both as a couple and as individuals. You may want to try
attending an event where you can simply watch or have others look at you while
in a group setting without structure. At the start of your explorations, you
may also want to attend a more intimate event in which you and your partner
interact with only one other couple such as entertaining at someone’s house.
Attending these two types of events will give you both a better idea of what
your comfort level is.
Remember
that in any situation at any type of event you may choose not to participate.
Sometimes couples attend an event where they do not participate for many
reasons. Perhaps they didn’t find another couple that seems suited to them or
the environment is not in their comfort level. Whatever the reason, you will
not be frowned upon for choosing not to participate.
As a
couple new to swinging you should talk together about what your expectations
are for both yourself and your partner, and any ground rules that may aid in
your first lifestyle experience. (Of course, these rules may change, but it’s
good to establish some for the first experience so that you are both on the
same page). Communication between you and your partner both before and during
your swinging experiences is the key to having a pleasurable first experience.
Here are some other suggestions:
1. Use role-playing to simulate a sexual experience with another
couple.
Couples
can play out a swinging fantasy by each partner pretending that the other is a
stranger. Make it a point to talk about your feelings afterwards. Did you feel
nervous, stimulated, excited, anxious, or jealous? It is essential to discuss
all of your feelings so that you or your partner is not surprised during a real
swinging experience. If you have an idea of how you may feel you can make your
experience even more pleasurable.
2. For your first experience discuss with your partner the possibility
of meeting another couple alone.
There are
usually many couples attending a party, and the energy may be infectious
prompting couples to experiment further than they had discussed. On the other
hand, the large number of people at a party may be intimidating, preventing
first-timers from experimenting or even participating at all. In a one-on-one
situation with another couple in a more intimate setting, it is easier to
control what happens, and you are more likely to focus on how you and your
partner are feeling.
3. Stay together while attending your first few parties.
Your first
party sets the stage for your future swinging experiences. Therefore, it is
imperative that you are both comfortable and have fun. If you stay together,
you can communicate and stay in touch with the way your partner is feeling.
Communication is the key to establishing your comfort zone and therefore making
the most of your swinging experience. If at your first party, you leave your
partner to play with someone else, you better have a LOT of fun because it will
most likely be your only lifestyle experience!
4. Watch first then play in parallel.
For your
first experience, it is important that everyone establish his or her comfort
zones. Therefore, it is essential to progress slowly, especially if one person
is apprehensive. I suggest starting with watching other couples play. If you
are both comfortable with this enjoy the excitement and play together, just the
two of you, but in the same room as another couple.
5. Play at the same level as your partner.
Try to
keep the level of intimacy between all people involved about equal. This is
just a suggestion, not a strict rule. However, the more the balance of intimacy
falters, the more likely it is that someone will become uncomfortable. If your
partner is having full-fledged intercourse while you are just talking with your
swapped partner, you could become uncomfortable fairly quickly, especially if
you are new to the lifestyle.
6. Ensure both partners are having FUN!
Play so
that you both are having fun. Don’t focus on just one person so that one of you
is getting all of the attention, especially in your first few encounters. With
experience, it is easier to take turns and keep everyone happy and comfortable.
7. Establish a “save me” signal.
Before you
begin any swinging encounters establish a signal that either partner can give
at any point in the experience that says, “Something is up. We need to talk.”
This signal will be used if someone becomes uncomfortable. If either partner
gives the signal stop and talk immediately, no matter what is happening.
8. Take home the eroticism and passion.
Playing
with another couple can exponentially increase the sexual attraction between
you and your significant other. One of the main reasons couples swing is to
enhance their own relationship, both sexually and emotionally. A great swinging
experience improves your own relationship. Re-experience your encounters when
you get home.
9. Men, do not be surprised if you have difficulty keeping an erection.
Women, be prepared to play without an erection to assist.
One of
nature’s cruellest jokes was to give a man his most desired fantasy only to
have experience penis malfunction. It will happen. Despite the common
conception that men will jump at any opportunity for sex regardless of the
partner, it is often difficult for a male to overcome the socially reinforced
belief that sleeping with someone other than his partner is forbidden.
10. Swinging can be a bad experience if:
a) Someone
gets a disease
b) You
believe that swinging is wrong but wonder if a personal experience could
convince you otherwise (you won’t be convinced)
c) You
do not communicate with your partner
d) You
are not prepared emotionally or physically
11) You can make swinging even better for you and your partner by:
a) Staying
in communication with your partner
b)
Experience erotic pleasure in ways other than intercourse
c)
Expanding your experiences to include even more fun games to play at home
12) No means NO!
…but
sometimes it’s hard to say no. You may be unsure of your partner’s feelings or
even our own, you may not know how to say “no”, or you may just be
uncomfortable rejecting someone. In the case you need/want to say “no” but
can’t/won’t, simply withdraw. Go to the bathroom. This is always an acceptable
excuse. Creating a no-pressure situation is very important when swinging,
especially for newcomers.
13) Do not play with couples in conflict.
We all
have problems from time to time. However, if it is obvious that a couple is not
getting along it is likely that swinging with that couple will turn negative.
14) HAVE FUN!
Swinging
is about enjoying intimacy with your partner and heightening the experience by
including other couples. Relax and have fun!