Category: D/s, Power Play
Subcategory: Power exchange / Protocol

Eye Contact Restriction

Eye Contact Restriction involves rules governing when and how a submissive may make eye contact with their dominant or others. This may include prohibitions (never looking directly at the dominant without permission), requirements (lowering eyes when spoken to), or specific protocols (allowed to make eye contact only when answering questions).

This subtle form of control carries powerful psychological impact through its influence on basic human interaction. For submissives, restricted eye contact often intensifies feelings of submission and deference by physically expressing lower status. The continuous mindfulness required to monitor such an instinctive behavior can deepen submissive headspace. Dominants typically appreciate the visible display of respect and submission, the intimate control over something as fundamental as gaze, and how altered eye contact patterns create a constant reminder of the power dynamic even during otherwise ordinary interactions.

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This is a description of an activity in the BDSM checklist (also known as a 'kink list'). Want to discover what (more) kinks you might have? Maybe share them with a partner? Start the checklist!

About the category D/s, Power Play

Dominance and submission (D/s) and power play revolve around the consensual exchange of control between partners. This dynamic can manifest in countless ways—from bedroom-only scenarios to comprehensive lifestyle arrangements—all centered on one partner taking a controlling role while the other yields authority within negotiated boundaries.

People are drawn to power exchange for diverse reasons: the freedom found in surrender, the thrill of exercising control, the deep trust required, and the opportunity to explore aspects of themselves not expressed in everyday life. Unlike physical BDSM activities which focus on bodily sensations, D/s emphasizes psychological connection and the erotic potential of power differentials, creating experiences that many find deeply fulfilling on both emotional and sexual levels.

About the subcategory Power exchange / Protocol

Power exchange protocols establish formalized patterns of behavior between partners that reinforce and express their D/s dynamic. These may include specific language requirements, postures, rituals, or rules that symbolize and maintain the consensual power differential between participants.

People engage in protocols for the structure and clarity they bring to power exchange relationships. These practices create consistent reminders of roles, deepen the psychological aspects of submission and dominance, and provide a framework for expressing devotion and control. For many practitioners, the mindfulness required to maintain protocols creates a meditative focus that enhances connection and satisfaction beyond what more casual power dynamics might offer.



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