Avatar choices

[mikecb]

I agree with the issue, here. It's one of the reasons I chose to use an (unfilled) picture of my Lori tube as my avatar. First impressions matter, and I think your avatar is often the first impression someone gets. I don't think I want to make that first impression with my schlong.... (schlort?)

mikecb

[wishful4]

For those not following the "new forum" thread on the Administrivia sub forum, there was a comment about the abundance of pictures of locked up genitalia (also a feature of other chastity sites).

So here's my question to the forum for debate

Do you feel this is potentially off putting to a new comer - especially a potentially nervous new keyholder? I have got used to the fact that often I appear to addressing an audience of penises rather than whole real people - a thought that is actually quite amusing but there again, I am not a nervous new keyholder.

CQ, I'm glad someone finally brought this up. IMHO, my Spouse/KH would most definitely be somewhat put off by all the locked up "junk" on the forum. I suspect most of our female participants, particularly new ones, on the forum would like it better if something else was chosen as an avatar. However, I would not dare not speak for them, but would like to hear their opinion. My avatar represents loving relationships because I think that's what MC and this forum is all about.

[jeank]

Just realised that in my earlier post I forgot to add the avatar opinion bit. Got carried away with West Country nostalgia.

Yes, I do think it's off-putting to new KHs. My wife has a very "vanilla" background, and when I first approached her about chastity in 2009, it was not a topic she was familiar with (surprise...)

I gave her a couple of forum addresses for research without really considering the impact of first impressions. She was put off - it made it look like a porn site to her. First impressions can be difficult to overcome and she still avoids internet chastity topics.

When I came to pick mine (which was before I involved my wife in my strange desires) I didn't want to be represented by my penis, which is why I chose something that I felt had an identity I can relate to.
Probably no-one else can, but I've spent too much time living in continental Europe!

I did use a picture of me locked in a review of the Queens Keep, but that seemed relevant.....

[Chuck]

Point well taken. I know it wouldn't bother my wife considering the content. I suppose I do have a rather intimidating piece of meat in that tube. Now my avatar is simply bizarre.

[Locked by LRC]

I agree with the issue, here. It's one of the reasons I chose to use an (unfilled) picture of my Lori tube as my avatar. First impressions matter, and I think your avatar is often the first impression someone gets. I don't think I want to make that first impression with my schlong.... (schlort?)

mikecb

I agree with you 100%. I waited until I got my metal device before I initiated my Avatar. When I got ready to make it, personally I didn't feel right by making it filled.

I wanted to just show the device to state what I have. It is what I wear to state my chastity to LRC, why not the world?

[Celtic Queen]

Point well taken. I know it wouldn't bother my wife considering the content. I suppose I do have a rather intimidating piece of meat in that tube..

Yeah, yeah whevs....

[Chuck]

Point well taken. I know it wouldn't bother my wife considering the content. I suppose I do have a rather intimidating piece of meat in that tube..

Yeah, yeah whevs....

While my words may have been flippant, my actions were true. Once I wrapped my mind around the great variety of people already here and considered the types we want to attract, I changed my avatar in agreement. I have been on such a sexual high since finding MC that I didn't stop to consider that while we all enjoy discussing what we are doing, most people probably don't want to see it since we pretty much know the mechanics already.

[GoodOlBoy]

Thanks for bringing this up QC. I personally feel this way and is one of the reasons I have not shown my wife this forum…….I really don’t think she would take it too well.

And dang Tom, I guess that was pretty easy. Now why didn’t I think to look for that :facepalm:.

[elwoodinchastity]

I admit I've never stopped to consider how it might be perceived by newcomers to the forum. Given how long it took me to "come out" as 'twere and find a community that understands and embraces my lifestyle choice, I'd hate to ever feel I was responsible for someone feeling unwelcome. But I kinda like my avatar.

It's a picture I took of myself years ago before I had a supportive partner or community. I remember feeling incredibly nervous about taking it, even though I never *ever* intended to share it with anyone. Today it serves as a small reminder of how far I've come and how lucky I am to have found both.

[Belle]

When Jnuts and I joined the forum it was to gather info before we started playing with MC. I was pretty hesitant that the whole thing was anything more than a weird kink that he had discovered. This board was very new, and there was few avatars. It would have put me off to see dicks in a cage at every post. I don't mind the ones of empty cages, afterall this is a MC forum. I just hold us to a higher standard of behavior respectability than that other site. I will want to bitch slap someone if I start seeing frilly panty avatars here.

That being said, I LOVE Thumpers avatar. Simple,discrete, and hot!