Expert designations

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LadyPact -> Expert designations (2/17/2013 4:03:58 AM)
Having just come from another thread where the subject of expert designations was being discussed, I thought it might be interesting to open this topic. I have My own personal golden rules that determines whether or not I click that little 'expert' designation on My profile. My personal standards on this are: * I have to have formally presented on the subject at least three times in a minimum of two different venues. * I have to be currently practiced in the topic and it is a type of play that I engage in regularly. * I have to have a minimum of five years experience in doing whatever it is in the real world. (I do not count reading, researching background info, etc as a part of this.) * I have to be able to prove what I can do. Before I continue, I want to make it very clear that I understand that not everybody is into public BDSM, presenting, teaching, and all of that other good stuff. I put that one in for Me, personally, because I wanted My expert designations to be reasonable. Like most, I would venture to say, when a person has too many expert tags, it starts setting off the bullshit detector. If I didn't have that particular stipulation, for Me, I could easily double the number of subjects where I could hit expert, but that one kind of keeps Me in check. I would like to discuss what others feel is the standard of expert. What do you think sets the bar for someone to claim that designation?

ARIES83 -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 4:31:50 AM)
Slow news day LP? I don't think I use those designations next to my likes/loves on my profile, I just thought it was a bit unnecessary. I think anyone would know if they are an expert at something if they were, but it's not open to certification so of course you can get anyone saying they are an expert at anything, I don't even look at peoples likes, I just read the written part. One thing I did think could do with an improvement was... In my likes there was the distinction for saying I like "massage (getting)" but there were very few if any other ones where you could say getting/ giving... A problem arises when something like... "likes anal" is taken to mean "likes (getting) anal" rather than "likes (giving) anal"...[&o] But anyway as for what specifically gives you the right to say your an expert at something... I don't really know, I like the sound of "I have a lot of experience" over "I am an expert".

LadyPact -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 4:35:00 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ARIES83 Slow news day LP? No, it very specifically came up on another thread during discussion. Since it wasn't appropriate to deviate the topic there, I asked it here.

Level -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 4:41:47 AM)
LP, the "proving what I can do" one, I like. As for the CM list of things, such as the "getting a massage", I see that as more of a simple way of saying "I love getting massages", just something tossed in for fun.

SinFix -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 4:50:17 AM)
I don't really look at the likes list on the profile side, it seemed a little impersonal when most of that stuff are things I would prefer to discuss/talk about via chatting ( by chatting I mean talk via phone or face-to-face).. My standards of what would make someone an "expert" at something run along the same lines as yours, though many would consider me an expert at some of the things on my list I didn't check it because it wasn't important to me to designate myself as one thing or another. I get the point of having the list, but if someone talks to me just because of one thing on that list then it usually puts my guard up that we most likely won't have anything else in common and won't be compatible for much...

ChatteParfaitt -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 4:54:04 AM)
I consider myself an expert if I've acquired the knowledge and skill to do whatever it is professionally. So, I consider myself an expert cook, as I could easily do that professionally. I do not consider myself an expert in needle play, as I am still learning the ins and outs, so to speak. (Pun, as always, intentional.) I'm an expert at CBT, not just because I enjoy it immensely, but b/c I've 30 years experience, and have educated myself as to what specific things can cause permanent damage or be a risk of infection. I'm an expert at wax play for the same reasons. I know about different wax and their burning temps, how far to hold the candle, that (since I love CBT this has to be mentions) the skin of the testicle is extremely thin, and if you manage to burn through it with your wax, you can cause a rupture. See how these things overlap? I purposefully have not filled out the BDSM sections of interest on my profile, since I don't want specific interests or fetishes to be the basis of why someone contacts me. Those who check that they are an expert at blindfolds or getting a massage just make me laugh.

muhly22222 -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 5:18:03 AM)
I don't use any of the designations on my profile. Partially because for most of the things listed I'm certainly not an expert, but also because it would be very easy for somebody else to misinterpret my meanings. I would just like to offer a counter-example to the people who have been saying they don't even look at the listed likes/dislikes. I do, although I don't use them to replace the written portion of the profile. If the written portion appeals to me, but there's nothing in there that I feel comfortable responding to in an initial message, I will look over at the list of likes/dislikes and try to find a topic that they will probably enjoy talking about. For instance, I've contacted people about their interests in musical theater and started off talking that way. It's not intended to be a conversation solely about musicals, but just a way to start talking.

Notsweet -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 7:28:04 AM)
Lady Pact, in your case, and in the case of other educators and presenters, there's no way to separate, except to put that information in the profile or journal. I would think that for most people the "expert flag" is simply a matter of their own opinion, overinflated though it may be. Some people have NO idea that there are credentials out here in the R/L side of BDSM, and no idea that there are actual experts.

kdsub -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 8:09:01 AM)
An interesting thread LadyPact...I think many just put expert because it is something that really turns them on and not because of experience. Only meeting and talking with someone can these things be confirmed. Myself I do think the loves, likes, and dislikes are informative if only to see what we may have in common or to see what would be a deal breaker. To me the interest is important not if they are experts in it. But just a thought…I know it would not happen but would it not be cool if there were a forum where the nuts and bolts of BDSM were hashed out by the type of scene. Then just for fun and designation purposes there could be a section where people could gain designations such as expert by taking a test. And only those that could pass the test would be allowed to have expert added to their lists. Butch

theshytype -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 8:43:05 AM)
To me, an expert in any area would mean you have little to no need for improvement/training and would be able to comfortably teach or train someone in it. It's hard for me to place any specific number of years for the simple fact that one person can do something extremely well after a few months and another could do it for years and still not fully get it. I'm hesitant to say I'm an expert in anything because I know there's usually room for improvement or just seems silly to be considered an expert (such as spanking).

kdsub -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 8:47:38 AM)
quote: just seems silly to be considered an expert (such as spanking). But there are soooo many ways to spank and soooo many tools to spank with... some knowledge of these tools and how, why , and when to use them and the dangers and pleasures involved would be good to know. And particularly good to know the person administering knows the how, when and why's Butch

OsideGirl -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 8:48:43 AM)
The only two items that are BDSM related that I have listed as an expert are bondage and 1950s household. I was taught bondage by someone that is considered one of the absolute bests. We live a 1950s relationship. Other than that, I have travel (which is my business), psychology ( I have a degree), horseback riding (I grew up on the horse show circuit).

DarkSteven -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 8:52:42 AM)
I gave myself expert designations on Spanking Board games Comedy shows Math Judaism Low carb Spanking - ten years experience, off and on. I administer perhaps eight a month. Board games - I used to be a strong nationally ranked Scrabble player and a C level chess player. Comedy shows - I had done amateur standup for two or three years. Math - I have taken through partial differential equations and have tutored algebra, trig, and calculus. Judaism - I have attended synagogue for about twenty years, and have lived a Jewish life for about that long. Low carb - I did some intensive study when I found I was diabetic but should probably drop that designation.

MariaB -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 9:01:51 AM)
There are two different sorts of experts. Self professed and those who are recognized by their piers for the expertise. In your case LadyP, you are clearly recognized by your piers. I don't use this part of my profile because it doesn't allow me to elaborate the reasons for me believing I'm an expert in the ticked box. If I can't explain why I feel I'm an expert in that particular field then I may come over as pompous!! As a professional piercer and someone who has run many workshops on 'play piercing' I guess I'm a dab hand at that but I'm also a dab hand at hook suspension. If I was allowed to elaborate on such a thing as play piercing, then I could include hook pull. I can't so I don't. I have done workshops and performances on wax play, female ejaculation, interrogation and branding and I consider myself well informed and well practiced when it comes to all of those things. I am a professional fetish performer and choreographer but it doesn't give me that option. I professionally ran a large award winning BDSM club but it doesn't give me that option either! I either write my entire CV on my profile or I don't bother. The expert column on the left has little to no meaning as far as I can see.

theshytype -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 9:14:39 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kdsub quote: just seems silly to be considered an expert (such as spanking). But there are soooo many ways to spank and soooo many tools to spank with... some knowledge of these tools and how, why , and when to use them and the dangers and pleasures involved would be good to know. And particularly good to know the person administering knows the how, when and why's Butch There's also dangers and things people should know when crossing a street or driving a car, doesn't mean I'm going to designate myself an expert. That's my own personal opinion.

kdsub -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 9:17:12 AM)
quote: driving a car I do hope you took a test for your license...[:D] I do respect your opinion... just commenting...But say you were interested in learning to drive in a stock car race...would it not be nice to know if the person you are asking for guidance was qualified? Butch

theshytype -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 9:22:25 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kdsub quote: driving a car I do hope you took a test for your license...[:D] Butch Nah. The guy thought I was cute so he just gave it me.

kdsub -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 9:23:37 AM)
lol... with those eyes I can understand. Butch

UnholyBear -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 9:26:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyPact Having just come from another thread where the subject of expert designations was being discussed, I thought it might be interesting to open this topic. I have My own personal golden rules that determines whether or not I click that little 'expert' designation on My profile. My personal standards on this are: * I have to have formally presented on the subject at least three times in a minimum of two different venues. * I have to be currently practiced in the topic and it is a type of play that I engage in regularly. * I have to have a minimum of five years experience in doing whatever it is in the real world. (I do not count reading, researching background info, etc as a part of this.) * I have to be able to prove what I can do. Before I continue, I want to make it very clear that I understand that not everybody is into public BDSM, presenting, teaching, and all of that other good stuff. I put that one in for Me, personally, because I wanted My expert designations to be reasonable. Like most, I would venture to say, when a person has too many expert tags, it starts setting off the bullshit detector. If I didn't have that particular stipulation, for Me, I could easily double the number of subjects where I could hit expert, but that one kind of keeps Me in check. I would like to discuss what others feel is the standard of expert. What do you think sets the bar for someone to claim that designation? Personally I have a tough time actually defining what makes an expert and I believe the closest is what ChatteParfaitt stated, " I consider myself an expert if I've acquired the knowledge and skill to do whatever it is professionally. ." Even then I struggle it try to apply that to myself as I view calling myself an expert at something(s) as me showing off or being arrogant. Thing is, in many areas of my life, I am well adapt at doing things yet I feel I am far from being considered an expert. To me, being an expert means that I would know all there is to know about something which leaves no room for growth or learning. Even with all the workshops I've attended, all the demos I bottomed or all the activities I have and am learning, I don't believe I will ever be an "expert." I am continually learning from people who are very proficient in what they do. Yet I will define then as experts only in the sense that they have the knowledge which I lack and want to learn.

lizi -> RE: Expert designations (2/17/2013 9:31:50 AM)
I think this is a interesting topic to discuss since it's based on personal interpretation and self-evaluation and that always encompasses such a large area. I would view being an expert as being able to understand the body of knowledge of a subject. I think you should be able to teach the subject to someone and give them a good base to draw from. I think it's something you should be engaging in on a regular basis and have done so over a long period of time. I believe that there aren't many things that we can call ourselves expert in, as each one of them takes a while to get mastery of, and it takes energy to upkeep the knowledge or skill. To me, when people call themselves an expert in many areas on the profile interest list I tend to take it that their idea of mastery is different than mine, and for them being an expert happens at a much lower level than I understand it to be. I'd say those people have encountered something a few times and deem that to be enough to claim the expert title. These types of people seem to want to impress others. I would say that for myself, anytime I encounter someone with numerous expert designations, it's somewhat of a red flag to me until I find out more.

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