Public bondage conundrum

[TheOldPirate]

You and your partner go to the grocery store with one of you tied up, perhaps on a leash. The store gets enough complaints that the police are called.

So here's the conundrum; If you wind up arrested, what do they do with the tied up individual? Do they untie and then cuff them, or just leave them tied up?

[nitronovice]

I'd imagine they would cuff the unrestrained one first so they can't resist for the restrained partner . Then cuff the already restrained one which should be easy since they are already tied up. Palms out, key holes up to make escape from any current restraints even harder. They would have to use their own cuffs since they know it hasn't been tampered with.
I personally wouldn't mind if they handcuffed me and left all my restraints on

[TiedAndTaped3D]

I suspect that they would handcuff the one walking around free and leave the other one tied up. I knew someone once who went for a late night walk with their wrists tied behind their back. The cops rolled up on them, left them tied up and took them back to their place to check out their story before finally untying them and letting them off with a warning. Needless to say, that the was their last late-night bondage walk.

[JulieG]

I suspect the free partner would be handcuffed first, then the bound partner untied. If they allege abuse they may stay untied, if arrested they’d be handcuffed. Can’t keep,someone just tied up because if they get rope marks, nerve damage etc police are probably liable for not restraint the, in an approved way.

[RopePlayer]

What charge could the police use to make an arrest? If the store owner claimed trespass, presumably they would just leave the store. Once outside, along as the “leashee” advised the police that she was a completely consenting adult, what defendable grounds would the police have to make an arrest?

[Sian91]

Who says the leashee is a she?

[TheOldPirate]

In my mind there's a lot of fiction potential here. She (in my mind it's a gal) doesn't immediately get released, but is kept in the straitjacket because it's evidence. Indeed, our gal goes through a sort of hell navigating the bureaucratic purgatory due to her being straitjacketed. Meanwhile her partner, who was considerably more interested in this fantasy and pushed her into it, winds up with a suspended sentence.

[Kyle]

Why would I, or anyone else, do this in the first place?

[TheOldPirate]

Why would I, or anyone else, do this in the first place?

For some it's a kink. Not that I'm recommending doing it.

[tiedinbluetights]

What charge could the police use to make an arrest? If the store owner claimed trespass, presumably they would just leave the store. Once outside, along as the “leashee” advised the police that she was a completely consenting adult, what defendable grounds would the police have to make an arrest?

Well, that entirely depends on the jurisdiction; a lot of places have very broad "public nuisance" laws in place, from centuries ago, still on the books and very much applicable on a whim. And even if there is no such law on the books, the arrest can still be made and charges cooked up later. It will be a long while, long after the arrest, before some judge rules the arrest unlawful, if that even ever happens.

And since this thread started out as a hypothetical, it is the premise of some kinky stories. In a fictional setting, it does provide an interesting plot device, of the protagonist (I'm imagining the leashed person as the protagonist) going from being willingly restrained by his or her partner to being unwillingly restrained by the officers sworn to protect people (again, depending on jurisdictions, as in some the police is the last thing one wants to see in any situation).

In real life, I would indeed advise not to attempt to find out. You may be left off with a warning at best, but could also end up with a permanent criminal record on your file, even as the leashed sub.

To me, the real public bondage conundrum is not so much the police intervention itself as the non-consent of every one else, like the store owner and the store's clients, AND just how far those non-consenting individuals would consider an appropriate response to be; they may consider just a police arrest and warning as not enough!

Societal mores are in constant flux: it used to be that a young unmarried couple kissing in public would be grounds for arrest, on the grounds that such a show of affection in public was indecent. Today, even in some places where those laws are still in place, such shows of affection are common and no one bats an eyelash. I'm aware there are large cities with well established kink communities, where tops walking their restrained and leashed bottoms is no more out of place as that young couple from decades ago, but I would definitely not risk it outside the boundaries of those communities.

And, perhaps, one day, one can always fantasize, it will be grounds for arrest to NOT have your consensual sub on a leash (but that is best as pure fantasy)

[Kyle]

Why would I, or anyone else, do this in the first place?

For some it's a kink. Not that I'm recommending doing it.

Yeah, this is one I don't understand at all, why people feel the need to do things like this in public. I'm hoping it's just a wild fantasy, but the way people discuss it makes me wonder sometimes. Not everything needs to be public.

If police get involved, and they arrest the leashed/restrained person, too, they'll put them in handcuffs. If someone is handcuffed by a security guard or bounty hunter (uncommon, but some security guards do have handcuffs), the police will put them in their own handcuffs before taking the person in. This is far less "official" than that is.

[TiedAndTaped3D]

Why would I, or anyone else, do this in the first place?

For some it's a kink. Not that I'm recommending doing it.

Yeah, this is one I don't understand at all, why people feel the need to do things like this in public. I'm hoping it's just a wild fantasy, but the way people discuss it makes me wonder sometimes. Not everything needs to be public.

I think part of it is exhibitionism. There was a store in Philly that would do suspension demos on the first Friday of the month. This store used to be a drug store so it had huge windows in the front. Passerbies could see what was going on. I was suspended once and managed to wave to a couple of people as they passed the window just because I thought it was funny. To at least one woman's credit, she waved back.

[TheOldPirate]

There was a store in Philly that would do suspension demos on the first Friday of the month. This store used to be a drug store so it had huge windows in the front.

We had a local shop with had a "rope night." We expended a great deal of effort putting up HUGE curtains at the front to block the windows.

[uemndlr]

Has anybody here ever tried something like this? Being tied up in public? If so, under which circumstances?

I think it could be possible. Here are my thoughts about how to pull this off:

1. First of all, appear happy, chipper, in a good mood. Everybody must see immediately that this is voluntary fun and not a crime being committed.

2. Avoid appearing too bizarre or kinky. No leather or latex clothing, no too unusual bondage gear, no armbinder, ballgag, harness, leash or the like. Stay with simple rope or handcuffs.

3. No alcohol, drugs or obnoxious behaviour. If anybody complains, decide wisely whether to apologize and untie immediately, or whether to explain the complainer that he's being a spoil-sport.

4. Have a good excuse at hand. Some possible scenarios:

a) Meet with like-minded people in a town, have matching t-shirts and pose as a stag party. Everybody hates and avoids those, so you should have your peace.

b) Or just say that you have lost a bet and this is the forfeit?

c) Have somebody follow you and film you with his phone. Pretend it to be a Youtube challenge like this one. If you really have a Youtube channel, all the better, hand out business cards with the link. People will throw them away immediately.

d) Go to a Japan event, bring a blanket and hemp ropes, and explain that you're the shibari demonstration. Perhaps passerbys will volunteer to be tied up, too?

[copperfox]

Lots of good information in this thread. Yes, public bondage is absolutely a huge fantasy of mine and probably lots of other folks here. But, I think that really is where it should stay. There are far too many problems/issues that could come up with someone being consensually tied up in a public space, even if you think it’s very apparent that you’re having fun.

I would think that at the very least, this situation would make lots of people uncomfortable. At the very most—could get those involved arrested. In most cases (I would think), either nothing would happen or you would just be asked to leave the premises (if on commercial/private property).

I get the thrill of being tied up in public, but knowing that you would certainly be making people uncomfortable, why would you do that in the first place (even if you’re not doing anything illegal)? That just seems in bad form. Now, there are certainly times and situations which necessitate making people feel uncomfortable in order to drive needed drive conversation and change (in laws, policies, etc.)…but I don’t think that this fits the category.

So, all that said—back in college, there was one time that I was heavily chained and handcuffed on a roadtrip. My girlfriend at the time was driving, and my predicament couldn’t be seen by any cars passing by. Truckers, however, got of full view of how tightly chained/handcuffed I was. I remember a truck passenger had to do a double-take as he passed our car. I waved, and saw he was laughing.

While that was definitely a thrilling thing to do…it certainly would have been much less thrilling had someone seen me and decided to “be safe” and call the police just in case. Looking back, this isn’t something I would ever do again and don’t recommend for all those reasons.

To your thought about avoiding being “too bizarre or kinky”, that’s extremely relative and would be hard (if not impossible) to gauge. I think that just being handcuffed in public would be considered “too kinky” (and thereby unacceptable) for most people. You also mention trying to explain that the complainer is just being a “spoil-sport”. I don’t think that would do anything other than just unnecessarily escalate the situation and wouldn’t have any good outcome.

There are lots of ways to engage in hidden bondage in public, and that’s a lot of fun! Wearing hidden rope/leather harnesses, gag under a face mask, etc. Maybe even locking leather cuffs on your wrists that aren’t attached? I don’t think that would necessarily cross a line, but (not being hidden), it definitely would shout your affinity for bondage, while “just” being a fashion accessory.

[uemndlr]

Yes, you've got an important point there, @copperfox. Choose wisely where to pull this stunt! Surely it'll work better on a cosplay convention than in some small town.

I once saw somebody handcuffed in Berlin. That town is full of weird people, and nobody gives a ... what others do.

Your riding the car in chains, on the other hand, is something I wouldn't do. You can't explain very well to the other drivers that it's just for fun, and indeed somebody might call the police. Unless your bondage is covered by a blanket or so?

[Ovi1]

Some good points are raised here, I guess in certain crowds and to a certain extent it would be possible, and I think many people on this site would love to come across this on the street, or even be directly involved. But as mentioned there are a lot of caveats to take into account.

This topic touches on a fantasy I had a few weeks ago.
You know those tiktok videos where a person walks down the street with some money and goes up to people asking: "do you want this amount of money, or double it and give it to the next person?"
But instead we see a (partially) tied up influencer who goes up to people wether they would like to add a rope or cut them loose.

I might turn this into a story but I'm not sure if that would be an enjoyable read, since it would be a description of a non-existant tiktok style video. If anyone has any input or would like to get involved hit me up.

[JFBound1]

My guess is they still handcuff the restrained consent-violating (There could be minors and other shoppers also didn't consent or even have an expectation of becoming voyeurs in a freaking store, park or whatever. It's a community area, not a play party. Act like it or deservedly go to jail.) kink pusher as well for protocol and safety. Never know if the bondage is escapable.

[uemndlr]

I'd like to approach this from two angles.

First, why would we want to be tied up in public anyway?

Of course, because it feels good to be tied up, hugged by the ropes, we all know this. But why in public?

Some might have no opportunity to do it at home; no partner, and they're scared of risky self-bondage. And if they are tied up by somebody they just met on the internet, it's safer in a public place than being alone with him.

Others might want to send a statement, a bit like with a punk or gothic outfit: Look at me, I exist, I'm kinky and quirky, and I'm okay like this! And perhaps help normalize it, so people learn that bondage can be fun.

Or it could be an icebreaker, you immediately have a topic to talk about with strangers. And perhaps you might meet a like-minded person?

Then, practical reasons. It stops me from touching my face all the time.

Can you think of more good reasons?


Now second angle, let's take a minute to think about the thoughts and feelings of those who might object to public bondage.

First: "We don't want any crazy perverts here!"

Yes, therefore do it in Berlin, Amsterdam or Portland, and not in Karenville. And try to avoid sexual connotations. No skimpy or fetishy clothing, no submissive behaviour, make the bondage as casual as possible.

Second: "Think of the children!"

Yes, best would be to pick a place where there are no or very few children around. But if there are, sure, you don't want to traumatize them. Therefore make it light-hearted, chipper and simply normal.

Children might be curious and unafraid to ask simple questions like "why are you tied up?" Have a good response at hand, explain it's just a little fun, or that you've lost a bet. Not sure if you want to describe why it makes you feel good. Don't be creepy!

Third: "You will trip and fall!"

Yes, if you visit a museum with your hands tied behind your back, they might worry that you fall headfirst onto some priceless piece of art and make it all bloody. Not every artist will see that as an improvement.

And if you live in a country where a visit to the emergency room will cost you a lot of money, they'll worry you might try to sue them for compensation. Same as with "Stella vs McDonald's"; people mocked her a lot, but in fact she only sued because of her five-figure medical bills. Therefore, a museum guard might not accept bondage on their premises because they could get into trouble.

Therefore, no alcohol, no other things that might increase this risk. Wear a shirt that says "I'm a big boy and can look after myself", sign a liability waiver, get a proper health insurance, or well, accept that this place is not appropriate for tied people.

Perhaps start with something very harmless. Put your hands into a hair bobble behind your back. If somebody objects, you can pull them out immediately. And explain that you have this bad habit of picking your nose, biting your nails, or an eye or ear infection, and this is a way to keep you from scratching it all the time.

Try this a couple of times and see what happens. If nothing bad happens, would you dare to hide a cable tie underneath the hair bobble? Such that secretly, you cannot pull the hands out anymore??