Straw code for swingers?

**TNT** · 03-31-2004, 08:57 PM

I read an article last night written by a columnist for the "Village Voice". In her article she was talking about her visit to a swingers convention where she was teaching a sex workshop. While there she made a few observations regarding swingers.

One of the things she observed was a "straw code", much like the "hankie code" that gay men use.

A black straw in your drink meant that you were not interested in anything .

A yellow straw meant you were a full swap couple.

A pink straw meant you were bi.

I have never heard of this or seen any different color straws at any club or event we have ever been to.

So my question is...is this unique to the convention she attended, or have I totally missed seeing straws at the places we have been to?

Has anyone else ever heard of this?

Teresa

Here's a link to the
article if you want to read it.

EternallySingle · 03-31-2004, 09:09 PM

I think it was unique to that convention, but there are other ways to signal your intentions, like stamps or hospital style wrist bands. Given the situation, it makes it easier to know who to approach and who not to approach, meaning everyone would enjoy the evening more. One club I go to has live music and underage people (usually girls) have to wear green wristbands so they aren't sold alcohol. Another club, a primarily gay bar, stamps your hand with a chicken if you are straight. I don't get the reference, but it keeps gay men and women from hitting on straights.

SluttyWife · 03-31-2004, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TNT
I read an article last night written by a columnist for the "Village Voice". In her article she was talking about her visit to a swingers convention where she was teaching a sex workshop. While there she made a few observations regarding swingers.

One of the things she observed was a "straw code", much like the "hankie code" that gay men use.

A black straw in your drink meant that you were not interested in anything .

A yellow straw meant you were a full swap couple.

A pink straw meant you were bi.

I have never heard of this or seen any different color straws at any club or event we have ever been to.

So my question is...is this unique to the convention she attended, or have I totally missed seeing straws at the places we have been to?

Has anyone else ever heard of this?

Teresa

Here's a link to the
article if you want to read it.

Holy grazing cow!

I sure haven't but what a genius idea!

But perhaps we should spread the word and adopt!
I'm wondering now where to find these colour coded straws..

HELP

I wonder what colour we could assign to "soft swap"!

;-*

Slutty Wife

WhosBtchAmI · 03-31-2004, 09:28 PM

never heard of it but sounds like an AWSOME idea . . . would take the guess work outa who to aproach . . and why they may or may not be intrested in u lol

yawanna · 03-31-2004, 11:25 PM

yes I read that article and I thought I commented on it here? Maybe elsewhere

but we've never heard of a straw code. The hanky code I know of.. from the gay bdsm clubs.

newgentry · 04-01-2004, 05:37 AM

Actually I think that idea has been around for awhile - at least at the club (Carolina Friends) that we go to occasionally. They give you little colored dot stickers to put on your name badges - orange is for bi-curious as I recall, and I know they have colors for soft swing only, full swap and maybe BDSM too. Only thing is the dance floor is usually so dark you can't see the things. So its not a totally novel idea anyway.

Brit_Pair · 04-01-2004, 10:55 AM

Didn't I read somewhere (here on the board?) about a similar coding scheme that was determined by the brightness of the lamps on your table? Bright lamps meant you were happy to be seen and ready to play, whereas dimmer lamps allowed you to sit in comparative darkness watching all and being seen less.

b_and_sc · 04-01-2004, 01:15 PM

we had the colored straws at Hedo...it sure helped EVERYONE have a fun time...I think it's an awesome idea

b

meowkittyhascla · 04-01-2004, 01:48 PM

Can you imagine my straws...one for bi and full swap....gee...I hope the drinks are good! But it is a great idea.

couplegone2wild · 04-01-2004, 06:25 PM

I went to a swingers club in D.C. where they played swinger speed dating as a get to know each other type of thing. While we didnt have straws we were given different colored happy face stickers. It made me feel more comfortable.

J

Spoomonkey · 04-01-2004, 07:10 PM

At least - it will be at some point - as soon as I can find a chump to fund the study

Our club recently started using colored cups - I forget the code since we've only been once since they started using them

. But it was kind of funny because people who weren't paying attention would grab the wrong cups and - while I don't think it caused problems - it was a bit humorous. We'll catch on at some point - but when you mix liquer, the cups you drink said liquer from and a code so complicated it can confuse a Navaho - you are just asking for lots of laughs and red faces.

I know that a couple we are friends with - who are "couples only" - spent the night wondering why in the hell so many single guys approached them... I waited to long too tell them, but they were just so damn cute coming up with "kind but firm" ways to say "no".

Spoomonkey

Tom & Bonnie · 04-01-2004, 09:10 PM

The Colored Straw idea was at the N'awlins in November Convention last year.

It was not that well known even there as the organizers forgot to put notices out to everyone and at the bars where you picked up your straw.

So, imagine the suprise of the unwary colorblind gentleman who inadvertently picked up a pink straw!

Cheers

***JustAskJulie*** · 04-07-2004, 04:59 PM

I'm thinking wrist bands would work best.. it's something you already are wearing for the convention itself usually, so to have different colored ones indicate different things wouldn't be a big deal. And it would be a one time thing instead of having to constantly remember to pick up the right colored straw every time you get a drink.

Paul&Audrey · 04-09-2004, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SluttyWife
I wonder what colour we could assign to "soft swap"!

;-*

Slutty Wife

Ummmmmm, Slutty? If you were to find the color for Soft-swing, or FFM 3somes even, could you perhaps post your findings here? Baremama & I would be most appreciative!!
Thank you...HELP

javelin · 04-14-2004, 10:14 PM

I saw this in action at Hedo 3 in June 2003 with a lifestyles group. I then suggested our group going to Desire in June 2004 use this as a light hearted way to break the ice. I had a whole rainbow of colors to mean many different things. I was then basically compared to the Nazi branding of Jews in WWII. DO NOT propose the straw idea amoung a group that may contain nudists. Nudists are offened by labels. Needless to say, I moved on from that group.

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03-31-2004, 08:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
TNT Julie's Helper Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 5,003 Location: baker, fl, usa Status: couple Swing Lifestyle Name:tblonde312	Straw code for swingers? I read an article last night written by a columnist for the "Village Voice". In her article she was talking about her visit to a swingers convention where she was teaching a sex workshop. While there she made a few observations regarding swingers. One of the things she observed was a "straw code", much like the "hankie code" that gay men use. A black straw in your drink meant that you were not interested in anything . A yellow straw meant you were a full swap couple. A pink straw meant you were bi. I have never heard of this or seen any different color straws at any club or event we have ever been to. So my question is...is this unique to the convention she attended, or have I totally missed seeing straws at the places we have been to? Has anyone else ever heard of this? Teresa Here's a link to the article if you want to read it.
	__________________ Ted and Teresa No lifetime is enough unless you live it in such a way as to make it enough.

03-31-2004, 09:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
EternallySingle Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,035 Location: Michigan Status: Single Male Swing Lifestyle Name:ABSingleMan	I think it was unique to that convention, but there are other ways to signal your intentions, like stamps or hospital style wrist bands. Given the situation, it makes it easier to know who to approach and who not to approach, meaning everyone would enjoy the evening more. One club I go to has live music and underage people (usually girls) have to wear green wristbands so they aren't sold alcohol. Another club, a primarily gay bar, stamps your hand with a chicken if you are straight. I don't get the reference, but it keeps gay men and women from hitting on straights.
	__________________ "Style is not lusting after somone because they are cool. Style is loving yourself till everyone else does too." Prince

03-31-2004, 09:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
WhosBtchAmI Active Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 15 Location: Clearwater Fl Status: Married Female	never heard of it but sounds like an AWSOME idea . . . would take the guess work outa who to aproach . . and why they may or may not be intrested in u lol
	__________________ There once was a penis so fine, The inches it had were nine, It trust in me so deap, That it made me weap, And now I scream all the time © 2004+ WhosBtchAmI

04-01-2004, 10:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Brit_Pair Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3,635 Location: UK Status: Couple	Didn't I read somewhere (here on the board?) about a similar coding scheme that was determined by the brightness of the lamps on your table? Bright lamps meant you were happy to be seen and ready to play, whereas dimmer lamps allowed you to sit in comparative darkness watching all and being seen less.
	__________________ *It's not going to be an orgy. It's a toga party . . .*

03-31-2004, 11:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
yawanna Has Left the Building Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,176 Location: Canada Status: married female	yes I read that article and I thought I commented on it here? Maybe elsewhere but we've never heard of a straw code. The hanky code I know of.. from the gay bdsm clubs.

04-01-2004, 05:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
newgentry Here to Stay Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 60 Location: Kansas Status: Couple	Actually I think that idea has been around for awhile - at least at the club (Carolina Friends) that we go to occasionally. They give you little colored dot stickers to put on your name badges - orange is for bi-curious as I recall, and I know they have colors for soft swing only, full swap and maybe BDSM too. Only thing is the dance floor is usually so dark you can't see the things. So its not a totally novel idea anyway.

04-01-2004, 01:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
b_and_sc Swingers Board Addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 112 Location: Michigan Status: couple	we had the colored straws at Hedo...it sure helped EVERYONE have a fun time...I think it's an awesome idea b

04-01-2004, 01:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
meowkittyhascla Swingers Board Addict Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 128 Location: MO Status: Couple	Can you imagine my straws...one for bi and full swap....gee...I hope the drinks are good! But it is a great idea.
	__________________ Love is merely a madness...cured by chocolate!!!

04-01-2004, 06:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
couplegone2wild Active Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19 Location: St. Louis Status: Couple	club in D.C. I went to a swingers club in D.C. where they played swinger speed dating as a get to know each other type of thing. While we didnt have straws we were given different colored happy face stickers. It made me feel more comfortable. J

04-01-2004, 07:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
Spoomonkey Chimpin' Ain't Easy Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 6,739 Location: Ohio Status: Married Monkeys - will you be our vine? Swing Lifestyle Name:Spoomonkey	STRAW CODE LINKED TO MOUTH CANCER!!! At least - it will be at some point - as soon as I can find a chump to fund the study Our club recently started using colored cups - I forget the code since we've only been once since they started using them . But it was kind of funny because people who weren't paying attention would grab the wrong cups and - while I don't think it caused problems - it was a bit humorous. We'll catch on at some point - but when you mix liquer, the cups you drink said liquer from and a code so complicated it can confuse a Navaho - you are just asking for lots of laughs and red faces. I know that a couple we are friends with - who are "couples only" - spent the night wondering why in the hell so many single guys approached them... I waited to long too tell them, but they were just so damn cute coming up with "kind but firm" ways to say "no". Spoomonkey
	__________________ "Eros will have naked bodies; Friendship naked personalities." - C. S. Lewis

04-01-2004, 09:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tom & Bonnie Club Owners Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 280 Location: San Antonio, Texas Status: Couple	The Colored Straw idea was at the N'awlins in November Convention last year. It was not that well known even there as the organizers forgot to put notices out to everyone and at the bars where you picked up your straw. So, imagine the suprise of the unwary colorblind gentleman who inadvertently picked up a pink straw! Cheers
	__________________ Tom & Bonnie The Player's Club San Antonio, TX 877-490-9377

04-07-2004, 04:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
*JustAskJulie* Your Hostess Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 29,288 Location: In my House Status: Female Swing Lifestyle Name:swingersboard	I'm thinking wrist bands would work best.. it's something you already are wearing for the convention itself usually, so to have different colored ones indicate different things wouldn't be a big deal. And it would be a one time thing instead of having to constantly remember to pick up the right colored straw every time you get a drink.
	__________________ Julie - your hostess The Swinger Manual - all the info from the Swingers Board in one convenient book

04-14-2004, 10:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
javelin Here to Stay Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 19 Location: Fl Status: Couple	I saw this in action at Hedo 3 in June 2003 with a lifestyles group. I then suggested our group going to Desire in June 2004 use this as a light hearted way to break the ice. I had a whole rainbow of colors to mean many different things. I was then basically compared to the Nazi branding of Jews in WWII. DO NOT propose the straw idea amoung a group that may contain nudists. Nudists are offened by labels. Needless to say, I moved on from that group.

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