Successful 'Flagging' Stories (Full Version)

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Mercnbeth -> Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 12:41:45 PM)

A couple of the threads concerning seeking out opportunities to fulfill fantasies brought this question to mind. Has anyone ever achieved that goal with by 'flagging', using the "Hanky Code"?

Displaying the hanky that corresponds with your fantasy may be the passive aggressive way to advertise for what you are seeking. It also provides the perfect back out - if the person who wants to act upon the hanky doesn't meet your required physical appearance requirements you can always say its just there for fashion and never realized what the hanky represented. On the other hand, if you always fantasized about sucking arm pits or having your armpits sucked - a magenta hanky displayed in the correct pocket, may provide you with that opportunity. Remember, color determines activity - the left or right side indicates which side of the activity you are after.

I remember that this practice originated in the gay community, and I remember hearing it was effective. I used to notice them often in the Village, but that was quite a few years ago. Similar to a lot of ideas that originated in the gay community that were adopted by the BDSM community I've noticed that some leather shops actually have a hanky section, along with the color meaning, displayed.

beth, being very much into costuming, got us a few. We've managed to acquire a collection over the years. Black, gray, dark pink, yellow, and polka dots on white to name a few, but still waiting for the first person or persons to walk up to us on Melrose Street or anywhere else and say; "nice hanky", or something to that effect. Maybe it's like seeing collars on Melrose, you can't assume seeing a collar means you are seeing a submissive or slave. Many times its purely a fashion statement.

Thus far, we've never initiated or had contact imitated with us because of the hankies we wear, but were wondering if anyone else ever has. Every year at Folsom, and the Folsom Fringe we "flag"; but those events are too wild to tell if the flags have anything to do with what we end up doing.

LA - We've only been around CM for 4 years - but I remember this topic ever coming up before. In fact, I don't ever remember flagging or "Hanky Color-Code" being discussed. If it hasn't - Do we win a prize?

There are many sites on this subject for reference. This one covers the broadest spectrum and has objects other than hankies used to advertise. If nothing else, it may enlighten some on what they are "saying" by their fashion statement hanky. Enjoy: http://www.the-px.com/flagging.htm

Fun huh? Juvenile and silly topic concerning the serious nature of our lifestyle and community? Why sure - but hey, it's Friday and light, silly, juvenile fun is only a few hours away...



earthycouple -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 12:44:02 PM)

I'm off to buy hankies and do a test run!  I'll get back to you in 6 or 8 months. 



LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 12:48:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth
LA - We've only been around CM for 4 years - but I remember this topic ever coming up before. In fact, I don't ever remember flagging or "Hanky Color-Code" being discussed. If it hasn't - Do we win a prize?

Rarely, but it's happened.

Flagging works for me in that I recognize the major ones and they definitely can attract me.  The fact that someone has taken the time to understand and use flagging as part of their ensemble is a good sign right off for me.

It's a quickly disappearing code- which is understandable because heteros are uncomfy with the concept of cruising and casual play and don't need it.  But I hope it survives and thrives.

http://www.collarchat.com/m_1149033/mpage_1/key_flagging/tm.htm#1149268
Is there an identifier?

http://www.collarchat.com/m_1044083/mpage_1/key_flagging/tm.htm#1044334
left or right?

http://www.collarchat.com/m_984698/mpage_1/key_flagging/tm.htm#984895
what can one do?  Signs?  Signals?

http://www.collarchat.com/m_991025/mpage_1/key_flagging/tm.htm#991359
how do you know?

http://www.collarchat.com/m_270187/mpage_1/key_flagging/tm.htm#270355
public symbols

http://www.collarchat.com/m_245506/mpage_3/key_flagging/tm.htm#411784
wondering about symbols, ways to identify oneself discreetly, but more public



ELUSIVE1 -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 12:53:06 PM)

I have been to several lifestyle events that use the 'hankies', even lay out the variety of colors at the welcome table...I personally haven't used them or identified with them...



TallDarkAndWitty -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:01:30 PM)


I remember one leather/bdsm store in NYC back in the late 90's had a big hanky display with all of the various colors and various meanings.  It also had a note saying that this was more myth than reality.

I don't flag, and I don't look for them.  I prefer eye contact.  I can usually tell within ten seconds of a girl will do whatever I want...and that is all I need to know. *smile*

Taggard



LetUsGoThen -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:15:58 PM)

We've only seen it in "Old Guard" clubs.  I think that they might be primarily a communicator in the gay community since they can't communicate gender preference, thus ineffective for a well-rounded crowd.



Mercnbeth -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:20:33 PM)

quote:

I don't flag, and I don't look for them. 
Taggard, 
Come on - tell the truth. What's the color of the one you are wearing on your head in your avatar picture?



marieToo -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:21:21 PM)

::::covering my underarms and running the fuck away from the hanky freaks:::



TallDarkAndWitty -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:27:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth
Come on - tell the truth. What's the color of the one you are wearing on your head in your avatar picture?


Navy blue with little hiking boot prints...  Does that mean I like to trample people while listening to the Village People?

I have done the black bandanna in back left pocket...many years ago...but gave it up after it really didn't seem to make much of a difference.

Taggard



Archer -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:49:20 PM)

Yay flagging, LOL.

Leaving the headline titl of my "Justice Weekly" and a saxiphone pin visable on the breicase, LOL.

(History buffs might get that one)



Mercnbeth -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:51:51 PM)

quote:

Navy blue with little hiking boot prints...  Does that mean I like to trample people while listening to the Village People?


No - Actually, according to the source provided it means you are pretty vanilla and just like to fuck. Of course the meaning may be different wearing it on your head.

Any plans to get back to this end of the world?



TallDarkAndWitty -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:54:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth
Any plans to get back to this end of the world?


We would love to!!!  But life keeps getting in the way!  We have a new "live-in" (9 weeks or so) and we are going through all the ups-and-downs that comes with it.  But it looks like a really great match.

Haven't been out west since Vegas.  Would love to go back...  Maybe when the weather turns cold here...LA could be a nice break.

Taggard



GhitaAmati -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 1:54:45 PM)

I know folks in my local community to wear the hankies, and our local leather store has cards you can buy with the meaning....but ive noticed that past the first 15 or so common ones, the odd ball colors seem to be local rules, and can differ from place to place.

Ive never picked anyone up from them...most peope I see wearing them are gay men so it wouldnt do me much good...but I do often ask people if there hanky means anything if I see one hanging out of a back pocket at the mall.



Phin -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 2:14:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TallDarkAndWitty


I remember one leather/bdsm store in NYC back in the late 90's had a big hanky display with all of the various colors and various meanings.  It also had a note saying that this was more myth than reality.

I could see myself walking in and helping myself to two handfulls, one for each back pocket, and splitting my keys onto seperate keyrings too...



brightspot -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 2:38:53 PM)

Ahhhhhh, I'm disapointed[&o], there were none for lesbian submissive, must be a gay man thing by the looks of it.
 
Missy.



MadRabbit -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 2:53:03 PM)

I have a general understanding of it.

Its actually quite useful to know the whole ordeal because when you hang around Leatherfolk, you can tell a lot of information about them based on the pins on their uniforms, position and placement of a key ring on their belt, choice and position of certain wristbands, and hankerchiefs.

From what I understand, it all varies based on what part of the country you are on, but I learned a general understanding of it since a lot of the people I made friends with were in fact Leather.

It turned out to be pretty useful. The few events I went to, I was able to tell things about the people who used the tradition like who was dominant/submissive, who was top/bottom/switch, and who was single/taken.

When I was around people who followed the "Earn Your Leather" tradition, I got a pretty good idea of who was the most experienced based on how much leather they wore.

I never actually played when I went out in the local scene, but the basic understanding of the hankerchief code let me know just who was into what with some people. Useful information.

Its been roughly 6 months though since I have ventured out to any local community or much so I only vaguely remember specifics of the whole "Uniform Code". I need to pull out my notes and refresh before I go back out. 



DarkDaddyZ -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 6:44:27 PM)

I have met play partners at events who saw what I was flagging and used that to start conversation that lead to play and one long term relationship.



catize -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 7:48:45 PM)

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'hanky panky'  



Joseff -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/27/2007 7:58:07 PM)

I have worn, or rather carried, bandannas for years. Since I was 15 or so. Everywhere I go, someone tells me they mean something different, I guess there are a lot of different codes. My usual response it to pull it out, blow my nose on it, and stuff it back in my pocket. I guess if you're really interested, make sure you know your local code, and display accordingly.
Joseff



MisPandora -> RE: Successful 'Flagging' Stories (7/28/2007 2:37:09 AM)

I can't say that I see hankies at all in the pansexual spaces I'm in, unless they are on a leatherman or a dyke daddy or boi.  Femmes, not so much since we're usually in skirts, corsets, garters and the like. 

A rare exception was from MOB in Boston who created these cool hanky pins as a fundraiser -- little squares of hanky in various colors with a kilt pin you could pin on a vest or shirt.  I could see that being something that other groups elsewhere might pick up on.

Personally, I'm a left black, hunter, grey, purple, maroon, yellow and tan, not that anyone is checking..... 



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