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TES Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT'S
A TES MEETING LIKE?
HOW
DID TES GET ITS NAME?
WHAT'S
A TES NOVICE EXCURSION?
WHAT'S
A TES MEETING LIKE?
First of all you are never forced to say or
do anything at a TES meeting it's completely safe. If all
you want to do is sit and watch, that's okay. There is no
dress code. Some people are dressed from work, some are casual,
some wear leather or fetish clothes. There are singles as
well as couples. All sexual orientations are welcome.
Attendance runs from 20 people to 100 depending on various factors.
TES meets at 357 W36th Street, on the 3rd Floor .
Doors open at 7:30. Non-members Donations $8 (members of TES
and other leather/fetish organizations $4) at the door. At
the door you can pick up free literature on TES including a three-month
calendar of events. You can also buy Prometheus,
our publication at reduced prices.
Click here for info if your interested in subscribing
to Prometheus You can
also ask questions at the door.
Many people socialize until the presentation
starts at 8pm. At 8:00 pm we do some announcements and the program
begins. Every meeting is different - depending on the topic
and the presenter(s). Sometimes there is a panel or a demo.
The presentation lasts about one hour.
After the presentation, we take a 10 minute
break for socializing. Then we come back and put the chairs
into a big circle. We go once around the circle. Everyone
has the opportunity to say their name and what they are into.
It is okay to just say "pass" or use a pseudonym or say
that you are new and exploring. It is interesting to hear
who's into what.
Then after we have gone around once, we have an open discussion
on any topics. Because there are so many people, the people
that wish to speak must raise their hands and be called on.
The circle lasts until 10:15 or so.
Afterwards we ask that people put the chairs
back. We then go up stairs to the restaurant for coffee or
snacks or dinner and hang out and talk some more.
HOW
DID TES GET ITS NAME?
The Eulenspiegel Society (TES)
received its name as a result of the following excerpt from Theodore
Reik's Masochism in Modern Man:
"German folklore tells many
tales of the peculiar behavior of the foolish yet clever lad Till
Eulenspiegel. This rogue used to feel dejected on his wanderings
whenever he walked downhill striding easily, but he seemed very
cheerful when he had to climb uphill laboriously. His explanation
of his behavior was that in going downhill he could not help thinking
of the effort and toil involved in climbing the next hill. While
engaged in the toil of climbing he anticipated and enjoyed in
his imagination the approach of his downhill stroll.
One feels tempted to see in such strange behavior a paradox reminiscent
of masochism, an expression of worldly wisdom. It sounds like
a reminder to keep one's chin up in hardships and worries and
not to become presumptuous in times of ease and comfort.
Willfully and obstinately the
masochist opposes his own rhythm to that which rules all our lives.
He is one measure (or several) ahead or behind in the suspense
as well as in the perverse act.
By this detour we again have met that rogue Till Eulenspiegel
and his peculiar conduct during his wanderings. When he is leisurely
walking downhill he is downcast. When he toils up the hill he
is happy. He gladly submits to discomfort, enjoys it, even transforms
it into pleasure.
This, however, constitutes the very essence of masochism. The
masochist and Till Eulenspiegel obey another rhythm, their own.
They do not march in step with us. Perhaps that is because they
hear another drummer.
" Please remember that TES
was founded by masochists for masochists and only later became
an S/M liberation group.
WHAT'S
A TES NOVICE EXCURSION?
TES novice excursions are nice
because it gives a bit of a chance to get to know other people (both
novices and experienced TES members) in the bright light of a coffee
shop before going to the club.
It is always easier to be at a club when you know some of the people
there.
It's okay to come as a single or
a couple. There is no dress code but be clean! The gathering begins
at 9:30pm at the Chelsea Gallery on 7th Ave. btwn 14th &
15th Street
Find the group in the back usually all wearing mainly black. At
around 11:30pm , after dinner or coffee or a snack, they'll go to
the club together. A club will be chosen that night depending on
what's happening and where people want to go.
Click Here to check out our calendar
for Novice Night Dates
TES does not charge anything for
these excursions. Everyone is responsible for his/her own bill at
the restaurant (make sure you tip the waiter!) and everyone pays
his/her own way into the club. Some of the clubs give a discount
to all those attending with the Novice Excursion. |
