Handkerchief Code

[Iseabail]

I am new to forum and generally everything BDSM, though I do admit to shifting through everything and reading to learn as much as I can. But the reason I have finally gathered the courage to post something is due to my siftings elsewhere on the web.

I had typed 'BDSM Glossary' on Google to see what sort of directories would appear and of course Wiki was one of the contenders. In their glossary something I never heard of, yet it should have been obvious was the mentioning of a secret code of sorts that had originated in the gay community.

'Handkerchief Code'. Different colors in different pockets would mean certain things. For example to not even jump into the myriad of colors, simply wearing the statement of wearing the handkerchief in either the left rear pocket or right rear pocket of the pants will declare whether you are a top, Dom, or Master if worn on the left, while on the other hand, positioning it in the right rear pocket declares being a bottom or submissive/slave.

To give a brief example of the color/design variances black means an interest in BDSM; particularly whipping, yellow for water sports, teal for CBT, and even hounds tooth for biting fetishes.

Now that I have given you an idea for those who have never encountered this idea like I had until earlier this night, I was wondering for those who have and haven't seen this - have you witnessed this. Wittingly or no. Have you practiced this personally? What do you think of the idea at all?

I have a curious analytical mind, so whenever I learn something new I like to get any and all perspectives from others on the idea. So, whatever information to give would be greatly appreciated.

So... thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post and question, and more thanks if you take the time to help me on my crusade for knowledge

And as warning from me, now that I have gathered courage, I probably will start posting numerous questions similarly or opinion topics such as philosophy and personally experience/history of BDSM/Dominants/submissives.

[_ID_]

I don't practice it, but have seen it used. Personally if I want to know if someone is top bottom Dom sub switch, I just ask them. So the handkerchief thing is not my style.

[leah06]

I don't understand it, actually. If someone was wearing a handkerchief in regular vanilla life I sure wouldn't feel free to assume that he or she was trying to send me some sort of secret bat signal. I guess it might be fun for some people at a munch or play party, but in that case I'm with ID - if you're in a situation where you already know folks are kinky, why not just ask?

[Ozme52]

As is common with such "practices" it started as a simple thing, a green handkerchief indicating your orientation and depending on which back pocket, you said whether you preferred being the bottom (receiver) or the top.

It seemed to spread, a black handkerchief indicating you were open to rough play.

But all the colors? Nonsense, created by people who thought to elaborate on the code because, if simple is good, complex must be better? LOL

Really? Who in their right mind would use a code that you'd need a cheat-sheet to decypher?

Excuuuuse me but you've totally misread my message.
This is a red and yellow, diagonally striped handkerchief with green piping and a BROWN houndstooth border in my RIGHT pocket.
RME's what a cretin!!

[Iseabail]

Thank you everyone so much for all your input! I did not expect anyone to reply at all to this thread so thank you for making my evening.

While it does seem quite silly to put into use a practice that as Ozme52 said, "requires a cheat sheet to decipher," it is still something interesting to me. Probably because due to my living in a small southern town, I could be walking the one block main street at a street fest and if I saw a handkerchief in either pocket it would be quite fun to imagine that just maybe they were putting the 'handkerchief code into use.

Even if they were not I would probably still laugh my ass off.

I assume it is quite easier for you to simply ask (ID, and leah06), so I am in agreement with you there. And Ozme52, from your post it seems almost as though you have encountered it before? If that is obvious, and I am simply restating it in the form of a stupid question, I apologize. Did you by chance once have a friend who thought this was the awesomest thing ever since white-out?

Did anyone?

[Ozme52]

And Ozme52, from your post it seems almost as though you have encountered it before? If that is obvious, and I am simply restating it in the form of a stupid question, I apologize. Did you by chance once have a friend who thought this was the awesomest thing ever since white-out?

LMAO Iseabail, that was long before white-out was invented.

[Iseabail]

Lol. Ozme52, that was a figure of speech! Okay, edit: Did you have a friend that perhaps thought this was the awesomest thing since molasses?

That percede the code far enough for you? Lmao.

[leah06]

I suppose, if you were very brave, you could go up to that person with the handkerchief and say, i can't help but notice that you have a pink-and-orange striped hanky in your back right pocket. Is that some kind of CODE? Then sit back and watch.

[Ozme52]

I suppose, if you were very brave, you could go up to that person with the handkerchief and say, i can't help but notice that you have a pink-and-orange striped hanky in your back right pocket. Is that some kind of CODE? Then sit back and watch.

LMAO leah. That tickles my fancy.

Lol. Ozme52, that was a figure of speech! Okay, edit: Did you have a friend that perhaps thought this was the awesomest thing since molasses?

That percede the code far enough for you? Lmao.

No. It was actually received as a fashion warning. What to avoid wearing so you wouldn't be saying your were gay (but back then the word was somewhat harsher.) We were also warned not to wear white socks with black or brown shoes, but that was an ethnic slur.

But the times, they were-a changing.

[brwneydgirl]

Does it mean something if someone wears a leather glove on one hand (I think it was his left)???

*** Please refrain from Michael Jackson references and jokes...I'm being serious.

I personally don't want to have to worry about hankies and gloves and colors and jeeze...I'm worried enough about not falling on my face and making sure I don't have an inadvertent "nip-slip" .

[Stagemaster]

The Hankie code was the way BDSM players found each other before the internet. It was away to identify other players in social and everyday circumstances. If you knew the code, you where in the scene. Remember we where not as acceptable then as we are now.

[skittish doe]

I had never heard of this until I read your intriguing thread. Now that I have been introduced to the concept, my solitary story-telling self does think that it is the most awesomest thing ever… (Although yeah-- in real life, I would have to defer to the sage advice of those above…)