issue 28// vol 45 opinions // no. 15 Keep BDSM in the bedroom » Wearing fetish apparel in public is inappropriate Jessica Berget Opinions Editor could also possibly give them a negative or unhealthy perception of sex if it’s their first experience with something of that nature. It’s also disturbing to adults. J don’t think anybody wants to know the sexual preferences and fetishes of strangers and even if they do, a public street is not the best place to find that out. The only time I think this kind of clothing would be acceptable to wear ina public setting of any sort would be at certain adult-themed events such as a gay club, nighttime pride events, or maybe a kinky Halloween party. Otherwise, keep your fetish gear at home. To me, sex and sexuality should be a private affair. I don’t even like to see people kiss in public to be quite honest, so seeing people brazenly wearing gag balls, leather dog masks, and bondage gear in broad daylight is a little too much to deal with. People’s particular kinks, fetishes, or preferences in the bedroom should only be between the people consensually engaging in these acts, not shared with the general public. Please leave your collars, latex, leashes, and fursuits at home. It’s uncomfortable for anyone who sees you wearing it, especially for kids, and just plain inappropriate in a non-private setting. Arachnids are all right with me » Why you shouldn't kill spiders in your home N: too long ago while I was walking around Vancouver, I had the misfortune of seeing someone wearing a leather fetish dog mask. You would think that this was an isolated incident, but sadly this was not the first time I’ve witnessed people wearing fetish gear firsthand. Now, I’m not one to kink-shame and I understand wanting to own and be proud of your sexuality, but if you think wearing this kind of apparel or any other sexual, kinky, or BDSM gear in public is okay then I will shame you. I don’t care what you do in the comfort of your own bedroom, but I do care when people decide to publicize their kinks. It’s inappropriate and, if you ask me, a little creepy. There is a time and a place for wearing fetish gear and being in public in the middle of the day is certainly not it. For one thing, there is a good chance that children will see that, which could be disturbing to them. If they are too young to be aware of that aspect of human sexuality, seeing people wear fetish garb can be confusing and even scary to them. I think seeing these overt demonstrations of kinks and fetishes Illustration by Cara Seccafien What gets your goat? > Flip-flops are the absolute worst / security = for your feet and leave = . Jessica Berget Opinions Editor them exposed to all elements so walking around in them in public can make your feet susceptible to all sorts of spills, dirt, or waste materials—and believe me, you don't want to step in any sort of waste in flip-flops. They provide none of the safety or comfort that other sandals or shoes do. They might be good for romping around not the smartest one. Spiders aren't as scary as they look and don't often do harm to people. You don't need to be afraid of spiders biting you because they’re not biologically built to attack large mammals; most species either physically can’t puncture Jessica Berget Opinions Editor lip-flops or thongs are the summer footwear of choice for many people. I can understand why—to an extent. Yes, they’re easy to slip on, great for walking on the beach or small distances, and super casual. However, this flimsy footwear is not as great at it first appears. If you ask pias this: It’s u at night and youre getting ready to go to bed. As you lay down you notice a black spot wriggling around on your ceiling. It’s your worst nightmare: A spider. What do you do? If you have arachnophobia like many others do, chances are your first instinct is to kill it. However, killing this creepy, crawly friend may actually be to your detriment. To many people's disbelief, spiders can provide some benefits that go unnoticed and are important to our ecosystems. For one thing, they kill all the other bugs in your house that you don't want such as mosquitos, flies, moths, earwigs, roaches, and even other spiders. So, killing them would mean a lot of other insects might become permanent guests in your home, which is a lot more annoying than one tiny spider friend. Spiders also help to pollinate plants, recycle other dead insects and animals, and area food source for many other animals such as birds, fish, and mammals. Killing them may seem like the easiest option, but it’s our skin or aren't venomous enough to have a serious effect on humans. They almost always only bite if they are provoked and usually try to avoid humans. If you really are uncomfortable with spiders in your home, I would recommend catching them and then releasing them outside rather than squishing them. Before you do that however, I think it’s important to note that many spiders are accustomed to living indoors and have little chance of survival outdoors. Putting them outside could be fatal to them because they are not adapted to the cold. Spiders are the unsung heroes of pest control; you don’ realize how much work they do for our ecosystem until it’s too late. They won't hurt you unless you hurt them first—so if you ever find them in your house they should be welcomed and not cast out like vermin. me, they are the most unreliable shoe ever made, if you could even consider that sad piece of rubber and plastic a shoe. I would rather walk barefoot through fire than to have one even touch my foot. First of all, they make the worst sound when walking with them. The constant flip-flopping sound that gives them their cursed name when you walk in them may be satisfying to some, but to me and possibly many others it is massively irritating. Talso hate the way the feel when you wear them. They feel gross no matter how clean they may be. I find they tend to get dirty easily, which as a consequence makes my feet feel dirty and dry, causing them to be all the more uncomfortable. Moreover, the piece of plastic that goes between your toes constantly digs into the webs of your toes, making it painful to walk around in. Flip-flops also provide no the house or at the beach but otherwise they are not dependable whatsoever. Flip- flops are also not good for your feet. They provide no arch or heel support, protection, or shock absorption and they fall off and break way too easily. I like to feel a sense of protection in my shoes, and flip flops provide nothing but an uncomfortably casual appearance and blisters. Many claim that they’re more comfortable to wear in the hot heat of summer, but when it’s 40 above I don’t think footwear makes much of a difference. Finally, ina moment of desperation they are the worst if you have to run anywhere. In my opinion, they might as well be called flops because of how poorly they are designed. These pathetic examples of footwear should not be accepted. Flip-flops may be cheap and convenient, but they are also gross, unsafe, and unsanitary. Do yourself a favour and get some real sandals instead of these cheap plastic hazards.