I'm a long time reader of all the tickle related internet sites and groups, going back about 3 years I guess. Well, now I have decided its about time I posted something. You've probably all read people saying what their "ticklishness" is, you know, X on a scale of 1 to 10, or whatever. But what does that really mean? One person's 10 may be another's 5 since it's all relative. So, as a fun exercise, I've tried to classify the degrees of ticklishness I've encountered based on the types of REACTIONS from the ticklee. These descriptions apply to male or female, so let me know what you think and feel free to add to the list!
1) The Stoic Type (% of the population - probably about 10 - 15%) These are the not ticklish at all people - in any degree. No amount of poking or stroking can get a smile or twitch out of these people. To them, tickling is nothing more than a touch feeling. These people are not that much fun for the tickling enthusiasts!
2) The Smile/Twitch/Giggle Type (% of the population - about 30 - 40%) These are the ones who will twitch or jump a little when tickled or even break a smile or giggle. They are usually the ones who react when tickled by surprise, but can eventually "get used to it" and become stoic. The smile types usually don't mind being tickled for a long period of time, since the sensation, although ticklish, isn't that strong.
3) The Laughing Type (% of the population - about 30 - 40% Now were talkin! These are the people who laugh, squirm and try to escape from a good tickle. They are also the ones who try to "tough it out" by not laughing, but eventually break down. The best part about the laughing types is that they beg really well, because although they are laughing, they are still coherent enough to plead! The laughing types also tend to be the ones who say (while laughing and squirming) "I'm not ticklish..." even though they obviously are.
4) The Insanely Ticklish (% of the population - probably about 10 - 15% maybe less) These are the types that are usually characterized in fictional tickling tales - insanely ticklish to the slightest touch anywhere on their body. These people freak out even at the mention of being tickled, and it's pure torture for them. These people do not laugh when tickled - they shriek, scream or even cry! They thrash and kick, sometimes injuring themselves or someone close by. Unlike the "laughing" type, the words uttered by the insanely ticklish are usually incoherent babble. Again, like the stoics, these types are usually no fun for the tickle enthusiast, simply because they would NEVER allow a consensual tickle session.
On average, I'd say most people are in the 2 or 3 range, with some not being ticklish at all and some being unbelievably ticklish. It's like a bell curve - most people fall into the average. Also, people can have different ranges on different parts of their body - like not ticklish on their feet but insanely ticklish on their sides.
People's levels of ticklishness can also depend on their mood or state of mind, but I've never seen a huge discrepancy. Usually its one up or one down the scale. I've never seen anyone go from insanely ticklish to not ticklish at all, or vice versa.
As far as the best ticklee - I'd have to go with either 2 or 3, since 1 is no fun a all and a 4 would never let you do it. Those who are mildly ticklish (2) may not mind the pleasant tickling at all, occasionally giggling or jumping when you hit a sensitive area. The 3 category types can sometimes be talked into it, as long as you don't push your luck and respect their limits.
The best ticklERS are also ranges 2 and 3, since the idea of playful tickling never occurs to someone who isn't at all ticklish themselves, and the insanely ticklish NEVER tickle someone first - out of fear of a tickling retaliation. The 3 range tickLER is great for the "revenge" tickle - like "now let's see how YOU like it...", whereas the 2 range person is happy to return the favor!
Well, that's it for now. Again - these are just opinions based on my own observations and experiances. What do you think!! ~JC~
We think that this scale overall is very accurate as referring to the general population and that's why we are posting it on our website. While all of us ticklers would love to believe that everyone likes being tickled or doesn't mind being tickled - it just isn't true. Over the years in our own experiences we have heard someone from every range and degree of ticklishness say how much they hate it, how childlish it is and also how immature the act of tickling can be. They also tell us how our consciences are quieted by the laughter, which is associated with happiness, when in fact to them we are causing pain and anguish.
On the other hand we have also come accross those who enjoy being tickled and consider it a great means of the touch process and foreplay! Also there are those who just simply get turned on by being tickled, and consider it a big part of their sexual adulthood and everyday lives. To these people, being a range 4 holds no barriers for they love it too much! Yes, we are still a minority in the fetish world, and finding those range 4 people is still very rare, but if you haven't noticed, the tickling community is growing and more and more people are getting involved. Alone we are not anymore! Great job on the scale JC - We think for the most part it holds true.
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