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The following is some of the feedback we've been getting from our group surveys. We thought we'd share it in one place so you can see some of what we're talking about. (For those who haven't seen it yet, here's the survey. Feel free to complete it and send it to me even if you don't join the yahoo group. We'd still love to hear what you think.)

SURVEY QUESTIONS

- What does the online tickling community mean to you...just a place for fun, a big extended family, etc.?

- How did you come to join the online community?

- What tickling/fetish-related group(s) are you involved in (both online and IRL)?

- What is tickling to you...sexual, fun, both, other (explain)?

- On average, how much time to do you spend in online TK activities?

- Have you ever had the opportunity to attend a tickle gathering? If so, which one(s)?

- Do you have opportunities to enjoy tickling IRL? If so, about how often?

- If you had to pick one thing...What would you say is the greatest strength of the online tickling community?

- If you had to pick one thing...What would you say is the greatest weakness of the online tickling community ?

- If you had to come up with one thing that could be done to strengthen the community, what woud it be?

Some observations from the polls returned thusfar...

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- Most folks see the online community as a place to know that we aren't alone or weird in our enjoyment of tickling. Many also see it as a place to view/gather/share various TK media.  Still others see it as a tool for forming lasting friendships with like-minded people. 

- Most folks joined the online community after a web search or finding links at other fetish-related sites.

- Most folks are invovled in more than one online group...many being involved to varying degrees in numerous groups.

- Most folks find that tickling can be both sexual and playful, depending on the situation. However, there are many for whom it's strictly one or the other.

- Most folks spend two hours or less a day in online TK activities.

- Most folks have not attended a gathering. But, most have had some opportunity for play in other venues...some on a fairly regular basis.

- Most folks feel that the mere existence of the online community is it's greatest strength because it offers a sense of belonging. Many also see the diversity of those in the community as a strength.

- Most folks feel that the lack of respect and concern for one another's feelings is the greatest weakness in the online community. Some include the fact that moderation in various groups is ineffective at keeping this under control.  Most see that it is the sheer numbers that leads to this and tend to look beyond it to focus on the good. 

- Most folks feel that the community would be well served if we got to know one another better (including through gatherings and other real life opportunities). Many also feel that we should do our best to limit the power of the few trouble-makers around to ruin the atmosphere for the rest of those present.  The most often expressed idea of how to do this is simply to strengthen the positive members so that the negative ones don't get anywhere with their antics. 

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