Names, Tags, Numbers, Labels

There is a great song from the 70's written and recorded by Albert Hammond (the Never Rains in Southern California guy). It is titled Names, Tags, Numbers, Labels. I have pasted the song lyrics below with a link to the Hammond website.

As I read sun's post about people trying to categorize her submissiveness, I remembered this ancient (my categorizing) song. Looks like people will always be people. Guess it is easier to just categorize people according to your own personal taxonomy, instead of trying to get to know them as individuals. I am as guilty of this as anyone. Sometimes it is hard work to go out of your way to meet, talk, and listen to another. To find out whom they really are. Then you can truly know them.
It is easier to just Label them: an idiot, a moron, slave, dick-head....
But we miss an opportunity to know another viewpoint, a different path, an individual soul.

As much as the D/s community seems to be one big group of people that are alike, it is as diverse and varied as any other community. All types of persons, ages, genders, sexual pursuations, races, cultures, etc... It takes time and effort to stop, get out of your own bubble, and listen to another viewpoint , but in the end it is so Worth it.
I think the best thing I have gotten from being involved in the D/s community in the past 9 years (both on and off line) is to be amazed at how varied people are. I don't always agree with everyone's viewpoint or the way they interpret or practice D/s, but I try to see it from their perspective, and respect their differences.
It is not easy, and I will be the first to tell you I still use Names, Tags, Number, Labels too much.
But as reminded by sun, when we do that we actually miss an opportunity to learn, and grow just a bit, but grow none the less and move on further down the path.

Have a good day.


SirW



Names, tags, numbers, labels
song lyrics as performed by Albert Hammond:

Names
I know a man
Who drowns his sorrows in the cheapest booze
He knows he hasn't got that much to lose
Wino

Names
I know a man
Who speaks the language of another class
He sees nothin' in the looking glass
Phony

Names, tags, numbers, labels
Other people teach you what you are
You believe them as a rule
While my name for you is beautiful
Your name for me is fool

Tags
I know a kid
Somehow the ball game doesn't interest him
Isn't this where it all begins?
Sissy

Tags
She's twenty-five
She wants a family and a house to run
Her sister always was the pretty one
Lonely

Names, tags, numbers, labels
Other people teach you what you are
You believe them as a rule
While my name for you is beautiful
Your name for me is fool

Numbers
There's no escape 'cause time will do a number on us all
Your age is scrawled across the office wall
Old man

Labels
You gave me mine
At the time I took it casually
Is that all you really thought of me?
Sucker

Names, tags, numbers, labels
Other people teach you what you are
You believe them as a rule
While my name for you is beautiful
Your name for me is fool
Hm-hm-hm

Names, tags, numbers, hm, labels

(http://www.alberthammond.net/).