What I Am
A submissive is one who enjoys having any of a variety of BDSM practices performed upon them by a dominant; or one who holds a submissive position within a relationship based upon dominance and submission (D/s). This enjoyment can spring from a simple desire for submission or an enjoyment of the interplay of wills involved in such a scenario. A submissive is also referred to as a “sub”, where the dominant in a D/s relationship is the ‘Dom.’
The main difference between a submissive and a bottom is that the submissive ostensibly does not give instructions, although they do set limits on what the Dominant can do.
There are also indications that submissives substantially outnumber Dominants, in both males and females. Professional Dominants provide stimulatory services (which may or may not include sex) for those unable to find a compatible partner for this activity.
There are some indications that preference in D/s activities follows a ‘compensatory’ pattern, with people who have much power and responsibility in real life often preferring a submissive role; no hard scientific data to either confirm or reject this hypothesis seem to exist, however.
In many BDSM communities, there is a distinction between a submissive and a slave. In this context, a slave’s goal is surrender and obedience. In contrast, a submissive tends to expect some gratification in return for his or her submission.
Top and bottom in sex and BDSM wikipedia
