Domination & submission _ the BDSM relationship handbook ( PDFDrive )

Types of Collars
A collar represents, for the individuals involved, whatever they agree that it
represents. In other words, no one should attempt to define the symbolism,
meaning or significance of another person’s collar. It would be very much like
trying to tell a married person what her wedding ring is supposed to symbolize.
Each collar means something different to the person wearing it. Even so, there
are several generic classifications of collars which you may encounter that
typically have the same meaning to just about everyone in the BDSM lifestyle.
In other words, if you want your collar to mean something else entirely, it’s
probably not a good idea to use one of the following names for it:
Velcro Collar
Velcro collars don’t really exist, at least not in the sense that the term is
generally used in the BDSM community. It’s a derogatory term used by people
in the lifestyle who take their collars very seriously to describe the practice of
collaring indiscriminately and often, without regard to whether or not there is
any real relationship at its core. The rapid growth of BDSM related internet chat
rooms, games, and instant messaging programs have contributed to an online
environment where casual and often anonymous experimentation occurs with
few significant or lingering consequences. As a result, it is not at all unusual to
see brand new, curious or naïve self-proclaimed Dominants collaring several
new submissives each day. The commitment associated with accepting such a
collar is typically limited to a one-night-stand of cybersex, after which the status
of the pseudo-relationship is dubious, at best.
One of the things that make so-called Velcro collars a common phenomenon, at
least in the online BDSM community, is the unfortunate tendency on the part of
new submissives to believe that they must find a Master immediately, and at all
costs. This is not only foolish, but can be extremely dangerous, especially for
brand new, naïve submissives who haven’t yet learned how to protect
themselves from the predators and abusers who are sometimes drawn to the
lifestyle like moths to a flame. It’s reminiscent of the old Steve Martin joke
about how to be a millionaire. (“First, get a million dollars.”) Similarly, there
are many curious people exploring the lifestyle right now who believe that the
key to becoming a submissive is, “First, get a Master.” The truly unfortunate
thing about it is, it’s not a joke.