When the Health and Wellness staff starts making fun of students, there's got to be a problem. While doing research for a presentation for class, a friend of mine had to go to Health and Wellness to get some statistics on Hopkins students. She wanted to know the STI rate, how many students got tested, projected sexual activity, etc.
When she got to that last question however, the Health and Wellness staff member replied, "Well we don't have those statistics, but we do have high school rates of sexual activity. For various reasons, I think the rates [of sexual activity] at Hopkins are probably lower."
In my mission to try and spark some interest in "extra-curricular activities," this article is devoted to shifting Hopkins student's perceptions. When you hear the words "role playing," for example, please don't think Dungeons and Dragons.
Most people have one or two objections to role-playing once they've figured out it doesn't involved sword fighting and spell casting (unless you want it to and that's your own kinky fantasy). Either they think it's childish or they're just scared to put themselves out there like that and let go. Most people fall into the second category, and most of them will claim they fall into the first.
If you truly believe that role-playing is reserved for pretend tea parties or Star Trek fans, then you really just need to be more creative. There's a reason people watch (X rated) movies, read (erotic) books, etc. Role-playing is really just acting out what's already been processed in your head. Saying that it's childish or weird just means you're not comfortable acting out what you're probably already thinking about. So for your sake (and my credibility), just admit you've thought about it. Then you can say you don't like the idea, but until then stop saying it's only a game for little girls and their stuffed animals - that's a whole other fetish entirely.
Once you can come to accept the fact that you've had that "what would it be like to get with the MSE librarian" fantasy, you're ready to actually make things concrete - minus the real librarian. It should also go without saying that no one's looking for Oscar worthy performances here. Really, it's okay if you don't have the proper stripper or cop uniform. And actually, I think that it would be a bit scary and off setting if a guy played the part of pimp/hop cop/john too well. The point is that you're just supposed to be able to have fun. It's more important to interact with your partner. Don't worry about getting your lines just right or how you look.
If you need to play in the kiddie pool first, try just talking the part. Talk with your partner about his or her fantasies - it helps if they coincide. If one person's the bitchy librarian and the other's playing doctor, it won't work very well.
Once you have the roles cast, just pick up some good lines, and honestly cheesier is sometimes better. You'd be surprise how far "you've been a bad boy" can go when said in the right context. Try it in public even - when he can't do anything about it. You'll be amazed to find out how appealing the nearest coat closet or exercise room looks.
Also, it's a good idea to try something totally different from your normal personality. Once you've been in a relationship for a while, getting some is more or less a given, so make it interesting and have one person be the "good girl/guy" for the night and really make the other person work hard for what he or she wants. Or pretend you're strangers and have one person pick the other up - have a one-night stand all over again.
Once you've mastered these simple roles, you can move on to those you've actually been thinking about (although guys, I would leave her best friend out of it - for now at least). Start with characters you're both at least mildly familiar with. Some pretty basic ideas are:
1. Stripper/Customer - Here it's all about giving and getting lap dances, really getting into the music, and if you live in at least two of the frat houses, you're all set with poles too. Also, maybe try and keep to the no touching rule - and don't forget to tip.
2.Artist/Model - Remember that nude models always make more money. You can also combine this role with an inhibited character too. Have one partner give specific directions and actually draw the model in whatever pose he or she wants them in - the picture will be a good incriminating memento afterward.
3. Hitchhiker/the ride (in more than one way) - Ask where he or she is going. Let them get there eventually.
4. Teacher/Student - Wait, that was my Halloween costume, oh well. Anyway, this one doesn't need to be explained, but definitely give your student much more attention than most Hopkins professors like to.
5. Lifeguards/Skanky person on the beach - Oops, did your bathing suit fall off in the water?
6. Patient/Doctor - All pre-meds could use some practice. Now that you actually know anatomy, this game gets to be a whole lot more interesting.
This is honestly a pretty basic list, but it should get the juices flowing once you're ready to give them a try. The more comfortable you get with any scenario, though, the farther you can push it. More props or a more realistic location (like a professors actual desk) really make everything come to life.
Whatever you do, use role-playing as a way to just relax and shed your inhibitions. It's not unheard-of to get a little help from your boys (Johnny, Jack, Jose, etc.), but you should try to do something you're basically comfortable with. Like everything else involved with sex and relationships, role-playing requires a lot of trust (I'm a big fan of the pinky swear that nothing leave the room), but also a sense of humor too. If you take it too seriously, the role-playing will stop being entertaining. So pick up the handcuffs, go grab a sketchpad or pull your hair back into a bun and do whatever the hell makes you happy. It's your fantasy, do whatever you damn well please.
