I think they do and don't. It really depends on the fetish. I have found out I can like new things though if I keep a general open mind. Also somethings that don't turn me on normally, can still be fun with certain people. Furry, by many people, at first was viewed as a fetish. However it has grown beyond that. I do act differently towards some people when I find they enjoy things I like, I am more open with them. If there is something someone likes and I don't I just express I don't enjoy that normally. I try not to treat them worse or different, sometimes you can't help it though.

I guess it depends on their actual behaviour, fetishes aside?

mostly. It's just a like minded fetish between me and someone else makes there more for me to talk with the other person over.

In general? No. In this fandom? Yeah.

Way I see it, we're all here, on this site, because we like getting off. The art we like is based on the fetishes we have, and it naturally groups us up with others of the same. So yeah, on FA and everywhere else I primarily identify as a painslut hyena, fetishes very much DO define a lot of who I am and how I connect to others, it's extremely shallow but it's just how it goes when hanging around the furry smutsites.

That shouldn't imply that you are solely a painslut hyena tho, right? I am sure u can connect with furries through alot of different topics :D!?

Of course I CAN, but it's also not what I'm "known" for. I'm a person either way, but my identity and surface-deep role is pretty firmly seated in kink, and most people who'd want to talk to me probably don't want to talk about too much else anyway.

I think it's more depending on said person.

If person "A" says, "I like feet and paws" and then continues to act like a normal person during the discussion, then their fetish doesn't define them.

If person "B" says, "I like feet and paws" and then continues on to say, "I think it'd be so hot if you stepped on me right now, can I smell your feet? Please?" then they probably aren't much more interesting past their foot fetish, and therefore defined by it.

On the other side of the conversation, I wouldn't talk differently to person A, but person B is getting walked away from.

I would agree with this. If a fetish defines a person, it is because they choose for it to define them.

For some, it's just a kink. For some, it's a lifestyle. And for some, it's all they care about.

Ahaha, I would be way more cautious around person B, that's for sure :o!!!

I used to, because I was a fucking dickbag back then. But people can enjoy whatever they want. As long as it harms no one I think I can get over it. There are more sketchy things that don't sit with me well but they're only a few and I don't tend to instantly nope a person because of it.

I see what u mean OUO good to know u are taking steps forward dude!!

=D yup!

I will definitely judge you for certain things.

Dun judge me too hard tho ;D!

Depends, like most of the fetishes I see here? Not particularly.
As long as it's not something underage or really violent then I don't really judge.

ouo I can totally understand why such boundaries exist!!!

I guess..it depends on fetishes maybe? But not really like what some says it shouldn't really matter to be honest but hey in self conscious about mine to be honest...had a few talk down and even PM me on here getting tired of the more...HARDER stuff I posted in my scraps which I put a large warning on the title yet they still looked and judged me for it..no one should really judge what other like some like things for many reasons same or different from another..I do like talking to others with similar interest and bumped into a few that was complete opposite but eventually found something...only a handfull I guess you can judge apon based off their fetishes if they act on them long enough to notice it..it's kinda hard and complex on the subject cause of so many differences and preferred ways..but never do change the way I talk just because of fetishes

I can totally see where u are coming from :) People are fast to judge when it comes to the internet tho :O! Don't let that bother u too much! Just ignore the mean comments!

That I do~I'm into a rainbow of things as you can tell from my gallery and HARDER stuff in my scraps I just like what I do and respect others dislikes and such..but i try to have fun all round and let the others enjoy themselves tewwwwww

Depends entirely on the fetish. Some people are only attracted to certain body types, and that's something that defines them. Like chub chasers for example. Of course, the most classic example is us, furries. Like it or not, the fandom IS about the porn, don't let anyone else fool you. Otherwise artists would make mint in making clean stuff as much as porn and we all know that ain't true at all. And to some, that does define them. In the end it really depends on each individual and just how much they need their fetish to feel happy. Its either icing on the cake, or the whole damn cake batter.

This is some rather mature way of thinking :O!!! Thank you for this!

You're quite welcome. The biggest thing to say is that old phrase: don't kink shame. To some its just for fun, for others its necessary. Don't judge them by what turns the on. There are plenty of incredibly nice people who are kinky AF.

I'm definitely known as one of those people who engages in X or Y fetish, but it's not completely central to my characters or my identity in the fandom.

I can see other fetishes defining people due to how obvious they are, or the intense stigma attached to them. Babyfurs, for example. Not saying they're all like that, just a generalisation.

Would it be the same for example if someone liked wearing diapers just in private instead of in front of everyone :o!?

In fetishes. I don't really feel comfortable discussing them. I don't really feel open to talk about that stuff.

That's perfectly fine :3 everyone has their own sense of comfortability in discussions!!

Something something you weirdo Janarr fetishist.

A) I am not weird.
B) Where I am from, it's normal to want to be dicked by Janarr!
C) All Lizerons want it, so its 100% of the Lizeron population needing his penor!

only if the fetish is so extreme that its affects real life in a negative way or is illegal or hurts people. aside from that i think its healthy to explore most sexual kinks to the max just dont expect everyone to go along with you.

Is there a line between fantasy and RL fetish play tho? Or is it one and the same?

As far as I understood it: fetishes can play a role in who you date, roleplay with, or in general hang out with because you can probably feel more open to them. Otherwise, it shouldn't play any other role in general social life. Fetishes are the untold third to politics and religion. Everyone has one, you just don't whip it out and show everyone else.

Well said :D! How do I like this comment?!

Also, furries can't discuss politics or religion in the same depth as porn sometimes !

I agree with op where's the "like" button already. :) (also I'm stealing that last line)

Greatly depends. I held a friendship with someone who had fetishes i wasnt a fan of but they were still good friends. As for the question based on the journal title... Itd say probably but not completely. Either way it dont matter a ton to me as my life will march on in solace as my general interaction and small talk with others is piss....

I think it just all depends on the fetish, though I've never really talked to anyone about my interests before.

I don't have any so I'm gonna say no

I try not to judge others, fetishes are like phobias, they are sort of unexplainable stimulus, you would be hard pressed to explain why it's arousing for you. As long as they aren't doing anything immoral or illegal things irl I don't think they are doing anything wrong.
Personally my kinks don't change the way I talk to people outside of RPs, all they do is add some extra topics we can talk about if it's a shared interest.

No, but Huffington post seems to try to define fetishes... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/.....n_4144418.html

I don't think any of my fetishes define me as a person. They're just subconsequential aspects of my life. I do kink shame, but only kink that actually cause harm to people.

I think my fetishes define me me, and it doesn't bother people that much :3
(I'm guessing you already know)

What you see is what you expect so unless you talk to Mr Diaper (which is how I've now defined this anonymous character) and engage with him outside of him wearing diapers ...then I guess yeah -he will remain "Mr Diaper".

Also I've changed my view of a successful business person after he revealed some fetishes I have no idea about (pooltoy and cyborg robotic something) and after he suddenly wanted to roleplay with me.
That made me hesitant in a way to speak to him because I thought "shit he's one of those advanced people. I'm too basic bitch for this guy".
For real, he wanted to roleplay with me but now I'm a bit scared to do that since I feel I can't satisfy his fantasy because I'm not into those things and don't know why they're hot.
And now I barely talk to him at all...

And at the same time I usually don't have any big problem with any kind of fetish I encounter. There certianly are some I don't enjoy nor understand like too much gore and diapers, but I still don't shame other people for it. It's their thing that makes them happy - why would I take that away from someone? Happy people makes happier things than sad people <w<
Cub for instance usually seems very taboo for some reason for some people. why? no idea

It's interesting how people get their fetishes though. How did Mr Diaper get into diaper stuff for instance? Maybe he doesn't even know himself :o

Well the thing is I fall more for styles than fetishes really. If someone's aesthetics are on point and the fetish has some visually or mentally appealing aspect to it I'll totally be down for it. But the thing is I don't really have that many fetishes, I'm generally the type who doesn't let the person I'm topping choose what they want me to do.