The conversation that happens before a BDSM scene in which participants discuss what they want to do, what they will not do, and how they will handle problems that come up. It covers limits, safewords, desired intensity, and any physical or emotional considerations either person needs the other to know.
Good negotiation is less a formality than the foundation of trust. Many people find that talking through a scene beforehand builds anticipation as much as the scene itself, and experienced players often negotiate even with long-term partners because moods, bodies, and circumstances change from one encounter to the next.
Worth knowing: Negotiation is where safewords, hard limits, and a plan for stopping or adjusting mid-scene get established, and either person can renegotiate or withdraw consent at any point before or during the scene.
Also called: pre-scene negotiation, limits negotiation, scene planning, pre-play discussion, check-in, contract negotiation
