Congratulations! You've decided to become members of the swinging lifestyle and now you're attending your first swing function. As excited as you are, you're probably also a little nervous and apprehensive about how you should conduct yourselves. Let us give you a word of advice. Relax! You're here to enjoy yourselves, and we're going to try to help you do just that.

By now you've had a chance to meet some of the members of the staff and have found them friendly, helpful and easy to converse with. Please feel free to ask questions or consult them on any problem you may be having. They're here especially to see to your needs. All the fun will be starting in just a little while and in the following paragraphs we'll be offering a few simple hints to help you make this visit a very positive experience.

BE YOURSELVES: After you've found a table, take advantage of your opportunity to wander around and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. You'll probably meet other couples or singles, so don't hesitate to introduce yourselves. Making friends is the key to good swinging. And who knows, that nice couple you meet may turn out to be your first swinging encounter!

Your first visit is electric with the anticipation of meeting new people. Some of the regulars will make the first move by introducing themselves, and perhaps some of the other couples they know. This should certainly make you feel right at home. It may also help you to know that swingers for the most part agree on basic good manners. You'll get the most out of this alternative lifestyle if you just use your common sense and remember that the good manners you've acquired and use in any social situation also apply in swinging.

OPEN CONVERSION: Do tell people you are new to swinging. There are lots of couples who will be happy to show an inexperienced twosome some gentle loving and caring. If this is your first swinging experience, you may have some unexpected anxieties about seeing your mate with another. It is important that you be honest with your mate and make your anxieties known. Perhaps you might be a little more comfortable if you talked with a more experienced couple willing to share how they handled their first swinging encounter. Of course, we don't mean to imply that you'll definitely have problems. But if you should, we only wish to suggest that communication is the only real means of solving those problems.

SWINGING ETIQUETTE: Please...don't be pushy! Many couples new to swinging are very often prepared for the fun, but very poorly equipped to handle the rejections that may come their way. Remember that freedom of choice is every individual's right in swinging and respecting that right is only common courtesy. Learn how to handle a "No, thank you" graciously. You and your mate may also wish to discuss in advance your particular method of swinging; if you will swing alone or together, open or closed, bisexually or not. You may have other personal restrictions you'd like to have honored. Only you can decide those issues for yourselves, but please, do so before you start swinging.

Please remember that we expect our participants to conduct themselves with dignity. Creating a scene in public is not acceptable. We have never had an incident where a couple has put a damper on our party by airing their difficulties in public. Hopefully, we never will.

SECURITY: You will find the club manager, staff and security very accommodating and friendly. However, not everyone in the complex will be swingers, so please confine your activities to club members. The security guards are here for your protection. The security guards assure your privacy and will not interfere with your good time. Should you be in need of help or if an emergency arises, they will come you your immediate aid.

ARE YOU SHY? Once you have settled down for some serious swinging and/or socializing, please be assured you will not be required to run around naked. You and your mate may elect to wear whatever you feel most comfortable wearing. We'd like to remind you that here as well as in all swing clubs that we know of, you are not required to do anything that you do not want to do!

Making new friends takes courage and some sort of effort on your part. You don't have to swing with everyone you meet, nor is the purpose of swinging to try and set records for your sexual stamina. Many swingers establish solid friendships at our club which continue long after the party is over. The important thing to remember is that the best swinging encounters start with good verbal communication. Don't be in a hurry. Take the time to find out about the other couple's desires and interests. And don't be afraid to explore your fantasies. You may find threesomes, foursomes or a group scene very exciting. The more adventurous may seek out an orgy for a little added spice.

SEEING IS BELIEVING: You may find it reassuring to know that swingers are just ordinary people with normal sexual desires just like yourselves. But perhaps you've heard that swingers are kinky individuals who enjoy the more bizarre sexual diversions. This is true in certain circumstances, but from my own experiences, I would venture to say that most swingers are pleasant people who want to form friendships that will go a little bit further to include the warmth of sexual expression and intimacy which can only be acquired by knowing the whole person.

I hope these words have opened a few avenues of thought for you and your mate, as well as alleviated the fears or reservations you may have been feeling. Good luck and I hope you find that special couple or single who will open up new and exciting horizons for you that will set the pace for the rest of your swinging lifetime.

The preceding has been paraphrased from "The Beginners Guide To Swinging In Paradise"  by Patti Thomas of Connection magazines.

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