So there's a bootblack at your dungeon and you're curious….
What is this service?
Is it a scene?
Is this a kink?
What is it even for anyway?
Should I tip?
What is bootblacking?
At the most basic level, a bootblack is sometimes compared to a shoeshiner, like a person you might see at an airport or in a mall. Personally I think this is like comparing folgers to fair-trade gourmet coffee; both may be coffee but one is much higher quality than the other. Both a shoe shiner and a bootblack will shine your shoes while you wear them and both will likely engage you in conversation as they do so. But for a bootblack, leather care is a passion, and although boots are usually the main focus at events, we can give tlc to just about any leather clothing or toys. In bootblacking, I have shined shoes, cleaned paddles, polished corsets, massaged collars, and conditioned jackets.
There is a love for the leather, an interest in what the leather stands for, and a curiosity about the journey you have taken it on; and as they do a shine, they will commonly ask and learn about what the leather means to you.
Are you a biker and do these leathers protect your ride? Are you military? Did your protector gift you these leathers? Are these the boots you'll be stepping on your submissive with later? Is this the first leather you bought after financial struggle as a treat? Are you someone who identifies as Leather? What have you learned on your kink journey?
A bootblack is stationed at a chair in the dungeon to give quality service and attention to the leather you own. Oftentimes those leathers cost you a lot of money. They are something of value that deserve to be cared for. They serve as a second skin and part of your identity in the world of leather and kink. Sometimes they are worn for exclusive events and represent your dynamic. Sometimes they are worn daily and are loved like an old friend. Sometimes they are your most used tool for your job. Whether they are valuable to you because of the price you paid, or in memories and years, they deserve care, and they have a story to be told. And though every bootblack has different techniques, I think we can all agree that the listening ear we provide for our services is the greatest tool we have in our kits.
Bootblacking is a headspace of service and scene. Bootblacks come in all shapes, sizes, kink identities, and genders. Not all are submissive or will act submissively. Not all see it as an erotic act. Some do. But for most, this service is not power exchange (unless agreed upon). Bootblack service is an energy exchange. There is equality in what you are both exchanging in this moment. Those are YOUR leathers, and you get to negotiate what you want from that scene. Your bootblack is your scene partner, and although they may be seated beneath you on their knees or in a kneeling chair, they are still an equal in this service because this is THEIR skill.
What can you expect and how should you behave in the bootblack chair?
First off, have an introduction and then tell your bootblack what you want for your leather. While most bootblacks have a general knowledge of how to clean, condition, or shine leather, it would be unfair to assume your bootblack knows how YOU want your shine if you never discussed it. If you are unsure, you can ask your bootblack their recommendations and what they are capable of doing. In general, patent leathers are usually shined with a color matching cream, oil finished leathers are conditioned with oil, wax, or grease, and suedes are "dry cleaned". Some bootblacks expand their knowledge to include scratch repairs, burning frayed stitching, recoloring stitching, fun lace patterns, calf massages, and general repairs. On the flip side, some people like seeing the wear and tear their leathers have lived through and may not want intense work done to their leathers, so it's important to have this negotiation on what you want done and what your bootblack can provide.
Remember that having your leather serviced doesn’t automatically give you permission to grope, act as a top, or make inappropriate remarks. If the energy is right, if it feels comfortable and the connection is right, then it could lead to some bootworship, but think of that as the exception rather than the rule. Be led by the negotiation and then by the energy exchange and what it leads to. On the flip side, If you feel your bootblack is behaving inappropriately towards you, please speak up if that is not the kind of interaction you are interested in.
Please stay off your phone. You are an active participant in this scene. You can talk about your leathers history. You can talk about your day. You can talk about something that's been stressful for you lately. You can ask questions about leather care so you can try doing it yourself in between visits to the bootblack stand. You can crack jokes. Be present.
Don't touch a bootblacks kit without permission. Just like you wouldn't touch someone else's toy bag, you shouldn't rummage through ours either. A bootblacks kit is their toy bag. If you're curious about what is in a bootblacks kit, ask. We're delighted to show you what we use to take care of your leathers, but remember to pair curiosity with courtesy.
If you're standing by watching a bootblack scene, observe but don’t interrupt. You wouldn’t interrupt someone flogging their sub, so don’t interrupt a bootblack who is focused on their craft. Some people are fine with the bootblack stand turning into a social circle, and some think of bootblacking as one-on-one physical and mental tlc. Personally, I think this is up to the person in the chair, not the bootblack, because this is their time of being serviced, so they get to decide how it goes. You may ask the person in the chair if it's okay to ask questions, but in general, it is better to simply wait until the scene is over to ask your questions or to book your slot in the chair. Again, the most respectful thing you can do is remember to pair your curiosity with courtesy.
Yes, tip you bootblack if you can! Bootblack supplies cost money, and bootblacking takes physical energy and mental focus. We're often hunched over on our knees, providing physical and emotional labor as a service to our local community. Bootblacking is a labor of love, and your tips generally cover the costs to replenish supplies. 15-20$ is about average, and you can tip more for above and beyond work. If you don't have the means to tip, that's okay! Most people tip enough where the occasional leather service will be payed forward and your bootblack will still be happy to service your leather as an act of kindness.
Other things to consider:
Do you have allergies? Some products regularly used by bootblacks contain nut, soy or lanolin. And just about all bootblack products contain beeswax.
Are your leathers going to be used in sexual scenes? Chemicals in shoe polish such as petroleum, naphtha, turpentine, and dyes can cause symptoms if injested or skin reactions on genitals, so check in with your bootblack on if they have natural, non-toxic creams if you or your play partners like licking or bare-humping boots.
Faux leather, if it is not flaking and tearing, can be shined with the same products we use on real leather, so yes, you can bring your faux leather goods to the chair as well.
If you wore your leathers to burning man, please warn your bootblack!! Playa, desert sand, is an alkaline dust that alters the ph balance of your leather and it needs to be neutralized with vinegar before your bootblack uses their kit to clean your leathers. Playa can also irritate skin, so bootblacks should exercise caution and wear gloves. Should that dust cross contaminate their kit, it'll ruin their entire kit and any leathers they clean after yours with the same materials. I encourage bootblacks to exercise caution and have a seperate line of creams, soaps, brushes, and conditioner for burner leathers.
Bootblack aftercare:
Yes, we need aftercare too. Let bootblacks do a little self-care between customers. Every play scene needs aftercare, and bootblacking is no different. Some scenes can be intense both physically and mentally. Let them stretch, have a drink, a smoke, a quick pee, a snack, or sit quietly for a moment before taking on another customer. If you want to sit in the chair to secure your spot as next, that's probably fine, just give them a moment to mentally and physically reset. They’ll let you know when they’re ready to carry on.
If you read this far, hi five 👋 if you see a bootblack at your events, pop a squat in the chair and take a moment to relax and indulge in a little tlc for you and your leathers. Don't be ashamend if your leathers are dirty or dehydrated. We're here to help you look your best and assist in making your leathers last for decades of debauchery.
- Ray
