People use kink and fetish interchangeably. Researchers and communities do not always mean the same thing.
What the research is about
Sex and Psychology separates the two terms. On this site, both still lead to the same practical question: what did everyone agree to tonight?
Source: What’s the Difference Between a Kink and a Fetish?, Sex and Psychology, July 10,
- Figures, samples, and methods are on that page.
How this shows up in public play
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A fetish can be narrow. A kink night is usually broader.
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Do not correct strangers about labels on the floor.
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Gear for a fetish is still subject to the venue's rules.
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If you need a definition for a partner, use the source article, then use your own words.