Bootblack Etiquette

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Papa Tony:

If you're lucky, you will attend an event for kinksters that includes a bootblack, busily shining and treating leather gear with loving attention. For many folks, this is not a common occurrence, so here are some tips to help you to understand what is going on, and how to behave:

1. Don’t interrupt a bootblack and customer unless you have prior permission to do so. If it’s clear that what is going on is more than a “regular bootblacking” and is bordering on a scene, DO NOT STEP IN. A tap on the bootblack’s shoulder is an easy way to get their attention without being intrusive. 

  

2. Don’t touch someone’s kit without permission. These are like our toy bags– you wouldn’t grab someone’s flogger from their bag without asking– don’t grab someone’s polish/rag/brush/etc without asking first.

3. If you are a customer, pay attention to the bootblack at hand. A bootblack is not just “Hired help”. They are giving you their attention, please do the same. Cruising the bar (it’s usually a higher seat and makes for a really good vantage point), or playing/being played with is acceptable and encouraged. Playing on the phone, is not.

4. If you are a customer, please tip. Bootblack supplies aren’t free. 5-20 dollars is appropriate based on what is done to your boots or other gear.

5. Bootblack does not equal submissive. Please ask before doing any touching, fondling, or other “top-like’ activities.

 

6. Women are bootblacks at leathermen’s events, too. Imagine meeting the coolest, most open-minded, wonderful human being you’ve ever met, who would never dream of cock-blocking you, shaming or judging ANYTHING in a negative way. You have a true sister, ally and lifelong friend in front of you, Behave accordingly.

7. Enjoy yourself. We love what we do and there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing someone fall in love with their leathers all over again.

 

Update from @FurryGuy2:

#8. Watch the bootblack at work, ask a regular customer or event organiser “How is today’s bootblack?” before deciding to put your $$$$ Wesco/Dehner/Chippewa boots under their care. I am very fussy about my boots and how they are polished. I have also seen some disasters happen with unknown bootblacks. It is imperative to TELL the bootblack your preferred polish level and any products that have gone on the surface previously.

This is wise advice. I had forgotten about the time that I attended a fundraiser around ten years back, in another city. I didn’t realize until too late that the volunteer bootblack had NO idea what he was doing. I figured it out when he started slopping black goo all over my meticulously-maintained, bright-yellow Kevlar stitches. It took my slave a long time to fix it later, using a yellow grease pencil. Stitch by stitch.

UPDATE: Where to Learn Bootblacking

This book seems to be a good resource.