Pauline from Canterbury, Kent, UK
Interviewed in Charing Cross Hotel, London 22 February 1994
Tape transcribed in Sept 2000 [Name changed and photograph missing.]
Interviewer
Hello. Thanks for coming. I think it's been a little easier for you than me, today. My first train was cancelled; not just delayed! I hope you don't mind the late start for our meeting.
Pauline
No, that's fine. You called me in good time so I took an easy trip into town and did some shopping.
Interviewer
I'm glad. Now; your letter said that you've tight-laced for some years but could you start us off by telling me a quick history. Your age and your job and all that. Then I'll ask you a few more questions. Is that OK?
Pauline
Fine. I'm 31 years old and I work as a secretary at an examinations board. I got married four years ago and my husband Graham is a teacher. Actually, he's deputy head of a big school. Does that give you some idea?
Interviewer
Yes and can you tell me about the waist training?
Pauline
[Little laugh.] I forgot about that. Sorry. Well; I started to lace myself tightly, seriously, before we got married. I think Graham first noticed me because of my waist even then, and it wasn't tiny, you know. Not then. After we were married, he took over with as much enthusiasm as I had before. It's become a kind of hobby with us both and he looks after me. Is that what you want to know?
Interviewer
Yes thank you. Can you tell me how you got started in training your waist? What was the thing that got you started?
Pauline
I'd always liked to have my waist held firmly, you know. At school, I always wore my belt and my skirts tighter than I should. As soon as I could, I bought for myself some very firm panty girdles and a corselette - a bit old-fashioned really, but I just wanted to feel that pressure. I got pleasure in my body from the pressure, do you understand me? Even before I had real sex or even got very intimate with a man, I had the pleasure for myself in my tight clothes. Then when I was 23, I saw an exhibition of real corsets and I just had to try one somehow. The organisers had a couple for visitors to try, so I did and I was amazed. It didn't fit me very well but the feeling was just what I'd always been looking for. Then I knew that I wanted to be corseted tight from then on.
Interviewer
And where do you think this desire came from? Did you mother wear corsets or other women in the family?
Pauline
No. it just came all by itself from being a small girl. I knew I wanted it before I tried it. I even knew I'd like it before I tried it. Isn't that silly? It must sound mad to you, but that's how it was. After Graham and I met, my desire for a small waist really got going. It wasn't just about tight, it was about tiny. Does that make sense?
Interviewer
I think so. Can you think why it became so important to you? Had you seen tiny waists before or read about women with tight corsets, perhaps?
Pauline
No. Whenever I pulled my belt tight, I got excited. If it was really tight - so that it was beginning to hurt - you know, then I could reach an orgasm with the littlest of touching. Do you understand me? It was just a physical reflex for me. Tightness first, then excitement, then climax. It was always like that when I was a girl.
Interviewer
So how did you develop your interest and the excitement as you grew up? When you got the proper corset, did you feel that you wanted to be with a man or with someone else, anyway? Or was it still a private thing, just for you?
Pauline