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Demographics
This section attempts to describe the range of interests to be found amongst those with a sexual fascination for balloons. It is important to note the very wide range of different preferences to be found. This diversity of interests will be relevant when discussing theories concerning the interest in balloons, since it may well be the case that no one theory is capable of explaining the whole range of interests encountered within the group (see Theories).
The structure of this section is as follows:
It is appropriate to start with a description of the object of interest: the toy balloon. Not surprisingly, members of the group are very particular and specific about what sort of balloons they like, although tastes differ from member to member. Virtually all would agree that the balloon has to be a rubber or latex balloon, to be filled with a gas (usually air or helium). There is general agreement that mylar (‘metallic’) balloons are of no interest at all: some members have experimented with them, but do not find them to be anywhere near as interesting as latex balloons. In fact, it is common to express distain (probably mock distain) for mylar balloons, perhaps because they are seen to be in competition with the latex variety. Water balloons are also generally not of much interest, although there is occasional discussion of these. Also, hot air balloons, parade balloons, dirigibles and airships also possess little sexual interest for the great majority of members.
There is a divergence of opinions on favourite sizes and shapes of balloons. Most members would fall into one of two categories:
These preferences are fairly flexible; most members would find any balloon over about 8" to be of interest under the right circumstances. However, very few individuals have expressed a particular liking for very small balloons, such as those used to make water bombs, except to conduct the occasional experiment or for a bit of variety.
Most members are interested in a range of different shapes of balloons. The most popular shape is the so-called ‘round’ balloon; however, since there is a general liking for balloons to be inflated tightly, and to look like they have been inflated tightly, round balloons with stems (or necks) that can be inflated tend to be preferred. Such balloons take on a tear-drop or pear/light-bulb shape when fully inflated.
Elongated balloons (‘airship’ or ‘worker’ balloons) are also popular. Some of these can be obtained in sizes up to 80" long, and with a considerable girth. Such balloons may be popular due to the ergonomic possibilities of the shape (discussed later). Interestingly, there is only scarce interest in modelling balloons (long skinny balloons that can be twisted into animal shapes).
More unusual shapes are also sought after by some members. Balloons with mouse ears (‘Mickey’ balloons) are quite popular, and even more exotic shapes are sometimes obtained. Some mention must be made of the ‘Geo’ (doughnut-shaped) balloons, the shape of which can be exploited by male members of the group in particular. However, despite this seemingly ideal property, these balloons are no where near as popular as round or long balloons.
Although most members have preferences about the colour of balloons, this seems to be a relatively minor criterion. ‘Jewel’ or ‘crystal’ tones (translucent colours) seem to be a common preference, although other styles of colour and pattern are preferred by many members. Red and purple seem to be common favourites, and transparent balloons are also popular. Some individuals are especially interested in balloons that have advertising logos printed on them. These may be collected in the same way that some people collect teaspoons or packets of matches. In addition to the novelty, printed balloons tend to be of high quality since they are often intended to be inflated with helium, and have been effectively pre-tested since the logo is usually imprinted when the balloon is inflated.
For many, the significance of the colour of a balloon is actually related to the perceived strength of the balloon, which is often a function of its colour due to the dyes and other additives introduced into the latex to achieve the various colours and textures. It is generally held that jewel or plain coloured balloons stretch the best and are most durable. Conversely, metallic and ‘pearl’ colours tend to not to be favoured, since such balloons are not so elastic and tend to be fragile. That said, pearl balloons have a smoother, silkier textured surface that is important to some.
A minority of members have a particular liking for balloons that have been inflated for some time, and have perhaps been subject to some environmental degradation. Exposure to atmospheric ozone and ultraviolet radiation from the sun oxidises the latex, producing a misty white discolouration, and the surface tension associated with being inflated progressively results in ‘creep’ within the latex. The combination of these effects results in a softer, less resilient balloon that looks somewhat ‘weather-beaten’.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, members of the group are generally highly knowledgeable and particular concerning balloon brands. Higher quality balloons are most popular, since these can be inflated most reliably and are more robust. However, cheaper balloons are also acceptable, especially if a large number are required simultaneously.
There has been some discussion on the amount of money allocated to the purchase of balloons. In most cases, the figure appears to be relatively modest: perhaps $100—$200 in a year. However, some individuals would spend considerably larger amounts, due in part to the greater cost of high quality, large and exotically shaped balloons. A complete assessment of the amounts spent on the paraphilia should also consider fees paid to join internet sites that cater to the interest, and amounts spent on purchasing balloon-related videos. A minority of members of the group actually indulge in these areas, although some are members of multiple web sites, while a few others possess a dozen or more balloon-related videos and picture sets on CD.
This section describes the range of activities that may be carried out by those with balloonism on their own. Subsequent sections describe activities when a partner is involved, watching preferences, and behaviour in public. Note that no one individual undertakes the whole range of activities described in these sections: each individual has particular preferences that are a subset of the activities described below.
This section commences with a description of the major apparent subcategorisation amongst those with balloonism, which is based on the attitude to popping balloons. Thereafter, the activities that may be undertaken are described, essentially following the ‘life cycle’ of the balloon in chronological order.
It is most common for members of the group to categorise themselves (and one another) as either ‘poppers’ or ‘non-poppers’, depending on whether the focus of their balloon activity requires that the balloon be popped or not. This division cannot always be sharply defined, since the most enthusiastic popper may still enjoy other aspects of balloon behaviour and may also have some concerns about popping, and non-poppers cannot entirely avoid the occasional accidental pop. Although most people’s preferences can be categorised in this manner, there are some whose behaviour varies between popping and not, depending on their mood. There are also others for whom popping has considerable appeal, but who cannot quite bring themselves to do it.
It is easy to overestimate the significance of the distinction between the popping and non-popping behaviours. It is very common for members of both groups to experience some trepidation associated with the anticipation or possibility of a balloon bursting. Even seemingly brazen poppers often admit to feeling some element of fear associated with their behaviour, especially if their chosen method of popping involves uncertainty about the timing of the balloon’s demise. Conversely, the most timid non-popper may still flirt with ‘danger’ by inflating balloons tightly and/or squeezing them, with the intention of pushing the balloon to its limits — but not beyond. This common thread of fear provides a possible clue to the origin and mechanism of balloonism in at least some members.
Balloons are usually purchased uninflated, since the act of inflation is itself a source of pleasure for many, and because of the large numbers of balloons purchased. Due to the selectivity of the group (see Balloons), it is quite common for members to order balloons from specialised vendors as few shops stock balloons of the preferred quality and sizes.
That said, balloons are sometimes obtained already inflated. Pre-inflated helium balloons may be purchased from a range of shops, and are often given away for advertising purposes. These are particularly prized by some members. In some cases, the motivation for obtaining inflated balloons is attributable to the desire to watch someone else inflating them (see Watching).
A few members indulge in ‘liberating’ or ‘rescuing’ balloons, which essentially involves taking them from sites where they have been displayed for promotional purposes without obtaining permission to do so. This is usually rationalised as being acceptable on the grounds that the balloons were cheap, old, or had already served their intended purpose.
The number of balloons involved simultaneously varies greatly between members of the group. Many people are quite content with a single balloon, whereas others prefer to be surrounded by large numbers of balloons. Some members have occasionally created a ‘balloon room’, where a whole room is partially or completely filled with balloons.
Balloons may be inflated by pump, mouth, or from a tank of helium. Mouth inflation is preferred by many because it is considered more ‘daring’; moreover, lung power or capacity seems to be admired by several members. However, using a pump (manual or electric) is the only realistic option for inflating particularly large balloons with air, and has the added advantage of not leaving a residue of condensation or saliva inside the balloon. A few members have strong preferences for helium balloons, although air is sufficient for most since a helium balloon’s lift actually complicates its use in many subsequent activities.
Since the anticipation of the balloon popping is significant to many, balloons are often inflated such that there is some risk that they might pop. This does not necessarily mean that the balloon is initially inflated very tightly; for example, if the intention is to sit on the balloon, it may be inflated such that it should be able to withstand the stress of this, albeit with some uncertainty. The extent of inflation is clearly linked to the intended longevity of the balloon.
Non-poppers in particular are likely to appreciate various properties of the inflated balloon, including its colour, translucency, texture, lightness, tightness, softness, and so on. The properties of light weight and translucent (or transparent) colouring are sometimes savoured by seeing balloons move in a breeze and/or by seeing sunlight streaming through them. These properties may serve to further indicate the fragility of the balloons. Similarly, some members like to see an imprinted logo become stretched and paler on an inflated balloon, which perhaps also highlights the balloon’s fragility.
The way the balloon feels is often exploited by rubbing or pressing the balloon against the skin, including the genitals in many cases. Some people like to stuff inflated balloons inside the clothes they are wearing, or to inflate balloons inside their clothing. Only in rare cases are balloons used to explicitly represent body parts, such as breasts, penis, buttocks or belly — although such images are disproportionately common within web sites that cater to balloonism (which usually indicates that the site managers are not themselves subject to balloonism). The feeling of having balloons pressing against the body is also achieved by sitting or lying on top of them, which also has the effect of increasing the risk of popping. Fantasies of being squeezed against a wall or ceiling by an inflating balloon are not uncommon; at least one member achieves a similar effect by enclosing themself in a cupboard that has been filled with balloons.
Many members profess a liking for the odour of balloons (although some brands are said to have an unpleasant odour). Interestingly, this preference seldom extends to other latex or rubber objects, despite their similar smell.
Many members of the group masturbate in conjunction with balloon play. This may or may not require that the balloon actually be in contact with the genitals. In some cases the balloon is ‘ridden’ by lying face down on top of it, with most of the body weight supported by the balloon. Very large balloons, including large airship-shaped balloons, are most commonly used for this due to their greater ability to support weight, as well as ergonomic practicality. Doughnut-shaped balloons are sometimes used as a surrogate vagina by male members; however, perhaps surprisingly, this does not seem to be as widespread as other methods of achieving sexual climax.
Poppers may pop balloons in a variety of different ways, including over-inflation, sitting, lying, squeezing, stepping, puncturing (usually with a pin), or burning (usually using a cigarette). These methods can be loosely divided into those where the timing of the pop may be reasonably accurately controlled or predicted (such as using pins and cigarettes), and those where the timing is uncertain (most other methods). For many members, over-inflation is the ‘holy grail’ of popping, since the timing of the balloon’s demise cannot be predicted at all accurately, and the eventual explosion is the loudest and most dynamic possible due to the maximal stress levels in the balloon. Proximity to the face when the balloon is inflated by mouth also serves to maximise the impact of bursting by overinflation. Sitting is also a popular method: in addition to a considerable degree of uncertainty, this approach may be favoured as it places the balloon in contact with the buttocks and (perhaps) in close proximity to the genitals.
At the opposite end of the scale, the most predictable method (using a pin) is not held in high regard by a good proportion of the group, although there are still a few members who prefer this approach. Similarly, there is a small sub-culture for whom popping balloons with cigarettes is highly rated.
Many members like to ‘tease’ a balloon, flirting with the risk of popping it. This behaviour seems to be more in the spirit of playfulness or daring, rather than destructiveness or cruelty. However, some members explicitly exhibit destructive or cruel behaviour while stressing or popping balloons. This may manifest itself in imagining that the balloon is being tormented or tortured, as though putting it in pain or threatening to take its ‘life’. In other cases, large numbers of balloons may be rapidly destroyed in quick succession. There seems to be little evidence of anyone applying anthropomorphism to balloons.
Non-poppers have the opportunity to deflate their balloons for possible reuse. This is especially desirable for very large or unusual balloons, which may cost $10 or more. The accepted wisdom is that a balloon may be reinflated two or three times without becoming especially unreliable. In fact, due to ‘skin creep’, a balloon will generally inflate to a larger size on successive inflations, and this effect is sought after and exploited by some members. Others attempt to recondition previously inflated balloons by subjecting them to some form of heat treatment, which partially reverses the deleterious effects of inflation.
Given a choice, most, if not all, people with balloonism would prefer to indulge their balloon interests with a like-minded partner (sexual mate). Of course, circumstances often preclude this, for a variety of reasons. Many people do not have a partner for sex; others are very self-conscious or embarrassed about their balloonism (see Attitudes), and so do not reveal it to their partners. Those who do reveal their balloonism often find that their partner would prefer not to participate in it. However, some members have partners who are either subject to balloonism themselves, or are nevertheless willing to indulge in balloon play as a form of sexual activity.
Of those who are able to practice balloonism with a sexual partner, the preferences described for solo activity are shared. Thus, partners may watch one another inflate and play with balloons (see also Watching), rub or press balloons against one another’s bodies, and/or pop balloons according to their tastes. Balloons may be placed between, or underneath, the partners.
The extent to which balloon play replaces or augments ‘normal’ foreplay and sexual climax varies substantially between individuals. The inclusion of balloons merely augments foreplay and intercourse for many couples. A few such couples try to time the popping of one or more balloons to coincide with the achievement of orgasm. For others, balloons are the main focus of attention throughout, and sexual climax for one or both partners may be achieved using a balloon rather than intercourse, even though the partner is involved throughout.
The frequency with which balloons are used in conjunction with sexual activity also varies considerably between couples. Some couples use balloons only rarely, whereas others involve balloons in conjunction with most of their sexual activity. The incidence of balloon usage clearly depends on the extent to which both partners are subject to balloonism.
Even though people with balloonism commonly feel that their sexual enjoyment is increased when balloons are used, there are no known cases of members who are unable to function sexually without balloons being involved. Even the most avid couples with balloonism choose to undertake sexual activity without balloons from time to time.
A good proportion of those with balloonism enjoy watching other people with balloons. This is an extension of the pleasure that many people (especially males) obtain in looking at an attractive individual of the appropriate gender.
Whether this behaviour constitutes voyeurism depends on the accepted definition of that term. Ferguson defines it as ‘the act of achieving sexual pleasure by furtively watching others disrobing or in a state of nudity’. By this narrow definition, watching other people with balloons would not necessarily qualify as voyeurism since disrobing or nudity is not always involved. However, the parallel with voyeurism remains significant, whereby some measure of sexual pleasure is obtained merely by watching others with an object of sexual significance for the onlooker.
The level of excitement engendered by watching others with balloons varies greatly between individuals. It is of no interest at all to some people, and highly arousing to others, to the extent that such visual stimulation leads to masturbation and climax. A range of intermediate reactions lies between these extremes.
A number of those with balloonism derive some pleasure in seeing people with balloons even though the people may not in themselves be sexually attractive to the onlooker. Thus, for example, some heterosexual females with balloonism have some interest in seeing other females with balloons.
For many members, the observed scene does not need to be explicitly erotic or pornographic to arouse excitement. The person being watched may be completely clothed, and need not be doing anything out of the ordinary with the balloon. On the other hand, other members prefer to see more obviously erotic imagery, with the human subject being either naked or provocatively dressed, and perhaps appearing to be using the balloon to obtain sexual pleasure as though subject to balloonism (see Solo Activity).
The balloon activity found to be most captivating varies between individuals, and essentially follows solo preferences with the exception that sexually explicit images are not sought after by some. Thus, inflation (especially by mouth), playing, sitting, squeezing, holding, dancing, wearing and popping can be of interest. Those who like more explicit sights may prefer seeing balloons in contact with the genitals, masturbation or intercourse in the presence of balloons. The majority of members require the subject to be interacting with the balloon before it takes on any significance, but for a few members, the presence of a small balloon in the background is sufficient to add interest. A small minority finds some excitement in images of balloons without other people being present in the scene at all, although the preference always seems to be for the balloon to be the subject of attention of an attractive individual.
In addition to visual stimulation, hearing other people talk about, play with, or pop balloons can be of interest to some.
Sources of imagery include real life (see Public Behaviour), television, movies, video cassettes, magazines, and the internet. Some members (mainly males) collect large numbers of image and movie files on computer, which are usually obtained from the internet. There are quite a few internet sites catering to balloonism that provide pictures and video clips, including both sexually explicit and non-erotic sites. Many of these sites require payment to obtain access to all of the material available; relatively few people with balloonism are actually members of such sites. Some internet sites are run or guided by individuals who are themselves subject to balloonism, although there is a significant number of sites run by others who are nevertheless attempting to cater to the interests of those with balloonism. These latter sites are often less popular since their content is poorly conceived due to lack of understanding of balloonism; moreover, the feined interest in balloons exhibited on some sites is scorned by many.
A range of video cassettes dedicated to balloonism may be ordered using the internet. Again, both sexually explicit and non-erotic tapes are available. Although a few people have a dozen or more such videos, the majority of members possess none.
The most complete listings of balloonism-related media available on the internet may be found on the following ‘links’ pages: #balloons web site and Mellyloon. See also ‘Further Information’.
Balloonism rarely results in antisocial behaviour in public. Most members are self-conscious about revealing the effect that balloons have on them, and as a result, act normally when in public view — or at least in such a way so as not to arouse suspicion.
Most members enjoy being involved in events with balloons in public, even though the activity is not sexually exciting for those around them, and cannot be seen to be so for themselves. Thus, they may enthusiastically seek opportunities for, and participate in, activities such as decorating with balloons or organising games involving balloons. Some members will occasionally exhibit mischievous or attention-seeking activity, such as deliberately popping balloons or harrassing others with them.
Buying pre-inflated balloons, or obtaining them from promotions and the like, is another manner in which those with balloonism may seek interaction with balloons in public situations. An important element of all such activity is the involvement of other people present, such as shop assistants. Occasionally, balloon ‘set-ups’ may be organised, whereby one or more balloons, either inflated or uninflated, will be left unattended in a conspicuous location in public, in the hope that a passer-by will interact with them while the planter watches furtively. In extreme cases, a person with balloonism may stalk un unsuspecting member of the public who has a balloon, just to observe the interaction with the balloon. This would appear to be a close equivalent to voyeurism. It should be reiterated that these last-mentioned forms of behaviour are most uncommon; the majority of members do not engage in clandestine activity other than hiding the extent to which they enjoy interacting with balloons.
Those who are particularly afraid of balloons, or who abhor their destruction, may endeavour to avoid balloons in public.
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