On the world’s most famous BDSM forum, Fetlife, there’s a group called “FinDoms and Paypigs.” In plain terms, it’s the “Mistresses and Their ATM Slaves” group. Here, “Mistresses” post their bills daily, and the ATM slaves eagerly pay them. Those who miss out on the chance to pay even sigh in disappointment. Their reward? Just a few cold, humiliating remarks from their Mistresses like, “Worthless, it feels good to give me your money, doesn’t it? Remember, your only purpose is to please me.”
The group boasts 17,955 members from around the world. One of the female dominants, Sonya, shared a screenshot on her blog. It showed a user named “paypig” sending her $350 for the first time, followed by $215, then $301.
Sonya mentions she has several stable “ATM slaves,” which is akin to having a blank check with an unlimited amount.
Reading this, I can’t help but feel envious. Look at others, then look at myself. Why am I slaving away, researching and writing articles for money? How can I earn $350 daily just by doing this? Others don’t even need to thank them after receiving money—they just need to humiliate the payers and make a fortune. What a divine BDSM gameplay!
But jokes aside, let’s get serious about this topic. Many are curious about “ATM slaves,” whether they are real or just a joke, and what drives their behavior. Today, we’ll dive into the world of BDSM’s financial domination—ATM slaves.
Financial Domination (FinDom)
When people first hear about “ATM slaves,” it sounds unbelievable—like a joke. We all work hard for our money, so why would anyone willingly give it away without expecting anything in return, just for a few cold insults?
However, the world is a strange place, and this group does exist. It’s been around for quite a while, with various dating apps having dedicated sections for them.
In Chinese BDSM circles, “ATM slave” is a self-invented term. On Wikipedia, this practice is officially known as “Financial Domination.” The dominant partner is called a “findom” (financial dominant), and the submissive partner is referred to as a “money slave,” “finsub,” “paypig,” or “human ATM.”
In pathology, “Financial Domination” is classified as a fetish. It describes an individual willingly giving their money or property to another person in exchange for “erotic humiliation.” It’s a form of fetishism where sexual arousal is derived from the act of financial submission rather than a specific physical object or body part.
Notably, this relationship often coexists with other BDSM practices like “humiliation,” “chastity control,” and “female worship.”
Aha! Who would have thought that being an ATM slave is a form of fetish, similar to foot fetish, latex fetish, etc. But right now, you’re probably more interested in what they wear that makes them so excited.
Let’s explore this in detail—a fetish within a fetish.
What Zentai Covers
In 1993, a group of people wearing Zentai—full-body suits that cover every inch of them, leaving no part visible—appeared on the streets of Japan. These suits made them completely anonymous and indistinguishable.
This was a parade of new Zentai enthusiasts who hated being stared at and labeled. They detested societal judgments like “You’re handsome, she’s beautiful, his nose looks great, your makeup is tacky, she seems like a white-collar worker, he looks wealthy.” They despised these remarks so much that they happily wore Zentai and took to the streets.
Not only in Japan, but since Zentai was first created, enthusiasts worldwide have worn it in public. This seems like a rebellion against identity chauvinism—a release from the suffocating scrutiny of society.
New Zealand psychologist Melissa Locker believes that Zentai changes how wearers interact with others. It acts as a shield against the overwhelming gaze of others, blocking out suffocating judgments. It allows wearers to observe others without being observed themselves, thus changing the age-old social dynamic of seeing and being seen.
To understand this better, let’s look at some examples.
A blogger named Hokkyoku Nigo explains why she likes Zentai. She feels that societal judgments, like being called cute, gentle, naive, or innocent, suffocate her. Everyone’s opinions pile up, leaving her breathless. Wearing Zentai helps her escape these suffocating labels, letting her be her true self.
An American dancer shares a similar experience. She became a dancer because she loved dancing but feared public scrutiny. After one performance, she overheard the audience’s comments focusing only on her appearance and body, ignoring her dancing skills. This struck her hard, and Zentai gave her the confidence to continue performing by shielding her from judgmental stares.
Zentai allows people to temporarily escape societal roles and scrutiny, providing solace to those deeply fearful of social interactions. It’s no wonder it overlaps with other escapist cultures like anime and cosplay.
The Doubts
However, some scholars question the theory of Zentai as an escape from judgment. A 2014 article in The Japan Times argued that wearing Zentai in public attracts more attention, not less. This contradictory desire for attention and anonymity is seen as irresponsible.
An American university student, Amy, shared her experience of wearing Zentai to class. Instead of reducing her anxiety, it made her the talk of the school, bringing unwanted attention.
This divided opinion raises the question: should Zentai be worn freely in public?
Financial Domination
Returning to financial domination, the defining characteristics of these relationships are:
1. The dominants are almost always women, while the submissives are almost always men.
2. The submissives often have a deep “female worship” mentality.
3. Most submissives are wealthy and indifferent to money.
In financial domination, submissives often fantasize about a god-like female figure, gaining pleasure from degrading themselves and wholly submitting to this idealized mistress.
Explaining the Psychology
Dennis, a philosophy professor in Minnesota, uses feminist philosophy to explain this phenomenon. He argues that unlike other BDSM practices centered around male fantasies, financial domination creates a real female-dominant dynamic. Wealthy, powerful men in a male-dominated society may seek the opposite experience, desiring to feel powerless and out of control.
Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert explains that most financial submissives are wealthy, powerful men who wish to escape their decision-making roles and feel helpless for a change.
Do ATM Slaves Really Expect Nothing in Return?
While it appears that financial submissives offer their money without expecting anything in return, the reality is more nuanced. They do have expectations—they seek a flawless, goddess-like figure who embodies their fantasies.
Taking Keso_DCfans as an example, if faced with Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot and an average woman, it’s clear who he would choose as his findom.
A findom, Dee, from New York, shares the challenges of maintaining this role. It requires keen perception, trust-building, and constant portrayal of a high-status, untouchable figure. Any deviation from this ideal can cause the submissive to lose interest and move on.
A comment on Dee’s post sums it up: “It seems that the submissives are the ones in control, using their money to find enjoyment while the findoms must continually meet their expectations.”
Reflections
As we explore financial domination, it’s clear that the power dynamics are more complex than they initially appear. While it seems like the findoms hold the power by controlling the submissives’ finances, it’s actually the submissives who control the relationship through their financial leverage.
In the end, financial domination isn’t about mindless submission or exploitation—it’s about seeking pleasure through a unique dynamic where money becomes a tool for control and fulfillment.
Additional Case
Finally, let’s share another example to illustrate the true nature of these relationships:
Richard, a 63-year-old hotel chain owner from Brooklyn, has been involved in BDSM since he was 17. He once saw a young, beautiful waitress at his hotel and invited her to dinner. He offered her free stays at his hotel and $500 cash each morning she stayed.
The waitress accepted, and Richard went above and beyond to please her, eventually giving her a credit card with a $10,000 limit. However, after four weeks, Richard lost interest and fired the waitress, turning his attention to another potential findom.
In this scenario, who truly holds the power?
References:
1. Nick Chester (2013-07-02). “Financial Domination Is a Very Expensive Fetish”. Vice. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
2. Abby Ellin (2015-02-18). “Yes, There Is Such a Thing as a ‘Financial Dominatrix,’ and It’s as Bizarre as You Think”. Observer. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
3. Alison Stevenson (7 November 2013). “I Went to a Class to Learn How to Financially Dominate Men”. Vice. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
4. Aaron Sankin (2013-09-11). “Inside the twisted world of the Internet’s priciest fetish”. The Daily Dot. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
5. Dickson, Ej (2013-06-29). ““Do it again or I’m gonna call your wife”: Inside the world of financial domination”. Salon. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
6. Nancy Redd (2015-03-11). “What’s Behind The Financial Domination Fetish”. HuffPost Live. Retrieved 2016-01-29.
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