A Shibari Bet

They say I’m rude, but I’m not. I am very competitive, I can acknowledge that, but in the world of business, if you’re not a shark, you’re a prey. Anyway, this girl at the office kept saying that I was too rude, and that someone ought to teach me a lesson. It was all a joke, I know. That’s why I came up with the idea of making a bet: whoever got the best sales figures that month would have the other something uncomfortable. She agreed. So, we specified that, if she lost, she would have to dress up in a sexy business woman outfit, have a picture taken, and then send it to my cell phone for my private enjoyment. If I lost, I would be tied up in the style of Shibari. It was a Shibari bet.

Even though I accepted the bet, I had no idea what Shibari was. I googled it and I discovered that it was a Japanese word for rope bondage. It originated as a form of torture and humiliation for prisoners, and I can totally understand that. Who wants to be restrained? I don’t like being vulnerable, so that people can do with me whatever they want. So, I had to win the bet!

I did my best and, actually, it was a very good month in terms of sales. However, the girl came up with a sales strategy that was a stroke of genius, so her figures were better than mine, and I lost the bet.

I begged that we don’t do it publicly and she agreed, something I’m really grateful for. She didn’t tie me, actually. We went to a studio and a professional performed half a dozen knots. It didn’t look like a big deal, but it was enough to prevent me from moving. I hated every moment of it. And then, when I was feeling more miserable, she said to me:

—In a few minutes, he’s going to untie you. Now, once that happens, you can continue being the same jerk you’ve always been, or you can learn that, no matter how competitive and strong you are, we all have weaknesses. We’re all vulnerable at one moment or another, just like you are right now. And that you better be aware of that and be nice to all the people around you.

I think I got the point. And I can’t wait for a Shibari bet.

This is my Shibari story.