In many cases, the dominant/submissive relationship involves the dominant party psychologically tearing down and denigrating the submissive (consensually, meeting the submissive's expressed needs and respecting hard limits).
Many distinguish top/bottom from dominant/submissive by seeing top/bottom as an expression of physical power, while dominant/submissive is an expression of psychological power. For bottoms who are not submissive, the bottom is most often the partner who is giving instructions-the top typically tops when, and in the manner, requested by the bottom. Similarly, a submissive might not be a bottom they may enjoy taking orders from a dominant without receiving any physical stimulation. A bottom is not necessarily a submissive they may enjoy intense physical and psychological stimulation but not submit to the person delivering it. The main difference between a submissive and a bottom is that the submissive ostensibly does not give instructions, although they do set limits on what the dominant can do. Her top holds her with a chain leash tied around her neck at Folsom Street Fair. A gagged woman with bound hands sits in a submissive position.
