Vanillas

“Vanillas” refers to people who prefer sexuality without BDSM, fetish, or other pronounced kink elements. The term is informal and is usually used as the counterpart to people who identify as kinky or BDSM-oriented. It generally describes a preference for more conventional sex, but not necessarily a lack of openness to other practices.

Depending on the context, the term can sound neutral, casual, or slightly distancing. As with “vanilla” in general, the classification is subjective and depends on the people involved and their sexual self-understanding. The term should not be used to devalue people or to judge their preferences in a blanket way.