No wristwatches?

Question: I notice that somewhere in Code d' Odalisque it makes a rule that gentlemen who are involved in orgies and sex should not wear wristwatches. Why not? Why have rules like that? Does it matter?

It doesn't really matter, no. People are free to take what they want from Code d' Odalisque, and to adapt it to their own preferences and circumstances. Some people, though, are purists and will want to follow the rules to the letter.

The article about wristwatches reads:

24.26. - Wristwatches forbidden on naked players

The wearing of wristwatches by otherwise naked players during play is improper.

This is just a matter of etiquette. They are not strictly forbidden, but "improper" - which is to say in poor taste. It is a matter of style. But players are not bound by it.

This part of the Code -like many others - became part of the protocols of play in the early phases of the Code's development. You should appreciate that the people promoting and guiding Code d' Ode today are not actually the people who wrote the original documents. It seems that the people who wrote the original documents had a thing about guys wearing wristwatches and insisted that they take them off as part of being fully naked. This rule stuck. And, in fact, most people find it is OK as a rule. Our own experience is that - yes - it is rather "improper" for a gentleman to wear a wristwatch during an orgy.

There may be a symbolism one could construe from the rule - namely that odalisque play is not subject to time. It is about leisure. Another article of the Code points out that "All haste is of the devil." Why would you need to wear a wristwatch during sex? Are you keeping an eye of the time?

These days a more pressing issue is turning off mobile phones. If we were writing the Code today we would include an article that insists that gentlemen turn off their mobile phones and other electronic devices during orgia. Mobile phones ringing during an orgy is most improper.