I’ve compiled a two page questionnaire. Anyone who has a balloon fetish is welcome to copy and paste this to a word document and email it to me at pcrider@ycp.edu. write Looner in the subject line.
You may use an alias if you wish, but I will not be revealing anyone’s name.
Thank you!
~P.
Looners Interview: Thank you for answering my questions about the sexual fetish involving balloons. Please answer all questions that you are comfortable sharing.
Name or Alias:
Gender:
Age:
Occupation:
What age did you find you liked balloons?
At what age did balloons become a part of sex for you?
Is this fetish shared with your significant other? (boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband)
Why or why not?
Do you reveal your fetish to family? Friends?
What about balloons do you find appealing?
How do you involve balloons in a sexual experience?
Do you find other objects that can hold air stimulating? (latex gloves, condoms, etc.)
Are you sexually stimulated just by the sight of balloons? (at a traditional party)
Does size, shape or color of the balloon make a difference?
Are helium balloons more attractive/stimulating than regular blown balloons?
If a balloon has a balloon inside, is that extra stimulating?
Do you prefer blowing up balloons or inflating with helium?
Do you ever fill balloons with something other than air? (water, sand, mayonnaise, pickle juice)
Are the silver (foil) balloons appealing?
Do you have a specific balloon memory from childhood? Good or bad?
Do you like to pop balloons?
Do you get attached to the balloons and hate when they pop?
Do you have a favorite looner moment?
In your opinion is there any harm in a balloon fetish? (Physically, psychologically, etc.)
What do you believe other people think of Looners?
Does being a Looner have any effect on your relationships with others?
What do you find to be the most enjoyable activity with a balloon? (smell, feel, static, popping sound, etc.)
Any other comments please write as much as you would like.
Thank you!
Pattie Crider
York College of PA
girlboxer1970 
I love how you used my questions 🙂
We had lots of similar questions. I would not have thought to ask if anyone fills up balloons with anything beside air/helium.
I would love to answer the questions but I don’t know how to copy and paste. Your e mail address comes up under outlook and I don’t have that. Is there any other way of communicating with you?
Hello Kittykat 🙂 I emailed the questionnaire to you. Thank you! Pattie
Name or Alias:
charlie mccann
Gender:
male
Age:
48
Occupation:
What age did you find you liked balloons?
terrified by them popping til 6-7 years, then liked to tease myself byblowing them up, found hem sexy early puberty – 11 years say
At what age did balloons become a part of sex for you?
13 years – when first masturbating
Is this fetish shared with your significant other? (boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband)
it was when dating years ago, but my wife does not choose to play along since soon after we got married
Why or why not?
as above
Do you reveal your fetish to family? Friends?
no – but occassionally to strangers – such as chamber miads, shop assistants who I think might want to play along
What about balloons do you find appealing?
thier shape, smell, texture, smoothness, scary bangs, the anticipation of a bang, blowing into them turns me on too – so just about everything! they symbolise happiness and carefree good times. joyful colours
How do you involve balloons in a sexual experience?
i blow them up, squeeze them and pop them – these days whilst playing with myself, but previously with a girlfriend many years ago and initially my wife
Do you find other objects that can hold air stimulating? (latex gloves, condoms, etc.)
a little – but not as much, beachballs for instance are mildly fun (the vinyl smell and the squeeziness and smootness and colours, but nothing like as much. miss the thrill of the bang)
Are you sexually stimulated just by the sight of balloons? (at a traditional party)
yes – i feel excited mentally and “itch” to burst them or at least try to get playing with them, but dont get physically aroused
Does size, shape or color of the balloon make a difference?
not a great deal – but bright round ones with a tight nozzle are best fun. almost like a breast and nipple somehow!
Are helium balloons more attractive/stimulating than regular blown balloons?
a little because they appear tauter and “jostle” in the air
If a balloon has a balloon inside, is that extra stimulating?
no
Do you prefer blowing up balloons or inflating with helium?
blowing them is best fun (and more accessible anyway)
Do you ever fill balloons with something other than air? (water, sand, mayonnaise, pickle juice)
no
Are the silver (foil) balloons appealing?
not at all!
Do you have a specific balloon memory from childhood? Good or bad?
being frightened of them when young, but also that even younger than 10 I used to get a hard on from them! simultaneous agony and deep joy of blowing them up, firht and pelasure all together that makes me “tingle” with excitement
Do you like to pop balloons?
LOVE IT! (now)
Do you get attached to the balloons and hate when they pop?
only as a small child – the bang scared me badly, and the anticipation of the bang was even worse. I would tease myslef with them in the garden
Do you have a favorite looner moment?
girlfriend at uni all those years ago, with lots of balloons under her bedclothes and popping them together; the first time she suggested playing with balloons when we were first dating and her telling me that her old boyfriend (and also her sister and ehr husband) used to play sexily with balloons, and would I like to try that too! just wonderful – wound up buying a bag together the next day and popping them in her room between us, playing silly sexy games.
In your opinion is there any harm in a balloon fetish? (Physically, psychologically, etc.)
no – just a lot of fun. some frustration that others dont often get it – though I find many girls/women do love to play with them. I have found chamber maids on business trips time after time love to play with balloons if they are on the floor in your room, and love to burst them more often than are frightened too, if asked to play and pop.
What do you believe other people think of Looners?
men think it is wierd – women seem to be okay generally
Does being a Looner have any effect on your relationships with others?
no
What do you find to be the most enjoyable activity with a balloon? (smell, feel, static, popping sound, etc.)
fell smell inflation and pop – especially watching women blow and pop them whilst watching me/teasing us both a little.
refer to http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/balloons4fun/ for some true stories of my experiences
good luck – please mail me a copy of your final work.
I think much of the world is missing out on a whole barrel of fun!
Would you please Email me yhe balloon survey? I don’t know how to do the whole word doc and out look thing. Thank you Pattie.
Balloonshawn
Name or Alias: Infl8orama
Gender: Male
Age: 40
Occupation: Computer tech
What age did you find you liked balloons? I was phobic of popping (still don’t like the noise) from a very early age, but got into inflatables at age three or so (!). As I grew sexually aware around 11, balloons became part of my inflatable fetish.
At what age did balloons become a part of sex for you? 11
Is this fetish shared with your significant other? (boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband) Luckily for me, yes.
Why or why not? Well, first, because she’s awesome, and second, because I thought it was worth opening up to her and being honest about it.
Do you reveal your fetish to family? Friends? I don’t reveal anything about my sex life to family and friends. They really don’t need to know unless they’re going to participate.
What about balloons do you find appealing? The shapes, the shininess, the squeakiness, the way they fill with air.
How do you involve balloons in a sexual experience? As a rule, I inflate them full or partially full, hug them, rub up against them, and then ride them until either they pop or I do.
Do you find other objects that can hold air stimulating? (latex gloves, condoms, etc.) The main air-filled objects I enjoy are vinyl inflatables, especially pool toys and dolls.
Are you sexually stimulated just by the sight of balloons? (at a traditional party) If they’re really large, and/or held or interacted with by an attractive woman, yes.
Does size, shape or color of the balloon make a difference? Size, yes. Color…you know, I’ve always thought of myself as liking pink, red, purple, black, and clear, but the more I think about it, color is not that big a deal. I like all shapes of balloons.
Are helium balloons more attractive/stimulating than regular blown balloons? I’d say about the same.
If a balloon has a balloon inside, is that extra stimulating? Not extra-stimulating.
Do you prefer blowing up balloons or inflating with helium? I like blowing them up and watching them be blown up.
Do you ever fill balloons with something other than air? (water, sand, mayonnaise, pickle juice) Nope.
Are the silver (foil) balloons appealing? Mylar and foil balloons are not a big thing for me.
Do you have a specific balloon memory from childhood? Good or bad? I remember lots of other kids popping balloons because they knew it upset me.
Do you like to pop balloons? Not especially.
Do you get attached to the balloons and hate when they pop? A bit. Mostly, it’s the noise.
Do you have a favorite looner moment? None yet. More experimentation needed! 🙂
In your opinion is there any harm in a balloon fetish? (Physically, psychologically, etc.) Heavens, no.
What do you believe other people think of Looners? I think most people have a range of opinions about us, from the idea that we are some sort of deranged pedophiles (not true, BTW, of any of us that I’ve met) all the way to the idea that we’re delightfully kinky, with many stops in between. Mostly, though I think people think we’re fun and harmless, which seems to be very true of all the balloon fetishists I’ve hung out with.
Does being a Looner have any effect on your relationships with others? Not especially. I tend to evaluate people on a broad spectrum of characteristics.
What do you find to be the most enjoyable activity with a balloon? (smell, feel, static, popping sound, etc.) I think for me–strictly thinking about balloons here–hugging is my favorite thing.
Can you please, please put this on an online survey site? It’s a huge pain to fill it out like this.
Please…just copy and paste the questions into a word doc or an email and write your answers there. Thank you! ~P.
Name or Alias: anonymous
Gender: Male
Age:40
Occupation: Geek
What age did you find you liked balloons? I think around 10
At what age did balloons become a part of sex for you? 18
Is this fetish shared with your significant other? (boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband) yes, wife
Why or why not? Life is too short… why not!
Do you reveal your fetish to family? Friends? No and No
What about balloons do you find appealing? I like the colors, the shape, the smell and the fragility
How do you involve balloons in a sexual experience? foreplay or to add to the excitement, not really involved per se.
Do you find other objects that can hold air stimulating? (latex gloves, condoms, etc.) no
Are you sexually stimulated just by the sight of balloons? (at a traditional party) sometimes… but usually only if it involves attractive women or the thought that they were prepared by an attractive women. 🙂
Does size, shape or color of the balloon make a difference? yes
Are helium balloons more attractive/stimulating than regular blown balloons? depends on the situation/circumstances, the size of the balloons, etc. i.e. the tightly inflated crystal balloons will win every time.
If a balloon has a balloon inside, is that extra stimulating? not really
Do you prefer blowing up balloons or inflating with helium? I go in phases with this… I obsessed about getting a He tank, but rarely use it.
Do you ever fill balloons with something other than air? (water, sand, mayonnaise, pickle juice) never
Are the silver (foil) balloons appealing? not at all
Do you have a specific balloon memory from childhood? Good or bad? Yes. Good and Bad.
Do you like to pop balloons? only when I have hearing protection and only when I’m alone.
Do you get attached to the balloons and hate when they pop? I don’t get attached, I have a love-hate relationship with popping.
Do you have a favorite looner moment? my surprising me with a room full of balloons
In your opinion is there any harm in a balloon fetish? (Physically, psychologically, etc.) only if people get obsessed with it… as far as the spectrum of fetishes go, I would say it is benign and ‘fun’. The creeps on youtube that try to coax kids to blow up balloons are harmful.
What do you believe other people think of Looners? I think some people this they are strange. If people are open minded I don’t think they care.
Does being a Looner have any effect on your relationships with others? I don’t think so. I feel if I obsessed too much about it my wife might get tired of it…
What do you find to be the most enjoyable activity with a balloon? (smell, feel, static, popping sound, etc.) I like the way a tightly inflated balloon looks.
Any other comments please write as much as you would like. I have specific tastes in balloons. I don’t like specific colors. I don’t really like small or very large balloons. I don’t like the term ‘looner’. I don’t understand people humping balloons, I don’t look down on it, I just don’t get it. I rarely blow up balloons myself and almost never by mouth. I enjoy watching my wife (or other attractive women) blowing them up, especially near bursting. My wife doesn’t like popping balloons. When she blows one up for me while having sex it is usually to the max. I like to save them for ‘solo’ play and will blow them up, reliving the experience or thought of her blowing them up… and I will pop them. I like printed and crystal/jewel tone balloons best. I still have a paralyzing fear of balloons popping. If in a situation and balloons come out it is a fight or flight response. If there are attractive women involved I feel different. Anxious yet compelled to stick around.
Thank you for answering my questionnaire online. A few others have done the same and I think it’s great! ~P.
Done (at last). All the best for your paper 🙂
I think you have chosen an interesting subject . As a child i went through the fight or flight experience around age 4 or 5 . at around age 8 or9 in a private moment I accidently blew up a balloon to bursting , the combination of joy and shock of that acompleshment was so overwhelming that I never forgot it .It was some time befor I musterd up the courage to btp deliberately but to this day I thuroughly enjoy the practice as a stress releaver. The biger they get and the more pieces they shred in to the more fun it is .Ii also love to rub over inflated balloons untill they burst ,especially large long ones 16 – 17 inch round , and figureen are my favorite’s to btp. The bigest downer is the clean up. I am now in my mid 80’s and have a problem with C O P D .My doctor says to keep up what I am doing .
In your mid-eighties! Amazing….looners lead a longer life. 🙂 ~P.
Just a baby here at 55 😉
I dated someone who had a balloon fetish, still trying to figure it out
I’m a little late to the party here, but am feeling compelled to respond because there seem to be very few female voices in the looner community!
Gender: Female
Age: 34
Occupation: Corporate Monkey
What age did you find you liked balloons? To say I “like” balloons is a stretch (no pun intended, haha). It wasn’t until very recently that I’ve been exploring my feelings about them…a few months ago. I, like many, have had a phobia since a child. The phobia carried through to adulthood and I’ve always been so nervous around balloons I never considered exploring anything potentially sexual about them. I would hide from parties and places that I would potentially be exposed to balloons as a child. As I got older, I forced myself to be more comfortable around them, because they are so common place in our culture, but I still, often had to excuse myself from situations with balloons that made me uncomfortable. My greatest fears about them are the unpredictability of when and if they will pop. Traditionally, I was fine around them until people start messing with them.
At what age did balloons become a part of sex for you? Very recently – so, 34 years old. My husband is the only person that knows of my fear of balloons and he has always been very, very respectful of my anxiety. I needed some help blowing up balloons for a party and trusted him implicitly with his knowledge of my fear so asked for his help. As we were blowing up balloons I was watching him and was particularly fascinated watching my lover mastering the object of my anxiety – it turned me on. I sat with the experience for a couple of days until I finally mustered up the courage to tell him. He and I have a very active, creative sex-life – frequenters of dom/sub/BDSM play. We switch roles and have different interests when it comes to playing the role of dom and sub. For myself, I like to get hit (flogged, poked, tortured) because I like the fear associated with what comes next. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the reason why I was turned on watching my husband blow up balloons was because of a similar feeling of fear and arousal that other aspects of our BDSM play provided.
Is this fetish shared with your significant other? (boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband) – Since telling him of my arousal watching him blow up balloons he’s been very receptive and creative when it comes to using balloons during sex.
Why or why not? I am very fortunate to have such an open partner – we tell each other everything and we are strictly interested in providing pleasure for one another.
Do you reveal your fetish to family? Friends? While this is a new found pleasure for me, I haven’t revealed anything, and I’m not sure that I ever would. We engage in a lot of sexual activity that many would consider waaaay left of center, and I do not tell anyone about that. This is just another on the long list of our “dirty little secrets.”
What about balloons do you find appealing? – The fear and the unpredictability.
How do you involve balloons in a sexual experience? – When we do use balloons in sexual play, watching my husband blow them up and blowing them up myslf almost serves as a kind of foreplay. In spite of my phobia, I have found I love to pop them and watch/hear/feel them pop when I am in the throws of an orgasm. My husband uses them as a form of bondage – I am so fearful that I will not move in the midst of a room full of balloons – he can do pretty much anything to me without me being physically restrained, and I am able to withstand almost anything for fear that I will accidentally pop a balloon. When it does happen, though it’s oddly exhilirating. In a controlled environment, I am nothing short of courageous when it comes to my phobia and it’s empowering in a lot of ways. He also gets me off with balloons, the mechanics of which can be terrifying, but the outcome intense.
Do you find other objects that can hold air stimulating? (latex gloves, condoms, etc.) – No. Other objects that hold air are not part of my phobia. Only latex balloons.
Are you sexually stimulated just by the sight of balloons? (at a traditional party) – No. I am still more fearful than anything else.
Does size, shape or color of the balloon make a difference? Not really, although yellow balloons tend to hold more terror for me. I recall a particularly scary childhood experience with a yellow balloon. Yellow heightens my senses more than any other color.
Are helium balloons more attractive/stimulating than regular blown balloons? I am particularly horrified watching helium balloons be inflated. I haven’t explored any aspects of sexual play involving helium balloons.
f a balloon has a balloon inside, is that extra stimulating? No.
Do you prefer blowing up balloons or inflating with helium? At this point in my self-discovery, I prefer the manual method.
Do you ever fill balloons with something other than air? (water, sand, mayonnaise, pickle juice) – No. Water balloons, or a balloon filled with anything other than air does not scare me.
Are the silver (foil) balloons appealing? No, I am not afraid of these either.
Do you have a specific balloon memory from childhood? Good or bad? I have many specific memories of balloons, and all of them are bad. I was teased so terribly because of my fear, that I learned to completely hide my fear as I got older.
Do you like to pop balloons? Surprisingly, these days, yes.
Do you get attached to the balloons and hate when they pop? No.
Do you have a favorite looner moment? Not in particular. Every time we do something with a balloon it’s a new experience. The exhiliration of overcoming my fear and the intense orgasm that follows in any capacity is awesome enough that they’re all my favorite.
In your opinion is there any harm in a balloon fetish? (Physically, psychologically, etc.) – No. I’m of the mind that, as long as it’s consentual and it’s not hurting anyone, anything that turns you on isn’t of any harm – whatever the fetish might be.
What do you believe other people think of Looners? Thanks to what the’ve seen on TLC and National Geographic, I feel that they probably think we are freaks. Most people, Americans in particular, are so sexually repressed that anything outside of the realm of vanilla is intimidating and requires a negative label, which is unfortunate. They’re missing out on a lot of fun!
Does being a Looner have any effect on your relationships with others?
What do you find to be the most enjoyable activity with a balloon? (smell, feel, static, popping sound, etc.)
Thank you for adding to my survey! I am working long term on this for a book. Have a great day! ~P.
Nome ou Alias: Everson Alves
sexo: Masculino
idade: 33
ocupação: Hoster
Que idade você descobriu que gostava balões? 6 anos de idade quando eu estourei com a boca um balão amarelo que era duas vezes maior do que eu.
Com que idade balões de se tornar uma parte do sexo para você? Eu nunca tive uma experiência sexual com balões, mas eu gostaria.
É esse fetiche compartilhado com seu outro significativo? (namorado / namorada / esposa / marido) Não
Por que ou por que não? Porque o fetiche por balões é só meu.
Você revelar o seu fetiche com a família? Friends? Para nenhum dos dois, porque eu não saberia qual seria a reação deles.
E sobre balões você acha atraente? Sim
Como você se envolver balões em uma experiência sexual? Acho que com a parceira enchendo até estourar para mim.
Você encontra outros objetos que podem conter estimulantes ar? (luvas de látex, preservativos, etc) Não
Você está sexualmente estimulado apenas pela visão de balões? (em uma festa tradicional) Sim
O tamanho, a forma ou a cor do balão de fazer a diferença? Faz uma diferença grande
São balões de hélio mais atraente / estimulante do que balões soprados regulares? Soprado regularmente
Se um balão tem uma dentro do balão, que é estimulante extra? sim
Você prefere encher balões ou inflar com gás hélio? encher
Você já encher balões com algo diferente do que o ar? (água, areia, maionese, suco de picles) Não
São (folha) balões de prata atraente? Acho que sim
Você tem uma memória balão específico desde a infância? Bom ou ruim? Sim, aquela que eu mencionei na questão 1.
Você gosta de estourar balões? Sim
Você se apega aos balões e odeio quando eles aparecem? Apego-me
Você tem um momento favorito looner? Não tenho um específico
Na sua opinião existe algum mal em um fetiche balão? (Fisicamente, psicologicamente, etc) Não existe mal nenhum, mas há pessoas que não compreendem
O que você acredita que as outras pessoas pensam de Looners? Não faço a mínima ideia.
Será que ser um looner tem qualquer efeito sobre o seu relacionamento com os outros? Não
O que você acha que seja a atividade mais agradável, com um balão? (olfato, tato, som de estalo estática, etc) o estouro, e a firmeza que o balão quando está bem inflado, me dá a sensação de tocar num seio ou num bumbum bem bonito.
Name or Alias : Everson Alves
Sex : Male
age : 33
occupation : Hoster
How old were you discovered he liked balloons ? 6 years old when I erupted with mouth a yellow balloon that was twice bigger than me .
At what age balloons become a part of sex for you ? I never had a sexual experience with balloons , but I’d like .
Is this fetish shared with your significant other ? ( boyfriend / girlfriend / wife / husband ) not
Why or why not ? Why the fetish for balloons is just mine .
You reveal your fetish with family ? Friends? For neither, because I do not know what their reaction would be .
What about balloons you find attractive ? yes
Balloons as you engage in a sexual experience ? I think with the partner filled to bursting for me .
You can find other objects that may contain stimulants air? ( latex gloves , condoms , etc. ) not
You are sexually stimulated by sight alone of balloons ? (in a traditional festival ) Yes
The size, shape or color of the balloon to make a difference ? It makes a big difference
Helium balloons are more attractive / challenging than regular balloons blown ? blown regularly
A balloon has a balloon within which is extra stimulating ? yes
Do you prefer to fill or inflate balloons with helium ? fill
You have to fill balloons with something other than air ? ( water, sand , mayonnaise , pickle juice ) No
Are ( foil ) balloons attractive silver ? I think so
Do you have a specific memory balloon from childhood ? Good or bad ? Yes , the one I mentioned in question 1 .
Do you like popping balloons ? yes
You get attached to balloons and hate when they appear ? I cling
Do you have a favorite moment looner ? Not have a specific
In your opinion is there any harm in a balloon fetish ? ( Physically , psychologically , etc. ) There is no harm , but there are people who do not understand
What do you think other people think of Looners ? I have no idea .
Would be a looner have any effect on your relationship with others ? not
What do you think is the most enjoyable activity , with a balloon ? ( smell, touch , sound popping static , etc. ) burst , and firmly when the balloon is inflated well , gives me the feeling of touching a breast or a butt pretty well .
Hi everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this website,
and piece of writing is in fact fruitful in support of me,
keep up posting these types of articles.
I know I’m late by like 3 years but I just wanted to add to this…
Name or Alias: Christian
Gender: Male
Age: 15 (yup I’m the youngest here! Woo!)
Occupation: Sticking to my studies as well as my PS3
What age did you find you liked balloons? I don’t know… I think on my 6th birthday I just realized that I liked my birthday balloons. I would always keep them whenever I got them. When I was 10 or 11, things got serious. I realized it’s a hobby so I started asking people, neighbors, store owners for any unwanted balloons, any chance I could get. A few years later I started asking people on social media and since then my collection has expanded!
At what age did balloons become a part of sex for you? So far… Not yet. Can’t say if I’ll ever do that but I do know that I love using them as pillows and just having them around.
Is this fetish shared with your significant other? (boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband)
I hope… It’s really hard to find anyone that so much as loves balloons. I heard that two balloon fetish supply companies, nordiclooners.com and balloons-united.com both started out by one member of a couple introduced the other to balloons. From there they started two businesses that are fantastic for getting balloons… If only shipping wasn’t so high since they’re in Europe, and I haven’t gotten any of those balloons yet.
Why or why not? It would be amazing to be able to share an interest that means sooooo much to me!
Do you reveal your fetish to family? Friends?
Only my closest friends. My family all shuns me except my mom just accepts it.
What about balloons do you find appealing? Not sure… I generally just love the cute colors, designs, feel, everything. And it’s fun trying to get them without buying any :3 bringing them home, etc
How do you involve balloons in a sexual experience? I’d say probably just sitting or laying on them. I just have such a feeling of elation
Do you find other objects that can hold air stimulating? (latex gloves, condoms, etc.) pool toys, sometimes gloves…
Are you sexually stimulated just by the sight of balloons? (at a traditional party)
Sometimes… I always wait to see if they’re going to pop them first so I can stop them just in time when they’re unwanted. I just FLOOD with adrenaline like their life is my life and I’ll do anything to rescue them if possible. Took a long time to control it.
Does size, shape or color of the balloon make a difference? Yes. Prints, bigger sizes, girly colors are more appealing to me.
Are helium balloons more attractive/stimulating than regular blown balloons? Not really… I just care for them more since I don’t have a tank. Helium balloons are left untouched until they lost all air or most of it. I do some research with that.
If a balloon has a balloon inside, is that extra stimulating? You know… I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like that in person before…
Do you prefer blowing up balloons or inflating with helium? Both
Do you ever fill balloons with something other than air? (water, sand, mayonnaise, pickle juice)
Umm no. Water balloons are too small to me and air/helium is good enough for me! It’s literally like being on a cushion of air!
Are the silver (foil) balloons appealing?
Yeah! I collect latex and foil balloons alike. Not many lookers do that.
Do you have a specific balloon memory from childhood? Good or bad?
Bad
Way back in 7th grade, a girl was moving to Texas. I didn’t know her so i didn’t really care much. At school, her friends got her gifts: chocolate and a butterfly balloon. She leaves by bus so I tried to warn her that they won’t let her on with the balloon but she wouldn’t listen 😦 she made it past the checkpoint but got caught on the bus and went to the office. In the office, they took her stuff and said she could have it tomorrow morning or something by a parent. She said she couldn’t because this was her last day. The office lady then basically said to just get on the bus. I came in and asked if I could have the balloon so I can mail it to her but she said its “still hers”… Then she ate her chocolates in front of her and stabbed the balloon with scissors… The girl was devastated… Talking about how that was the last stuff she’ll have from her friends and she has nothing to remember them by. It was so bad she had to be dragged out by her friends… I asked if I could still have it as “wallpaper” but they still said no. I then decided to get her as many as possible and mail them to her. Years went by, change of schools, and now I don’t even know who her friends were 😦 I never got the chance to send them. Eventually it turned into a more serious hobby. Collecting balloons.
Do you like to pop balloons?
Nope! I’m a nonpopper and proud of it! I hate seeing them popped.
Do you get attached to the balloons and hate when they pop? Yes. For those bread moments. Sometimes I whisper to myself a moment of silence… Honoring it briefly.
Do you have a favorite looner moment?
When I check my PO BOX to 12 packages from different people from Finland (nice people. I get LOADS on May Day!)
In your opinion is there any harm in a balloon fetish? (Physically, psychologically, etc.) nope. Not at all… Although I find it strange how everyone else I’ve seen that’s a looner has poor grammar… Maybe they just don’t speak English, or they’re from another country?
What do you believe other people think of Looners?
That they’re creeps with no life
Does being a Looner have any effect on your relationships with others?
Oh yes. Everyone laughs at me. Once, my high school was split between supporting me and balloons or humiliating me and stopping me, which led to me being “framed” I would say, and having to withdraw from a bad situation. No respect for us.
What do you find to be the most enjoyable activity with a balloon? (smell, feel, static, popping sound, etc.)
Everything except popping!
Any other comments please write as much as you would like.
If you have any unwanted balloons, I’d love to have them!
Could you help me find a place to talk to other loners? It sucks that only few people are open about it 😦
Thank you!
Pattie Crider
York College of PA