Stupid question.  Right?  Well, maybe not.  For many folks, tickling can take on both playful and sexual roles depending on who they’re with.  For others, it can be something else entirely different.  So, lets look at some of the different ways that the love of tickling can be expressed in our lives.

Purely Playful Fun -  For many people, tickling is merely a playful way to interact with others. It can be a sign of affection and friendship.  For these folks, there is often much less struggle in satisfying their desire to tickle.  They simply have more opportunities to do so in an appropriate context.  When it’s purely a playful way to interact, there’s less concern over who they should or shouldn’t give a little tickle to.  It’s even easier to enjoy a good hearty tickle fight without having to worry, "Am I doing something wrong?"  Tickling in this context is more often accepted as a "normal" thing.  Unless we go along grabbing at everyone in sight or attack people at inappropriate times, people aren’t likely to think that much of it.

Sexual Tickling -  For many people, tickling plays an integral role in their sexuality.  It’s something that can get them very excited, some even to the point of being unable to become aroused without it.  Some can still enjoy tickling as a playful thing, seperated from their sexuality.  Some find that tickling actually takes the place of other sexual play.  Others have it so intertwined into their sexuality that they are unable to enjoy it simply for play.  These folks face a variety of struggles that others may not simply because the nature of their love of tickling limits who they’re able to enjoy it with.  Given the right person and circumstances, tickling can be very erotic.  Incorporating that into other forms of sexual play or simply enjoying it on its own can be a huge turn-on. 

Therapeutic Tickling -  While this is a much less understood and underutilized thing, tickling can be very therapeutic.  The body’s natural reactions to tickling release all sorts of neurotransmitters that act to relieve stress and anxiety.  A good tickle fight or a more prolonged tickle session on a regular basis can help to strengthen lung and heart capacities and even tone muscles as we flex and relax in response to tickling sensations.  Tickling can even become something of a spiritual experience as we learn to surrender ourselves to the care of another.

For many people, tickling can play all three of these roles to differing degrees throughout their lives.  Whatever it means to each individual is a matter of personal preferences and inclinations.  The one thing tickling is not is bad.