I've come to he right place for advice. Very encouraging replies so far. Thanks.
I have considered the fact that I'm just not the swinger type. Don't buy it. From what I've seen, there is no "type". I also agree that I'm suffering from obsolete programming. Most of us are not brought up to pull our penises out in front of people we just met. In most circles that would be a bit rude. Conversely, in the right swinging situation it would be polite. Go figure. But, yes, I do believe that I need to reprogram myself a bit. That's what I need a little help with.
Good points about degree of familiarity/comfort with partners. Normally, we meet people online (SLS/Fab). Exchange emails to eatablish attraction and compatibility, meet for drink a time or two, then set up play situation. It has at times seemed a little rushed. And, even though playmates have always been courteous, I have felt pressured on a few occasions, like play is just expected. Hard to have an organic and fluid experience when those types of expectations are there.
I guess another clue to all this may be our most successful experience to date. We were naked in a hot tub full of swingers but really didn't get in there to play, just people watch and talk. There were various sexual acts happening but I really wasn't that turned on watching. Amused but not turned on. We ended up in conversation with a much younger Barbie/Ken couple- not really our type (never met or seen them before this). Surprisingly, we had a ton in common and had a great time just talking in a purely platonic way. Out of the blue, the other wife asked if she could play with my wife's tits (they are spectacular by the way). Why not. So here is this beautiful show going on inches in front of me. 10 minutes later we're in a cabana in a oral swap and finished with our own partners. Now, I was never really all in like I am when wife and I have sex but it was pretty good.
The point of the story is that it was an organic experience. Just happened naturally without expectations. Maybe a few more of those experiences would help in my reprogramming. The problem is that we would have preferred to know a little more about the couple before that happened. So, how could I keep things organic and spontaneous without fucking strangers?