Serious BDSM Player Can't Be Serious (And Shouldn't Be Listened To)

Savage Love Letter of the Dayby Dan Savage
Originally published on January 18, 2012.
I'm into BDSM and my safe word is "safe word." It's short, memorable, and unmistakable in its intent. Someone recently told me that "any serious BDSM player" would laugh me out of the community if I used that. Is she right? Is she just being a dickhead? Should I have to say something silly like "grapefruit" in order to get my point across?
Grapefruits Aren't GoodI may not be the best person to adjudicate this di