What's a fetish?

I recently got this question from an ex-girlfriend. I was pretty surprised she asked now because I had tried my best through the years together, to explain the ideology behind fetishm and bdsm in general. Also because at the time she claimed my fetishm was one of the main reason for our breakup.

Okay enough about that, what's a fetish anyway ?
In my case, I have always been aroused with some types of pvc raingear and latex clothes. So by definition that would be my fetish. There's a huge array of fetishes out there and to name a few:

Clothes, material/style:
Uniform fetish (schoolgirl, French maid, nurse, cop), shoe fetishm, jeans fetishm, leather/latex.

Body parts:
Breast fetish, foot fetishm, hair fetishm, hand fetishm, buttocks fetishm.

These are just a few examples of common fetishes. I often wonder why some fetishes are more so "accepted" by the general public than others ? Such as a nurse.. it seems perfectly "legitimate" to fantasize about a girl dressed as a nurse. But when the fantasy evolves about her being in a gasmask, high heels and wearing a leather whip. That's considered kinky and somewhat out of the "norm". I do hope the general public will accept fetishm in general and make no discrimination between fetishes.

Hopefully will blogs like this, public fetish events such as Skin Two's Rubber Ball will help educate people and help us feel less "alone".