AirmaxUK

I note that some of the forums have a pinned note that says something like "if you're in recovery and don't want to see this, let me know". So I gather it must be technically possible to mask forums from a user's view. When I scroll through the recent activity to catch up on what's been going on here, there are certain things that appear that can *really* dampen my mood. Would it be possible to opt out of the politics forum and straight forums? I'm just here for the m4m bareback deviancy - thanks. Andy

It is likely that putting yourself out there on Grindr etc. has replaced the need for visual codes. Without a visual cue that suggested someone's orientation I'd feel exceptionally uncomfortable approaching them. In SoHo, Vauxhall and parts of Berlin the odds are in your favour, but outside these bubbles things are still a long way behind and I'd worry about getting my ass kicked for being forward. I'd like to think that the old eye contact thing still worked - but people are so engrossed in their phones that isn't viable. Maybe someone needs to use the technology from the Covid tracking apps so that you get a 'gaydar' ping or a notification if someone is nearby! (Although in the wrong hands, that could be dangerous)

Most of us are probably aware of the iconic clones of the 70's and 80's. I remember London in the mid 90's the typical gay clone uniform was a white t-shirt, black 501's, white socks and black Caterpillar boots. You could always spot guys on public transport or on the street and it was a great way to recognise others and cruise them. These days I tend to only frequent places where clothing is fetish or not required at all, so I'm out of touch. Left me wondering in 2020 does the gay clone exist? Or have we merged with mainstream culture and it's disappeared?

Absolutely - my first fetish: Now this is going to date me but I think it comes from when I was at school we were into breakdancing and high-tops were just beginning to come in to the UK from the US. Being a less affluent background, not everyone could afford them, and I remember one of our gang got to go to Florida one summer and came back with a pair. Everyone was in awe. But he was quite generous and let his friends wear them at lunchtime/breaktime to dance in. I found that quite a turn on and started asking lads I secretly liked to borrow or swap their kicks - that worked a lot better after I got some Jordans for my birthday... but to this day the feel of swapping kicks with a guy hot off his feet - still moist and warm is very powerful feeling for me. Add in some aroma of the sweat and it's heaven. Over the years, it goes a lot further and interests have spread to cover socks, boots, getting trampled. Before Covid lockdown we were organising successful monthly parties in London for guys into feet/footwear. Add in BB and it's the perfect scene!

Based on personal experience, a lot of it maybe to do with easy availability: I live out the Chiltern countryside, west of London - not many guys around here, but we're only 28 minutes from central London by train. Guys won't travel out of town to visit even though we have tons of space and they can stay overnight. Why? Probably because guys in London can find what they need on their doorstep pretty much. Although, I find a bit odd as with population density in London being what it is many people live in shared spaces and the first question is usually 'can you accom?'. Yes I can, but they have to travel and they won't. That's backed by the my observation that other guys in neighbouring towns and villages don't mind a 10-15 mile trip - and we're all regulars in London for fun. I'm often in London for work (pre lockdown) and run against the 'can you accom?' issue which is why I tend to stick to places like central station, vault, etc. You might be finding a similar thing is happening with Nottingham and Lincoln. For me travelling is about risk - if I think someone might flake then I'll be less inclined to travel. If it's someone I know or have met before then I'd be more inclined. Also I always try and have a plan 'B' if I'm travelling a decent distance - perhaps a nearby sauna or something that ties with another of my hobbies and interests. What I never do is say I'll be somewhere and not show up. For me once the commitment is made there's no backing out. I've travelled London to Hull for a session before which was three hours there and three back with traffic... I have plans in the making to visit another BZ guy in Manchester and another in Blackpool when the Covid thing quietens down a bit more - both are long trips. I am in the early stages of planning a visit to Frankfurt to meet someone - but that will likely be combined with other reasons to visit Frankfurt, as that's a fair cost and time commitment. Andy

I think if you search these forums you'll find links and references to WhatsApp groups and similar.

Just seen this article in the London Evening Standard: [think before following links] https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/sex-illegal-england-coronavirus-lockdown-restrictions-a4456506.html I'll just leave that there, then...

I heard a trailer for this series which starts next week on BBC Radio 4 and it sounds quite interesting. There are ten episodes broadcast over two weeks, starting Monday 8th June 2020 with two Omnibus episodes available at the end of the week. After broadcast the programmes are usually available on BBC Sounds for a period, so you don't have to listen live. If you're not in the UK, I think BBC Radio is accessible from abroad, unlike BBC TV. The BBC Sounds App is a good way to do this. [think before following links] https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jvrf/broadcasts/upcoming

Maybe lookout for scally/chav lads with their hands down their Trakkies scratching furiously. See plenty in places like McD’s

It must depend on the area. I know The Churchill in Oxford is still doing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. My local STI clinic is doing booked appointments only - no walk in clinics. As for crabs, lyclear and derbac-m treatments are available at chemists/pharmacy so a sti clinic may not be the best place to look...

Haven’t been lately but pre Covid I’d aim for no earlier than 23:30 on a Friday or Saturday and it always seemed to peak after midnight then a bit of a lull and then again in the small hours.

Interested to know which one is Drew Marks... The tall guy with the Mohawk? Berlin has some hidden gems - the tourist scene is something of a moneymaking circus these days. I prefer to go when it is not BLF/Folsom/etc and seek out some of the more offbeat backwaters where the locals hang out. That strategy has led to some of the very best experiences I've had in Berlin.

There is another long standing thread on here about London meet-ups - so why don't we pick an evening and have an unofficial BZ meetup at Vault 139 when it reopens (hopefully!) after Covid-19 is over...

I had forgotten about PlayPit+ nights!

Maybe I am romanticising somewhat, but the thing I remember about Playpit was how nothing seemed to matter - shape, size, age - everyone seemed to get off. And I remember the staff joined in. First time I was there, I got a welcoming I won't for get in one of the cubicles. My only regret is that back then I wasn't as far along my BB journey as now - so I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have.

The other evening I found a couple of videos on PornHub that were filmed in the old PlayPit behind the E.T. Baker shopfront before it moved further North up the Caledonian Road. They're long videos - both about 1h40. It was quite nostalgic seeing the play spaces I remember. But the real surprise was recognising some of the guys in it... and it left me wondering "where are they now". I'll post links to the videos in the "Bareback Porn Discussion" to avoid getting an infraction. Andy

For those that used to visit PlayPit in London - this should bring back a few memories: [think before following links] https://www.pornhub.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ph5db47df2af394 [think before following links] https://www.pornhub.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ph5b79729c8e851 Would love to know what became of these guys - I do still remember a few of them from when I used to visit.

Meant to say that this seems new behaviour since the changes that happened recently. Safari 13.1 on OSX Catalina 10.15.4

Have noticed that when the page loads, the notification (globe) button shows a red spot with the number of notifications outstanding. Once the page has loaded fully, the red spot vanishes so it looks like there are no notifications, however on clicking it I can see there are notifications - the exact number initially reported before it vanished.

It will be interesting to see how the situation develops: I think that clubs with dark rooms and bathouses/saunas will be among the very last places to re-open. The only other two outlets we have really are the apps and cruising spots. I am really hoping the latter enjoys a renaissance, as the hook up apps before the lockdown they were getting frustratingly sketchy when it came to arranging real meets. When you visit a cruising spot, you've made a commitment to the cause - unlike the apps where you can log off and have wank instead.

Oh yes - I've seen some where the TV is left on BBC News 24 or even UK Daytime TV and you can hear it very clearly - very much a distraction.

It happens. Some guys feel rejected if they get turned down and retaliate so they leave the situation with what they believe is the upper hand. The only other option is to ignore if you're not interested, but I think that make you look bad. My approach: Be honest, and rise above their insecurities if they react...

In some of the other sections of this forum there are some really good stories that have been written - some stretching to many multi-parts - and some are extremely popular. Followers anticipate each instalment eagerly... Given how guys seem to anticipate and discuss each chapter of the stories as they are written and published, it strikes me that this could be a great subscription revenue stream for studios. Now, I realise a lot of porn is about instant gratification but given the popularity of the stories on here, I do wonder if there is a market for stuff that has more emphasis on characters and a storyline - maybe even a mini-series. It has probably been done with the more 'fluffy' porn but I reckon there is a market for some less fluffy (TIM style) stuff with a storyline. I remember the 90's/00's Cazzo films that were harder in terms of content, but had a storyline (although usually quite a weird one) - and enjoyed those. Is anyone making this kind of stuff any more? Is there a demand? or am I alone in my appreciation of this kind of thing?

First time I watch a clip, it's all about the action and what's going on, but then I'll begin to notice details in the background of images. Particularly enjoy it when it is filmed in someone's house or room and you can see their personal stuff lying around, rather than a empty tidy anodyne hotel room. These details give little details away about the guy. What he likes: books, pictures, posters, cd/dvds, sports equipment... And also the circumstances of the film: a pile of discarded clothes and sneakers on the floor is more likely to mean it a real-hookup than something that's been intentionally filmed. There are extremeds, though: there was a clip I saw sometime ago filmed in a guys room and it was really dirty and messy - garbage on the floor, discarded clothes everywhere, half eaten take-aways, no sheets on the bed- just a bare mattress. On the other hand there was another clip I saw filmed in quite an expensive hotel room that had absolutely no personality or character. After I'd watched it once it had nothing more to draw me in... boring. Perhaps another dimension to all this is the TIM style videos that are filmed in cheap motel rooms and they come off with an atmosphere of someone renting the room to hook up and advertising on Craigslist or whatever. That strikes a balance and is quite a horny atmosphere. I guess it's a bit like the stories you read on here - the best ones paint a good picture about the guys using personal details so you can relate to them. And I think the same applies to Porn.

Work in N1 / Kings Cross, but only occasionally - mostly from home (South Buckinghamshire) especially right now in Lockdown.