CJK

Thanks for the info. I have gone down the rabbit hole and the situation is murky. Lotus of Siam opened a second location. I know the last time I was at the first location, with my teen nieces and nephew, we made our reservation the day before and the only time available was the last seating. When we were there, they had to turn away dozens of people. And the place was big. From what I read the second location is not quite as good. The first location has been temporarily closed but will be reopening. A third location will be opening by the end of the year at Red Rock's Casino. 

For twenty years, my job required my flying about five times a week, three weeks per month, ten months per year. I flew short flights, long flights, good flights and bad flights. As for the shortest:
For many years the shortest flight in the continental US was Altoona PA (AOO) to Johnstown's John Murtha (JST), just over 30 miles. Although nobody would actually fly the route - AOO is also the farthest airport from its city in the US and driving to Altoona from Johnstown was fast - the route was bookable. The commuter plane would fly PIT-JST-AOO or PIT-AOO-JST alternatively, letting off and taking on passengers at each stop. There would often be a need to send crew between AOO-JST so the route would be ticketable. The two airports switched to different airlines so the route went away, but when it existed you would take off and land in one motion.  When DL used Cinci as a hub, there were flights to Lexington and Louisville that were quite short. I remember being at cruising altitude for five minutes.  Pensacola-Atlanta is a very popular route, with several large planes a day, but just after takeoff there is an announcement that because of the short duration of the flight there will be no drink service. People get pissed, but the flight is five minutes too short for drink service.  When flying in the other direction, from ATL-PNS, there is drink service as the flight is slightly longer because of the wind.  I was once flying into PNS. After landing, the pilot made an announcement that we were to remain in our seats even after the door was opened. As we taxied into the gate, we could see flashing police lights. Some guy in the back yells the S-word, muttering he knew they would be there, running up and down the aisle. Two other guys get up from the back of the plane, intercept the runner and escort him off the plane. Later I found out the runner was AWOL. Days earlier, he reported to the Atlanta airport for his flight to Afghanistan but instead bought a ticket to go see his girlfriend. A few days later, he decided he would fly to PNS to turn himself in. While he was on a layover in ATL, he told a bartender the whole story. The bartender called airport police who called military police, they got two soldiers to follow him on the flight and arrested him when we landed. 

For twenty years, my job required my flying about five times a week, three weeks per month, ten months per year. I flew short flights, long flights, good flights and bad flights. As for the shortest:
For many years the shortest flight in the continental US was Altoona PA (AOO) to Johnstown's John Murtha (JST), just over 30 miles. Although nobody would actually fly the route - AOO is also the farthest airport from its city in the US and driving to Altoona from Johnstown was fast - the route was bookable. The commuter plane would fly PIT-JST-AOO or PIT-AOO-JST alternatively, letting off and taking on passengers at each stop. There would often be a need to send crew between AOO-JST so the route would be ticketable. The two airports switched to different airlines so the route went away, but when it existed you would take off and land in one motion.  When DL used Cinci as a hub, there were flights to Lexington and Louisville that were quite short. I remember being at cruising altitude for five minutes.  Pensacola-Atlanta is a very popular route, with several large planes a day, but just after takeoff there is an announcement that because of the short duration of the flight there will be no drink service. People get pissed, but the flight is five minutes too short for drink service.  When flying in the other direction, from ATL-PNS, there is drink service as the flight is slightly longer because of the wind.  I was once flying into PNS. After landing, the pilot made an announcement that we were to remain in our seats even after the door was opened. As we taxied into the gate, we could see flashing police lights. Some guy in the back yells the S-word, muttering he knew they would be there, running up and down the aisle. Two other guys get up from the back of the plane, intercept the runner and escort him off the plane. Later I found out the runner was AWOL. Days earlier, he reported to the Atlanta airport for his flight to Afghanistan but instead bought a ticket to go see his girlfriend. A few days later, he decided he would fly to PNS to turn himself in. While he was on a layover in ATL, he told a bartender the whole story. The bartender called airport police who called military police, they got two soldiers to follow him on the flight and arrested him when we landed. 

For twenty years, my job required my flying about five times a week, three weeks per month, ten months per year. I flew short flights, long flights, good flights and bad flights. As for the shortest:
For many years the shortest flight in the continental US was Altoona PA (AOO) to Johnstown's John Murtha (JST), just over 30 miles. Although nobody would actually fly the route - AOO is also the farthest airport from its city in the US and driving to Altoona from Johnstown was fast - the route was bookable. The commuter plane would fly PIT-JST-AOO or PIT-AOO-JST alternatively, letting off and taking on passengers at each stop. There would often be a need to send crew between AOO-JST so the route would be ticketable. The two airports switched to different airlines so the route went away, but when it existed you would take off and land in one motion.  When DL used Cinci as a hub, there were flights to Lexington and Louisville that were quite short. I remember being at cruising altitude for five minutes.  Pensacola-Atlanta is a very popular route, with several large planes a day, but just after takeoff there is an announcement that because of the short duration of the flight there will be no drink service. People get pissed, but the flight is five minutes too short for drink service.  When flying in the other direction, from ATL-PNS, there is drink service as the flight is slightly longer because of the wind.  I was once flying into PNS. After landing, the pilot made an announcement that we were to remain in our seats even after the door was opened. As we taxied into the gate, we could see flashing police lights. Some guy in the back yells the S-word, muttering he knew they would be there, running up and down the aisle. Two other guys get up from the back of the plane, intercept the runner and escort him off the plane. Later I found out the runner was AWOL. Days earlier, he reported to the Atlanta airport for his flight to Afghanistan but instead bought a ticket to go see his girlfriend. A few days later, he decided he would fly to PNS to turn himself in. While he was on a layover in ATL, he told a bartender the whole story. The bartender called airport police who called military police, they got two soldiers to follow him on the flight and arrested him when we landed. 

I have been on both sides of this, with good and bad outcomes. As adults, we should be able to read the room and do what is right for the particular situation, keeping in mind to always err on the side of not embarrassing anyone.
In the late eighties I had a friend who filmed and sold gay wrestling videos. He invited me to watch filming one night. One of the performers did not show. Long story short, I wound up in a singlet and ultimately pounding the guy who lost, all recorded. This was before porn was all over the internet. I wound up doing a second video a month or so later and a staged erotic fight in a bar which was also recorded. Fast forward a year. My friend had a web site where the videos could be purchased, previewed or PPV'ed. I was recognized twice in public.
The first time was on a crowded night at the Heretic. The kid who recognized me was in college. He put his hand on me and said the name of the video. It surprised me and I had a quick negative reaction. He apologized and said he watched my scene over and over. Flattered, I wound up bringing him home with me that night. His saying something when he saw me alone and shirtless in an Atlanta cruise bar was appropriate. (At the time, the Heretic had two nights a week where men would openly have sex in the back of the bar. Hundreds of men would pack the place.)
The second time I was in Harris Teeter with me toddler niece. She was in my shopping cart. Some guy walked up telling me he recognized me and asking very explicit questions about the video. Very inappropriate to discuss this in front of my niece.
A few years ago I was in Montreal for work. My first night there I toured strip bars and wound up getting very up close and personal with a dancer in the back room at Taboo. (I think that was the name - a dive bar across the street from a subway station.) The next night I went to the casino with a coworker and some customers. Of course, the dancer was there with some friends. We actually sat at the same table game for awhile but recognition would have been inappropriate. Later when I went to the men's room he was at the sink. We were the only two in the men's room so it was appropriate to acknowledge each other. He thanked me for not saying anything in front of his friends and I thanked him for the same. 
Seriously, common sense should guide anyone who finds himself in this predicament. 

I have been on both sides of this, with good and bad outcomes. As adults, we should be able to read the room and do what is right for the particular situation, keeping in mind to always err on the side of not embarrassing anyone.
In the late eighties I had a friend who filmed and sold gay wrestling videos. He invited me to watch filming one night. One of the performers did not show. Long story short, I wound up in a singlet and ultimately pounding the guy who lost, all recorded. This was before porn was all over the internet. I wound up doing a second video a month or so later and a staged erotic fight in a bar which was also recorded. Fast forward a year. My friend had a web site where the videos could be purchased, previewed or PPV'ed. I was recognized twice in public.
The first time was on a crowded night at the Heretic. The kid who recognized me was in college. He put his hand on me and said the name of the video. It surprised me and I had a quick negative reaction. He apologized and said he watched my scene over and over. Flattered, I wound up bringing him home with me that night. His saying something when he saw me alone and shirtless in an Atlanta cruise bar was appropriate. (At the time, the Heretic had two nights a week where men would openly have sex in the back of the bar. Hundreds of men would pack the place.)
The second time I was in Harris Teeter with me toddler niece. She was in my shopping cart. Some guy walked up telling me he recognized me and asking very explicit questions about the video. Very inappropriate to discuss this in front of my niece.
A few years ago I was in Montreal for work. My first night there I toured strip bars and wound up getting very up close and personal with a dancer in the back room at Taboo. (I think that was the name - a dive bar across the street from a subway station.) The next night I went to the casino with a coworker and some customers. Of course, the dancer was there with some friends. We actually sat at the same table game for awhile but recognition would have been inappropriate. Later when I went to the men's room he was at the sink. We were the only two in the men's room so it was appropriate to acknowledge each other. He thanked me for not saying anything in front of his friends and I thanked him for the same. 
Seriously, common sense should guide anyone who finds himself in this predicament. 

I have been on both sides of this, with good and bad outcomes. As adults, we should be able to read the room and do what is right for the particular situation, keeping in mind to always err on the side of not embarrassing anyone.
In the late eighties I had a friend who filmed and sold gay wrestling videos. He invited me to watch filming one night. One of the performers did not show. Long story short, I wound up in a singlet and ultimately pounding the guy who lost, all recorded. This was before porn was all over the internet. I wound up doing a second video a month or so later and a staged erotic fight in a bar which was also recorded. Fast forward a year. My friend had a web site where the videos could be purchased, previewed or PPV'ed. I was recognized twice in public.
The first time was on a crowded night at the Heretic. The kid who recognized me was in college. He put his hand on me and said the name of the video. It surprised me and I had a quick negative reaction. He apologized and said he watched my scene over and over. Flattered, I wound up bringing him home with me that night. His saying something when he saw me alone and shirtless in an Atlanta cruise bar was appropriate. (At the time, the Heretic had two nights a week where men would openly have sex in the back of the bar. Hundreds of men would pack the place.)
The second time I was in Harris Teeter with me toddler niece. She was in my shopping cart. Some guy walked up telling me he recognized me and asking very explicit questions about the video. Very inappropriate to discuss this in front of my niece.
A few years ago I was in Montreal for work. My first night there I toured strip bars and wound up getting very up close and personal with a dancer in the back room at Taboo. (I think that was the name - a dive bar across the street from a subway station.) The next night I went to the casino with a coworker and some customers. Of course, the dancer was there with some friends. We actually sat at the same table game for awhile but recognition would have been inappropriate. Later when I went to the men's room he was at the sink. We were the only two in the men's room so it was appropriate to acknowledge each other. He thanked me for not saying anything in front of his friends and I thanked him for the same. 
Seriously, common sense should guide anyone who finds himself in this predicament. 

I have been on both sides of this, with good and bad outcomes. As adults, we should be able to read the room and do what is right for the particular situation, keeping in mind to always err on the side of not embarrassing anyone.
In the late eighties I had a friend who filmed and sold gay wrestling videos. He invited me to watch filming one night. One of the performers did not show. Long story short, I wound up in a singlet and ultimately pounding the guy who lost, all recorded. This was before porn was all over the internet. I wound up doing a second video a month or so later and a staged erotic fight in a bar which was also recorded. Fast forward a year. My friend had a web site where the videos could be purchased, previewed or PPV'ed. I was recognized twice in public.
The first time was on a crowded night at the Heretic. The kid who recognized me was in college. He put his hand on me and said the name of the video. It surprised me and I had a quick negative reaction. He apologized and said he watched my scene over and over. Flattered, I wound up bringing him home with me that night. His saying something when he saw me alone and shirtless in an Atlanta cruise bar was appropriate. (At the time, the Heretic had two nights a week where men would openly have sex in the back of the bar. Hundreds of men would pack the place.)
The second time I was in Harris Teeter with me toddler niece. She was in my shopping cart. Some guy walked up telling me he recognized me and asking very explicit questions about the video. Very inappropriate to discuss this in front of my niece.
A few years ago I was in Montreal for work. My first night there I toured strip bars and wound up getting very up close and personal with a dancer in the back room at Taboo. (I think that was the name - a dive bar across the street from a subway station.) The next night I went to the casino with a coworker and some customers. Of course, the dancer was there with some friends. We actually sat at the same table game for awhile but recognition would have been inappropriate. Later when I went to the men's room he was at the sink. We were the only two in the men's room so it was appropriate to acknowledge each other. He thanked me for not saying anything in front of his friends and I thanked him for the same. 
Seriously, common sense should guide anyone who finds himself in this predicament. 

I have been on both sides of this, with good and bad outcomes. As adults, we should be able to read the room and do what is right for the particular situation, keeping in mind to always err on the side of not embarrassing anyone.
In the late eighties I had a friend who filmed and sold gay wrestling videos. He invited me to watch filming one night. One of the performers did not show. Long story short, I wound up in a singlet and ultimately pounding the guy who lost, all recorded. This was before porn was all over the internet. I wound up doing a second video a month or so later and a staged erotic fight in a bar which was also recorded. Fast forward a year. My friend had a web site where the videos could be purchased, previewed or PPV'ed. I was recognized twice in public.
The first time was on a crowded night at the Heretic. The kid who recognized me was in college. He put his hand on me and said the name of the video. It surprised me and I had a quick negative reaction. He apologized and said he watched my scene over and over. Flattered, I wound up bringing him home with me that night. His saying something when he saw me alone and shirtless in an Atlanta cruise bar was appropriate. (At the time, the Heretic had two nights a week where men would openly have sex in the back of the bar. Hundreds of men would pack the place.)
The second time I was in Harris Teeter with me toddler niece. She was in my shopping cart. Some guy walked up telling me he recognized me and asking very explicit questions about the video. Very inappropriate to discuss this in front of my niece.
A few years ago I was in Montreal for work. My first night there I toured strip bars and wound up getting very up close and personal with a dancer in the back room at Taboo. (I think that was the name - a dive bar across the street from a subway station.) The next night I went to the casino with a coworker and some customers. Of course, the dancer was there with some friends. We actually sat at the same table game for awhile but recognition would have been inappropriate. Later when I went to the men's room he was at the sink. We were the only two in the men's room so it was appropriate to acknowledge each other. He thanked me for not saying anything in front of his friends and I thanked him for the same. 
Seriously, common sense should guide anyone who finds himself in this predicament. 

I have been on both sides of this, with good and bad outcomes. As adults, we should be able to read the room and do what is right for the particular situation, keeping in mind to always err on the side of not embarrassing anyone.
In the late eighties I had a friend who filmed and sold gay wrestling videos. He invited me to watch filming one night. One of the performers did not show. Long story short, I wound up in a singlet and ultimately pounding the guy who lost, all recorded. This was before porn was all over the internet. I wound up doing a second video a month or so later and a staged erotic fight in a bar which was also recorded. Fast forward a year. My friend had a web site where the videos could be purchased, previewed or PPV'ed. I was recognized twice in public.
The first time was on a crowded night at the Heretic. The kid who recognized me was in college. He put his hand on me and said the name of the video. It surprised me and I had a quick negative reaction. He apologized and said he watched my scene over and over. Flattered, I wound up bringing him home with me that night. His saying something when he saw me alone and shirtless in an Atlanta cruise bar was appropriate. (At the time, the Heretic had two nights a week where men would openly have sex in the back of the bar. Hundreds of men would pack the place.)
The second time I was in Harris Teeter with me toddler niece. She was in my shopping cart. Some guy walked up telling me he recognized me and asking very explicit questions about the video. Very inappropriate to discuss this in front of my niece.
A few years ago I was in Montreal for work. My first night there I toured strip bars and wound up getting very up close and personal with a dancer in the back room at Taboo. (I think that was the name - a dive bar across the street from a subway station.) The next night I went to the casino with a coworker and some customers. Of course, the dancer was there with some friends. We actually sat at the same table game for awhile but recognition would have been inappropriate. Later when I went to the men's room he was at the sink. We were the only two in the men's room so it was appropriate to acknowledge each other. He thanked me for not saying anything in front of his friends and I thanked him for the same. 
Seriously, common sense should guide anyone who finds himself in this predicament. 

The tip jar is insulting to the host. It is the bartender's way of saying the host is cheap. I bartended for a caterer when I was in college and could not imagine being that rude to the host. Nobody should accept a job, go into the employer's house and signal to his guests the employer is cheap. Yes, that is tacky.
With that said, it reminds me of a slightly off topic story.... I brought my mom to Fort Lauderdale to visit several relatives. Mom's sister, husband and teenager also came down to FL. We were all meeting for dinner, fifteen people total,
My Great Uncle Harry made it clear ahead of time he was paying. Uncle Harry was very well off, having invented some now common things everyone uses daily. Uncle Harry made it clear we needed to be seated by 5:30 pm because he had early-bird coupons for everyone. When my Aunt and her family were not there on time, he wanted the rest of us to order so we could use the coupons, but the restaurant assured him they would still honor the coupons if the stragglers were there soon. 
Knowing my Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper and would base the tip on the total after the coupons' credits were deducted, my mom and I agreed I would slip the waiter $50. At the end of the meal, I cornered him outside the kitchen and gave him the money, thanking him for doing such a great job given how demanding some of my relatives could be. The waiter acted strangely. I thought he might have gotten the impression I was hitting on him.
Years later there was a family event. Uncle Harry had passed away - his wife recently turned 104 - and we were sharing Uncle Harry stories. My Aunt's husband told of the time we all had dinner in Fort Lauderdale and he slipped the waiter a tip because he knew Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper. My cousin's husband quickly chimed in that he had done the same. And so had Uncle Harry's sister. Apparently the waiter didn't think I was trying to pick him up. He was reacting to the fact he had already gotten $150 above whatever Harry left and was getting $50 more!

Fifteen or so years ago - a year when work sent me to LV almost 20 times - I was told of a seedy club in a warehouse which had both male strippers and open sex. It was on the west side of the highway. I drove over there, paid the exorbitant cover charge only to find naked women playing with their hoochies instead of the hot men I expected. I left pretty quickly.
The guy at the door stopped me on my way out to ask why I was leaving so soon, When I explained he said they used to have men but there was little market for that in LV. He explained the change to women was quick and recent and done out of financial necessity. He directed me to Commercial Center where there were two bathhouses - or technically one bath and one gay gym with open sex. 
I went to the bathhouse and had a great time. Bonus: after plowing a hot man I invited him to my hotel room. We decided to get something to eat first and went across the parking lot to Lotus of Siam, which turned out to be IMO the best Thai restaurant in the US. I have been back there many times, brought friends and sent people there. Everyone loves the place. A few blatantly asked if I had been to any of the gay establishments in the Center but I usually plead the Fifth. 
 

Fifteen or so years ago - a year when work sent me to LV almost 20 times - I was told of a seedy club in a warehouse which had both male strippers and open sex. It was on the west side of the highway. I drove over there, paid the exorbitant cover charge only to find naked women playing with their hoochies instead of the hot men I expected. I left pretty quickly.
The guy at the door stopped me on my way out to ask why I was leaving so soon, When I explained he said they used to have men but there was little market for that in LV. He explained the change to women was quick and recent and done out of financial necessity. He directed me to Commercial Center where there were two bathhouses - or technically one bath and one gay gym with open sex. 
I went to the bathhouse and had a great time. Bonus: after plowing a hot man I invited him to my hotel room. We decided to get something to eat first and went across the parking lot to Lotus of Siam, which turned out to be IMO the best Thai restaurant in the US. I have been back there many times, brought friends and sent people there. Everyone loves the place. A few blatantly asked if I had been to any of the gay establishments in the Center but I usually plead the Fifth. 
 

The tip jar is insulting to the host. It is the bartender's way of saying the host is cheap. I bartended for a caterer when I was in college and could not imagine being that rude to the host. Nobody should accept a job, go into the employer's house and signal to his guests the employer is cheap. Yes, that is tacky.
With that said, it reminds me of a slightly off topic story.... I brought my mom to Fort Lauderdale to visit several relatives. Mom's sister, husband and teenager also came down to FL. We were all meeting for dinner, fifteen people total,
My Great Uncle Harry made it clear ahead of time he was paying. Uncle Harry was very well off, having invented some now common things everyone uses daily. Uncle Harry made it clear we needed to be seated by 5:30 pm because he had early-bird coupons for everyone. When my Aunt and her family were not there on time, he wanted the rest of us to order so we could use the coupons, but the restaurant assured him they would still honor the coupons if the stragglers were there soon. 
Knowing my Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper and would base the tip on the total after the coupons' credits were deducted, my mom and I agreed I would slip the waiter $50. At the end of the meal, I cornered him outside the kitchen and gave him the money, thanking him for doing such a great job given how demanding some of my relatives could be. The waiter acted strangely. I thought he might have gotten the impression I was hitting on him.
Years later there was a family event. Uncle Harry had passed away - his wife recently turned 104 - and we were sharing Uncle Harry stories. My Aunt's husband told of the time we all had dinner in Fort Lauderdale and he slipped the waiter a tip because he knew Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper. My cousin's husband quickly chimed in that he had done the same. And so had Uncle Harry's sister. Apparently the waiter didn't think I was trying to pick him up. He was reacting to the fact he had already gotten $150 above whatever Harry left and was getting $50 more!

Fifteen or so years ago - a year when work sent me to LV almost 20 times - I was told of a seedy club in a warehouse which had both male strippers and open sex. It was on the west side of the highway. I drove over there, paid the exorbitant cover charge only to find naked women playing with their hoochies instead of the hot men I expected. I left pretty quickly.
The guy at the door stopped me on my way out to ask why I was leaving so soon, When I explained he said they used to have men but there was little market for that in LV. He explained the change to women was quick and recent and done out of financial necessity. He directed me to Commercial Center where there were two bathhouses - or technically one bath and one gay gym with open sex. 
I went to the bathhouse and had a great time. Bonus: after plowing a hot man I invited him to my hotel room. We decided to get something to eat first and went across the parking lot to Lotus of Siam, which turned out to be IMO the best Thai restaurant in the US. I have been back there many times, brought friends and sent people there. Everyone loves the place. A few blatantly asked if I had been to any of the gay establishments in the Center but I usually plead the Fifth. 
 

The tip jar is insulting to the host. It is the bartender's way of saying the host is cheap. I bartended for a caterer when I was in college and could not imagine being that rude to the host. Nobody should accept a job, go into the employer's house and signal to his guests the employer is cheap. Yes, that is tacky.
With that said, it reminds me of a slightly off topic story.... I brought my mom to Fort Lauderdale to visit several relatives. Mom's sister, husband and teenager also came down to FL. We were all meeting for dinner, fifteen people total,
My Great Uncle Harry made it clear ahead of time he was paying. Uncle Harry was very well off, having invented some now common things everyone uses daily. Uncle Harry made it clear we needed to be seated by 5:30 pm because he had early-bird coupons for everyone. When my Aunt and her family were not there on time, he wanted the rest of us to order so we could use the coupons, but the restaurant assured him they would still honor the coupons if the stragglers were there soon. 
Knowing my Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper and would base the tip on the total after the coupons' credits were deducted, my mom and I agreed I would slip the waiter $50. At the end of the meal, I cornered him outside the kitchen and gave him the money, thanking him for doing such a great job given how demanding some of my relatives could be. The waiter acted strangely. I thought he might have gotten the impression I was hitting on him.
Years later there was a family event. Uncle Harry had passed away - his wife recently turned 104 - and we were sharing Uncle Harry stories. My Aunt's husband told of the time we all had dinner in Fort Lauderdale and he slipped the waiter a tip because he knew Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper. My cousin's husband quickly chimed in that he had done the same. And so had Uncle Harry's sister. Apparently the waiter didn't think I was trying to pick him up. He was reacting to the fact he had already gotten $150 above whatever Harry left and was getting $50 more!

The tip jar is insulting to the host. It is the bartender's way of saying the host is cheap. I bartended for a caterer when I was in college and could not imagine being that rude to the host. Nobody should accept a job, go into the employer's house and signal to his guests the employer is cheap. Yes, that is tacky.
With that said, it reminds me of a slightly off topic story.... I brought my mom to Fort Lauderdale to visit several relatives. Mom's sister, husband and teenager also came down to FL. We were all meeting for dinner, fifteen people total,
My Great Uncle Harry made it clear ahead of time he was paying. Uncle Harry was very well off, having invented some now common things everyone uses daily. Uncle Harry made it clear we needed to be seated by 5:30 pm because he had early-bird coupons for everyone. When my Aunt and her family were not there on time, he wanted the rest of us to order so we could use the coupons, but the restaurant assured him they would still honor the coupons if the stragglers were there soon. 
Knowing my Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper and would base the tip on the total after the coupons' credits were deducted, my mom and I agreed I would slip the waiter $50. At the end of the meal, I cornered him outside the kitchen and gave him the money, thanking him for doing such a great job given how demanding some of my relatives could be. The waiter acted strangely. I thought he might have gotten the impression I was hitting on him.
Years later there was a family event. Uncle Harry had passed away - his wife recently turned 104 - and we were sharing Uncle Harry stories. My Aunt's husband told of the time we all had dinner in Fort Lauderdale and he slipped the waiter a tip because he knew Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper. My cousin's husband quickly chimed in that he had done the same. And so had Uncle Harry's sister. Apparently the waiter didn't think I was trying to pick him up. He was reacting to the fact he had already gotten $150 above whatever Harry left and was getting $50 more!

The tip jar is insulting to the host. It is the bartender's way of saying the host is cheap. I bartended for a caterer when I was in college and could not imagine being that rude to the host. Nobody should accept a job, go into the employer's house and signal to his guests the employer is cheap. Yes, that is tacky.
With that said, it reminds me of a slightly off topic story.... I brought my mom to Fort Lauderdale to visit several relatives. Mom's sister, husband and teenager also came down to FL. We were all meeting for dinner, fifteen people total,
My Great Uncle Harry made it clear ahead of time he was paying. Uncle Harry was very well off, having invented some now common things everyone uses daily. Uncle Harry made it clear we needed to be seated by 5:30 pm because he had early-bird coupons for everyone. When my Aunt and her family were not there on time, he wanted the rest of us to order so we could use the coupons, but the restaurant assured him they would still honor the coupons if the stragglers were there soon. 
Knowing my Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper and would base the tip on the total after the coupons' credits were deducted, my mom and I agreed I would slip the waiter $50. At the end of the meal, I cornered him outside the kitchen and gave him the money, thanking him for doing such a great job given how demanding some of my relatives could be. The waiter acted strangely. I thought he might have gotten the impression I was hitting on him.
Years later there was a family event. Uncle Harry had passed away - his wife recently turned 104 - and we were sharing Uncle Harry stories. My Aunt's husband told of the time we all had dinner in Fort Lauderdale and he slipped the waiter a tip because he knew Uncle Harry was not a generous tipper. My cousin's husband quickly chimed in that he had done the same. And so had Uncle Harry's sister. Apparently the waiter didn't think I was trying to pick him up. He was reacting to the fact he had already gotten $150 above whatever Harry left and was getting $50 more!

Fifteen or so years ago - a year when work sent me to LV almost 20 times - I was told of a seedy club in a warehouse which had both male strippers and open sex. It was on the west side of the highway. I drove over there, paid the exorbitant cover charge only to find naked women playing with their hoochies instead of the hot men I expected. I left pretty quickly.
The guy at the door stopped me on my way out to ask why I was leaving so soon, When I explained he said they used to have men but there was little market for that in LV. He explained the change to women was quick and recent and done out of financial necessity. He directed me to Commercial Center where there were two bathhouses - or technically one bath and one gay gym with open sex. 
I went to the bathhouse and had a great time. Bonus: after plowing a hot man I invited him to my hotel room. We decided to get something to eat first and went across the parking lot to Lotus of Siam, which turned out to be IMO the best Thai restaurant in the US. I have been back there many times, brought friends and sent people there. Everyone loves the place. A few blatantly asked if I had been to any of the gay establishments in the Center but I usually plead the Fifth. 
 

I remember when there was no Blockbuster. Or VCRs. We got our first VCR in 1984 when I was already in college. Neighbors got theirs in 1977 which was pretty early.
We had B&W TVs in my earliest memories. One day, my dad, who was doctor, mad a housecall to patients who lived in a poor section of town and who he knew were on public assistance. They had a brand-new color TV. My dad thought if they could have a color TV then their doctor should be able to have a color TV. He and my mom went to Penn Furniture the next day and bought a console TV. 
Note: two more things I remember: Housecalls and console TVs.

we had one of these in sixth grade. You typed out your input on either a ribbon, which i think is on the left the pic, or on punch cards. You dialed a rotary phone (we did not get push button phone in our town until the next year) and listened for the beeps, then rested the phone receiver in a foam rubber cradle and ran your tapes or cards. The result came back and you disconnected so as to not waste computer time. 
There were five of the units in the district; one in the high school three in the junior highs and the one in our classroom. We took a field trip to the VoTech to see the actual computer. It filled a pretty good size room.
Some kids at the VoTech tried to sell us sixth graders quaaludes, so there is a second memory of something I remember - when quaaludes were the drug of choice!
 

Looking over this very short list and having been to all but the NY clubs I now realize why I go to Bangkok/Pattaya, Bali, Prague, Mexico and Montreal so often, or at least did pre-Covid. Bangkok might require a fourteen-hour flight to Japan, Korea or China followed by a seven-hour flight to BKK, but I have gotten good at finding low fares or using points, I can handle long flights and there is no comparison between when you get in the US vs the non-US clubs. (Although the best way to go now is through Qatar - cheaper fare, short layover, great airport for connections and most comfortable economy and coach seats.)
I once brought four guys back to the hotel from Tawan in Bangkok and it cost less than a private dance at SR. Not to mention the mamasan now treats me like his old friend. The hotels do not blink an eyelash if you bring guys back. (I was staying in a very upscale branch of a US chain located near Erewan Shrine, not a by the hour place on Khaosan Road,) There is a system where they collect IDs and only give them back after ensuring you have not been robbed or worse when the guy wants to leave. I once was waiting for my cab to the airport at five in the morning in the lobby of an upscale American chain hotel in Pattaya. I watched a very steady parade of both men and women stopping at the front desk to get their IDs back. (The hotel is now part of an Asian chain.)
On the flight over I flew from Portland to Korea and Korea to Thailand on planes full of Mormon missionaries about to start their two-year stints. They were on both sides of me and the rows behind us. It turned out they were staying at my hotel in Pattaya for orientation, although there is a Mormon connection there so it was not a huge surprise. I wound up having breakfast with them a couple mornings. My point is the strip club presence is so accepted that it coexists with the Mormon groups.
The US needs clubs like that.

We share these memories. But I also remember Charlie Brown doing both fundraising and outreach for AIDS patients before just about anyone else. I remember his working at Burkhart's behind the bar, not in drag, and pleading with customers to donate unused winter coats for AIDS patients. While drag might not be something I particularly go out of my way to watch, Charlie Brown and the other drag queens from the eighties and early nineties deserve our respect and thanks, 

We share these memories. But I also remember Charlie Brown doing both fundraising and outreach for AIDS patients before just about anyone else. I remember his working at Burkhart's behind the bar, not in drag, and pleading with customers to donate unused winter coats for AIDS patients. While drag might not be something I particularly go out of my way to watch, Charlie Brown and the other drag queens from the eighties and early nineties deserve our respect and thanks, 

We share these memories. But I also remember Charlie Brown doing both fundraising and outreach for AIDS patients before just about anyone else. I remember his working at Burkhart's behind the bar, not in drag, and pleading with customers to donate unused winter coats for AIDS patients. While drag might not be something I particularly go out of my way to watch, Charlie Brown and the other drag queens from the eighties and early nineties deserve our respect and thanks,