PhileasFogg

Correct. There have been a number of posts overtime drawing parallels to other businesses and the response is a rationalization of why his situation is different told through the filter of how it makes him feel. Unfortunately, business risk doesn’t have feelings. But I give him sincere credit for making a go of it as long as he has despite his frustration.

I snorkeled between the tectonic plates, went down in a volcano, climbed summits and hiked on the glacier…of course, I also hit nearly every lagoon on the golden circle too

I gave up fast food when I went gluten/dairy free (out of necessity) a decade ago. Occasionally take the grandkids to McDonald’s or Chik-fil-a but even with them it’s usually sit down, local owned dining. I’m glad to hear that McDonald’s is trying to innovate, but in the end, they’ve rarely offered something new that worked

I didn’t take it poorly. Either way, I enjoyed Orient Bay much more 30 yrs ago

You are right 😉

I agree with that approach. But sometimes, the circumstances become so arcane with broken trust that "more time, special treatment, and access" are meaningless. I'm not sharing space with someone I can't trust.

At the risk of being either pedantic or incorrect @mike carey, I believe the island is Saint Martin with the French side being Saint-Martin and the Dutch side being Sint-Maarten. Either way, I highly recommend the house distilled rum at Ocean82 in Marigot

Deposits take many forms. Reminds me of experience with a 30-something “twink” still operating in New Orleans. Apologizing in advance for the sour grapes, but sometimes the best reinforcement comes from true stories. Days before our first meet, he had a crisis with his mini storage contents being auctioned for non payment unless he had $181 by 5PM. I sent the money - cha ching - plus a bit Total $250. As the date approached a couple days later, “the vet was too expensive so now I don’t have the money to replace the tire to make the drive to your house.” I sent the money plus a bit - cha ching - another $250…I accidentally sent twice…so then I’m $750 into an overnight that has yet to happen. He did show for our for our first meeting…if I recall about 2 hrs late…but I was doubting until he rolled into the driveway Within 24 hrs of his arrival at my house, this situation started a spiral into the most dramatic chaos you could imagine. In the end, over the next 30 days, the “deposit” turned into $3,300 (to avoid eviction, groceries, ransoming his car from the impound lot for unpaid tickets….) that was to be repaid at $100/wk. of course, he missed a couple of planned engagements as well for lame excuses. Naturally, I’ve not seen a dime and his situation seems to have spiraled further out of control rendering him completely untrustworthy to me. So, first, I own the fact that I allowed myself to be hustled. But let’s call it what it is: - outsized deposits rooted in chaotic life management issues are not the mark of a professional and are a major red flag - life’s too short to get pulled into someone else’s drama A token deposit for a well reviewed professional gentleman is a valid business tool for them and evidence of good faith from you - particularly if they have costs to get to you. But when the request is rooted in a shaggy dog story to make you feel like an a$$hole if you say no, then it’s likely a hustle. Just say “no” and cancel the plans. If you’re conflicted about it, PM me for moral support As to this situation, I’d be more forgiving and tolerant if he’d made even a token attempt to repay. But his attitude is one of entitlement because I had the money to “give” so he shouldn’t have to repay. Such is the mark of the hustler who doesn’t have the standing to get a legitimate deposit but still wants money upfront.

In business we say there are three options - fast, inexpensive, high quality - but we can only choose two of the three. Sounds like @Veryshyone found the golden ticket and got all three wrapped in one!

This is just to share a funny story, but also to get advice. i currently live in Mississippi. My physician is the only Concierge MD in a 100 mile radius. So, I have good primary care support. They know I’m bi, active, and wanting regular STD testing. No problem. Once, I called and said “I think I need to get my throat swabbed for an STD.” They said “we can’t do it here, but we can send you to the outpatient clinic at the hospital…let me send in the order now.” So, I get to the hospital, get checked in and wait to be called. The MedTech brought me back and handed me the cup and pointed me to go pee in the cup. When I said, “I’m not here for a urine test but to have my throat swabbed” and explained it to her, she got that look on her face (that large southern black women have perfected) like I had a third eye and that I was crazy. So she called “upstairs” and they again said “pee in the cup.” I go through it again and then they finally say “oh, we don’t do that here, we send it off and it will take 10 days!” Hell, what’s the point to testing if the test takes as long as the natural resolution! so my question - how often do you get your throat swabbed and where do you get it done? How long does it take to get the results?

Over the last three years, I dropped 4inches in my waist and added a lot of muscle. In the last few weeks, I gained 10! My core diet and exercise routines are unchanged. My only rationale is that I haven’t been diligent in avoiding gluten which triggers an inflammatory response. So, I’m recommitting to clean eating AND got my first Ozempic shot yesterday - after consulting with my Dr - to see if I can resync the trend. He recommends Mountjaro, but didn’t have a sample on hand. So we will go that route if I tolerate the ozempic

Click the profile link and you’ll see that @JB_Studio38 is Jarred. JB, you’ll need to figure this one out. I have thoughts, but alas, history would suggest you don’t want to hear our thoughts and advice.

I would have guessed that your magnetic personality would interfere with efficient power transmission. How do they allow you so close?

I’m sure many have had that experience. The fact that he accepted less than agreed for his time is likely less typical unless you raised a stink. Did you try to hold on to him for longer or did he simply ask if he could wrap it up?

I have some plans next week in FLL with a house full of guys and I was advised that one of them has extremely painful nipples I don’t think it’s completely unusual.

I was there in 2024 with https://rentmen.eu/mramericandream We stayed on the French side at La Playa Orient Bay. Frankly, I recall the island being fairly straight.

He’s new to NOLA…never seen him in the ads…

Here’s a mocked up version Of a template I default to my name is xxxx and I live inxxxx. I follow your profile on xxx and I’m inquiring to check your interest in a weekend trip to xxxx I’m yrs, bi, top, negative and on prep, healthy and in good shape. I like cuddling, eye contact, kissing, etc Are you interested in such a trip? If so, then I'd like to set up a video call to "meet" and discuss possibilities. This is an introductory call...I will not riddle you with endless requests for texts and pictures, etc. it’s simply to talk about possibilities and see if we vibe in mutual interests on such a trip Please let me know if you're interested…. ill add, they need to determine if this is a law enforcement sting, a dangerous person, a flake, etc When I use my actual number they can look me up on MrNumber, see my name…and then they’re a Google search away from knowing a lot about me in establishing safety… remember, you’re paying for their time as a travel companion and nothing else On these platforms, I’d suggest no mention to compensation…in dialogue, I’d reference nothing more than compensation for their time…but you have to find your conversational comfort there

I’ve not done this, but if I did, I’d be inclined to reach out on the platform offering a text number or email address for follow up off-platform. Your outreach should be written in a way as to assuage any concerns about your legitimacy

Hi. Welcome to the forum! May I suggest that you look through the online platforms (like RentMen) to see specific providers who tickle your fancy, then see if they have reviews here, and solicit more current feedback if they do or start a 411 thread if they don’t?

But the habit’s been around so long that old “dudes” are doing it too 🫣😜

As you know, I’m a fan. He’s enthusiastic and will work hard to meet needs. Make sure the communication is clear abs respectful.

I’ve known one - a 30-something guy from New Orleans. He has a reason for wearing it unless it’s very dark

Is it missing a clause “…as long as the checks keep coming…”

On the hookup sites, I make it clear I’m looking for FWB type of situation, require a social meet first to assure mutual interest, and then we can see where it goes from there