BtmBearDad

Am I the only one who read his nom de plume, and thought he’d be a hairy fellow? ? lol ??‍♂️

While true, there are ways to hide that info from the public ie; buy in the name of an LLC or a trust. In NY, there are also ways to hide the purchase price from the public records. But, to be fair, is your gent going to go to the trouble of digging into records to get this info? When I was a bit more concerned both about appearances, and/or trying out a new gent, I would spring for a hotel. But honestly, I can’t remember the last time I did that. Use this site, the great gents on here to get feedback on a provider you may be considering. While YMMV as far as activities go is true, I’d trust any gent on here regarding discussions of safety and discretion ?? BBD

Didn’t realise how young the OP is! FWIW, “nephews” and “godsons” have only come to call the last 7-8 years. When I first got this place, I was roughly OPs age, and then it was either a friend or a work colleague coming up lol BBD

I live in a doorman building on the UWS, and the building itself has a good number of gay men - single, coupled, older, younger - including the building manager, so staff are usually very easy on the eyes. I figure the doormen have seen it all. In the years since I bought here, I cannot tell you the number of “nephews” and “godsons” I’ve had visiting for a few hours ? BBD

And this process is a result of a new treaty to make visas easier to obtain! ? As a point of interest, there are agencies sanctioned by the Russian government that you can hire to do all he legwork for you. Of course, said agencies will charge you well for the convenience of their services. Yes - cruise ships, and the ferry are exempt from visas, but you cannot stay on land overnight, and the exemption is only good for 48 hours.

Russian visas are a pain, period. First, there are 4 or 5 different types, and woe be to you if you don’t adhere to the rules associated with your visa. You will also need “an invitation” from a recognised Russian entity to submit with your visa application. When you get there, you fill out a migration card at passport control - don’t lose it!! You will need it to check in to your hotel(s), and when you exit. It goes without saying you should not stay past your visa’s expiry, but if you do, you will not be allowed to leave. You’ll have to stay at your own expense while you wait for an exit visa to be granted. All in all, it’s about $250 for the visa - more for a multiple entry which is good for 3 or 5 years, depending on your country. NB: this info is if you’re going on your own - if you’re going as part of a tour, the tour operator normally handles all this for you.

Many years ago, in the early 2000’s, I was visiting a mate in Boston for New Year’s. After the festivities NYE, we went out on the 1st to one of the popular places - I want to say Cafe something but can’t recall. Anyway, they had psychics there all set up in an area with tables so you could see what the New Year held for you. I went to one, she did the palm reading, asked to hold something of mine, and read my cards. From what I remember, I was told I have a very long life line, I’m very intuitive (I do remember she emphasized I should always trust my gut/instincts), and the fellow I am “destined” to meet has something to do with buildings. She did say I wasn’t going to meet him for a while yet, but he will be involved in buildings - either designing them, building them, selling them, etc.. She apologised that she couldn’t be more specific, but she claimed it was because he was not someone I would meet in my immediate future. 17 years later, I’m still waiting for my destined “building man”. ??‍♂️ BBD

Sorry mate! I misused the word “regular” - should have realised how it could be read - mea culpa. In this context, I meant regular as in not a HNW client, just an average Joe so to speak. BBD

I do not believe providers classify their clients based on net worth, then charge accordingly at all. However, I do know from a provider they may be more apt to cancel on a “regular” client if a HNW one comes around. Not because they’ll charge more, but more about what accompanies the HNW client. As the provider put it “a couple of hours at the Marriott Marquis vs an overnight to Bermuda is not a hard choice”.

I don’t know that sparse reviews is, in and of itself, a bad sign, a red flag. I’ve had a number of providers specifically ask not to be reviewed. When I asked one why, his reply was he found more reviews results in more inquiries which in his experience turn out to be time wasters with no intention to engage. I can understand that.

I’m curious whether you gents have certain criteria you follow when engaging a gent when you’re traveling overseas. For me, beyond the normal bits, (build, age, position, hopefully some reviews/feedback), I really try to make an effort to engage a local gent, preferably gay - my little effort at shopping local, supporting the community I suppose. Certain cities, that’s really not a problem, like in London, Sydney, Madrid. However, in others it is a challenge - Dublin, and Amsterdam come to mind. As I mentioned elsewhere, my planned/hoped travel for work begins the last quarter of 2021, and takes me to a few new cities I’ve either never been, and/or never engaged a gent in - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Brussels (NB: I have engaged in Moscow, but the gent in question, while Russian, I had met previously in Dubai). Don’t get me wrong - if the gent ticks all the boxes, and isn’t a local, I wouldn’t rule him out, but I’d still look for a local first. Curious how you gents navigate this when you travel - or is it even an issue for you? Thanks! BBD PS: any recommendations for any of the cities mentioned are welcome ??

They just come across, at least to me, as shady. That, and nearly all their houses look the same - same colours, tiles, staging, etc.. They’re better than the Bible-thumpers in Waco, but there are better home reno shows, with better looking hosts to watch.

To me, asking a gent to change their personal appearance may be a step too far. I agree with what’s been said - if their pics vary between clean shaven, and facial hair, then I think it’s fair to ask which version will be showing up and/or requesting the clean shaven look. But, if a gent has facial hair in all his pics, and you’re set on clean shaven, you may want to consider other gents. Stubble, scruff, a beard, etc. doesn’t bother me - it would no doubt be hypocritical of me, a bearded man, if it did. I will say that I’m really not a fan of the long “Duck Dynasty” type beards at all. I’ve only ever met one gent with the longer beard where it worked. Probably because he is drop dead gorgeous with or without, and he’s meticulous about keeping it clean and soft. He’s in my top 5 to re-engage after my second jab. The only question I tend to ask regarding hair is body hair. I’m a fan of body hair, so if pics vary between smooth and hairy, I ask. Nine times out of ten, the gents have no issue with the question, but there have been a few who seemed to get insulted I asked. Hell, even when I have engaged a gent in his smooth version, I usually throw out something like “let me know when you grow it out” - and they have much to my delight. BBD

Other than occasional heartburn, (usually from eating too late), I can still eat anything without issue. However, due to some annoying medical issues, some food has moved from the much loved to the verboten. I used to love mussels, but about 15 years ago I developed an allergy to them. Remembering how violently ill I was that night has kept me away from all bivalves to this day. I miss them all terribly. A few years back, during routine bloodwork my doctor noticed some high numbers, referred me to a specialist who in turn diagnosed two blood issues. As a result I’ve had to give up red meat all together, certain fruits and juices, and shellfish. So no more surf n’ turf or greyhounds for this bear. ? BBD

He’s such a looker, and at least in this vid, comes across as very charming!

I don’t go into a situation with either a provider or non-provider planning what I’m going to say, telling the other gent what to say. But words similar to the OP’s have been said on occasion. In my experience, it’s just happened organically in the heat of the moment with one of us saying something, and then we’re off to the races! When done, there’s a bit of embarrassment accompanied by some laughs over what’s been said but we both wind up agreeing such talk heightened our enjoyment.

Sadly, a few gents I have known have passed. Three I had enjoyed more than once, two others I would classify as “come and go” types (their ad pops up, then in a few weeks/months later they’re gone - maybe to come back later, or maybe not). Two that knocked me for six were Arpad here in NYC, and a gent in London named Gary. I had gotten to know Peter from our engagements, and socially from having some mutual friends. Hearing the news he made his own exit was a shock. Those that knew him better than I said they knew he was depressed, but none had a clue how severe it was. Very sad. With Gary, I found out about his death from another hobbyist. We both found out later that he actually slipped and fell in the bath, and wasn’t found until a few days later. Tragic. On occasion, when a retired or disappeared gent’s name is mentioned, I do wonder if they’re still with us.

Damn, @ProGay the brother is definitely the hot one!

I remember reading that the brother is much hotter than Derek either on here or another site. Regardless of his personal flaws, and problems, Derek is a good looking man. To think he’s the “plain brother” - that is just, wow!

He’s always been someone I’ve been interested in as he ticks most/many of my boxes. BUT, for every glowing review of a positive, enjoyable interaction, there’s 3 or 4 negative/no shows to consider. As a rule, a single no show wouldn’t necessarily rule out a gent for me. One that was discussed in these forums in London as a no show by one member, I still decided to chance my arm with. I’m glad I did as he became a favoured regular during my London trips. But a pattern of no shows as seems to be the case with Derek is a huge red flag. As such, I’m content not to pursue engaging him. I can admire online - and, as is often noted in discussions of gents, there are plenty of others. Also, I’m rarely in Vegas so that helps keep the temptation at bay.

Reading the beautiful tributes to Daddy, and chatting with some fellow hobbyists offline, we’ve been having a walk down memory lane. When you think about it, we all represent different countries, cultures, professions, ages, etc., and but for this site, we’d never have any interaction with each other. As I mentioned in my post on Daddy’s passing, from this site I’ve developed and maintained friendships with other former/current members in the US, SAmerica, Europe. I’m sure the same can be said for many other members. One mate started the walk down memory lane by asking “how did you find this site?”, so I thought I’d share here, and ask others to share as another tribute to Daddy. For me, it was in 2001 - the November after 9/11, and I was in London for work for a few weeks. I had already been enjoying this hobby, but it was then on a referral basis from other hobbyists. I had somehow wound up being taken under the wing of a group of “elder gays” when I was in my late 20’s. These were men of means, and I would compliment them on some of the hot young men they were “dating” - how was I so naive ? They were amused but eventually did give up the ghost, and opened the door to this hobby to me. Fast forward, I’m in London 11/2001, alone, and I’m moaning to one of the EGs about being on my own, being horny, having no luck on Gaydar, etc.. It was he who pointed me to HooBoys to “find yourself someone to cheer you up”. I had no idea what he was talking about, I clearly remember him chuckling as he gave me the address to type into the huge, tho then state of the art, laptop I had with me. As the page opened, and I began to explore, it was like everything went from black & white to technicolour! Forums to ask questions! Reviews to check the gents! Links to profiles on RB, ads for escort agencies - all of which I was totally oblivious about! Of course I immediately set up an account - I can’t recall under what name, but I’m nearly certain it was the same as one of my then AOL email addresses. I remember being surprised that some of the gents I had been referred to, and in engaged in NYC had ads on RB, and were discussed in the forums. I’m sure some of you would remember these gents who have moved on from providing to we hobbyists. I also remember being fascinated by the escort agencies - and it was one in London (Suited n Booted) where I found someone to cheer me up ? I remember when HooBoy passed, and there was some kerfuffle with his family I believe about ownership, and things were uncertain for a bit. But Daddy, much to all of our relief and thanks, was able to sort it all out, allowing us all to continue to interact, share, feel welcome. I’m smiling now thinking of some of the fellows who contributed -both providers and hobbyists. I’m also smiling thinking about some of the gents I was fortunate enough to engage ☺️ It’s also hit me that of all the forums/message boards I interact on, this is by far the one with the longest history - 20 years! ? This site, this community that’s evolved, the personal relationships that have developed - all of it wouldn’t have been possible without Daddy. While things are uncertain, I for one do hope it can continue as a place where we all can share, interact, and feel welcome. BBD

In the BC days of yore, I was based a good portion of the year in London, with trips across EMEA. While I had a favoured regular gent in London, variety is the spice of life, right? I reached out to LondonBoyPete, and it was a very pleasant series of chats via text, then on the phone. Date, time, expectations were set, and agreed on. Then my experience mirrored @purplekow ’s. Several calls the day before, and day of our appointment - no reply. It was a let down - but every cloud has a silver lining. In chatting with a member here on the phone, expressing my woes, he recommended another gent (Esparco) who became another favoured gent of mine. I have no reason to doubt LBP’s prowess or reviews, but like so many other gents, I think he could be filed under YMMV ??‍♂️

While not exactly unexpected, this is still very sad to read. My sincere condolences to @Cooper, the other admins, and those members who knew Daddy personally. I never met Daddy, but I am grateful to him for all he did thru the years keeping this, and reviews alive after HooBoy. I hope he knew how very much his efforts were appreciated by we hobbyists. I don’t know what the future may hold for this site, but I’m personally grateful that thanks to this forum, I was able to make and maintain friendships with other members (past and current) over the years. RIP Daddy - and thank you! BBD

The link brings me at least to the “I am over 18” page, not this gent’s former profile. He certainly is hot - similar to the Russian gent I met in Dubai, later engaged in Moscow a few years back. All I can offer is this gent is sadly not now on either RM (work has me scheduled to be in Moscow later this year, so I’ve been keeping an eye on the gents there, and in St Petersburg). I definitely would be interested were he available.

Wow! That is a great fare! ?? I’m of the same mind, as long as there is no quarantine requirement, (which would probably mean there’s more happening), then I’ll be heading over ??