longtime lurker

I finally got around to seeing Wakefield Poole's Boys In The Sand (1971), although we are getting into porn territory here. Of course, this is artsy porn with pretty cinematography and multiple exposures. Likely to put some viewers here to sleep when the sex isn't going on. Poole's subsequent Bijou, from the following year, is even more avant garde. That one you can't just see on Pornhub. You have to get it on DVD.
 
My favorite movie of the early seventies sex explosion is Radley Metzger's Score. It is a masterpiece in hilarious dialogue, garish Eastmancolor and swinging Nixon Era kitsch... and a really great movie to be savored multiple times for the little things you overlook the first time. Two couples in scenic Yugoslavia have affairs with each other, but not the opposite genders: wife seduces wife and husband seduces husband. It is available in R rated and X rated versions, the latter is the one I have watched. The scenes with Casey Donovan (also in Boys In The Sand) and Gerald Grant together are almost as explicit as anything you see on GayTube today, but done very tastefully and artistically with fascinating camera angles.
 
Most enjoyable are the ladies scenes, merely due to the dialogue. Sweet innocent Betsy (Lynn Lowry) is a bit embarrassed watching Elvira (Claire Wilbur) get it on with the telephone repair man and leaves early. Later on the telephone, Elvia insists to Betsy "Do you think we do that kind of thing all the time?" Betsy must be thinking she is talking about sex with strangers in general, but Elvira is fondling a pair of plastic breasts on her kitchen counter as she talks. Elvira obviously means heterosexual sex with strangers. This begins her seduction of Betsy, the wholesome Catholic girl. Of course, a nun's outfit is later worn!
 
Well... if this sounds like your kind of movie, here's a fairly tame teaser:
 

It has been ages since I have posted here and I'm not sure if I should even get involved in this discussion, but it is a lively discussion.
OK.
9 in 10 posters here will give you the same basic line of advice:
"Fall in love with The Experience, but not with The Provider".
Write that line down and keep it on the back burner, "logically speaking", so that you don't over-analyze what can't always be analyzed so easily.
Now... I will play the 10th poster and throw you a curve-ball.
Life can be complicated. Human relationships can be complicated. I developed feelings for a masseur who doesn't just do "hands only" work with clients and, over years of contact with him (and I am talking seven years now), we have developed a relationship that has gotten much closer with feelings that have become mutual. Yes, there has been much activity occurring "off working hours". Of course, you can not be the jealous type in this kind of relationship because people must make a living at what they do best in a world where many need special tender loving care. In addition, you yourself may need to help out at times too as you would in ANY kind of relationship, especially during bad times like nationwide pandemics when clients become fewer in number and the rent needs covered. 
Think of "The Provider" in much the same way you would a physical therapist or psychiatrist addressing your needs and improving your life for the better. Sadly, the United States is still a very backward country in accepting all of this as it should be accepted. Then again, just being gay in the United States was considered a "mental disorder" as late as 1973, doing "gay" activities could get you in jail in multiple states as late as 2006 and same gender marriage (as well as so many other relationships of this kind) was strictly out of the question prior to 2015. Since you say you are still in your twenties, two of these events only happened in your own lifetime and, yes, much more progress needs to made. Most of us posting here have had to get over a great many, many family and environmental issues just to address our own needs.
But... pardon me for getting off topic here.
Back to you.
If this fellow put you at ease and allowed you to experience things without judgement, then definitely revisit him again when you physically and financially can. Become a repeat client and view him as a potential friend first and foremost. You have already read some posts here mentioning wonderful friendships that have developed from these experiences and that is something that should never be overlooked.
Don't fuss too much about the feelings part. After all, you only spent ONE visit with him! That is like having a blind date with a perfect stranger whom you know virtually nothing about outside those two hours or so. Maybe on that second visit a.k.a. "date", your feelings will change. Something that happens may change your perspective of him altogether. Again, go up to the line quoted above as a possible rule of thumb. Yet don't overlook what possibilities could happen in the future. Just take one day... and visit... at a time. View your developing emotions and relationships as a good thing and not a bad thing to be afraid of... and remember that there are many kinds to experience in life.

This shot reminds me of Death in Venice... just the beach setting and clothes. Lol! Now THAT movie is so abstract in its gay attractions that I much favor director Luchino Visconti's much earlier heterosexual black & white Ossessione over it, since at least you see Massimo Girotti shirtless a lot. (Rumor has it the director had his way with the mostly straight star and it is easy to see why.)

Anchors Aweigh (1945) may not be an official "gay" movie but the way Frank Sinatra can't take his eyes off of his bro-buddy Gene Kelly (even watching him as he sleeps in one scene and breathing down his neck every time he talks to a woman on the phone) and pint-sized Dean Stockwell oggles them both leaves much to question. Also we have a cartoon Jerry the Mouse chirping "I'm dancing!!!"
 
Wings (1927) and Midnight Cowboy (1969) were the first "gay" Best Pictures, predating Moonlight. Well... to be specific... the former had Clara Bow as the female "love interest" but she fails to compete with the soldier boys' focus on each other right up to the "dying" kiss scene. Even when caught in her undies, "Buddy" Charles Rogers is too drunk and passed out to get a rise from HER. In the latter, Joe and Rico "Ratzo" toss around the derogatory F-word because they think they aren't gay... and Brenda Vacarro gets Joe to succeed sexually with her by questioning if he is. Yet Joe doesn't turn down teenagers in Time Square or traveling businessmen.
 
Of course, Midnight Cowboy tested the waters for the same director (John Schlesinger) to tackle Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), perhaps the most modern "sexually fluid" drama of its era. Sadly Murray Head can't make up his mind between Peter Finch and Glenda Jackson, so he leaves Merry Ol' England.
 
Victim (1961) shows its age but was still a ground breaking social conscious film out to prove to mass audiences that being discriminated or blackmailed for a gay affair was no different than being attacked for being black or Jewish.
 
Fassbinder's Fox and His Friends (Faustrecht der Freiheit) (1975) was criticized at the time for presenting the "gay world" of West Germany as shallow, but I don't find anything wrong with it. It is just the story of a simple guy who wins the lottery and thinks he finds love and happily-ever-after with a young "semi-otter", only to later realize he is being used for his money. The story isn't really about "being gay" so much as struggling to fit in. Also plenty of groovy '74 fashions here. Even in Morocco, El Hedi ben Salem sports the bright orange and white as he gives the two leads a wink. (Check out the heterosexual Ali: Fear Eats the Soul to see him buck naked. One of these days a thread should be started for him in "gallery".)
 
Weekend (2011) may have a little too much talk and the steamy sex scene is too short, but it is a good "test" film to show your strictly heterosexual friends. It is no more hotsy totsy than all of their "heteronormal" chick-flix, so they have no excuse to start squirming.
 
Le Monde du silence (The Silent World) (1956) features Jacques-Yves Cousteau leading a sizeable crew of shirtless (i.e. almost-but-not-quite naked) dudes on his Calypso and no woman in sight. Even the Dachshund on board is male. The shots of them together in clusters enjoying peaceful slumber sums it up. The two Kon Tiki movies (both the non fiction film with its peekaboo nudity, 1950, and, the dramatization, 2011) are equally good.
 
The Wizard of Oz (1939)... C'mon. I don't need to explain.

Gee, Moondance, on my computer your photos are always nice and BIG.

... and in a vintage Technicolor MGM short...
 
Pirate Party On Catalina Isle (1935)
 
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt8/MovieJoe/MovieJoe006/89e86aaa-ed44-4cc4-bbdc-330d89da100f_zpsbfd24b65.jpg
 
It seems that Hollywood was an oasis for the period. Despite the bigger stars being forced into "lavender marriages" (just to please the magazines and avoid scandal), there was plenty of tolerance there that was not found anywhere else in the country. Keep in mind that a great many involved BEHIND the cameras were also "non-heterosexual" as well. Actresses had more flexibility; apparently there was little concern for Marlene Dietrich or Claudette Colbert's "knitting circles" like there was for William Haines getting caught with sailors. Part of this may be due to how many Jews were involved in the business as well... and being Jewish was not all that socially acceptable in the 1930s either.

It has been ages since I have posted here and I'm not sure if I should even get involved in this discussion, but it is a lively discussion.
OK.
9 in 10 posters here will give you the same basic line of advice:
"Fall in love with The Experience, but not with The Provider".
Write that line down and keep it on the back burner, "logically speaking", so that you don't over-analyze what can't always be analyzed so easily.
Now... I will play the 10th poster and throw you a curve-ball.
Life can be complicated. Human relationships can be complicated. I developed feelings for a masseur who doesn't just do "hands only" work with clients and, over years of contact with him (and I am talking seven years now), we have developed a relationship that has gotten much closer with feelings that have become mutual. Yes, there has been much activity occurring "off working hours". Of course, you can not be the jealous type in this kind of relationship because people must make a living at what they do best in a world where many need special tender loving care. In addition, you yourself may need to help out at times too as you would in ANY kind of relationship, especially during bad times like nationwide pandemics when clients become fewer in number and the rent needs covered. 
Think of "The Provider" in much the same way you would a physical therapist or psychiatrist addressing your needs and improving your life for the better. Sadly, the United States is still a very backward country in accepting all of this as it should be accepted. Then again, just being gay in the United States was considered a "mental disorder" as late as 1973, doing "gay" activities could get you in jail in multiple states as late as 2006 and same gender marriage (as well as so many other relationships of this kind) was strictly out of the question prior to 2015. Since you say you are still in your twenties, two of these events only happened in your own lifetime and, yes, much more progress needs to made. Most of us posting here have had to get over a great many, many family and environmental issues just to address our own needs.
But... pardon me for getting off topic here.
Back to you.
If this fellow put you at ease and allowed you to experience things without judgement, then definitely revisit him again when you physically and financially can. Become a repeat client and view him as a potential friend first and foremost. You have already read some posts here mentioning wonderful friendships that have developed from these experiences and that is something that should never be overlooked.
Don't fuss too much about the feelings part. After all, you only spent ONE visit with him! That is like having a blind date with a perfect stranger whom you know virtually nothing about outside those two hours or so. Maybe on that second visit a.k.a. "date", your feelings will change. Something that happens may change your perspective of him altogether. Again, go up to the line quoted above as a possible rule of thumb. Yet don't overlook what possibilities could happen in the future. Just take one day... and visit... at a time. View your developing emotions and relationships as a good thing and not a bad thing to be afraid of... and remember that there are many kinds to experience in life.

It has been ages since I have posted here and I'm not sure if I should even get involved in this discussion, but it is a lively discussion.
OK.
9 in 10 posters here will give you the same basic line of advice:
"Fall in love with The Experience, but not with The Provider".
Write that line down and keep it on the back burner, "logically speaking", so that you don't over-analyze what can't always be analyzed so easily.
Now... I will play the 10th poster and throw you a curve-ball.
Life can be complicated. Human relationships can be complicated. I developed feelings for a masseur who doesn't just do "hands only" work with clients and, over years of contact with him (and I am talking seven years now), we have developed a relationship that has gotten much closer with feelings that have become mutual. Yes, there has been much activity occurring "off working hours". Of course, you can not be the jealous type in this kind of relationship because people must make a living at what they do best in a world where many need special tender loving care. In addition, you yourself may need to help out at times too as you would in ANY kind of relationship, especially during bad times like nationwide pandemics when clients become fewer in number and the rent needs covered. 
Think of "The Provider" in much the same way you would a physical therapist or psychiatrist addressing your needs and improving your life for the better. Sadly, the United States is still a very backward country in accepting all of this as it should be accepted. Then again, just being gay in the United States was considered a "mental disorder" as late as 1973, doing "gay" activities could get you in jail in multiple states as late as 2006 and same gender marriage (as well as so many other relationships of this kind) was strictly out of the question prior to 2015. Since you say you are still in your twenties, two of these events only happened in your own lifetime and, yes, much more progress needs to made. Most of us posting here have had to get over a great many, many family and environmental issues just to address our own needs.
But... pardon me for getting off topic here.
Back to you.
If this fellow put you at ease and allowed you to experience things without judgement, then definitely revisit him again when you physically and financially can. Become a repeat client and view him as a potential friend first and foremost. You have already read some posts here mentioning wonderful friendships that have developed from these experiences and that is something that should never be overlooked.
Don't fuss too much about the feelings part. After all, you only spent ONE visit with him! That is like having a blind date with a perfect stranger whom you know virtually nothing about outside those two hours or so. Maybe on that second visit a.k.a. "date", your feelings will change. Something that happens may change your perspective of him altogether. Again, go up to the line quoted above as a possible rule of thumb. Yet don't overlook what possibilities could happen in the future. Just take one day... and visit... at a time. View your developing emotions and relationships as a good thing and not a bad thing to be afraid of... and remember that there are many kinds to experience in life.

It has been ages since I have posted here and I'm not sure if I should even get involved in this discussion, but it is a lively discussion.
OK.
9 in 10 posters here will give you the same basic line of advice:
"Fall in love with The Experience, but not with The Provider".
Write that line down and keep it on the back burner, "logically speaking", so that you don't over-analyze what can't always be analyzed so easily.
Now... I will play the 10th poster and throw you a curve-ball.
Life can be complicated. Human relationships can be complicated. I developed feelings for a masseur who doesn't just do "hands only" work with clients and, over years of contact with him (and I am talking seven years now), we have developed a relationship that has gotten much closer with feelings that have become mutual. Yes, there has been much activity occurring "off working hours". Of course, you can not be the jealous type in this kind of relationship because people must make a living at what they do best in a world where many need special tender loving care. In addition, you yourself may need to help out at times too as you would in ANY kind of relationship, especially during bad times like nationwide pandemics when clients become fewer in number and the rent needs covered. 
Think of "The Provider" in much the same way you would a physical therapist or psychiatrist addressing your needs and improving your life for the better. Sadly, the United States is still a very backward country in accepting all of this as it should be accepted. Then again, just being gay in the United States was considered a "mental disorder" as late as 1973, doing "gay" activities could get you in jail in multiple states as late as 2006 and same gender marriage (as well as so many other relationships of this kind) was strictly out of the question prior to 2015. Since you say you are still in your twenties, two of these events only happened in your own lifetime and, yes, much more progress needs to made. Most of us posting here have had to get over a great many, many family and environmental issues just to address our own needs.
But... pardon me for getting off topic here.
Back to you.
If this fellow put you at ease and allowed you to experience things without judgement, then definitely revisit him again when you physically and financially can. Become a repeat client and view him as a potential friend first and foremost. You have already read some posts here mentioning wonderful friendships that have developed from these experiences and that is something that should never be overlooked.
Don't fuss too much about the feelings part. After all, you only spent ONE visit with him! That is like having a blind date with a perfect stranger whom you know virtually nothing about outside those two hours or so. Maybe on that second visit a.k.a. "date", your feelings will change. Something that happens may change your perspective of him altogether. Again, go up to the line quoted above as a possible rule of thumb. Yet don't overlook what possibilities could happen in the future. Just take one day... and visit... at a time. View your developing emotions and relationships as a good thing and not a bad thing to be afraid of... and remember that there are many kinds to experience in life.

It has been ages since I have posted here and I'm not sure if I should even get involved in this discussion, but it is a lively discussion.
OK.
9 in 10 posters here will give you the same basic line of advice:
"Fall in love with The Experience, but not with The Provider".
Write that line down and keep it on the back burner, "logically speaking", so that you don't over-analyze what can't always be analyzed so easily.
Now... I will play the 10th poster and throw you a curve-ball.
Life can be complicated. Human relationships can be complicated. I developed feelings for a masseur who doesn't just do "hands only" work with clients and, over years of contact with him (and I am talking seven years now), we have developed a relationship that has gotten much closer with feelings that have become mutual. Yes, there has been much activity occurring "off working hours". Of course, you can not be the jealous type in this kind of relationship because people must make a living at what they do best in a world where many need special tender loving care. In addition, you yourself may need to help out at times too as you would in ANY kind of relationship, especially during bad times like nationwide pandemics when clients become fewer in number and the rent needs covered. 
Think of "The Provider" in much the same way you would a physical therapist or psychiatrist addressing your needs and improving your life for the better. Sadly, the United States is still a very backward country in accepting all of this as it should be accepted. Then again, just being gay in the United States was considered a "mental disorder" as late as 1973, doing "gay" activities could get you in jail in multiple states as late as 2006 and same gender marriage (as well as so many other relationships of this kind) was strictly out of the question prior to 2015. Since you say you are still in your twenties, two of these events only happened in your own lifetime and, yes, much more progress needs to made. Most of us posting here have had to get over a great many, many family and environmental issues just to address our own needs.
But... pardon me for getting off topic here.
Back to you.
If this fellow put you at ease and allowed you to experience things without judgement, then definitely revisit him again when you physically and financially can. Become a repeat client and view him as a potential friend first and foremost. You have already read some posts here mentioning wonderful friendships that have developed from these experiences and that is something that should never be overlooked.
Don't fuss too much about the feelings part. After all, you only spent ONE visit with him! That is like having a blind date with a perfect stranger whom you know virtually nothing about outside those two hours or so. Maybe on that second visit a.k.a. "date", your feelings will change. Something that happens may change your perspective of him altogether. Again, go up to the line quoted above as a possible rule of thumb. Yet don't overlook what possibilities could happen in the future. Just take one day... and visit... at a time. View your developing emotions and relationships as a good thing and not a bad thing to be afraid of... and remember that there are many kinds to experience in life.

As Matt Baume mentions in his videos, Ursula was a rather specific case with the gay writer/lyricist being a fan of Divine.
Going back into history through the darker days of yesteryear, there are a lot of interesting tidbits worth discussion here.
Perhaps the most "straightened out" Disney feature is BAMBI, since the only villain is the off-camera "Man" and practically every forest critter except Friend Owl is blatantly matched up with a member of the opposite gender. Note that Flower the Skunk is the first of the trio of bro-buddies, before Thumper and Bambi, to get "twitterpated", just so we don't have to question his orientation any further! On the other hand, Flower is a good role model for social acceptance since he tells Thumper earlier in the film that Bambi "can call me Flower if he wants to... I don't mind." Therefore, I would suspect that, if there was some Pride March in the forest, Flower would be a supporter on the sidelines despite being happily married with a son named after our staring deer.
Some of the 1930s Silly Symphonies like KING NEPTUNE (1932) have what we would now define as gay stereotypes. In this one example, a "flamboyant" pirate with blue ribbons in his hair gets the mug tossed over his face when he isn't singing masculine enough by his shipmates.
This brings me to the pirate ship featured in PETER PAN two decades later. Captain Hook and his boyfriend-of-sorts Smee have so much to offer that I am surprised nobody has made a YouTube homage to the very gay jokes between them. I think one reason that film got passed during a very anti-gay, communist-phobic period without any questioning was due to the novel casting of Hans Conrad as the voice to both Hook and Mister Darling, the heteronormal father of the juvenile stars. Thus, two characters are related to each other on a subliminal level.
Whether or not Peter himself is questioning his own orientation, we certainly have Wendy, the constantly jealous Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily and even the mermaids all displaying affection for him. Like Tommy Kirk in his later live-action films, he may have just not found The Right Girl yet... ahem.
Much has been discussed of THE RELUCTANT DRAGON, the mostly live-action feature tour-of-the-studio with its extended animated "fairy" tale involving a rather flamboyant dragon and the very refined knight who deals with him. The upside down cake poem is a delight.
Also FERDINAND THE BULL, although that follows the original book word for word.
In many ways, Jock and Trusty in LADY AND THE TRAMP represent a perfect gay "marriage" of sorts. Although both offer to accept Lady as a possible partner when she is depressed after coming back from the pound and not feeling the love of Tramp who ran out on her, they are far more committed to each other. When Trusty potentially dies, Jock howls in mourning. Later, we see he survived and is wearing crutches. Jock says, in typical husband fashion as if he deals with Trusty daily, "there is no stopping him now" in telling his My Ol' Reliable speech.
What makes PINOCCHIO particularly interesting is that there is only one female character who appears on screen during its entire duration: the Blue Fairy. Maybe Cleo the fish is female too, I guess, but it is hard to determine. Thus, you can stay focused on all of the male/male relationships. Fox and cat are definitely a couple, like Laurel and Hardy. Also Pleasure Island has no girls.
I am sure there are plenty of other examples.

Even the PowerPuff Girls  villain was a huge, disturbing queen.
 

I don’t see it as that much of a mystery how Disney arch villains read as gay.
Lack of trashy women in attendance to the character, as they would be in other stories of arch villains.
The Disney villains use correct grammar and punctuation when speaking …with clear diction, even. Ugh. So gay.
Extreme designs of facial hair, and effective inclusion of unique accessories, not excluding exotic pets. 
Even Ursula from Little Mermaid is a gay man: Divine.
 
 
 

There's an article in Seattle's 'Stranger' right now by Matt Baume about how Disney's villains got coded as gay.
But the interesting thing is how it got this way.
So, what were the unanticipated results of what Disney did?

if... was rated "X" when Paramount released it in the United States. Probably for fear teenagers would imitate the rebellion they saw on screen.
 
Anderson was pretty subtle in how he staged the homo-eroticism, though.
 

 
On the other hand, nothing was left to the imagination with the heterosexual highjinks. Malcolm McDowell's technique with women must have influenced the 19-year old Bill O'Reilly.
 

I am very sorry to report that Guy Fawkes/daddy passed away this evening of heart failure. For over a month he remained in the hospital unconscious and on life support.
 
His passing touches us all. He was a man who dedicated his life to providing a Forum where men would feel free and comfortable talking about all sorts of topics that covered our life style.
 
Having worked with daddy since he started this site I got to see first hand how much he cared about people and viewed us as his family. He was a very bright man with a love for life. He will be missed.
 
RIP Daddy/Guy Fawkes
 
With sympathy,
Cooper

Or not fine... but I have to agree. This topic will kill everybody mentally more than it will physically.
 
I do agree, in part, with the response to my post above about "slippery slopes" (even though I doubt individuals seeking a massage with one other individual will cause quite the same spike in cases as sporting events and rallies) and determining if you should take a risk out of necessity (a.k.a. shop for groceries) versus a "decide" issue (a.k.a. massage). Yet you can easily apply that same logic to driving a car. Should I risk death on the road and waste gasoline to go shop for groceries or visit a masseur?
 
There is something that does bother me with the way these conversations morph over time. Sometimes certain phobias develop into prejudices and typecasting. A masseur is not just a random stranger you bump into who may or may not be carrying The Virus. Like a doctor, nurse, dentist and hair stylist who must touch as part of the profession, he does put a lot of effort into personal hygiene and worries a lot about spreading anything he might contract to his clients. Yes, it is "safest" to stay at home and not touch or be touched by anybody. Yet touching does become as "necessary" as getting food at the store. At least the masseur will try very, very hard to make the experience "safer" even if he can't promise it will be the "safest".

Yes... I know. I know. Corrected myself above. Silly me.

This is an interesting topic and one I have thought about a lot. As we all know, everything in life involves risk. Yes, you may suffer great tragedy if you dare to leave the confines of your quarantined home and come into contact with other humans. The only foolproof way of not catching anything is to avoid as much contact with the outside world as possible. Some of us have to work outside the home and are forced to be unsafe in the world, keeping our fingers crossed at all times.
 
With that said... it may still be safer to visit a masseur than to visit Wal-Mart or pump for gas. At least you only need to worry about one person and, possibly, those he has been in contact with; that is, if he is sloppy in the way he cleans up after the previous client. It is unlikely he is swamped with them during this pandemic and many masseurs, I am guessing, are very selective and screen those they get. If he is serious about his occupation, he is more worried about catching something than you are. His very livelihood depends on him being in perfect health. I am sure he checks his temperature and keeps track of any possible symptoms regardless of whether or not he was able to recently get an official virus test. Remember too that both of you should be thoroughly showered with plenty of soap before and after, washing hands and face a lot. It might be fun if you also showered together and made sure all sensitive parts are mutually taken care of. Wearing masks certainly would help. Think of them like condoms as extra insurance, but... the two of you are consenting adults operating behind closed doors who must decide for yourselves if the situation is safe with or without them.
 
I would just text the masseur ahead of time and discuss all of your concerns with him. No, it will not be the safest experience, but my guess is that he will try to make it as safe as he can, under the circumstances.
 
Going to a store, I always feel like I am literally being "in contact" with millions of humans and all of their "residue", many of whom I find far less attractive than a masseur. No, you are not literally touching other people but you are touching a lot of things they are touching and breathing the same air indoors. Nobody stays six feet away from you regardless of signs posted, even though one in four will at least try. Most will wear masks like you, but children will be taking theirs off to talk and cough since they are children. Then you have those angry "Karens" who feel masks are a violation to their civil rights and will take them off when store personnel are not looking, although I have personally seen far more mask-less men than women in public. (YouTube videos of ladies in rage are far more popular online than those of men in rage.) I also seriously doubt that many of your fellow shoppers cleaned themselves thoroughly and checked their temperatures before invading your six foot domain like the masseur.
 
Don't get me started about gas pumps. Yes, everybody is maintaining a lot of distance from each other and most gas stations are in the great outdoors. However, have you ever questioned how many hands have fondled that handle?
 
Obviously I am not downgrading the situation and saying a massage is totally 100% safe. Just putting things into perspective.

Well... I try to think positively until proven otherwise.
 
Basically every post here will have an "on the other hand" response.

This is an interesting topic and one I have thought about a lot. As we all know, everything in life involves risk. Yes, you may suffer great tragedy if you dare to leave the confines of your quarantined home and come into contact with other humans. The only foolproof way of not catching anything is to avoid as much contact with the outside world as possible. Some of us have to work outside the home and are forced to be unsafe in the world, keeping our fingers crossed at all times.
 
With that said... it may still be safer to visit a masseur than to visit Wal-Mart or pump for gas. At least you only need to worry about one person and, possibly, those he has been in contact with; that is, if he is sloppy in the way he cleans up after the previous client. It is unlikely he is swamped with them during this pandemic and many masseurs, I am guessing, are very selective and screen those they get. If he is serious about his occupation, he is more worried about catching something than you are. His very livelihood depends on him being in perfect health. I am sure he checks his temperature and keeps track of any possible symptoms regardless of whether or not he was able to recently get an official virus test. Remember too that both of you should be thoroughly showered with plenty of soap before and after, washing hands and face a lot. It might be fun if you also showered together and made sure all sensitive parts are mutually taken care of. Wearing masks certainly would help. Think of them like condoms as extra insurance, but... the two of you are consenting adults operating behind closed doors who must decide for yourselves if the situation is safe with or without them.
 
I would just text the masseur ahead of time and discuss all of your concerns with him. No, it will not be the safest experience, but my guess is that he will try to make it as safe as he can, under the circumstances.
 
Going to a store, I always feel like I am literally being "in contact" with millions of humans and all of their "residue", many of whom I find far less attractive than a masseur. No, you are not literally touching other people but you are touching a lot of things they are touching and breathing the same air indoors. Nobody stays six feet away from you regardless of signs posted, even though one in four will at least try. Most will wear masks like you, but children will be taking theirs off to talk and cough since they are children. Then you have those angry "Karens" who feel masks are a violation to their civil rights and will take them off when store personnel are not looking, although I have personally seen far more mask-less men than women in public. (YouTube videos of ladies in rage are far more popular online than those of men in rage.) I also seriously doubt that many of your fellow shoppers cleaned themselves thoroughly and checked their temperatures before invading your six foot domain like the masseur.
 
Don't get me started about gas pumps. Yes, everybody is maintaining a lot of distance from each other and most gas stations are in the great outdoors. However, have you ever questioned how many hands have fondled that handle?
 
Obviously I am not downgrading the situation and saying a massage is totally 100% safe. Just putting things into perspective.

Speaking of gas pumps, I hit on a rather quick and easy fix in the time of COVID. I have two dogs that occasionally go for car rides, so I keep a roll of poop bags in the car for emergency purposes. Turns out they're also great for covering your hand when you go to reach for the pump handle. It's like a mitten pot holder. Just discard when you're done.

I am a licensed massage therapist and am trying to find my way back into my massage practice. This is a very good post and that is exactly the way I am thinking.
Right now I am getting tested every week and don't see more than three clients a week. I am very selective with whom I work. They are retired, don't have to expose to others more than necessary.

This is an interesting topic and one I have thought about a lot. As we all know, everything in life involves risk. Yes, you may suffer great tragedy if you dare to leave the confines of your quarantined home and come into contact with other humans. The only foolproof way of not catching anything is to avoid as much contact with the outside world as possible. Some of us have to work outside the home and are forced to be unsafe in the world, keeping our fingers crossed at all times.
 
With that said... it may still be safer to visit a masseur than to visit Wal-Mart or pump for gas. At least you only need to worry about one person and, possibly, those he has been in contact with; that is, if he is sloppy in the way he cleans up after the previous client. It is unlikely he is swamped with them during this pandemic and many masseurs, I am guessing, are very selective and screen those they get. If he is serious about his occupation, he is more worried about catching something than you are. His very livelihood depends on him being in perfect health. I am sure he checks his temperature and keeps track of any possible symptoms regardless of whether or not he was able to recently get an official virus test. Remember too that both of you should be thoroughly showered with plenty of soap before and after, washing hands and face a lot. It might be fun if you also showered together and made sure all sensitive parts are mutually taken care of. Wearing masks certainly would help. Think of them like condoms as extra insurance, but... the two of you are consenting adults operating behind closed doors who must decide for yourselves if the situation is safe with or without them.
 
I would just text the masseur ahead of time and discuss all of your concerns with him. No, it will not be the safest experience, but my guess is that he will try to make it as safe as he can, under the circumstances.
 
Going to a store, I always feel like I am literally being "in contact" with millions of humans and all of their "residue", many of whom I find far less attractive than a masseur. No, you are not literally touching other people but you are touching a lot of things they are touching and breathing the same air indoors. Nobody stays six feet away from you regardless of signs posted, even though one in four will at least try. Most will wear masks like you, but children will be taking theirs off to talk and cough since they are children. Then you have those angry "Karens" who feel masks are a violation to their civil rights and will take them off when store personnel are not looking, although I have personally seen far more mask-less men than women in public. (YouTube videos of ladies in rage are far more popular online than those of men in rage.) I also seriously doubt that many of your fellow shoppers cleaned themselves thoroughly and checked their temperatures before invading your six foot domain like the masseur.
 
Don't get me started about gas pumps. Yes, everybody is maintaining a lot of distance from each other and most gas stations are in the great outdoors. However, have you ever questioned how many hands have fondled that handle?
 
Obviously I am not downgrading the situation and saying a massage is totally 100% safe. Just putting things into perspective.

This is an interesting topic and one I have thought about a lot. As we all know, everything in life involves risk. Yes, you may suffer great tragedy if you dare to leave the confines of your quarantined home and come into contact with other humans. The only foolproof way of not catching anything is to avoid as much contact with the outside world as possible. Some of us have to work outside the home and are forced to be unsafe in the world, keeping our fingers crossed at all times.
 
With that said... it may still be safer to visit a masseur than to visit Wal-Mart or pump for gas. At least you only need to worry about one person and, possibly, those he has been in contact with; that is, if he is sloppy in the way he cleans up after the previous client. It is unlikely he is swamped with them during this pandemic and many masseurs, I am guessing, are very selective and screen those they get. If he is serious about his occupation, he is more worried about catching something than you are. His very livelihood depends on him being in perfect health. I am sure he checks his temperature and keeps track of any possible symptoms regardless of whether or not he was able to recently get an official virus test. Remember too that both of you should be thoroughly showered with plenty of soap before and after, washing hands and face a lot. It might be fun if you also showered together and made sure all sensitive parts are mutually taken care of. Wearing masks certainly would help. Think of them like condoms as extra insurance, but... the two of you are consenting adults operating behind closed doors who must decide for yourselves if the situation is safe with or without them.
 
I would just text the masseur ahead of time and discuss all of your concerns with him. No, it will not be the safest experience, but my guess is that he will try to make it as safe as he can, under the circumstances.
 
Going to a store, I always feel like I am literally being "in contact" with millions of humans and all of their "residue", many of whom I find far less attractive than a masseur. No, you are not literally touching other people but you are touching a lot of things they are touching and breathing the same air indoors. Nobody stays six feet away from you regardless of signs posted, even though one in four will at least try. Most will wear masks like you, but children will be taking theirs off to talk and cough since they are children. Then you have those angry "Karens" who feel masks are a violation to their civil rights and will take them off when store personnel are not looking, although I have personally seen far more mask-less men than women in public. (YouTube videos of ladies in rage are far more popular online than those of men in rage.) I also seriously doubt that many of your fellow shoppers cleaned themselves thoroughly and checked their temperatures before invading your six foot domain like the masseur.
 
Don't get me started about gas pumps. Yes, everybody is maintaining a lot of distance from each other and most gas stations are in the great outdoors. However, have you ever questioned how many hands have fondled that handle?
 
Obviously I am not downgrading the situation and saying a massage is totally 100% safe. Just putting things into perspective.