LaffingBear

There are many threads on here about activity during the pandemic, changed behavior, etc. Apologies if this topic is covered elsewhere. Given the threads about hiring, etc., I wondered, "are people smart enough to forgo random hookups from Grindr, et al, in the current environment?" And so, I logged in, something I rarely do from home. I use the apps when I travel. I see Grindr has added a chat feature. They're also messaging to stay safe, practice social distancing. I wonder if it will be effective. I started updating my profile. Something in the theme of "be safe, don't risk it. Think with your head, not your crotch." As I was editing my profile, I got three message notifications. One was from Grindr. Two were from wannabes... I decided that my profile is not the place to lecture, to admonish. In all likelihood, I'd get more snide or attack responses than anything else. So I abandoned my editing, and simply logged out. But I wonder if Grindr type hookups are declining. I hope so, but I recognize how powerful the urges, that sex drive can overrule all else, and people do thoughtless things when horny.

I shop a variety of places. Across the spectrum, including some pricier local stores, big chains, and some lower end bargain stores - stores we labeled "dented-can stores" when I was young. Whole Foods 1.5 weeks ago was packed. Carts overflowing. Long lines. One woman said to me "stocking my pantry feels like the only thing I can control." Two days later, Safeway seemed fully stocked, was not unusually busy. Surprisingly, some of those discount stores carry items, brands I can't get elsewhere. I have a theory that its where unsuccessful product introductions go to die. Mixed in among typical, and low-end, offerings, I've found frozen gourmet canape, incredible small batch ice cream, restauranteur efforts at retailing their house salad dressing, artisinal butter, etc. Many don't realize that food delivery systems rotate/ration food. Only when demand for an item fails, does it make its way to the discount outlets. I went to my local discount store 1 week ago. Some items were missing, but it was mostly stocked. I returned there yesterday... shelf after shelf empty. No poultry or beef. No packaged foods like Oscar Mayer, etc that are a big part of such stores inventory. Almost no cheese. The aisle with paper towels, TP, etc wiped out. It was eerie. It was unsettling, because it occurred to me.... these discount stores are at the end of the grocery supply food chain . They're unable to restock, because of demand upstream at the bigger chains. And it made me wonder... are the discount stores early indicators of what is coming? Or, as the bigger chains survive over time, will the discounters go under because there are fewer "leftovers" in the supply ststem?

Perspective: not specifically about this interaction, client or rentguy. There's a tendency for many to over-communicate. Particularly in texts, or even posts on social media. To over-explain. To communicate as if there's an underlying concern "I must be certain I'm conveying what I intend. That you not only get the message, but you understand exactly what I meant." Often to be certain that recipient isn't misinterpreting and won't be offended. Just as I am intentionally doing in this post. There are two or more people in any communication. The other guy may be inclined toward brevity. It may just be that they're wired to take offense when none is intended. My learning... my own adjusted behavior: less is more. Avoid explaining myself. Stop seeking assurance that the other guy gets me 100%. Don't over-interpret, as it can result in going on and on and on..... until the likelihood of irritating the other guy is increased. Brevity is an art I pursue. Obviously, I'm not yet an accomplished artist. ================ If the scenario happened to me, I'd either hang out and show at the planned time, or send a brief text "traffic light. Prefer now or 5pm?" And respond "OK" to either reply. Plus, if there was an overreaction to that... I'd cancel, because it would indicate to me that its not going to be a match.

Maybe its not Corona Maybe its because Maria's not an asset there.

Personally, I would not get on a cruise ship at this time. I am not afraid of the virus. Not concerned with exposure or becoming sick. The media hype, human tendency for panic, herd mentality, the asshole in the White House, etc.... I wouldn't risk getting stuck on a ship that isnt permitted to dock. I'm still traveling later this month - not on a ship. I know the reasons are vastly different.... but there's something about the cruise ships' treatments that is eerily reminiscent of the MS St. Louis in the 30s

I get frustrated by this I had a regular who became very popular and successful . Told me he was no longer advertising, he'd email when planning a visit to my area. He did... once. But I dont think the strategy worked for him... I learned later that he'd started advertising again... during a period when I wasnt watching ads, seeking new connections. So I missed several trips to my area, ultimately never saw him again. When someone stops advertising without announcing "Im still available to you, just not advertising"... I felt that the respectful thing for me was to assume they have moved on. It would be intrusive to contact them. Yet, twice, I found out too late that my assumption was wrong. When those experiences emboldened me, and I texted others who stopped advertising.... nothing, crickets. So... rentguys who dont advertise never really worked out for me.

Not while with me, but yes

Surgical masks do nothing against Covid-19 Regular surgical masks do nothing against viruses... the virus is much smaller than the pores on a mask Specialty masks are in short supply... health care organizations are challenged by the unnecessary demand A qualified mask might be recommended for someone whose ill, but not as prevention for a healthy person. If we could observe the behaviors of people resorting to masks - even the right masks - many wear them incorrectly anyway. Plus, we'd see them rubbing their eye, touching their nose or lips around/under the mask or during quick displacements. Although I'm not a fan of this source, its actually a pretty good summary on masks: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/clarissajanlim/coronavirus-questions-masks-hand-sanitizers

Not clear what the question is? Will Covid-19 affect demand? What are the health risks? Will it affect escorting? I dunno. Maybe older monied guys who are already respiratory-compromised will be more cautious. People, markets, governments, hate unknowns. Hence the market reaction. Travel bans. Conferences and trade shows are geing cancelled. These factors will likely affect trade. Guys from smaller markets who hire when traveling will be challenged. Uncertainty in the digital age may dampen interests and urges. Libido is a fairly strong driving force, so I wouldn't anticipate a major reduction in demand. What are the risks of escorting during flu season? How often does an escort or client pass a cold or the flu? The precautions of hand washing, not touching your face and eyes are prudent. A young, healthy escort, or client, probably has little to fear beyond flu and respiratory illness.

When I was in college, after bad service, a buddy left a waitress a penny. When she brazenly complained, he responded. "You want a better tip? Don't use your dildo in the bathtub!" To this day, I can't decide if I should have laughed, or should have been mortified. But in hindsight, for a server bold enough to complain about a gratuity, perhaps it was a fair tip.

Any recent experiences?

I'll look for that or similar in the Mexican communities, markets here in CA. Makes me wonder if I should visit a well-known weekend market here in the San Francisco Mission District. I don't foresee any Texas trips in my foreseeable future - although I'd like to visit Austin and San Antonio.

Breads: a puff pasty. A cornbread loaf.. a cornbread hoe cake. A yeast doughnut (didnt like that) a puff pastry shell. My favorite... brioche, no crust, griddled in clarified butter. Protein accompaniment. I like but not wildly in love with bacon, ham, etc. Loved: Roasted wild mushrooms. Dungeness crab. Roasted cajun shrimp. Carnitas. Braised, shredded shortrib. But, the semi-traditional alternative remains my favorite: sliced smoked salmon

I think Edge in Castro might have gogos some nights.

My mission to try anything and everything possible under a poached egg and hollandaise

CATS will be annihilated with cheap shots, bad jokes, and purrrrfectly awful puns throughout the evening

What is going on at HBO? Was there a change in ownership? Management? They traditionally premiered new (new-for-tv, new-for-HBO,) movies on Saturday evening. Several years ago, they yielded the first release on TV segment to others, like Starz, but the movies were still recognizable as something that was in the theaters in the recent past. For the past six months, they're premiering horrible movies I've never heard of each week. Their made for HBO stuff has gone sideways.... the only original I watched since mid-2019 was Succession.- I rarely watch HBO anymore. I'm sorry I'm locked into an HBO subscription, and I'll be dropping it when the subscription package ends.

I was in FTL in Oct. Stayed at Cabanas https://m4m-forum.org/threads/ft-lauderdale-resorts.152133/#post-1808635 I'd encourage the OP to research PP and Cabanas online. I chose Cabanas after seeing an online video room tour of a PP single.... not my style. That said, my Cabanas King wasnt quite as nice as the one on their website either. The friends I visited in FTL told me PP is nicer of two.

There are attractive men at work. In the words of Olympia Dukakis in Moonstruck "Don't shit where you eat." I work in healthcare. I'd modify that to "Don't shit where they cut."

The app DayUse shows some very reasonable rates for non-overnight reservations at local hotels. I know that DayUse was formerly Recharge. Recharge quoted the rate for one hour. DayUse shows a six to eight hour window. Does anyone know, has anyone used DayUse? E.g. a Marriott listed on DayUse $99 10 am - 5pm. Is it $99 for the full seven hours, or $99 to choose any one hour during that timeframe? Apologies... I dont see the details on the app. The "offer details" button reveals room features, such as TV, wifi, in-room safe, etc.

Chad staying in hotel, neighborhood I prefer to avoid... so moved on. He was polite, responsive, but I passed after 2-3 texts when he shared location. So no real info to share

Two ads I've never seen before. Searched names here - nada Any info? https://rentmen.eu/Emilianog https://rentmen.eu/ChadHorseback

I think that's a personal decision, and differs by individual. I met a guy in 2017. Took a chance on a phony-picture guy who video-chatted for confirmation, and who was, imo, better looking than the pictures he used. Things seemed to click. Did an hour, then another, an overnight. From a different city, he contacted me when in my region, I contacted him when in his. I genuinely enjoyed his company. A true gentleman. But. He couldn't get past the privacy issue. He had, reportedly, had issues with indiscreet revelation of his real identity earlier in career. I offered to arrange his travel. Flew him to my city. Asked if he wanted join me on trips... short weekends and perhaps lengthier trips. But I told him that at some point, he'd have to move past the total privacy issue. For example, I'd be happy to fly him to meet me in Las Vegas... but I'd need to leave his real name at the desk for a room key. Told him I was even considering inviting him to join me in Europe... but I wasnt going to travel internationally with someone, but not know the name on their passport. He assured me that he was very interested in the travel opportunities; he'd raise the possibility when we were together. But he wouldn't or couldn't concede on the anonymity point, despite multiple times together. Last saw him 18 months ago. Eventually, his ad disappeared. I don't know if he retired from the business or simply chose to cut back to being with a few established clients. I never heard from him, and decided to respect his privacy, and never contacted him either. The vagueness left me a little uncertain. Could he be working with another name? In another city? Using new fake pictures? I've considered a discreet text now and then... something vague like "you still working?" But decide against it. I respect guys who choose to move on from being a rentguy... don't want to be a source of frustration for them, that they can't leave a life-chapter behind and move on. So... in response to original post... I don't know if there's an appropriate time to share identities. I'm willing to share my identity after developing some trust and familiarity. And, I guess, I'm unwilling to move on to some enhanced levels of a working relationship in the absence of some trust as evidenced by identity-sharing.

If only browsers/apps displayed this message every time someone went online to research medical issues.