Smokey

@Yeahman, use common sense. Talk to the guy enough to get a sense of how he views safety. Does he get tested regularly? Does he get sucked off frequently by different guys?
 
STDs are a matter of probabilities. MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) are a high risk category for pretty much every known STD. So, you're already playing with fire. Having said that, some mitigating circumstances:
 
NOTE: Some of these are controversial and may fire up some forum members. *wearing flameproof jockstrap*
 
1. When was he last tested? Comprehensively, not just a lame urine/blood screen. Frequency is key. A sexually active adult male in a developed nation should be tested at least annually. The frequency depends on risk factors. Personally, I get tested every 6 months even though I am very careful. People on PrEP are supposed to test every 3 months. Reputable porn stars are tested monthly or more depending on the studio.
 
2. How often does he engage in high risk behavior? MSM is a high risk activity. Escorting is a high risk activity. Sex without condoms is a medium to high risk activity. Is he being sucked off weekly by a different person? That's a high risk activity. Does he go to bathhouses, sex clubs, or cruise adult bookstores? Those are all high risk activities. Is he fucking "anon on all fours door unlocked" guys? That's a very high risk activity.
 
3. Does he have his vaccinations? How aware of the risks is he?
 
4. Certain geographic areas have much higher risks than others for one or more STDs. Certain demographic groups have significantly higher rates of infection for some STDs. Know your risks.
 
5. Know your body well. Know what various STDs look like and also that most men are asymptomatic (no symptoms) for most STDs. So, if you're sucking a cock, did you look at it before you swallowed it? Any marks on it? Does it smell funky? Is there puss when you squeeze it? These help you identify likely infections, but recognize most men have no external symptoms when they're infected.
 
6. If you're going to suck cock without a condom, you are playing the odds and will possibly get one or more STDs during your cock-sucking career. If you feel like you have a scratchy throat more than 4 days after deep throating a guy, you may want to go to your doctor. Keep in mind though, that STD tests don't have great success detecting infections so early. Typically, the rule of thumb is at least 7 days and more likely 14-21 days following the date of infection. HIV and HSV though require a month or more before even the best tests might reliably discover an infection. Educate yourself. Know the false positive and false negative rates for STD testing.
 
7. Lastly, I would encourage you to educate yourself on the demographic & geographic high risk areas and avoid ever having unprotected sexual contact with anyone within those groups without a high degree of trust and confidence in them and their safer sex practices.
 
Yes, this is a lot to consider and I get how difficult it is sometimes. But, we are all adults and it's our job to decide how we want to live and do so as responsibly as possible. If you're a single man, your risk profile looks different than if you're a married man who still has sex with his spouse. I am in the latter group, so I take my safety pretty damn seriously because it would personally devastate me if I ever brought something home. Know yourself. Know your risks. Live accordingly.

I had one massage where he got me off right when I flipped over. He was very kind and assured me the massage would continue. I don’t know if there was plan for an ending too, but I was still hard, so we made out a little and i got off again.
 
The happy beginning, I feel, has its pros and cons. On the one hand, I like the idea of being relaxed throughout (I get hard even when getting therapeutic massages from chain places, even though I know nothing is gonna happen). On the other, I like the build up, especially if it’s someone I’m seeing for the first time.

BTW, how did this 10-year-old post come up again?

I like the idea of the Bach solo cello suites - classy!

I'll just respond openly, since it looks like the stuff one would PM has been covered earlier in this thread.
 
Re: his niceness. A little tough to articulate. I hesitate to use the phrase "good energy," since that reminds me of people who believe in essential oils instead of vaccines, but it actually applies in this case. He's both interested and interesting, and seems like he genuinely enjoys the connection that massaging offers.
 
I thought the massage would last for 1:30, but it was actually closer to 2:15-2:30. And then we just kinda hung out and chatted for a while. It's possible he's that way with everyone, or maybe we had chemistry, or maybe he's a really good actor. But I left with the idea that he's a legit good guy.

Ha! That's great Phil!
I had a massage in Atlanta a few years ago. Just after I flipped over, the guy started singing along with Barry Manilow, which was playing in the background. While he had a decent voice and killer body, it was a total buzz kill.

I like the new age / Asian sound. Music with lyrics or instrumentals that I know the lyrics of take me out of it. I like to drift off.
 
I absolutely agree about the phone/iPad speaker sound quality. A decent quality Bluetooth speaker can be bought for $25.00 or less. Especially for those traveling guys. Also I hate commercials. 10 bucks for a streaming service can be written off at tax time. Or spend $.99 for a sounds of nature track.

In addition to new age music, I also hate it when masseurs play "nature" sounds- babbling brooks, birds, crickets, ocean waves.... It doesn't "transport" me, it just seems forced. I prefer a good jazz sound track.

F... you guys...now I'm sitting here with a woodie thinking about gay yoga, of all things. LOL.

"Hey, you can help me out with that. Send my money in your name back home to my account in Colombia."
I cocked my head as I put down the drink he'd bought me.
 
Just a couple of days ago I'd had a nice session with him. He was sweet and a bit talkative. But something was a little off. During our post-coitus (excuse my verbiage) conversation I wondered a couple of times "Did he just call me ugly?". Which, obviously he didn't, he wouldn't, of course...
The sex itself, while nice, almost felt like a broadway show production: entertaining but vapid and rehearsed.
But then he invited me to spend time off the clock on Saturday and go to a big gay party together. One of the biggest in Belgium (almost 8000 attendies). And I agreed because I was really attracted to him and I thought it would be nice to spend some more time with him.
 
"You can drive me to my dealer!"
Saturday night had come 'round and I was in Brussels by car. A slight frown formed on my face. Why had he invited me exactly?
Since driving into the city center of Brussels requires nerve, skill and steel resolve in such amounts that I lack, I declined. He got annoyed with me but I did show him where the meetup spot was in Brussels and walked with him there and back.
 
"Oooh, I'm gonna get so high for the party, you take care of me okay?"
I sat on the bed in his hotel room. Taking note that he was not sitting next to me, but all the way on the other side of the room in the only chair available.
And then something started dawning on me: he just wants a chaperone. He has no other interest in me.
While this realization set in I could hear the water spurts from him douching in the bathroom, ready to get fucked by any other guy besides me. I felt like my self-respect was going down the drain along with his poop-water.
I did promise to drive him to the party. I did promise to go together. But... Did I really want to spend hours watching him working the room while I... Just felt left out?
I didn't.
I hadn't made any plans with my friends but I knew some of them were gonna be at the party so I texted them.
When the guy came out of the bathroom I told him: "I'm sorry I misunderstood. I thought you invited me for other reasons. So I'll still drive you to the party like I promised but once there I'm meeting up with my friends."
The room went freezing cold.
"Oh, well, I'm still gonna do my hair so you can leave now." His voice could cut steel. And that was that, suddenly I had turned invisible. He didn't even acknowledge I was there and was completely unresponsive as I said "Bye, have fun!" as I left the room.
 
I thought about going home but I decided to go to the party anyway and have a blast. We do create our own experiences, after all. I met up with my friends and had a load of fun.
 
That was quite... the experience. The guy was a player. As long as he got what he wanted he was sweet as vanilla ice cream but if you denied a request fire would flash across his eyes.
I'm happy I spoke up. I have been in situations like this before where I said nothing and allowed myself to be run over completely. Well, seems like experience is finally teaching me something.

"You can drive me to my dealer?"
 
Sounds like you had quite an interesting experience. Thank you for sharing it.
 
My take on this is you saw and heard everything you needed to. I'm relieved the story had a happy ending with real friends.

In my experience, the best masseurs also have good business sense. They know the value of missed opportunities if they don’t keep up with requests. So, if someone doesn’t text me back, then I move on. Usually, good masseurs (and not just someone looking for a quick buck, both figuratively and literally) will text back even if they are out of town. My really good go-to guys always tell me if they are not available and post the same on their site.

At least we know he puts his body into it. I didn't know coffee scrubs were a thing. I'd go for the green tea.

https://rentmasseur.com/Mclince
 
Mclince says he's 23 and been practicing for 7 years. You do the math...

A song first:

I know this is too late and most people are now using this post to talk about individual Masseurs, but for anyone “new” seeking a massage, I understand it’s tempting to research the hell out of this. You’re spending a lot of money and want to make sure it’s spend wisely, but at some point you have to let go and give it an experience. Sometimes if you know exactly what you’ll experience it’s not as enjoyable. Find a guy you find attractive. Make sure his reviews are positive and take a plunge.

This is more geared to the oh so enjoyable ending of the massage, but still nice to see so many men enjoy. https://www.pornhub.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ph598c347515c77

Well, he is from Spain and English probably isn't his first language. Masseur/Masseuse both translate to 'masajista' in Spanish. This is one of those words that doesn't have an -o and -a version, depending on a male or female person. So, if he used a translation program or dictionary, it may have given him masseuse or both and he chose the wrong one. Personally, I'd be more than willing to cut him some slack.

Here is a video from a guy who performs massage in Mexico City.
[MEDIA=vimeo]207157756[/MEDIA]
 
If I go back there i hope to try him.

Does anyone know which Ivy? I'm guessing Cornell or Penn

I assume cost of transportation if he’s coming to you and the supplies such as massage oils and lube/condoms if it comes to that. Linens and laundry materials to keep them clean. Maybe the cost to post the ad as well. If you’re doing it at your own place then I doubt ypu can actually claim you apartment as an overhead cost unless you officially formed an business and you’re paying rent from that business entity. How about regular std checkups? It’s part of the business so that could be an overhead cost. The table is pretty much a one time expense unless it does get enough wear and tear to require constant replacement.
 
Could one claim gym membership as an overhead cost? I mean clients want you to look hot so there’s a correlation there.

If you are certified/licensed, the cost of school: almost $4000 at our local community college, over triple that at a nearby trade school. Then ongoing classes to maintain your certification.
 
If you do it as your livelihood then add in liability insurance to protect yourself and some kind of percentage you put aside to cover vacations, illness, unexpected down time, and retirement fund.

Not completely relevant.....but I’d say most masseurs use
mediocre oils at best. Same with linens. If you’re going to
charge over $100 per hour....I expect you to invest in high
quality products.
 
One word of advice...if your massage oil comes in a gallon
jug dispenser....it’s not high quality.
 
That, a high quality table, and a sparkling clean bathroom.
 
If your “overhead” expenses aren’t 25% of your fee....you're
probably not investing enough in the product your selling.
 
Come to think of it....I should offer a consulting service
for setting up new massage practices. Most of these guys
haven’t got a clue.

You mentioned many of the obvious overhead costs. The main ongoing cost that jumps to my mind is online advertising, which for Masseurfinder is around $200/month for the middle package and $277/month for the top package. Another main cost, and also one that takes a ton of effort and time is "looking good." Masseurs are well aware that we hire them on looks first. This involves a gym membership, but also all the time it takes at the gym. (which we end up paying them for.) Also, tanning....skin care.....haircuts....botox (for the ones over 30 y/0) .....and anything else they do to look their best. Also, since most work out of their homes, the best masseurs spend time keeping their homes looking clean and appealing, since clients are in/out every day. This takes either a cleaning service, or the masseur spending the time cleaning daily to keep it in tiptop shape. Also, there is the cost of the down time in between appointments. Masseurs are not booked 24/7 but need to keep their schedules open.....so there is lost income from not having another job. From what I can see, being a masseur in this business is not just about the expenses you can count in dollars (which do add up)....but the emotional, sexual and physical expenses that these guys put forth to run a successful massage business.