Who is considered “trade?”

[+ FreshFluff]

There are many discussions about trade on this forum. I’m wondering who is considered trade. Does that include any ex-military or law enforcement guy? Do they have to be jacked. 

A while ago, I met a ex-special forces guy at a party. Yes, he was the real deal with multiple tours. He had fancy educational credentials and is not very tall, so some might not consider him trade. But he had some trade qualities: When we exchanged contact info, he became impatient and almost grabbed my phone out of my hand. I guess they teach that at special forces school. I was surprised but a little intrigued. The combination of intelligence and a little aggressiveness is hot, and I sometimes think about him. 

What does “trade” mean to you?

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Trade (gay slang) - Wikipedia

EN.M.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

 

[+ FreshFluff]

4 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Trade (gay slang) - Wikipedia

EN.M.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

 

Wikipedia says that trade are straight men who have sex with gay men for money. From what I've read here, the term carries connotations about class and education. When folks here post about trade, rough ornot, they're usually thinking about blue collar guys.   

So would a medical student be considered trade? What about a Navy SEAL?

Edited June 27, 2024 by FreshFluff

[+ FrankR]

3 minutes ago, FreshFluff said:

Wikipedia says that trade are straight men who have sex with gay men for money. From what I've read here, the term carries connotations about class and education. When folks here post about trade, they're usually thinking about blue collar guys.   

So would a medical student be considered trade?

Interesting question. Here in NYC I quite often meet summer interns that are just here for a short while. I consider our encounters “trade” even of they are not blue collar type guys. Perhaps I am stretching the definition too far…

[+ José Soplanucas]

3 hours ago, FreshFluff said:

Wikipedia says that trade are straight men who have sex with gay men for money. From what I've read here, the term carries connotations about class and education. When folks here post about trade, rough ornot, they're usually thinking about blue collar guys.   

So would a medical student be considered trade? What about a Navy SEAL?

I agree with this observation. As a non native English speaker, these kinds of terms are specially troubling for me, as I think usage and dictionary definitions do not always match.

It seems to me that US gays call "trade" straight men who would have homo sex for money and belong to the lower social classes. When the straight man is not a street hustler or a blue collar worker, the preferred term seems to be "G4P". 

[maninsoma]

When I was a young adult (40+ years ago), "trade" definitely meant either a straight identified guy who is nonetheless having sex with men or a hyper masculine gay guy.

Watching Ru Paul's Drag Race, and looking at the Wikipedia definition page, it's clear that usage of this term has evolved to now mean basically someone who is particularly sexually desirable.  The queens on RPDR will say who the "trade of the season" is and sometimes it's a guy who looks particularly masculine out of drag but other times it's a very cute, somewhat feminine looking guy.

[+ Charlie]

When I was first introduced to the gay world and its terminology, I was told that "trade" basically meant any straight male who was willing to receive sexual attention (usually a blow job) from a gay male, without doing anything in return; "rough trade" usually meant someone who demanded payment for the interaction.

[Rudynate]

 

To me, they are all gay for pay.  I don't like the class connotations of "trade." I really enjoy books and films that have gigolo characters and gay-for-pay guys occupy a similar category.

[+ DrownedBoy]

In books, I've seen "rough trade" used in a somewhat derogatory manner, and always referring (as in Wikipedia) to working class men.

For instance, one character, upon seeing a working-class man near a gay bar, summarily dismissed him as "rough trade," assuming he was a hustler.

It's been a veeery long time since I heard it used in everyday conversation.

[hungry4darkmeat]

it’s a masculine guy you wouldn’t expect to be down who generally does shit for money. Realness!!!