As someone not particularly experienced with gay bars and clubs and the like I'm wanting to sound out other peoples experiences (i.e. first time in such a place was last week) Disclaimer: Obviously this post is aimed at the older members (at least, those who are over the legal drinking age in their respective countries) Now, I don't know what the "norms" are for general behaviour, but my observation (and experience) is that gay guys are generally a bit more "touchy feely" between themselves, even outside of such places - certainly my gay friends who know I'm gay are quite happy touching (i.e. hands on shoulders, arms, across the back etc) in the kind of way straight guys just don't. One of my early clues to my sexuality was that craving to be hugged by male friends, or even to just get those light touches from guys (nothing sexual) - but of course, such things got suppressed... In the club/bar of course, there are lots of people in a small space, but there was generally a kind of openness and comfortable-ness with guys just making contact with each other - including dancing fairly closely to other guys - I recall one rather cute guy dancing up to me (dunno why, I've seen me), and it just seemed natural to start with hands on shoulders, then as he moved around allow my hands to move with his movement and just moved across his chest and shoulders again... I'm just wondering if this echoes other peoples experience? yes, I know it sounds like a stupid question, but I just want to know if that is typical...
Yeah I think part of it's 'baggage' and part of it's anatomy. You see, if you transfer your thoughts to a straight couple (boy + girl); the whole thing becomes clearer. Ok so it's a bit more taboo to fondle the breasts of a girl you've just started dancing with! But apart from that, yeah the same 'touchy-feely' procedure applies. The shoulders, the waist, the butt, etc. It's used as a signal that basically you are 'interested'. AND straight couples know that it's socially acceptable. I'm afraid we many of us are carrying baggage that although we want to be 'touchy-feely' in exactly the same way as gays, we are still not confident enough to believe that it's socially acceptable in our case. But we're wrong to feel that way. Sometimes to achieve equality means having the confidence to practice equality, not wait to be given it! So, good for you - keep on dancing!
I found that gays clubs are very touchy feely compared to other clubs. I went to the same club twice. Once with a group of people and the second time with my bf. The first time when I was with a group I did not know what to expect. A few people in the group were very touchy feely. One guy grabbed my butt a few times and a few people were touching each other chest and nipples. When I was with my bf we made out a bit on the dance floor and on thee sofas around the club. We did hold each other pretty tight and grabbed each others butt. I would not grabbed his crotch that I feel would not be appropriate. We danced pretty close. Overall I did feel comfortable around him and I was happy that we were able to show affection in a public area without concern of any problems. :icon_bigg
My experience has been that guys are definitely touchy-feely in gay bars. It is kinda weird at first because men in mainstream Anglo-based society are usually kinda touch-averse (except in the kinda ritualized sports touching kinda way, which can get quite over-the-top if you ask me). But I definitely think it's better than pretending that we, as human beings, don't need touch. I just wish there was some way to stop people from grabbing your butt when you don't want your butt grabbed. I don't mind people touching me but having my butt grabbed is not something I'm okay with if I'm not expecting it or if it's done by someone I dislike.
Thanks for the comments guys - pretty much what I expected to hear - but nice to have it confirmed anyway.
Yes, our gay bars and clubs are much more touchy feely than the equivalent bar frequented by mostly straight customers. Customers are more likely to be kissing and there is a fair share of ass-grabbing, and other signs of affection. Much of it seems to be directly related to the amounts of alcohol consumed and the time of night (or morning). The monthly gay dance parties are much looser than the neighborhood gay bars. Basically people come there to dance, sweat, drink, get half naked, and maybe find a partner for the night. It’s mostly harmless and great fun if it’s not totally overcrowded. It’s always comforting to see that many (1,500) LGBT folks at one happy venue. I try to go at least every other month. I took a straight couple once and they had a blast after they survived the initial culture shock :eek:.
i wouldnt mind if ppl grabbed my ass. id feel a little special... but as for the nips and chest, back off!
Sorry, just asking... gay bars are also for lesbians right (or do they have bars separately)? I've never been to a gay club/bar before and I really want to but I heard that the bars a mostly filled with guys.. rather then girls.
Yeah they are more touchy feely but what do you expect, most of the people there are men and men have high levels of testosterone and, uhh, hornyness? If the straight chicks were as horny as the straight guys in an average club you'd see boobie-squeezing ass-grabbing every 5 seconds
I don't think women are any less horny than men--they are just socialised not to show it as much. Horniness is not solely based on level of testosterone.
Pwahahaha! This sounds fun! xD Though I probably wouldn't drink ... Bad experience when I drank it on accident... HORRIBLE MEMORY! But this sounds fun! xD
Yeah, gay bars definitly more touchy feeley. Lots of grabbing and hands!! The first time i ever went, i was so unsure of what constitues appropriate behaviour but its usually the same feelings and fears for many of the people in there. It just takes a bit of getting used to and then its not so scary. Although with some guys you do have to be quite firm and tell them to back off!!
Yeah, my main concern was one of appropraite behaviour - and more of "what can *I* do" and figuring out where the boundaries are - but going with a friend or two who are much more experienced of the club scene helped - especially as I already knew that hand-on-arm/back/shoulder wouldn't be misinterpreted by them... but yeah, getting used to it, and want to go back sooner rather than later for another session...