Bathhouse Blues: Your Guide to Gay Bathhouses

By Bathhouse Blues

This book represents the best, most educational, and most thought-provoking stories on gay bathhouse culture. The author is a gay Asian male who has written a blog called Bathhouse Blues. He has taken the best stories from that blog and has shared them in this book. These stories originated after the author noticed that no one had ever talked about what goes on in a bathhouse. There are many erotic stories written about encounters at the baths. But there are hardly any books written about the politics and culture behind a bathhouse's doors. It is truly a whole other world. By writing about those topics, hopefully, people come away with a better understanding of what a gay bathhouse is all about. The baths should not be a dirty word but a whole other culture and community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bathhouse Blues
• Release date: Aug 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9780992066208

Bathhouse Blues

Bathhouse Blues is the world-renowned expert on gay bathhouse etiquette & culture. He has been the author of his self-entitled blog since 2001. It is still the only blog on the web to discuss bathhouse etiquette and culture. His bathhouse writings have been referenced in a broad range of periodicals worldwide, from the Huffington Post to Unzipped Magazine.He is also a contributor to the website GayDemon and runs a second bathhouse site Bathhouse Blog

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Your Guide To Gay Bathhouses

Bathhouse Blues

Smashwords Edition

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Copyright Bathhouse Blues 2023

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the author's express written permission, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

I have tried to recreate events, locales, and conversations from my memories. To maintain people's anonymity, I have changed the names of individuals and places in some instances. I may have changed some identifying characteristics and details, such as physical properties, occupations, and places of residence.

ISBN 978-0-9920662-0-8

PRAISE FOR BATHHOUSE BLUES

This anonymous web author's essays are worth a browse. Be advised that it's all straight-talking expository dialogue, earnest and in some cases, a bit wide-eyed. Still, the author's intentions are noble.

Unzipped Magazine

What a good effort here to educate and enlighten people on an area that is little known by outsiders - the gay bathhouse. Recommended.

Jane's Guide

Bathhouse Blues is the best thing I've read about the sexual politics of gay sex in a semi-public arena.

Tablet Magazine

These stories may not get you off, but they provide a fascinating characterization of a system that many gay men draw themselves into without really knowing why.

Dark Post

A well written and entertaining site packed with exciting stories and information, whether you are a bathhouse regular, or have always wondered what goes on in these places. The author delves into pretty much every topic you can imagine associated with 'The Tubs.' Four stars out of five!

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MORE TITLES BY THIS AUTHOR

No Asians Please

How Asian Men Are Perceived In The Gay Community

Gay Steam

True Sex Tales From The Tubs

Back To The Baths

More Gay Bathhouse Stories

The Gay Men's Guide To Glory Holes

What Every Man, Gay Or Straight, Needs To Know About Glory Holes

DEDICATION.

To Bjorn, Michael, and Lloyd.

The European, Canadian, and American.

Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far.

Thank You.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Gay Bathhouse Etiquette

Why Gay Men Go To The Baths

Racism Or Preference

Bathhouse Lunch Special

Gay Quickies

Straight & Bi Married Men

Accessories

Tricks of the Trade

Drug Use At The Gay Baths Pt 1

Drug Use At The Gay Baths Pt 2

Gay Sex In The Dark Room

Eye Contact At The Gay Baths

The Politics of Gay Oral Sex

Making The Connection

INTRODUCTION

I am a gay Asian male who has written a gay bathhouse blog called Bathhouse Blues. These are my experiences and observations in a gay bathhouse setting for over 20 years. This book represents the best and most educational stories on bathhouse culture.

Bit of background. Since I was 21, I have visited the baths for over twenty years. Usually, once a week. Sometimes two or three times a week. I have gone at all hours - morning, noon, evening, or late at night. I have met some of the most diverse and exciting people through those visits. Having terrific conversations with men, I've never met before. Seeing things I never knew, such as Bukake, Glory Holes, and even open drug use. Now I want to share what I have witnessed.

I started writing these stories because I realized no one has ever written about what happens in a bathhouse. You can find many erotic stories written about sensual encounters at the baths. But nothing is written about the sexual politics and culture in a bathhouse. It is a whole other world. I hope people can better understand a gay bathhouse by writing about these topics. It should not be looked down upon as a dirty word.

I will not tell you who I am or where I reside. I will say that these stories originate in a vast urban North American city, with an extensive and diverse gay community. I want the reader to use their imagination when they read these stories, as the setting could occur in any city, big or small, as the bathhouse experiences are universal.

Hopefully, you will be entertained, educated, and see things differently.

These are my stories. Me..

CHAPTER 1

Gay Bathhouse Etiquette

First and foremost, bathhouses are places for men to have sex. It is a sexual playground for men to do whatever they want: a place to get sex 24/7, like a 24-hour convenience store. Come to think of it; the Baths are like a supermarket. You can shop for whatever you are looking for. You have Latinos, Twinks, Bears, Chubs, Asians, Blacks, whatever type of guy you are interested in, you will find in a Bathhouse. There is something for everyone at the baths, much more than in the bar or club scene. As you will read in my stories, I have seen some weird combinations at the baths.

There are two myths about Bathhouses. One, only dirty older men go to the baths. Two, only gorgeous men get lucky at a bathhouse. Neither is true. As I mentioned at the start, there is something for everyone. Sometimes, men use the baths to find a specific type of guy they can't find anywhere else, such as an Asian, Chub, Bear, and so on.

Locations of bathhouses range from a side street to an out-of-the-way neighborhood. Most times, there is no sign on the door. You walk in and see a cashier located behind a protective window. The list of prices to purchase a room or a locker will be on the wall. Renting a room will give you privacy. If you decide on a storage locker, cheaper than a room, you have no privacy (in case you meet a cute guy!). Most bathhouses will allow you to lock up your valuables in a safe - like a watch, wallet, or jewelry. Once you pay, the cashier will buzz you in, and you open the door. Which automatically shuts behind you. There is no chance of any strangers walking in by accident.

Depending on where you live, you might be required to purchase a bathhouse membership. The reason? According to some state laws, a bathhouse can only operate as a private men's club. Hence the need for every customer to have a membership. Some bathhouses may only need you to fill out some information on a card. But other bathhouses may request a Photo ID and your membership. If you are closeted or openly out, you needn't worry about your personal information being leaked.

Bathhouses need customers to be profitable. How would they be able to keep customers if they leak personal information. Not to worry, as bathhouses are very discreet when it comes to maintaining membership confidentiality. So there is no need for you to worry about being outed. The good news is that memberships may also give the customer discounts, if he plans on making multiple visits to the baths. After years of going to my regular bathhouse, I have recently purchased a membership. It lets me save money since I go so often. Every bathhouse does not require a membership purchase. But be prepared if your local bathhouse requires you to buy a membership.

Once you get in, remove all your clothes, place the towel around your waist, and then cruise. It would be best if you showered before you cruise the halls. That way, you are fresh for whomever you encounter. Then after you have done the deed, take another shower. This way, you can refresh yourself for the next guy you find. For some, taking three to five showers in one visit is common! That is how many times some guys get lucky at the baths. Some men are paranoid about foot fungus and bring slippers or sandals to protect their feet.

The baths consist of dozens of rooms; all lined up among a maze of hallways. You spend most of your time walking the halls looking for a score. Everyone knows why the other person