Accessories

Accessories

You would think the only thing coming between you and a hot guy at the baths would be the towels both of you are wearing. However, you will often see guys wearing more than just their towels to get extra attention, known as accessorizing. At the baths, you want to impress other guys with your accessories. Standing out amongst the crowd sends a specific signal to other guys. Conversely, you might choose to accessorize for comfort. Whatever the reason, if you regularly visit the baths, it is always beneficial to come prepared with a few items.

Here are the most common things men bring with them.

Leather
Some men like to enhance their towel appearance by adding leather. Over the years, I have seen various men in leather at the baths. But overwhelmingly, most men wearing leather at the tubs are BEARS. Wearing leather is a strong signal to other guys interested in S&M or any other type of dominance. The message conveys that you share their interest in similar activities. The fashion statement of wearing leather at the baths varies between men. Some wear a leather vest with a towel. Others have leather straps over their chests and arms. Some individuals choose to wear a leather hat. However, some men will wear a leather strap over just one arm. This is done to communicate their preferences to other men. The strap on the left means top, or dominant. At the same time, a strap on the right implies bottom or submissive. Straps on both arms mean they can be versatile.

However, a few guys disregard the towel and wear a fetish leather outfit with leather pants, a hat, and boots. Notable is the number of leather cock rings worn, particularly by men over sixty. Wearing a cock ring supposedly keeps an erection up for a long time, even after ejaculation. Every time I visit the baths, I see many elderly gay men wearing them. I would have thought Viagra was supposed to put the cock ring industry out of business!

Footwear
Many guys are very paranoid about what their naked feet may step on. Bathhouses are so dark, you can’t see what’s on the floor. That is especially true in bathrooms, where some baths do not have urinals. The toilet area often appears “wet.” Semen may be present on the floor of the porn lounge or any other central cruising location where men engage in sexual activity. So many guys don various footwear—sandals, flip-flops, bedroom slippers, and even socks—as they cruise up and down the hallways. I do not recommend wearing socks because your feet will get wet and uncomfortable if you pass through the “wet” area. Generally speaking, much older men (in their early sixties) and Asian men (due to paranoia) usually wear footwear at the baths. I’ve even observed some Asian men wearing both socks and sneakers. That is real paranoia, and it just looks silly. Wearing sandals has crossed my mind, but I have decided against it. I think wearing something on your feet defeats the feeling of total nakedness at the baths. I love that feeling, and wearing footwear does not make me feel the same.

Underwear
Some men will be at the baths naked, with a towel on, but wearing a t-shirt. That signifies the man’s insecurity about his “physique.” You might think that he is feeling cold. No. In the winter, management usually raises the temperature to summer-like levels. Since 99% of the gay population is obsessed with body image, many guys feel apprehensive about showing their merchandise. Gay men worry it may hurt their chances of hooking up with someone. It can seem competitive and threatening at the baths, surrounded by Twinks with 5% body fat. Because of that, some gay men tend to cover up what makes them insecure. Gay men often wear a baseball cap to hide their thinning hair. If their stomach is visible, they cover it with a shirt.

But not everyone is insecure. You have the gym bunnies, who enjoy visiting the baths to showcase their bodies. They don’t wear a towel but instead wear their designer underwear. They strut up and down the hallways, as if walking the runways of a fashion show.
You may see a guy now and then at the baths wearing nothing. That is right—completely nude as he cruises the hallways. Rules state that everyone has to wear something to cover their midsection. But management does not try to enforce that rule. Once in a while, a bathhouse staff person tells the “nudist” to wear a towel, but that is rare. Being naked does have its drawbacks. Now that everyone has seen the merchandise, the mystery surrounding the man is no longer present. Based on what they have seen, some guys may take a pass. If the male merchandise is unbelievable, advertising may be beneficial in attracting attention.

People frequently inquire about whether it’s possible to attend the baths solely as an observer without encountering unwanted attention. The answer is yes, and here’s the secret. Do not get undressed. No rule says you have to take off all of your clothes. Being fully dressed is a sign to other guys that you are off-limits. Some men might even think you work at the bathhouse, as all patrons know that staff is off-limits. My friend Ari will do just that. When he goes to the baths, he stays fully clothed, sits in a part of the bathhouse, and watches people passing him by. No one bothers him. If he sees someone attractive, he will pursue him while fully clothed.

Handheld Items
While cruising the halls looking for the next hookup, many guys carry stuff to occupy themselves during the down periods at the baths. Men frequently carry items like water bottles for hydration, cigarettes for smoking, condoms and lube for preparation, and books for entertainment. Some guys even carry their cell phones with them—a practice I strongly discourage due to the high risk of theft or misplacing them. So many guys have lost their room or locker keys over the years. Having your cell phone vanish would be an even more irreplaceable item. I would advise you to keep any expensive valuables in your car. Some gay bathhouses will allow you to keep your personal effects in a separate safe, monitored by the desk clerk. But by far, the most popular item men carry with them at the baths is Amyl Nitrate, better known as “poppers.” This drug is prevalent in the gay community, as it enhances the intensity of an orgasm and relaxes the anal area during sex. You can understand why men adore their poppers and refuse to leave home without them. Some men wear a small bottle of poppers on a chain around their neck so it is readily available. You need to be ready for the influx of quickies at any given time. I see more men carrying around poppers than condoms!

Toiletries
Showering between each sexual encounter is beneficial. This ensures that you arrive at your next hookup feeling refreshed. All bathhouses have liquid soap in the shower area, but it can be harsh and dry for your skin. It is common for many guys to bring their own personal toiletry items. You see them carrying a small bag with soap, shampoo, hair gel, a shaving kit, aftershave, deodorant, and moisturizer. Being in a bathhouse without the necessary toiletries is the worst experience. A quick trip to the drugstore is impossible. You cannot leave the gay baths for any reason without losing your room or locker (this is to avoid drug trafficking on the premises). Only those customers from out of town can purchase in-and-out privileges, but even then they must provide ID to prove they are from out of state. So it is beneficial to come prepared with everything you may need.

Items for the Nightstand
Every room at the baths has a nightstand beside the bed where you can put your cigarettes, water bottles, and other assorted items. When cruising the hallways and passing dozens of rooms, the one constant you will see is condoms and lube on the nightstand. Sometimes, you may even see poppers! Having lubricant and condoms visible next to the bed sends a signal to other guys interested in anal sex. But it can work the opposite way. Some guys who are not interested in anal sex or barebacking will avoid rooms containing condoms.

Some men prepare for everything. I know a man who goes to great lengths in his preparation. Every time he visits the baths, he comes prepared. The nightstand is overflowing with stuff. There are condoms, two different brands of lube, moisturizer, massage oil, a box of Kleenex, a roll of paper towels, water, a package of wipes, scented candles, a small clock, a little radio (for jazz music), shampoo, liquid soap, hair gel, poppers, and a pack of cigarettes. This guy doesn’t even inhale poppers or smoke cigarettes. But he brings them anyway for any potential ‘hookups’ with men who may require these items during their romantic encounter. Isn’t that so thoughtful?

These are just a few of the items men bring with them to the gay baths. Most gay bathhouse visits are impulsive, so keep some of the stuff I’ve mentioned in your car. That way, you can be prepared, making your next visit to the baths all the more pleasurable.