paborn

Just a couple of thoughts. When you see the larger group and someone responds have you considered going over and saying, "hit guys may I join you" or the classic " is this a private party or can anyone join" or the ever popular, "Hey guys how about I buy a round."? Just a thought that your not really trying very hard. Secondly, you sound like.a sociologist playing with his data. A group ,may start small but in my practical life experience in a diverse society they tend to become more diverse unless actively managed to remain non-diverse, In short, it's not a tendency but a desire. Your remark "throw in the dynamic of sex tourism where purchasers and inventory share the same diaspora origin. If excluded in part for being white, it is understandable." is just not defensible. Connecting sex tourism and "diaspora origin" is fallacious. The Hallmark of sex tourism is the exchange of money for sex and has nothing to do with racial identity. The boy bars of Bangkok are part of tourism and the boys go with anyone with very rare exceptions . The boy bars of Tokyo are for the Japanese home market and are notoriously hard to penetrate for anyone not Japanese. There are very few that will let a tourist in. Actually, I have read Dominican history and culture for years and while they recognize African heritage they include Taino and European ancestry and consider their Ethnic group to be part of the Hispanic world. Haitians are Black, Dominicans, with rare exceptions, use a host of other names for infinite variations in skin tone. There is a great series of modern books that explore in personal stories the odyssey of Dominicans who never realized that anyone would consider them to be black until they went to New York. A great many of the boys would be upset to hear you give such a simple clarification. This is not racism, this is a better understanding of Dominican culture, it is more open to variations - is there racism in the DR - yes, but you would very likely miss the subtleties. I don't say this to be argumentative I just think your not fully understanding Dominican culture and society.

I can't find any sources online about Tunisia at all. I would expect a current "hotspot" to generate some heat. Have you done any research?

No, not at all, I might have misunderstood . My reason is that they might perceive that I'm after their boys or as the above poster remarked getting their rolodex . It's like being the old guy walking into a gay bar - you can't even remark on the weather as the assumption is that your after their dicks, trying to "score". I took the Dahmer reference as a metaphor for preying on them thus a poor motive . However, now your comment opens up the KKK reference and I see what you mean. No, I know you are aware of the two expats I'm friends with so that was not it - both of them by the way avoid the place during the early evening as they live there and don't want the stigma. No, it's just that loud obnoxious "ugly Americans" are a plague to be avoided. Riobard you really have to work on your prose style.

Ok. I've got it now. You're quite correct and I see the metaphor now. To be frank. my suspicion of their perception of me has always been a hinderance to my reaching out. And, my bias - the Viennese do it even better - alas, the French will have too do. Honestly, they do a wonderful warmed tuna sandwich. Oh, by the way - you write like an Oxford Don - that's a compliment. It's jus that an academic style can take a few more moments of pondering than most posts here require.

Thank you. I just skipped over this and thanked you for the name of my favorite cafe - in my defense the Cafe Santo Domingo sign in huge. I thought the company was paying for the signage by arrangement as its the coffee they use and the only one I buy. ( yes, you can get it in Miami ) More to the point can you clarify the Dahmmer and KKK quote -?

Thanks. I go there all the time and never noticed the name.

OK. But let me clarify. I have been going to SDQ for 35 years. 3 to 4 times a year. I have had intimate friends who operated gay bars and discos.I do know boys who are exclusive because they have long term relationships with Americans - usually this means we send them an allowance to live on. Perhaps you missed my comment: "By the way, there are black gays who live and work in Santo Domingo who are not loud or obnoxious so do be open to association but I urge you to heed the advice of SolaceSoul - if you would not start a conversation with them at home - think first." All either of us are saying is to be careful in your relationships . You're right a common street hustler will not care who you are with. However, a young gay hanging out at the park with other gays might care a great deal. By the way, you also missed that I rarely sit in Pacos and judge - in fact, it has been about 8 trips since I last visited Pacos. There is a lovely Cafe called "Cafe Santo Domingo" on the Conde just off Duarte that is owned by a Frenchwoman . The pastries are superb, the sandwhiches wonderful and the coffee perfect. It is also, blessedly, free of anyone who is loud or obnoxious. That is were I take my current boyfriend of two years to. Honestly, I think you are trying to be helpful; but I oppose soliciting any friendship or even acquaintance for the sake of a "rolodex"

I know the group you're referring to at Paco's. I can't say I know them well as I avoid them and it's been relatively easy as they don't know any of the boys I know and I don't run into them at nice events. Now, I hasten to add that I don't actively dislike them and if, on a rare occasion that I stop at Paco's for a coffee, and one spoke to me I would respond and god knows we might have a good conversation. By the way, there are black gays who live and work in Santo Domingo who are not loud or obnoxious so do be open to association but I urge you to heed the advice of SolaceSoul - if you would not start a conversation with them at home - think first. I guess my biggest issue with the advice is that I can't recall ever making an overture to other gays to "pimp" them - Francisco and Manny are in that business, If you meet another tourist and he is gracious enough to introduce you to someone that is wonderful, but you said you're "discrete" they are far over the rainbow from that. @snwbrd015 you sound quite nice try to stay that way. You will be known by the people you associate with. Having said that, I echo the idea that there is some safety in numbers just be careful and you'll have a nice trip.

You have the link already. I clicked on it and on the page it brings up there is an icon to click for the newest issue. Click on that and page through, towards the back are indexed maps for Bangkok and other areas such as Pattaya. I checked the Bangkok map and as far as my reading validates the new locations are there.

Frankly, I can't see how hotels compete. For far less money I get several rooms and extra amenities. However, if you are very new to a place and the crime rate is not Helsinki low - a gay friendly hotel for that first trip is always a more secure option.

Cute! But, wrong head..... Seriously, sometimes they do the fingerprints and sometimes not - I never ask but suspect that the system is down a lot.

The Dominican Republic started doing this a few years ago and it can be a mess. Last trip the agent spent 5 minutes or so getting it to work - I even had to rub my fingers on my forehead to get some oils to heighten the ridges.

I have to check this out on my next trip and thanks for the information on the laundromat. I never noticed it. One thing I want to say after reading all this. If I were new to this I would only stay at one of the hotels were the IDs are checked and kept while the guest is with you.

I love it! Honesty in government! It's, actually, what I have told all my friends for years in every bar, in every country on the planet. Enjoy yourself, but that 22 year old, swimmers build hunk is NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU! Remember that and all well be well my friends .

There is Roma 1 and Roma 2 - I've stayed there - OK but a lot of rowdy female oriented tourists. Casa Sanchez looks nice but I know nothing of the guest policy and that is key

Yes, Gladwell and I read his book years ago - now, thoroughly debunked in a new work "the Sports gene " by David Epstein. I think you have the massage gene! Your modesty is touching but you do keep the most authoritarian website in the field.

Boy69, I'm not the expert DivineMadman is but I suspect your right. If I know there are non Thai working in virtually every establishment then surely they do. What I never get is why making sure that young sex workers ( yes, they know that too ) are all Thai is an odd priority. Quite right. I meant that you are an expert on the massage shops. I trust you insights implicitly.

Boy69, I'm not the expert DivineMadman is but I suspect your right. If I know there are non Thai working in virtually every establishment then surely they do. What I never get is why making sure that young sex workers ( yes, they know that too ) are all Thai is an odd priority.

I have never been to a resort set up to be as far from Dominicans as one can get. I stay in the Colonial zone, eat in Dominican restaurants and buy my rum at the supermarket in the Conde. I avoid most Americans on general principals.

Good article but until proven otherwise I see no increase in the number of deaths. Why the decision has been made for the press to harp on this is beyond me. I'm old and my lifestyle might be the key to my feelings of safety. I have a cocktail or two an evening and wine with dinner. I don't go to party myself to near oblivion.

Totally correct the so called Gay Hotel " the Adam suites" is a dive. The Palacio is a restored colonial gem. Before AirBnB this was my place of choice and there is NO problem with guests. The hotel checks their ID (Cedula) assuring that they are over 18 and have one. The only possible extra charge is if they stay over night and you have breakfast included you will have to pay for your guest as paper chits are given for the days covered on check in and you will have none for him. But this is a great place. You will see it listed as Boutique Hotel Palacio on Calle Duarte

OK, so where does one find visitors to invite?

Honestly, have you forgotten to take your medications? This is so absurd it is the only possible explanation. I know I'm being rude but this is off the wall.

I retired from an American company that is Fortune 50 and globally known. Yet at one meeting the president of my division did not show up because at that time the US required a visa for French citizens and he was French - this was some time ago. But understand information is gold and SolasSole was altering not frightening. To me it is more scary to show up at the airport and be denied boarding. My leader actually made it to Teterboro private airport in New Jersey on one of our jets and was turned back! I'm thinking off a return to Vienna in another year and truly appreciate this.

Also, when we bring strangers back there is always a risk - however slight. Rent your own place or a hotel room since you have no right to place others at risk unless you are traveling together for security. This quoted escapade was in Rio during Carnival???? Safe?