uncut, there are lots of things that go on on this site, seeing arguments from both sides ain't one of em. most people here seem pigheaded and stubborn in their ways and some even go further as to wanting to hear ONLY, well, what they want to hear
uncut, there are lots of things that go on on this site, seeing arguments from both sides ain't one of em. most people here seem pigheaded and stubborn in their ways and some even go further as to wanting to hear ONLY, well, what they want to hear
I dont understand how checking out other dudes is "bonding." Honestly. Baseball games and barfights create bonds, seeing some other dudes coin purse........
I can see it as bonding on some level if you know a bunch of people in the showers, and you are talking and joking, but in a big gym where most are relative strangers, I cant see how a "bond" would occur.
I can see it as bonding on some level if you know a bunch of people in the showers, and you are talking and joking, but in a big gym where most are relative strangers, I cant see how a "bond" would occur.
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My gym showers used to be 100% open rooms with about 16 heads along the walls- now they have been redone with marble dividers creating 10 separated stalls that are open to the stalls directly across from you- which gives you a little bit of privacy, however it's still open to being open to the room. Since the capacity is down a bit, occasionally they are full during the busy dinner hour- which is the biggest annoyance.
As I have written before, it's almost a bit MORE of a cruisy setup than then when there were no dividers whatsoever- because now two or four guys can stand across from each other and stare at each other, perhaps play with themselves- so unless the directly neighboring stalls are also in use, it's semi private. I've seen some guys decide to get a post-workout nut as a result.
I have watched first hand the environment change from being 100% open to being partially divided- some guys never really thought about it at all or said anything about the difference... but I think I appreciate the balance that it provides.
A few of the other clubs that I occasionally use have not yet been redone, and now when I use those "big open rooms" ... it's different. It's not that I am *uncomfortable* (although I can see if a guy was overweight or didn't have much equipment he might not like that) but I do notice as I turn around and look who else is in the room- it's sometimes a bit odd to be looked at from all sides at once. Some guys you don't want even to make "accidental" eye contact with - and it's much more likely in that event.
One of the other clubs in my area has a REALLY old setup, with vinyl shower curtains that enclose 10 shower stalls, 5 on each side. Sometimes on previous weeks I have found the curtains will have little *peep holes* ripped in them by a sharp fingernail- and the last time I was there a couple of the stalls didn't have curtains, whatsoever. More often than not when using them guys will leave those shower curtains half-drawn- and I see a bunch of exhibitionistic and voyeuristic behaviors going down across from me- it's just step forward or backward depending on the hang of the wang.
Putting it another way, I guess I like having "open but separated stalls" best, because they feel a bit more intimate than an open room.... they're not as narrow and confining as a home shower stall- they're probably 4'x4' divided spaces... but it gives me some sense of just having "my space"- if I am feeling a bit of shinkage I can turn to the wall and be away from prying eyes.
And when I approach open rows of stalls, I have my choice on which one to use- depending on occupancy- and choose who to hang with
As I have written before, it's almost a bit MORE of a cruisy setup than then when there were no dividers whatsoever- because now two or four guys can stand across from each other and stare at each other, perhaps play with themselves- so unless the directly neighboring stalls are also in use, it's semi private. I've seen some guys decide to get a post-workout nut as a result.
I have watched first hand the environment change from being 100% open to being partially divided- some guys never really thought about it at all or said anything about the difference... but I think I appreciate the balance that it provides.
A few of the other clubs that I occasionally use have not yet been redone, and now when I use those "big open rooms" ... it's different. It's not that I am *uncomfortable* (although I can see if a guy was overweight or didn't have much equipment he might not like that) but I do notice as I turn around and look who else is in the room- it's sometimes a bit odd to be looked at from all sides at once. Some guys you don't want even to make "accidental" eye contact with - and it's much more likely in that event.
One of the other clubs in my area has a REALLY old setup, with vinyl shower curtains that enclose 10 shower stalls, 5 on each side. Sometimes on previous weeks I have found the curtains will have little *peep holes* ripped in them by a sharp fingernail- and the last time I was there a couple of the stalls didn't have curtains, whatsoever. More often than not when using them guys will leave those shower curtains half-drawn- and I see a bunch of exhibitionistic and voyeuristic behaviors going down across from me- it's just step forward or backward depending on the hang of the wang.
Putting it another way, I guess I like having "open but separated stalls" best, because they feel a bit more intimate than an open room.... they're not as narrow and confining as a home shower stall- they're probably 4'x4' divided spaces... but it gives me some sense of just having "my space"- if I am feeling a bit of shinkage I can turn to the wall and be away from prying eyes.
And when I approach open rows of stalls, I have my choice on which one to use- depending on occupancy- and choose who to hang with
losangelestim
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not everyone is a pervert who stares at guys cocks in the shower?!
what?!
i thought this was LARGE PENIS SUPPORT GROUP not neurotic whiny weiners
what?!
i thought this was LARGE PENIS SUPPORT GROUP not neurotic whiny weiners
you mean you've never been in a shower after a long workout, longing for your bed, and started building a deep meaningful relationship with the guy next to you?? you haven't bonded til you've bonded in the shower, it's MUCH different from bonding anywhere else and has NOTHING to do with nudity, it's about the CONNECTION
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RamIT- you mean there isn't even a teeny place inside you where you feel a bit primal/ or connected to another naked guy? (AKA someone who you're aren't grossed out by either in manner, deed or appearance)
I guess I thought that was, to get slightly scientific, innate behavior.
Maybe you need to book some time at your nearest indian sweat lodge to get connected with your inner hairy beast
I guess I thought that was, to get slightly scientific, innate behavior.
Maybe you need to book some time at your nearest indian sweat lodge to get connected with your inner hairy beast
Marble? Jesus! How much are your monthly payments? hehe j/k
And that set up with the vinyl shower curtains sounds downright fucking creepy. I'd leave a gym because of that.
RamIT- you mean there isn't even a teeny place inside you where you feel a bit primal/ or connected to another naked guy? (AKA someone who you're aren't grossed out by either in manner, deed or appearance)
I guess I thought that was, to get slightly scientific, innate behavior.
Maybe you need to book some time at your nearest indian sweat lodge to get connected with your inner hairy beast
What he said.
We had communal showers at summer camp and I loved seeing everyone else naked. Also, I have had the same feeling with stalls opposite each other in some gyms. For me, any chance to hook up or check out a guy is welcomed
atleast this guy's honest about it....... male bonding, ha
pronatalist
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Why is society becoming so strangely nudity-phobic?
Well actually, I like the urine troughs as well. At least in certain public bathrooms in which a bunch of people may need to pee at once, say like a sports stadium or movie theater restroom. It's about efficiency, but also the natural idea, that every instance of proper nudity shouldn't be thought of, as "sexuality," nor something to have to be ashamed of.
Why do guys go into a toilet stall, when there are urnals available? Afraid somebody might get a glimpse of their little pee-pee? Afraid they won't measure up?
Why can't guys stand nearly shoulder-to-shoulder, to pee? But only when the bathroom is crowded, and we need to keep the line moving along. Otherwise, that would be rude. You don't take the very next urnal, when there's a row of 5 urnals, most of them empty. You spread out, unless there's so many people that there's not room to spread out. People have "personal space" zones, that naturally shrink when the crowd size swells.
I don't like shower stalls, because I think they are inefficient, perhaps they encourage certain "improper" behaviors because of their seeming unneeded or excessive "privacy," and they are a bit cramped. I'm not obese either, but when one is turning, moving about, moving arms to wash, how easy is it for some rude and possibly dirty wall, to just reach out and touch you? How close is that dirty, slimy shower curtain, being sucked in by the hot water air draft? And I think men ought to be men, and not shy little sissies.
I get plenty of privacy at home, but why should I need a lot of privacy, in some crowded lockerroom or public shower room? Besides, how often is one nearly alone, in some communal shower room? Those places are rarely "crowded?"
Communal or separate, doesn't bother me. It is nice to have a little privacy when washing up some body parts but if you are all in the same situation then there is no need to sweat it. I don't agree with the whole bonding thing. I basically ignore everyone else in the shower as if they didn't exist. On the other hand, one does have to put some trust in the others showering. I have expectations on how they will act like keeping their distance and respecting others. If they meet those expectations, then I probably have more respect for them.
There are many posts here about how the younger generation has become more self-conscious. I think that a lot of it has to do with the availability of porn and yes sites like this one. Teenage guys are led to believe that everyone has a huge cock. When they don't measure up, they cover up. It is the same with fitness. Guys are constantly bombarded with images of super muscular men and ultra-lean bodies. We all have different genetic make-ups and it is not possible for everyone to attain the ideal male physique. A gym that intends to keep it's clients happy should offer privacy for those who want it.
There are many posts here about how the younger generation has become more self-conscious. I think that a lot of it has to do with the availability of porn and yes sites like this one. Teenage guys are led to believe that everyone has a huge cock. When they don't measure up, they cover up. It is the same with fitness. Guys are constantly bombarded with images of super muscular men and ultra-lean bodies. We all have different genetic make-ups and it is not possible for everyone to attain the ideal male physique. A gym that intends to keep it's clients happy should offer privacy for those who want it.
pronatalist
Sexy Member
Society is just losing its sanity.
Well I tend to suspect that all that silly/bashful inefficiency costs money, in the form of higher dues or something, which I don't want to pay for. But then, I wouldn't go to a gym anyway, on account of lack of time and price-gouging high gasoline prices.
I think there is something to the "bonding," although what "bonding" can there be with ignored strangers? Maybe "bonding" is missing the mark. I think guys should be able to endure a few simple challenges, and I see it as more a natural and proper "initiation" of some sort. Part of "growing up." But then, if people have no clue how to act, and don't respect people's "personal zone," an invisible "bubble" around them, that one generally shouldn't get too close to invade, then a supposed need for "privacy" might be more understandable. But then, if people or strangers are so weird like that, I wouldn't even want to share a gym with them.
To me, a big bathroom without some sort of "communal" facilities, would seem about as strange as those Korean toilets, minus the toilet "throne" seat. Just a hole in the floor? Yuck! I'm just supposed to "hover" over that?
What's next? Put in your quarters, or should I say dollars?, to use your own private bathroom at the gym? Gee, don't I have like one of those, at home? So why not just stay home?
And if I notice that some guys are bigger than me, so what? Good for them. Like I didn't suspect already that that might be the case?
And I don't mind that parents bring their opposite sex little children in with them. As long as they don't act all weird or something. Obviously little children can't go alone into their proper sex lockerroom. I am very much pro-naturally-large families, and so I suspect that if more people were to welcome their babies to push out naturally, without ever the unnatural bother of anti-life "birth control," some such things would be inevitable, as should be, mothers breastfeeding in public, as they still do in the developing, more pronatalist countries.
Is there anything else you want to ramble on about? High-gas prices and mothers breast-feeding in public, you got it all in there - impressive.
Such as the bonds you form in AA, prison, your anger management classes and with your parole officer.:tongue:
Whether the gym is big or small you can get to know some of the people in it by conversing with them. That's how I see you forming bonds. Then you all can go out to the bar and form fight clubs.:biggrin1:
smartest and most considerate thing i've read on this whole thread
Communal showers are also safer. The stalls with curtains are gross and every so often you see guys with it half open jerking trying to get a thrill. THat doesn't happen in communal showers. They're gyms not sex clubs.
my gym does a great job keeping the individual stalls clean. since i usually get off at midnight i go in there pretty late (24 hour gym) and several times a week there's an employee in there on his hands and knees with a bottle of disinfectant. i'm sure part of the cleanliness i see is because he's had a chance to clean the gym since its emptier that late but atleast i know its being done
