Columns Apr 25, 2012 at 4:00 am

Hooking Up

Comments

1
I agreed with pretty much everything except there was one thing that stuck out to me.

"For the first time in my life, I am with someone who understands how much my work is a part of who I am. (I travel for research and come home and agonize over writing it up.)"

Am I the only one that read that as a euphemism for "I'm not around a whole lot, and distracted by work when I am around?" Might be the reason the sex is cooled off. I mean, it's borderline cliche that workaholics aren't great at being present/attentive significant others.

Plus if he/she is old enough to have job in research (late 20's at minimum right?) and has struggled to meet someone who "understands how much my work is a part of who I am".. that to me suggests someone who may in fact be in the best of all possible relationships.
2
Two of today's letters resonated with me. First of all I have been with a hook-up for 23 years now married for 10 of those years) so yes it can lead to a great relationship. Second one - I can only really "squirt" on my own. It has occasionally happened with my partner but not when I am thinking about it or want it to happen.
3
As a generally rule of thumb, if your girlfriend has no interest in sex whatsoever, you can anticipate that sex will get less frequent over time, and factor that in when deciding to continue your relationship.

This is assuming, of course, that there is no curable medical reason for her anorgasmia, and the sex is lackluster despite your best efforts.
4
Great advice to hooking up. I always tell the men I meet that I am not interested in a relationship. I have been having fantastic sex for years. some of the men Ihave been having sex with for years Just a word of caution be safe, and ALWAYS let someone know who u are with and where you are
5
Sometimes women say things they don't really mean in the beginning of a relationship in order to seem cooler, kinkier, or sexier than they really are. I did it too when I was younger, and later had to backtrack on a few things. The guy shouldn't think the girl was ever actually okay with him cheating. Breaking up does seem like the best option.

@1 may have a point. I'm in a graduate program with a lot of people whose research is their life. Good for them, but I would rather spend my evenings with my husband, my friends, even my cats. Their obsession with their work is deeply unsexy in my view (not to mention remarkably antisocial at times). The LW might need to back off of his research if finding/maintaining a romantic relationship is a priority. If not, well, he wouldn't be the first researcher to make that sacrifice.
6
I have to agree with @1. If you're looking for a partner who is into sex, but then you're not around (physically, or emotionally) most of the time, the relationship still wouldn't work, at least not without being open for both parties.
7
how come its always a straight guy who wants it up the arse all top secret like? do i detect hetero hate here?
8
STUCK, I have to say, your girlfriend is either a) a complete idiot, or b) a complete prude.

First, the "complete idiot" analysis: gee, maybe if she believed in masturbation, then she might have had a few orgasms, at which point she would understand the benefits of masturbation - and also the benefits of sex with you. Seriously, duh.

Second, the "complete prude" analysis: "didn't believe in masturbation?" Srsly? It sounds like she has refused to get any good at sex because then she might actually want it.

On the other hand, it also sounds like you bear a certain amount of responsibility for the situation. The only thing that is going to turn her around is getting her to understand the value of a good orgasm herself, but you seem more interested in a) your work, and b)looking elsewhere, than in getting her to see the light, which will take some fairly serious investment in quality time.

Still, all things considered...complete prude is my guess. (And, fair warning, "it would be fine as long as I never found out" is code for "if I do find out I will make your life an entirely new circle of Hell.") Prognosis: unlikely. DTMFA.
9
@8 That's a
10
My message got cut off ... take 2 ...

@8 That's a whole lot of judgement for someone you've never met.
11
My Fiance and I were a hook-up! We were each other's booty calls and we're still going strong 4 years later. We'll be married in August so I would have to say it's a great way to start a relationship :-D!
12
It's not always the girls with the issues. I am completely fine masturbating and my boyfriend and I used to have a pretty healthy sex life, just seems I want it more than him... I've always heard it being the other way around, guess not.
13
@12 I've been there before- many women have (it's waaay more common than you'd think. It makes you feel deeply unattractive and unwanted. I'd really suggest breaking up. Life's too short to spend praying for what someone deigns to give. Just wanted to tell you that I've been there, left there, and I'm so glad that I did.
14
Yeah, not a fan of "understands my how important my work is" comment. Like traveling for research and writing papers is sooo haaard for your girlfriends to wrap their brains around. I'm with 1: this guy is a workaholic and feels passionate about his work, and women go into it not realizing that means "you're second to my work."

There will be a woman who will be okay with that (perhaps a fellow researcher who is herself engrossed in and obsessed with her field of study), and enjoys sex whenever you both decide to actually get to it. If you're hoping a girl will not stray and understand you and fuck your brains out when you're around and deciding to take a writer's break, well that sounds unlikely to me. And it doesn't sound too fulfilling for any future ladyfriend either.

Dan's right.

15
Can somebody PLEASE come up with better terminology for 'squirt.' Ick.

I don't mean that 'squirting' (gah gah gah) is in itself icky. I mean why such an icky verb choice to describe such a desirable outcome? It sounds like trying to get mustard out of a bottle or something.

Ejaculate - jettison - gush - burst: all fine synonyms. Even 'spurt.' PLEASE SOMEBODY.
16
What struck me about STUCK's letter is that he didn't say ONE WORD about what he's done to try to make sex fulfilling for his not-interested-in-sex partner. Or even mentioned whether she's had an orgasm now! Now, maybe he just didn't mention it, or maybe Dan edited it out. But if he hasn't actually made the effort, then it might be worth it. If he has, then Dan's advice is right.

Then again, I agree with those saying that his words about why he likes her raise flags, too, so maybe she'd be better off without him....
17
@16 makes a good point, too! No comment on how he has tried to open her up to new things, or if he's stated any of his needs or asked her if she's satisfied.

More information is needed before I can judge this fellow.
18
@8 I think it might be more likely that she's asexual, but unaware that the notion of it even exists, than she's either of the two options you presented.

If she's never been into masturbating, it's likely that she only has sex with partners because it's assumed that sex is part of a relationship, even though she doesn't enjoy it.

Of course, we don't really know much more about this woman than the limited information her partner provides.
19
I and my partner were a hookup at first. Hookup turned into affair but we wanted to end it when I left Canada 6 months later... luckily we were really bad in ending it and now I'm happily married and prepare my permanent move to Canada...
and my only relationship before was a hookup first too. I even refused to give him my number - but we met again, hooked up some more and it turned into a relationship that lasted 4 years and we are still friends
20
@7: Gay guys would presumably be open about wanting the same thing, if they were open about being gay.
21

If you do treat your hookups with kindness and consideration when you meet the first time you will not lack for sex partners because they will be much more likely to contact you again. I've had a lot of hookups over the years and most of them have ended up contacting me at least one more time, and some have turned into long term affairs. If you try to give them the best sexual experience you can, even knowing you may never see them again, and are friendly and appealing, chances are you will hear from them again. At that point, it's up to you whether to see them again or not, but it's always nice to have a lot of options. Plus, after I've had sex with someone, I like for them to think "hey, he's a nice guy", not "he's an asshole".
22
@8 regarding STUCK
I know you're trying to help the guy see that maybe the relationship isn't working out, but you were really insulting. There is nothing wrong with having a low libido. Some people just don't want sex and it is not a black mark on their intelligence.

STUCK, one thing to think about is the possibility that she isn't enjoying herself in bed. I knew many girls who never masturbated but had very active sex lives. It's possible that the two of you just aren't syncing, you aren't fulfilling her needs, or both. If you don't already, learn to eat pussy, start fingering her, and learn where the g-spot is. Also, get a vibrator for her, help her find her clit, and finger/fuck her. Some women who have never masturbated have never found their clitoris. For many it's a watershed moment.

Good luck STUCK. Try to spice up your sex life and make it more fun for her. If it doesn't fly, then bring up open relationships one last time. You might even benefit from showing her Dan's video where he discusses a married couple who don't sexually connect. He suggests an open relationship. But he does so without making it seem like openness delegitimizes the relationship and I feel that that is her fear.

If sex is important but if improving the quality and openness is off the table, then DTMFA. I don't know what your research field is, but I recommend looking into women who are in similar situations as you. I'm in Experimental Psych and had a wonderful fling with a woman in the Biology dept before I met my gf. There are many women out there conducting research and understand the life of a scientist. Go get em!
23
The only way my ex ever squirted with me was by tying her up and pressing the vibrator on her clit long past orgasm. Even that didn't work every time.
24
WSID,

To start with, how about getting a nice thick towel or 2, and get used to using it when you go solo and squirt.  Next, make sure your SO understands that you won't squirt every time, and will still enjoy PIV(+?).  Go someplace for a getaway, and have fun.  When the time comes, and you get to where you hold back, just don't.  Make a mess, and watch while your SO doesn't get disgusted (he will freak out though; probably some kind of touchdown dance, etc.) and will even sleep in the wet spot if you didn't have time to get the towels.

When my wife squirts, sometimes it's a gush, most times it's trickle.  She knows how much I enjoy her letting go on me, so there can be a performance anxiety component sabotaging the proceedings.  But the biggest obstacle is always too much on her mind.  Just let go, a lot or a little, and enjoy sharing all of yourself.

Peace.
25
"If you bring up a subject that is has anything to do with homosexuality he immediately finds a reason to get off the phone." Yeah, and a buttoned-up heterosexual guy might well do the same - *especially* if he believes you think he's queer. You could have got yourseles into a circular argument here.
26
I think Dan was right in telling STUCK to DTMFA if only because I recoiled in horror when he said his gf "doesn't believe in masturbation"! I would imagine she'd have considerable difficulty finding a support network for that...

Oh and btw I'm a gay man who's been treating hookups with respect for 30 years & still no bf (that would probably account for my shock at the masturbation comment...) but hey, to each his bone!
27
Oops - new around here. Posted to wrong column. Sorry.
28
@#8 cheating POS, or simply monogamish ?
29
Pardon me, #2.
30
I have a problem squirting also. It's difficult to let go with my partner because comes inside me every single time so his dick is blocking the entrance I guess you could say. It just makes it difficult for me to finish. What can I do?
31
Wow, people are being really harsh on STUCK's SO. She can only possibly be a complete idiot or a complete prude? Yikes.
Not to point fingers here, but STUCK doesn't exactly sound like an exemplary boyfriend: "I travel for research and come home and agonize over writing it up", makes it sound like even when he is home he is busy, possibly complaining, and stressed. But oh in those few moments when he is not writing or gone he expects her to magically have a high libido and then just wait around while he's gone, twiddling her thumbs?
Most of the women I have met who "don't believe in masturbation" say that because they have not had success with it. They can't get in the mood solo, and that doesn't mean they are broken or a prude.
32
I'm almost 40 and I must say that I really understand those comments I hear every now and then that women don't hit their sexual peak until their 30s. There's so much involved in that! A big part of it is what OLDMAN mentioned, which is years of learning what works and what does. Also, there's what @22 mentioned, finding one's clit. There's learning to let go. There's deciding that you're not malfunctional, or wrong for what you want (or if you still feel wrong for it, saying to hell with that and going after it anyway).
33
There's nothing wrong with a hook-up. There's nothing wrong with a long term relationship. There's no reason a hook-up can't turn into a long term relationship, but there is a great deal wrong with lying to yourself and others by saying that you want a hook-up when you're really hoping for a long-term relationship. With very little to go on, that's what I'm afraid HOPE is doing. Alternately, there's lying to yourself by acting like you want a long term relationship when really all you want is a hook-up. Both are a form of assholery.
34
@32: I always heard that a woman didn't hit her sexual peak until 40ish, which was definitely true in my case (well, late 30s). For all your reasons, and then some (I think hormones play a large role in libido and sexual response, and for a variety of reasons, they may be surging starting in the late 30s), I think this is often the case.

@33: Well said. To thine own self (and those with whom you have sex) be true.
35
@7 - That's because that particular kink is considered "gay" and male sexuality is not allowed to be fluid and the 'one drop' rule gets applied. Sure, it's bogus but it definitely makes sense and is a great example of what Dan is talking about.

It's not the kind of kink you can drop on the table in the first two or three dates, and it's very easy to run the risk of developing a great connection followed by rejection, and then acquiring a 'reputation'. And Dan gave an example of one for women as well.

Both the first and second letters really resonated for me - I've been the fool who divided up the fuckable world the way Dan describes, and, like STUCK in letter 2, fallen deeply in love with someone with whom there just was no sexual compatibility (vanilla and bad!) and it's horrible.

I love hearing these happy FB/FWB/hookups that have turned into good, long term relationships.
36
I think, regarding STUCK's SO, that @32 said something really important: "learning to let go". I had this issue with a partner who did believe in masturbation, but was kind of emotionally cut off and so while she'd force herself to go through motions, she wasn't really relaxing and enjoying the sex. So, yeah, again, the resonance with the whole hookup thing.
37
@32 Gamebird,

My wife always brushes off getting a vibrator with "Why do I need that if I've got you?". When we started going out, she was completely inexperienced, and didn't masturbate. Fast forward through marriage and a lot of fun together, and the first time she started working her clit during doggy style was like...I'm at a loss for words. Then she finally relaxed enough to let herself squirt (for years she kept saying something like "What should I do?"). Not surprisingly that was in her mid 30s. And it's gotten better in many ways since. However, what has always remained constant is that little grin or smirk she gets when she really decides to go to town on me in the cowgirl position; heck of a good way to start a sunny spring day!

Being 50 doesn't suck...

Peace.
38
@12-I want sex more often than my husband. He's happy with once or twice a week, I want it three or four times a week.

But I'm perfectly happy with masturbation, because my husband is perfect in other ways. I do have a deep committed relationship with my vibrator now, as well.

The point is if you can be happy with the situation, mismatched sex drives aren't necessarily a deal breaker. We've been together for 13 years. If you are unhappy, though, then it is a deal breaker.
39
I wish we knew what STUCK's girlfriend means when she says she doesn't believe in masturbation. That she doesn't believe it exists (like Santa Claus)? That she doesn't believe she'd like it if she tried? That she doesn't believe it's worth the effort?

Sometimes we start with great sex and try to improve a lagging relationship.

Sometimes we start with a great relationship and try to improve the indifferent sex.

But whatever, I think Dan is right. You don't always know whether a relationship is salvageable, but this one has all the signs of one that isn't. The only thing STUCK seems to like about his girlfriend is that she allows him to work all the time. He could get that from a succulent. (I originally wrote houseplant but then realized it would want to be watered.) He doesn't seem to want to work together with her to help her enjoy sex more. He doesn't seem to like spending time with her when he's not working or getting the infrequent vanilla sex. He does call her affectionate and caring, but he could get that from a beagle except they need more care than houseplants.
40
34- Nocute-- Let's guess that hook-ups were not what Polonius had in mind.
41
@10: It's an internet advice column. Snap judgements are the order of the day. Get over it.

Based on the letter (which is all I have to go on), her attitude is, in a nutshell, "I've never had an orgasm and I have no interest in finding out how good they are, even if it drastically improves not only my partner's sex life, but mine too." Do you want to try to defend that proposition as sensible?

Various of you mentioning the possibility of her being asexual: yes, that's one possibility. Again, going off the wording of the letter -- I think there's a substantive difference between "I'm not interested in masturbation" and "I don't believe in masturbation" -- it sounds like she is treating it as a moral failing, not merely something that fails to grab her attention.

Those mentioning that he needs to figure out how to be better at making her orgasm: good point, but nobody should be expected to know more about how a person comes than the person herself. He can't read her mind, and he can't jack into her nervous system to gauge her exact responses in real time. She needs to educate herself about her own body before he can learn how she works. That means being willing to play with herself first. Having him experiment on her endlessly is going to be an exercise in frustration for both of them.

Bottom line, however, her attitude seems to be that since she isn't interested in sex, that's just how it's going to be, and hints that she probably will be intolerant if she finds out he is getting those needs met elsewhere that she shows little interest in meeting herself. I have very little patience for that.

42
I'd be curious to see whether STUCK would be okay with a gf who loved sex and who got plenty of it while he was gone or agonizing over his writing. If so, then there's promise for some fun relationship opportunities. However, if he doesn't like that idea, he should probably stick with the battery-powered types of girlfriends; this way, he knows how to bring the zap back into the relationship when he needs immediate release from his work focus.
43
I had a hook-up that turned into a relationship, we're getting married in June. I'm looking forward to many years of monogamish, GGG, wedded bliss.

The only real problem with going from hook-up to relationship is what to tell people when they ask how you met.
44
@avast

For a lot of women (and men), sexuality isn't just physical, it's emotional too.

That's what I hear, anyway. I'm a simple creature myself.

But a lot of times people have trouble getting in the mood for partners who are inattentive/absent/etc - it seems to me like this fellow is. See @42's post.
45
Oh 41 I beg to differ on one thing... she doesn't need to get to know her own body first in order for someone else to get it. Years ago I really thought that the Os I got from masturbation were clitoral orgasms and the nice friendly exercise I got from intercourse was a vaginal orgasm. Yeah I wasn't coming. I had sex with guys for 12 years... a LOT of sex mind you... before I finally realized I wasn't having orgasms and was deluding myself. I had no idea how to get there. I had no idea what would get me off.

Luckily I found a string of older experienced men who were in their 40s and 50s and had no problem playing "well, let's try this, and this, and see if this works, and if it doesn't, no biggie, maybe you're just not one who does that way, and we'll have fun trying!" with a 20something female desperately in need of proper sex. I had no idea men previously weren't doing oral sex on me properly. I had no idea what I even liked and didn't! (porn does nothing for me. I'm not against it, it just does absolutely *nothing* for me and hence isn't much of a "brainstormer" for me).

Even after that I was still certain I couldn't come from intercourse and I was *fine* with that. And then one day it happened completely on accident(with the guy who was supposed to just be my fuck buddy no less but well... I guess he had the moves like Jagger ;-). I ended up married to the guy (I had sworn I was never getting married again unless it was to the guy who got me off during intercourse... I meant it tongue in cheek!) and it took us another... gosh... 6-7 years before we got it down to knowing just how to do it. It would just happen seemingly randomly and took us forever to figure out how it happened!

She doesn't need to know herself sexually first... but she does need to be open, and he needs to be willing to try.
46
@44: 100% agreed. I doubt she is getting her emotional relationship needs met either. It sure looks like Letter Writer is a) gone a lot, and then b) immersed in his work when he is home, rather than investing time with his girlfriend, and then c) hinting around that he would like to look elsewhere, rather than investing time with his girlfriend. One wonders whether he is investing in the relationship at all (and why she puts up with that)?
47
Another successful hookup story here: I hooked up with a woman at a party five years ago, and now we've been married for two and a half.

I want to add another benefit to this scenario: you get to figure out if you're sexually compatible with your partner BEFORE you delve into the business of commitment and relationships. I've been on the other end of this, and let me tell you, it sucks to get together with someone who you feel a great emotional connection with only to realize that you are completely sexually incompatible.
48
@avast

My guess is that him being away so much makes him less sexually demanding than someone who's around all the time. Maybe she is asexual, or has a healthy but low libido, or has hangups about sex that cause her to avoid it.

@wendy

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you were finally able to find out what gets you off.
51
@Hunter

Don't worry. You're emotional enough about my sex life for the both of us.
52
47- Hernandez

On the other hand, it sucks to find someone you have a fantastic sexual chemistry with and then find out you have nothing it takes for a successful committed relationship. I'm glad it worked for you. I'm just worried that too many readers will believe it always works like that.
53
Crinoline at 33 raises a good point: Hook ups can become relationships (and relationships can become hook ups) but if you're having the hook ups solely because you want to be in a relationship and have become convinced that it's the modern way things work now, the price of admission, it's not. Having a hundred hook ups and hoping one of those partners gets interested in exploring your personality is not the way to go about it.

No context to the letter of course, and perhaps it's someone who can't believe their hook up is becoming a relationship and needs a reality check that they aren't crazy. But somehow it seems wistful, like if HOPE keeps plugging away at the hook ups eventually one of them has to fall in love with HOPE.
54
@53

I'm with you.
I had a roommate who went about things that way. She always had a front like her hookups were just hookups. But it was painfully obvious she was trying to land a man.

She found one though, so it's definitely possible.
55
Oh also, I've only started relationships with hookups. I don't really like traditional dating.

@52

Sure, but don't you find it more pleasant to say "let's keep having amazing sex but I wouldn't want to date you" than to say "so turns out I've developed feelings for you, but we have no future as a couple"?

I dunno, maybe that's just me?
56
55-myd-- I don't have enough experience with the binary choices to say which is more pleasant. I am enough of a romantic fool to think both sex and relationship proceeding in lockstep is the way to go.

My happily-ever-after story would go like this. They meet. They go out. They talk and get to know each other. They do that a few times. They kiss. They like it enough to proceed. They go out more. They make out more. They have sex more. They do things like cook, read while sitting on the same couch, sail, swim, watch movies, They have sex. It's wonderful. They talk more. They have sex more. It continues wonderful.

Which is to say that if anything breaks down along the way, they don't have too full an investment in any one part of the relationship, either the sex or the rest. They don't have the heartbreak of giving up a fantastic sex partner if it turns out they can't stand doing anything else together. They don't have the heartbreak of giving up a fantastic everything else partner if it turns out they can't stand the sex together.
57
As someone who can barely talk to strangers, I'm completely baffled by people who can have sex with them.

I'm not judging, just (like I said) baffled.
58
This week's graphic, with the lock and key, was cute - but I can't figure out how it's related to any of the letters...
59
@ Crin

I figured out where our wires are crossed.

"They don't have the heartbreak of giving up a fantastic sex partner if it turns out they can't stand doing anything else together."

Sex partners I had no romantic interest in were always the norm for me. I didn't give them up just because I didn't want a relationship with them. Why would I? There was one guy I used to see many moons ago who annoyed the crap out of me. But he was cute and the sex was good so I let it slide. If you can't stand doing anything else together... then don't do anything else together. Problem solved.
60
I have friends who met 18 years ago in a bathhouse. The one who was not already my friend said that my friend was the smoothest top he ever had. They've been together 18 years and legally married (in California) since 2008.

Regarding the woman who doesn't believe in masturbation ... what? That's such a heavy statement to go without explanation. What doesn't she believe? Clearly not that it doesn't exist. Does she just not like it herself? Doesn't believe that anyone in a relationship should do it? Thinks that it's wrong for anyone to do, ever? It's such a strange, unfathomable statement. I hope the LW writes in to clarify.
61
While OLDMAN was not wrong, he missed the point and appropriated by accident.

Mr Married, you seem to be becoming rather more explicit of late, or did I just not notice it before?

This is going to be a brutally long year.
62
@45: Don't leave us hangin', wendy, how did it happen?
63
@62 Agreed, Wendy, you need to cough up the details. As a public service.
64
@53, I agree as well. Mostly it's HOPE's chosen acronym that made me wonder, "Hmm, sounds like this person is crossing their fingers that their hookup will fall in love with them..."

HOPE, a hookup can turn into a long-term relationship, but it's not guaranteed to. If you've been hooking up with someone for a few times and want it to be more, speak up... you might get the answer you're hoping for, or you might not, but even an answer in the negative is better than just pining away.
65
@61 "This is going to be a brutally long year," is quite a mysterious aside in a comment here, may even have an ominous component, depending on interpretation. Care to share? What's going on, kiddo?
66
am I the only lost soul here reading "cheating is ok as long as I don't find out" as ... well, cheating is ok as long as I don't find out? that's exactly what I have been told by my 12-year partner and I find it so clever that I wonder why did I ever bother with trying to get my guts out in the open where they don't belong. I know the orthodoxy around here is all about getting it out in the open and "talk about it" (yawn), but what if I happen to know that my partner likes secrecy? and appreciates me for being the same way?
what if STUCK's girl just is just not very interested in sexual intimacy and ok if he seeks it elsewhere, but not so self-less and secure that she can take the cheating in the open? I dont see what's wrong with that and SHE SAID IT HERSELF. My advice to STUCK: go for it now that you can! after all SHE SAID IT HERSELF. Or are we going to consider that the poor girl must surely not know what she's saying? now, THAT is offending, not a few fucks around which have been previously authorized.
67
am I the only lost soul here reading "cheating is ok as long as I don't find out" as ... well, cheating is ok as long as I don't find out? that's exactly what I have been told by my 12-year partner and I find it so clever that I wonder why did I ever bother with trying to get my guts out in the open where they don't belong. I know the orthodoxy around here is all about getting it out in the open and "talk about it" (yawn), but what if I happen to know that my partner likes secrecy? and appreciates me for being the same way?
what if STUCK's girl just is just not very interested in sexual intimacy and ok if he seeks it elsewhere, but not so self-less and secure that she can take the cheating in the open? I dont see what's wrong with that and SHE SAID IT HERSELF. My advice to STUCK: go for it now that you can! after all SHE SAID IT HERSELF. Or are we going to consider that the poor girl must surely not know what she's saying? now, THAT is offending, not a few random fucks around which have been previously authorized - no doubt about that, even it this happened in manner that leaves you all guts-spillers hungry for more.
68
HOPE, are you dating Christine O'Donnell?
69
Oops, @68 should have been for STUCK.
70
@69 - I didn't get the impression Christine O'Donnell was asexual - I got the impression (from that dude who gave the one-night-stand expose) that she was a pretty lusty gal, if inebriated and a tad repressed.
71
#32 the difference of 1-2 times per week doesn't really seem like that big of a deal, not trying to marginalize your relationship with your vibrator, but people struggling with a genuine sexual incompatibility issue get to the point where masturbation can't make up the difference. That seems like the logical line for me anyways, if maturbation can't make up the difference, it's only a matter of time, if you can make it up the relationship at least has a fighting chance.
72
@67: Problem is, there is a difference between "cheating in the open" and being very careful but making a mistake one day. "Okay as long as I don't find out" equates to "NOT okay if I ever do find out," which really amounts to a threat, not to permission.

I agree that taking her words at face value means go ahead if you think you can do it without making a mistake, but there will be hell to pay if you do.

If what she means is "I don't want to know, so be discreet: don't rub my nose in it privately, and don't embarrass me publicly," she should say that.
73
any body know what bbd and bbd+p means tx
74
excellent advice as usual.Does anybody know what BBD and BBD+P means...I have a feeling I'm going to feel stupid...Thanks
75
the first time I ever squirted I was 19. I had no idea what the fuck just happened. I only knew it was great, and I wasn't really able to move for a while afterwards.
My partner at the time was 26...he had no idea either. I tell some, not all prospective partners that I'm able to squirt... it's a lot of pressure if you're not able to...but I've never held back when I did.
Guys ask a lot more now though.
76
For HOPE, I'm in a fabulous relationship 6 1/2 years after a hookup where I was after was a chance to pound a very cute guy into the mattress just once. He turned out to be smart and sweet and gentle and kind and funny and... yeah. It happens.
77
I had sex with my now-husband about 90 minutes after I met him, in my car. It was hot. I never expected to hear from him again, but he called me and we went out and fast forward fourteen years and we have three kids and are STILL having hot sex (though not in the car...lately).

To be totally fair, however, I had a lot of hookups with guys who I never laid eyes on again. I'd say the ratio of hookups which led to a relationship: hookups which didn't was about 100:1.

Lots of them were fun, though.
78
Don't give up, HOPE!

I'm still with the true love of my life after 30 years, and it's wonderful!
I've never felt so loved and free in all my life!
79
@61 vennominion-san,

Hi!

I am explicit in those circumstances where I feel my experience brings something to the table, including titillation, older-is-still-great, and my pride in my Lady.

I am at a loss as to your long year comment, because there are so many possible reasons why, both good and bad. Personally, news that a woman was fired from her job for getting IVF treatment and cursed as a wicked sinner really brought me down. I'm considering a campaign of mailing them stones (to cast).

Peace.
80
@67 I agree with Avast @72. It's next to impossible to put someone in the "As long as I don't find out" position. There will always be some clue, because he'll be so worried about keeping her from finding out that she'll sense the tension, or a mutual friend will see him out with someone and feel the need to let her know. Just the sheer fact that she called it "cheating" leads me to believe she's ok with it. All she'd have to say is: "If you want to be with other people that's fine but I'd really prefer not to know about it. Be safe with them and with me, and feel free to keep me out of the loop."
81
@67: I see it that way, too, but since it could have been tossed off without thought I think he's required to casually bring it up and check that she would be down with something like "what happens on research trips stays on research trips." I interpret it in the vein "I don't want to know any details, and I don't want to explain the details to our social circle."
82
Mr Married - The last bit wasn't directed at you. I am, alas, back to thinking separatism is the only answer.

I appreciate your wish to fly the flag for the Adult Set. You do it with admirable sense of purpose.

83
My husband and I had the panties-and-pegging talk early on. I was quite pleased that he trusted me enough to tell me what he liked. Honestly, I like to get those "what are your kinks" talks out of the way early. Gives us more time to go and DO them.
84
@66, not taking into account how your partner might actually feel about you taking her up on her offer on account of "BUT YOU SAID" is just plain dickish. Go for it if you want, but don't expect me to applaud you for it.
85
"Her view was that she wasn't interested, but if I cheated it would be fine as long as she never found out."

I don't get this statement. How would cheating be okay only if she never found out? So that means cheating isn't ok because she would be upset if she found out. if that isn't a mixed message, i don't know what is.
87
STUCK: Date graduate students (if you can find any). They understand and will treat you "the same way" (for some value of that phrase), and probably have a hard time finding partners who fully understand _their_ occasional need to obsessively bury themselves in research for a few intense weeks at a time.
89
If you’re just so important that you need partners who understand how much more important your work is than they are, you’re only going to have partners who value your needs equally little as you do theirs. He can DTMFA but he’ll just end up in something with the same dynamics if he doesn’t change his priorities. Not saying he should, but he can’t have his cake and eat it too. He’s gotta pick one or the other.
90
@cocky (88)

Bingo. It's a lot like tickling.

Sex and mirror neurons? Maybe... although maybe not so much in hetero sex based on what I know about mirror neurons.
91
Hookups are all about practicing how to treat people. If you treat one night stands like crap, I'd suspect you treat significant others like that as well. Perhaps not at the outset, when you are on your best behavior making an investment in that LTR. But its a sign of how low you can go once the pressure is off.
92
I had a hook up 3 times with the same guy in hopes of a relationship but I was stupid enough not to realize I was just a "hook up".... I really liked (like) this guy and I'm not really sure what happened. I know guys don't like needy women so I really tried not to be needy. After the first time he called....he said I was amaizing... and wanted to see me the next weekend. The way he looked at me and kissed me made my heart melt......he was good lol.... I didn't intend for any of the hookups to happen but there was such a..... what I thought was "chemistry" ....that I let it happen....and I never do that...... I guess I made a mistake sending him an email on Valentines day telling him the things I liked about him... I called and he didn't answer, respond to my email or return my call for several days. We then only communicated through email after that....but with slow to no responces. Each time he responded he would say "I was just going to call or email you but you beat me to it"...really?? well anyway We did get together one more time. I expressed my interest in getting to know him better and to keep in touch with him when he gets deployed in a coupe months. Then the last email I got from him a little while after that he said that he was going to be out of town for about 5 weeks for training and then he ended the emai with "so I will see you when I can" and that it... the last time I have heard from him...I know he has alot on his mind and that he is busy because he is prepairing to go to Afghanistan but come on... how hard is it and how much time does it take to just say Hi! or fuck off or something....Just be a man!!! .what am I supposed to think or do??? It's hard to just forget ya know??....BTW the "Rules" and games suck!!! I just wanted to get to know this guy....is that asking too much?? Give a little respect to the people you come in contact with peope!!! This goes for both men and women! We all have feelings! And I don't know of anyone that wants to just be used!!! I am soooo disappointed and heart broken :(
93
@92:
I agree that playing silly games suck and honesty is preferable, and I also don't know why some people don't have the decency and respect to just say that they're not interested--unless it's to keep the door open should they want a random booty call. It's rude; it's unfeeling. I'm sorry that you are disappointed and heartbroken.

But in general, if someone is interested, he or she will make a move to get in touch. If s/he doesn't, you can be assured that you will always be, at most, an afterthought or a last-ditch, desperation lay. If you don't want to be that, don't settle for or put up with being treated like that. Sometimes you can't tell until after a hookup that that's how you're going to be seen, but once you've slept with someone, if the silence ensues, know that that's all you're going to ever be to that person.
94
You are a nut job, Dan. I know several gay men, and I consider them good friends. I am disgusted by your views. I am a Christian man. I have a wife and children. You are nothing but a coward because you hide behind hate and ignorance. The truth always comes out, buddy. It will for you...very soon. Pansy ASS!
95
@92, @93,

I've been hurt (and am hurting) that way, too. It's very painful to fall in love with someone who has sex with you and then doesn't care enough to communicate ever again.

I'm not sure what it means not to "put up with being treated like that", other than the obvious "do not have sex with that person again".

In the future I will clearly ask whether he's looking for a one-time hook-up or a more lasting connection. Then I'll be not so quick to jump into bed with someone, not until I'm sure he likes me enough to want to spend time with me. And then do my best to keep my feelings in check until I'm sure the other person is worthy of the emotion.

That's the plan. I hope that will be enough to avoid that kind of heartache in the future.

It would be great to be able to have one-night stands, but for me it's playing with fire. I'm not looking for monogamy, but it's connection and love that I crave. It seems like such a complicated negotiation, to find what you're looking for in romance and sex.

Thanks for your kind response to "disappointed", nocutename.
96
Dan Savage is a hypocritical bullying retard! Thank you.
97
Little I mean little Danny Savage really hurts me especially in the pee pee. HEHE Get over it hypocrite. Stop being a gay bully. Leave people of race, color and religion out of your hate speech. NOW you are the BULLY little Danny. Please don't touch my pee pee!
98
By the way, I'm going to once again make my suggestion regarding DTMFA in cases where the prospective dumpee is not, in any significant way, a MF, just not an appropriate match for the prospective dumper. Replace the MF with "poor thing". Or if you must stay slightly crude, "poor bastard". So DTMFAs are for when you're doing it mostly for your own good, and DTPTAs are for when you're doing it to spare your partner...
99
Dan - you no longer have credibility talking about bullying after you bashed Christian teens. Very sad.
100
Read the story about Dan bashing Christianity. Thanks Dan..that's what we need in the world, more hate and anger.
101
Read the article regarding Dan's bullying Christian teens during a so called anti-bullying speech. Nice going Dan. Just what we need in the world, more hate and anger.
102
92- disappointed-- You said: "I don't know of anyone who just wants to be used!!!"

Heartbreak is tough to handle, but maybe I can say something that helps a little. Try not to think of yourself as having been used. Try to think of what a great time you had in bed with him. Think of the time you had as using him. You got a terrific sexual experience without having to do his laundry or be sensitive to him when he's having a bad day.

As for "Rules" and games, the funny thing about rules is that they work when everyone is playing the same game. Imagine sitting down to play poker when your partner is playing gin rummy. You'd all be confused and angry with each other. But if everyone is playing bridge, there's the potential to have a lot of fun. And you'd be thrown out and despised if you cheated or insisted on playing something else.

That's what's behind your excellent resolution to wait a bit before having terrific sex with the next guy. You get to discover what games HE's playing and what rules HE's following. As it is, he could accuse you of breaking the rule of casual sex by wanting a whole relationship just as easily as you could accuse him of breaking the rule about calling again after you've slept with them. The way he's looking at it, he held up his part of the bargain-- quite well from the sound of things-- in that he showed you a terrific time.

More advice based on "he said I was amaizing" That sounds a little corny. Look for people you can fall for because THEY'RE amazing, not because they think you are. It's the classic mistake of the young. We fall in love with love. We fall in love with our reflection in the other person's eyes. Don't spend too much time trying to figure out what happened. He just not that into you. Of course you shouldn't be too needy, but emotional independence is something you should start with for your own sake, not something you cultivate because men don't like needy women.
103
92- disappointed-- One more thing. I know this sounds cruel when you're feeling so heartbroken, but if he is preparing to go to Afghanistan, he really does have a lot on his mind. It's true he has time to tell you that he wants to make a clean break of it, but from the tone of your letter, you sound more interested in making sure he emails you than you are in the fact that he's about to risk his life and see stress and violence of the sort most of us don't even want to imagine. If you want a mature, committed relationship, you're going to have to be a bit more supportive than that.
104
It gets better, Christians. Bullies like Dan Savage only taunt you to hide their own sadness.

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