June 10th, 2008, 01:42
I have been thinking about this phrase for a day or two, and I have to say that it brings very sweet memories.
After all, one of the standing jokes among my friends is "Straight like X." I won't name "X" -- in fact I won't name anyone -- because I feel strongly that discussing others behind their back is impolite.
In addition, "X" could be many people. The Shan boys I have met make the whole question of gay/straight look like Just Another Dubious Product of Western Christian Culture. In particular, I remember one Shan boy (let's call him "Y," to be scientific): I asked him about being attracted to both sexes and he very emphatically replied that there were LOTS of guys who were attracted to both. The exact wording was คนเยอะ -- lots of people. And, I mention again, he was EMPHATIC about it.
That may explain why some of the best sexual friendships I have ever had in my life have been with Shan (Tai-Yai) guys. No, they don't bottom, typically, but everything else is open for the fun-seeking spirit: kissing, caressing, and all the rest. All the rest most definitely includes love and friendship, which (for me, anyhow) is the reason I want to spend time with young men in any case.
So...is it "Really True" that 95 percent of men are straight, and only 5 percent are gay?
I suspect that it is a Cultural Truth -- that is to say, the truth of the statement depends on where you find yourself at the moment. Certainly, American lads have an enormous investment in "not being queer." This never seems to occur to men in other cultures, who know very well what sex they prefer, and never imagine that playing around on the side will change that a bit!
After all, one of the standing jokes among my friends is "Straight like X." I won't name "X" -- in fact I won't name anyone -- because I feel strongly that discussing others behind their back is impolite.
In addition, "X" could be many people. The Shan boys I have met make the whole question of gay/straight look like Just Another Dubious Product of Western Christian Culture. In particular, I remember one Shan boy (let's call him "Y," to be scientific): I asked him about being attracted to both sexes and he very emphatically replied that there were LOTS of guys who were attracted to both. The exact wording was คนเยอะ -- lots of people. And, I mention again, he was EMPHATIC about it.
That may explain why some of the best sexual friendships I have ever had in my life have been with Shan (Tai-Yai) guys. No, they don't bottom, typically, but everything else is open for the fun-seeking spirit: kissing, caressing, and all the rest. All the rest most definitely includes love and friendship, which (for me, anyhow) is the reason I want to spend time with young men in any case.
So...is it "Really True" that 95 percent of men are straight, and only 5 percent are gay?
I suspect that it is a Cultural Truth -- that is to say, the truth of the statement depends on where you find yourself at the moment. Certainly, American lads have an enormous investment in "not being queer." This never seems to occur to men in other cultures, who know very well what sex they prefer, and never imagine that playing around on the side will change that a bit!