From some of the letters I’ve gotten today it sounds like a lot of you have exciting plans as well, which is fantastic news! I got one letter asking me for some suggestions for fun things to do for a first date that are a bit beyond the everyday, which got me thinking about some of the best first dates I’ve been on and what I’ve done on them. Here are some ideas that I’ve mentioned that I think make for perfect spring dates! Why not try one (or more!) of them out this weekend?!

Why not take a cocktail-making class?

With the popularity of Mad Men, people are once again getting into the groove of whipping up cocktails at home. Not sure where to start? Sign up for a class! They are usually only a couple of hours, are more exciting that taking your date to a standard bar and you also get to learn something fun and practical! I’ve gone to one on a first date before in Los Angeles and it was a really interesting and eclectic mix of people attending and had a fun atmosphere. It wasn’t too serious and we did learn tricks that I for one have used since then. Sure, the romance didn’t last but I’ve stayed casual friends with him AND met someone else in the course I became friends with as a result. How great is that?!

Try packing a spring picnic!

Make a selection of snacks and drinks that are easily transportable and then go for a late afternoon picnic. Plan ahead and be sure to include a couple picnic blankets that will make you the cutest couple in the park. Have your date bring one item as well so that he contributes and it will make for a great getting-to-know-you conversation about the process involved on both of your parts. After the picnic has finished, if the date has gone well it should be early evening and you are then available to continue the date wherever you see fit! The night is young at this point, so if it wasn’t a great time you will have successfully accomplished what you set out to do and can head home without feeling bad after the picnic. But let’s hope it goes well and is the first of many picnics the two of you will have together!

Take a workout class together!

While this might not sound like the way you want to get all hot and bothered with him, it can be a really fun way to get to know each other and work out at the same time. Look up classes that take place in a park or an unusual class that’s inside that would be fun for the two of you to try out together. Definitely check with him beforehand so he dresses appropriately and also so you can get an idea if he’d be interested in taking a fitness class in the first place. Afterward, you can unwind by taking a walk through the park or by grabbing a drink at the juice bar in the gym. Or if you want to be a bit naughty, after working off all those calories you can put them right back on without the guilt by grabbing some beers or indulging in a delicious meal. Even if you go for a healthy meal, you’ll feel great with all the endorphins you’ve worked up from your workout. Having a great date and and a workout in one go? Talk about a success!

Take in an outdoor film!

There are tons of cities around the country that host outdoor screenings of films during the spring and summer. If you’re lucky enough to live in one where they offer them, be sure and take advantage of it! It’s surprisingly romantic to cuddle up under a blanket on a warm spring evening and take in a movie that you haven’t seen in ages or never before. Bring a few nibbles and you’ve got dinner and a movie covered – in a much more unique way! I’ve done this on a date before and they were playing Mommie Dearest of all things! Talk about a memorable first date. And I was really pleased that he planned it all ahead of time.

Take a stroll through some gardens.

With spring, everyone is rushing out and beginning to plant what will become amazing flowers in the summer. Find a community garden and roll up your sleeves with your date and help a community while also doing something fun and rewarding. You’ll both feel great afterward and there will be plenty of time to chat while you’re working. Even if it is not a love connection, you will still be glad you spent the time and really did something worthwhile with your afternoon or evening. And afterwards you can head out and grab a well-deserved drink and really get to know each other more. This won’t be everyone’s idea of a fun date, so make sure you check with him before, but if he’s got a green thumb this could be a really cute date.

Now let me know, all the gay men of ManPlay reading this: Have any of you done these before? Planning on trying any of them out over the weekend? What other unique dates have you been on that you’ve found memorable? Comment and let us all know. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone and be sure and write and let us all know how they went, too!

John xo

Let’s face it: It can be hard to find the motivation to put much of an effort into your dating during the cold winter months. It’s just harder to get the motivation to put much time into anything when you just feel like laying in bed with a warm blanket over you. Even though California is generally quite warm, every now and then we do get a chilly day. I know, I know, nothing like what so many parts of the country get though, so I shouldn’t complain. And I’m not! But that doesn’t mean I can go to the beach with every date I have that I meet off the site either though. I was talking to a friend on Skype last night that lives on the east coast and he was complaining about the freezing temperatures and how he had a date (that he met off ManPlay, woo hoo!) and didn’t know what he could do with him that would be fun, not too cold, and not cost a fortune. This got me thinking and I’ve come up with five cheap and easy dates that you can have any day of the year. Read on!

1. Turn your home into a restaurant

Instead of getting suckered into $45 bottles of wine and $14 desserts from a restaurant, do yourself a favor and order in. You’ll  be saving money on the extras (not to mention a large gratuity) and you won’t have to leave the comfort of your home. You can even make some appetizers if you feel like contributing, but setting the table in a nice manner is a job in itself! I like to always garnish plates with edible flowers, which are incredibly aesthetically pleasing and romantic. Even though there isn’t that much actual work involved in setting up this date, it will seem like you’ve been working all day to prepare it.

2. Game night

Before you think ‘Wait… Isn’t this what couples do after they’ve been together for years?’, this isn’t that kind of game night. You can buy an inexpensive (and sexy!) board game from most adult stores and then make it work with some props from around your house, whether it calls for feathers or some sensual lotion, most of the extras will be things you likely already have around your home. It’s cheap, fun and sensual! Being indoors for a date at home doesn’t mean you haven’t put any effort into thinking up something cute for the two of you to do.

3. Host a wine tasting

So many gay men are interested in wine but don’t really know that much about it. Why not host a night where you get several different types of inexpensive wine and try them out while researching the differences? While it might not make you a total wine expert, it will be a night you won’t forget and you’ll both hopefully learn a little something along the way. Adding some other friends is always a bonus too for they can bring their own various levels of wine expertise and some other bottles too! Learning about wine is also great for other dinner parties and events where you might want to impress someone with your knowledge. Learning can be fun!

4. Make a sensual dessert together

While it might seem like several of these are food and drink based activities, there’s a good reason for that! Cooking is a sensual activity, especially when done together. Why do you think so many romantic comedies feature a scene where a couple is cooking together until they inevitably start kissing and lose track of the meal? Just make sure you don’t burn the place down and you’re set for a fun and romantic night. A chocolate fondue or simple tiramisu are foolproof bets.

5. Movie night!

In no way am I suggesting you head to the cinema which can ridiculously set you back over $50 for two tickets and snacks. Instead, get some blankets, set up a projector on a wall and screen a couple of romantic old movies right in the comfort of your own home. Have drinks with straws and popcorn just like in the cinema and you’ll be way more comfortable and save a bundle! The restaurant Foreign Cinema in San Francisco has a similar vibe where they project movies onto the walls and you can create that mood at home. If things get hot and heavy during the course of the night, this way you won’t be racing for a cab to get home so you can get it on!

Have any of you gay boys done any of these before? Are you going to try them now? Be sure and write and let me know how they go!

John xo

The increased special features that are available through our highly-popular Gold Membership program make users that are interested in an elevated membership experience feel like they are really getting the most of their membership. It’s easy to sign up and the enhanced features that are available for those seeking them come highly recommended from our members – and are ones that other sites simply don’t offer. Another element that is very important to our members is the amount and quality of our members. Members on other sites have previously thought there are lots of members that are going to be online and sending out messages but then there are far fewer than they thought once they start actively trying to engage with others on the site. With ManPlay, there are millions of members throughout the world so there is always guaranteed to be someone online that is up for chatting and exchanging sexy pictures no matter where you are or what time of the day (or night!) it is for you. That has got to be one of the most important things for members is it not? After all, you are all on here for the quickest and easiest way of meeting the most hot men that are of interest to you through the gay personals. If there aren’t men that are of interest, why even bother? You wouldn’t, and most other people wouldn’t either, so the numbers dwindle and no one has much selection when they are online. With ManPlay, members are pleased with their experience and not only remain members as a result but also frequently actively recruit others to join the site. Have any of you ever recommended the site to a gay friend of yours? If so, we appreciate the help and know that you like having the cream of the crop of gay men on the site that you’re proud to be a member of and want others to feel the same.

Now we want to hear from you! Whether you’ve been on the site for a month or you’ve been a long-standing member of ManPlay, we want to hear what it is that first made you decide to come to the site – and what has made you stay! Whether you have good things or bad we really want to hear it all so let us know in the comments and good luck with your continued search online!

Terrence

Get (or stay!) on ManPlay – This should go without saying but you never know. You could just be checking out the blog to see what ManPlay is all about and what kind of members we have. If we haven’t convinced you yet, consider this: If you aren’t on ManPlay you won’t be able to contact the millions of hot gay men that are online at any moment. Why in the world would you want to diminish your odds like that? Sign up today if you haven’t already!

Remember why people should date YOU! – This is something so simple but can also be complicated for so many people. Remind yourself constantly that you are a great person and you are worthy of having others see that as well. Self-confidence is an extremely attractive trait and gay men are generally attracted to others that feel good about themselves.

Get out of the house – Even if you don’t have a date lined up for a particular night, make sure you get out of the house and explore around town. If you are staying in, at least make sure you are online and sending out messages to members that you are interested in dating. Going out and seeing friends and doing social activities can only improve your chances of finding a man that you are interested in dating – so why not do it?

New year, new activity – If there is something you’ve been considering or wanting to try out for ages now but haven’t done it yet, this is a great time to do it! Whether you want to take an adult education class or start doing yoga, each activity should put you in touch with more men than you would encounter without it. So sign up today!

YOU do the asking! – It can become an easy habit to fall into where you wait for the other man to ask you out, but why not take a chance? If you’re chatting to someone you like online and find that you are waiting for him to ask you out, quit waiting around and ask him out yourself! It might seem like a big risk, but what is the harm? If he says he’s not interested then you can stop wasting your time and his and move onto one of the other millions of ManPlay members!

Don’t turn down a party – I know some nights you just feel like curling up with a good book or falling in front of the television. On nights like this you are far more likely to turn down an invite to a party or a social event – even if you had previously agreed to go and had been excited about it before. You will not be finding a hot gay guy to get together with while napping on the sofa, so have a cup of coffee and get out the door!

Ask a friend! – There is NO shame in letting your friends know that you are up for a date of their choosing. A lot of couples get set-up by friends and even if not every date is a home run at least you are getting out there and improving your dating confidence and comfort levels when it comes to your dating life. Let your friends know you are looking to meet someone as soon as possible and see if they know of anyone they think you might like. You just never know!

Now let us know: What of these tips are you going to try this year? If you are serious about going on a ton of great dates this year, then there is no point in delaying any further. Let us know what you are thinking of and be sure to discuss in the chat rooms of ManPlay. You never know where that conversation could lead…

John xo

A lot of gay men make resolutions at the start of a new year to try and make sure they have a better year than the one that just ended – and that should definitely include your dating life! You should make it at the top of your priorities to increase your dating satisfaction if that is of interest to you – and getting a membership on ManPlay is clearly the best place to start! With millions of hot gay men on at any time, there is no reason not to have a membership and check them all out for yourself. We’ve given you tips before on how to really make your profile stand out from the rest this year, so make sure you follow those tips. If you are already with the program and have a membership on ManPlay, it’s a very wise idea to edit your profile to reflect the new year. Take a good, hard look at what you have on your profile and see if it still reflects what you wanted to say when you first set up your profile. Whether that was a few months ago or over a year ago, it’s a good idea to take a look and see if it reflects what you are really looking for in 2013. But before you can do that, you have to know what you really want! So take some time and think about your dating goals for 2013.

Think back on how many dates you went on in the past year. If you’ve been on ManPlay, there is no reason why you wouldn’t be going on tons of dates and meeting lots of sexy gay men whenever you want to, so if you haven’t been, what’s the excuse? There likely isn’t a very good one so make a reasonable goal for yourself on the amount of dates you want to go on in a given amount of time and then make sure you go online and ensure they will happen. Again, on a site like ManPlay that is not a difficult feat at all – but make sure you are putting in the effort as well. If you find that you aren’t getting as many messages from people as you like – what is the simple solution for that predicament? Send out some messages yourself, of course!

If you are looking for some sexy encounters in the coming year (and who isn’t!?) then how about you resolve to try some new and exciting things in the bedroom? Come up with a list of some of your fantasies and sexual acts that you’ve always wanted to try but for whatever reason haven’t been. Then hit up the chat rooms of ManPlay and be honest with the people you are chatting with about what you are looking to explore. What’s the worst that could happen? Someone isn’t interested? Then there are literally millions of other members out there that could be up for it with you so you should keep at it!

While that revolves around planning to talk to people about what you are really interested in, there is also something to be said for spontaneity. In fact, being more spontaneous is something that should be on your resolution list! Don’t just admire a picture of someone online. If you feel the urge – go for it and write him right away! Don’t keep thinking about him and wondering if you should write him – just go for it! And while we’re on the subject of looking at pictures before you contact someone: Why not take it a step further and invest in a webcam? With video features on ManPlay you should really upload a good video that shows off what you’ve got and what you’re looking for! You can also talk to people before meeting up with them so it saves the time of everyone involved! Keep things safe and exciting and there is no reason not to be totally excited about all the possibilities that can exist in the coming year!

What resolutions did you all make for 2013? Are there any that you are planning on adding now? What do you think is the best resolution you can make to make sure your dating life improves with the coming year? Write your thoughts in the comments and be sure to chat with others on ManPlay on the subject! Here’s to a SEXY 2013!

Terrence

First of all: Pictures matter! There is no way to state this enough! You can upload the pics that you choose, so make sure you choose the right ones! If you’re active online, you likely have hundreds of pictures of yourself to choose from, so it’s wise to choose the best ones that really show you off in your best light. That’s not to say that you should show pictures that really don’t show you off accurately, just ones that let the men on ManPlay see how gorgeous you really are! That means, make sure your lighting is good and that you are showing off enough of your body that the men online can really see what your frame is like. We’ve all been in situations before where we’ve seen someone online and then when we finally get together in person you are quickly aware that those pictures are from someone ten years ago or a hundred pounds ago – or both!

Make sure that you include a good variety of pictures as well. Using just one photo is simply not enough! Also, there is no reason to include group pictures of pictures where you can’t see much of yourself – even if it is a great shot. Keep them as solo shots that really show off your strengths and look as sexy as you are. You are not doing yourself any help or the other members of the site by not being totally truthful with the pictures you use or the selection of ones that you include. Make the photos inventive and use a lot of great lighting and colors, which will really make your profile pop out. It’s also a good idea to use pictures that show your interests so that even if they don’t read what you’ve written right away they can be drawn into your profile by seeing if you two have similar interests without having to read a word! How’s that for saving time?!

Now let’s discuss what you ARE writing on your profile. When it comes to your description of yourself and what you are looking for in a man, there are several things to consider. Keep in mind that there are millions of other people online so there might not be the time for each member to peruse every single profile so you really want to get their attention quickly. Come up with a witty (or sexy – or both!) headline for your profile that will instantly grab their attention. If you are looking for something that is going to be more of a sexual nature, including that in your headline will let people know right away what you are interested in, so that those that are looking for something more like a serious relationship can know that they should move on and not waste the time of anyone. There is no shame is letting people know that you are mostly interested in a sexual relationship either. Get it out in the open and then you all can know what to expect from the get-go. When you are writing about you are looking for, be honest!! That is really important to stress. No one wants to be wasting their time so don’t do anything that could end up wasting your time – or theirs!

For the descriptions, keep things brief and direct – but also clever! That might sound like a tall order but a good idea to see what you should write on your profile is to look at others and see what you like and what you don’t like and then follow the lead of ones that you like. What you write is really what will set you apart from others so make sure that you are getting their attention quickly so that they will want to read on and read other elements of what you’ve written that are perhaps less interesting than a grabby headline in theory, but are actually interesting AND elements of your personality that they will likely want to know about before deciding if you should get together or not.

Keep these tips in mind when you are setting up – or editing! – your profile and you should be swimming in dates almost as soon as you finish publishing them on the site! There are so many incredible (and hot!) men online that there is no reason not to make sure you are putting your best foot forward and grabbing the attention of all the gay hunks out there right away! What do you all think of these tips? Anything you would suggest that people add to the list or take off? Let us know in the comments and here’s to many hot dates in the coming year!

Terrence

Now that you are all set up and you have a hot date set, let’s make sure you turn him on right away! Besides the obvious grooming aspects that will make you look your best and should ensure you are irresistible on your own, here are the best ways to get his motor going in mere minutes! In order to get the party started, start with some non-physical moves. It may sound obvious, but talking about sex can really get your both in the mood. Luckily, gay men generally are more comfortable talking about sex and also getting sexy faster so you have a good opportunity to get into his jeans! Here are some easy suggestions to start the night off right.

Check out someone else on the dance floor and make a comment about how he doesn’t know how to move and that you can tell he wouldn’t be good in bed. If you’re feeling extra frisky, you can suggest that your date’s moves are in a whole different category altogether. There’s a compliment that he’ll hopefully remember later when it’s time to call it a night! You can also make other comments about the others around you in a sexual way. Just make sure they aren’t compliments! Whether it’s the choice of beer that he’s drinking or his posture, feel free to make up a sexual statistic that lets him know you believe he will be an animal in the sack – and you can’t wait to get the chance to find out if the statistic is true! Going a step further and insinuating that these tips are showing you that he will be good in bed is not for the most casual of daters. Make sure you’ve got the moxie to back up the words before you go there!

Next thing you want to do is get him alone. This can be difficult if you are in a crowded bar or club, but there are ways around it. If you are in a group situation, get him alone by saying that you are going to go grab another drink and you’d like him to come with you. This gives you an opportunity to engage in some sexy banter and move onto some physical contact if you are feeling up for it. The best way to go for that is a very important one: If you are about to give him a kiss, go for the cheek first – I know, not what you would expect! – and then after you give him a peck on the cheek, check out his reaction and if he seems up for it, go for the real thing! There’s a lot that can be seen in his facial expressions and the same goes for you as well. Gaze into his eyes intently and remember to smile. Smiling is sexy! You can do some subtle physical contact like holding onto his elbow or grazing his waist or cheek – and by cheek I mean on his face, so get your minds out of the gutter!

When it comes to the end of the night, hopefully these tips have taken the desired effects and he’ll be just as desperate to get into bed as you are to get him into yours and you won’t have to do any convincing that your place is the best place to go for the night. If you’re in a group and you are all about to separate for the night, there’s no shame in taking control of the situation and when people are going their separate ways, let the others know you will probably be taking the party back to yours. If your date isn’t into you by this point, it’s his loss! There is pretty much next to no chance that he will react that way if you follow the tips above. So get out there and get on your next date and seduce him with all you’ve got! Now it’s your turn: What are the best ways you’ve found to seduce a man? Any tips that you’ve taken and have backfired in a big way? Let us know in the comments and good luck on your next date! If you follow the tips in this posting, you WON’T need them!

Terrence

Consider the relationship you have with the person you are considering buying a gift for. If you’ve only been out a couple of times but think it could really be going somewhere, you might want to hold off or discuss it with him first. You don’t want to run the risk of coming on too strong too soon. That can be decidedly unsexy, even though your intentions are good and your heart is in the right place. An easy solution would be to broach the subject in a casual manner the next time you are out. You could preface your discussion by saying that you happened to see something that you would normally consider getting him for a holiday gift but you think it might be too soon. After all, that is pretty much the truth, so why dance around the subject? See how he reacts and if he seems like he would appreciate it and not be freaked out, then go ahead and buy it! If not, then it’s a good thing you brought it up first.

What if you’ve been seeing a couple of people? With a site like ManPlay that has millions of sexy members there is no reason why you can’t be seeing several different people at the same time, all of whom you might be interested in getting a gift for. When it comes to this, I think it’s wise to consider what the specifics of the budding relationship are. If it’s basically of a sexual nature, then it would make sense that you wouldn’t really have a lot of great ideas of things to get him, but it might be appropriate to get a nice bottle of wine that you two could share next time you get together for one of your steamy encounters. That way it’s also something you can enjoy! Whether or not you think this person will get you something shouldn’t really be much of a factor. If the relationship is very casual, then it shouldn’t be the sort of thing where either of you would get worked up and upset if the other did not get the other a gift.

My main advice would be not to stress too much about it and to do what feels right. If you make a big deal about presenting the gift, regardless of the size of it or the amount of thought put into it, then he will likely feel like he has to respond with the same amount of enthusiasm about the gift. If it’s done in a casual manner, he’ll be more likely to be appreciate but not turn the giving of the gift into an awkward or massive situation that could end up not making either of you feel very good. What do you all think, men of ManPlay? Are you planning on getting a gift for someone you’ve met on ManPlay? Let us know in the comments and we hope you have a happy holiday season from all of us at ManPlay!

John xo

If you find that when you go out to a party you are finding the only men that you are attracted to are the ones that are obviously straight men, then it goes beyond having just an interest in ‘macho gay men’, likely. Is it possible that you are subconsciously making it so that you know you won’t be able to have a relationship with the person you are supposedly interested in, before there was even a chance for the two of you to get together? It could be the same situation if you are only interested in men that you meet that actually are gay but are already in a relationship. Again, if this is something that only happens to you very rarely then it may not be an issue at all but if it is the case with almost everyone that you are interested in, then it could be something else. And it’s obviously a problem for your love life when there are so many hot men out there, especially on a site like ManPlay, that it’s a shame to be single when you are looking for more. It could come down to a matter of self-esteem since it is kind of like you are self-sabotaging your own chances at romantic success. Next time you find yourself in a situation like this, think about the things that are attracting you to the person. Is it someone who you instantly thought seemed attractive? Someone that you thought seemed interesting before you found out that he was in a relationship or was straight? If you take note of this and think about it next time you find yourself hung up on an unavailable man it will make it easier to identify if perhaps you aren’t even so turned on by him but by the element of unavailability. You know how sometimes women seem to be really turned on by married men? It could be like the same thing for you and is not a particularly healthy way to look at prospects. It’s at least better for you if once you realize they are unavailable you move onto someone else or are satisfied with that, but if you continue your pursuit then it could be that you are turned on by the potential for a chase. There are those people that are intrigued by the idea that they can get whoever they are interested in if they just give it enough effort and they will eventually win over (or is it wear down?) the object of their infatuation. How often is that actually successful though? I would wager that it isn’t very often. You should all consider yourself to be worthy of love from someone who is interesting, into you and available! Why waste time chasing men that are unavailable if it’s not working?

What do you all think? Are any of you guilty of this or know someone who is? What advice would you have given my friend, who was aware that he is frequently chasing after men like this? Is there anything that can actually be done to curb this proclivity or is it just important to be aware of it and try and remind ask yourself if you are actually interested in the person or just that he isn’t actually available? Let me know your thoughts and be sure and discuss with other members of ManPlay in the chat rooms. You never know who you might end up striking up a conversation with!

John xo

Today I wanted to talk to you about your profiles and some mistakes that I’ve noticed people often make on their profiles without meaning to that can be quite the turn-off to others. I’m specifically talking about ways in which your dating profile makes it seem like you are trying too hard to snag some hot gay man’s attention. You might be thinking that there’s no way to try too hard on your profile when it comes to something as important as your love life, but there definitely is. While it’s definitely an improvement over a too-sparse profile that gives no interesting information, both might turn off people. You know the Internet slang that means ‘too long, didn’t read’? People do not have great attention spans in this fast-paced instant-gratification world that we live in, so it’s best to keep it brief and not go on and on about your many great qualities, even if they are totally valid! When you are creating a profile that will be (hopefully) attractive to others, avoid making yourself seem too much of anything. By that I mean that it is better to be funny in your profile in appropriate places instead of trying to come up with the most clever and hilarious statements and put them in as many places as you can. Don’t forget that if you spend hours coming up with the most funny jokes you can think of you won’t have that time once you actually meet in person to come up with similarly entertaining things to say, so it’s best to be as natural as possible. If you are a naturally funny person then feel free to incorporate some of your natural wit into the profile, but there’s no need to be the most audaciously funny person around. The same goes for your professional life. It’s great if you have a fantastic career but there’s no need to brag about it. The more you go on and on about your accomplishments the more likely you are to inadvertently be turning off the very people you want to be turning off. It may be difficult, but finding a balance where you come off as being confidant in yourself and your accomplishments, while also being humble and down to earth, is the best possible situation that should turn people on and make them genuinely interested in you.

What do you all think? Have you ever come across a profile that was blatantly trying to hard? What gave it away for you and did it turn you right off? What would you advise people never to do on theirs? Let us know in the comments and have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

Terrence