Interestingly I have a lot of new clients, which is great! Many of them are brand new to receiving massage.
The over whelming thing I hear from clients right now is how touch deprived they are. "This is first somebody has touched my body in almost a year!" or as one tearful client said "This is the first time I have touched another person in a year."
The weight of these statements is not lost on me. It is not just "I haven't touched a cock in a year" or I haven't felt an ass in a year." We are not just talking about a year with a "hook up" but a year with out any shared touch with another human being at all. No hand shakes, no hugs, no bumping into another person... nothing. This is what this past year has been like for some people. I am lucky enough to have a loving partner to see me through these times. It blows my mind to think what it must be like if you don't. To be the first person allowed to touch this person in almost a year is an honor and a duty I do not take lightly.
There are also a number of men who are in sexless marriages, either married to a woman or another man, who are also suffering from a lack of sensual touch. Perhaps they had play partners or casual hook ups to fill their needs but for the past year have been completely closed off. The pandemic has also reeked havoc on even the most healthy of relationships. I know of more than one couple who took sex off the table once they were forced to spend 24 hours a day, every day with each other. They still love each other, but sex became more of a chore than a pleasure.
I am trying to make my massage space as safe as possible for myself and my clients (and my hubby). Lots of cleaning, air circulation, fresh air, so much disinfectant are a part of my daily life. Masks are worn by both the client and myself through out their time here. As soon as they are out of my home, Lysol and other disinfects are used everywhere before I take off my mask. Even with all of these precautions, I cannot guarantee everyone's absolute safety, I can only do my best. So if a regular client does not want to come back, I really do understand. Vaccinations are happening and some of my elderly clients have stated that they will be back soon. I have no idea when I will be able to be vaccinated, I am on a couple of lists but have been told I most likely will not be able to get a shot for 3-4 months.
If you are out there and suffering from a lack of touch, what have you done about it if anything?
Do you think that as a subculture, men who have sex with men are usually more in need of touch?
Are we more tactile with each other even in non-sexual situations?
