The Bo Show

He Showed Me a Pic of What?!?

(Originally posted 10/08)

It’s weird, I find myself in some really “interesting” situations. You know the saying, “When it rains, it pours?” Well, it is damn true, especially when you’re starting to date someone.

Just the other night I was hanging out at the local bar with a couple of my friends enjoying some Heinekens… my beer of choice. Before you know it, a good looking guy makes his way to our group. I recognized him, and remembered a conversation I had with him a few weeks ago.

Let me give you some back-story. Our first meeting was a night after I hit the street’s of NYC’s West Village for some “Hot Topic” interviews (didn’t go well - very few successful interviews). So, he approached me at the bar, and showed his interest. I mentioned I wasn’t really looking to get to know any guys in a romantic sense. He had a bewildered look on his face, and then lifted up his shirt and showed me his abs… I guess that was an attempt to change my mind. Yes, he had a tight body, but I was just looking for conversation and a way to forget the bad day in the city. I also mentioned to him I was in the process of getting to know a guy, and didn’t want to screw things up.

Lets fast-forward to present day. I’m drinking Heinekens with my friends, and the same guy comes up to us. He asks me if I remember him. I’m not one to lie… “Sure, how have you been?” He said, “Good, wanna see a picture?” I really didn’t know what to think. I immediately thought I was about to experience something that would turn into another story to share with some of my straight friends. They cannot believe the boldness of gay men. These types of moments never happen in the straight community.

He pulls his cell phone out of his jean’s pocket and scrolls to the pic of choice. Next thing you know, I’m seeing a pic of his naked body. I was experiencing my very first “pick-up pic.” I didn’t get a pick-up line, I got a pick-up picture. Wow, times have changed.

My gut reaction to moments like this is always to laugh. I’m often surprised at how we sometimes decide to put our best foot forward. And when I say best foot forward, I mean his best “foot” as in almost 12 inches forward.

I guess I’m old fashioned, but lets leave the pics to Craigslist or Manhunt.

Three things… I’m getting more attention now, than I did in months. I’ve recently started dating someone on a regular basis. Why is it when you date someone, EVERYONE seems to want you?

Also, have we evolved into a society where a picture is all we need? That’s scary, I like to see the full picture… and to do that, I need a conversation.

Finally, how are some of us so bold, that we find no shame in showing our naked bodies to complete strangers?

Wow, I kind of feel like Carrie Bradshaw. Give me a Cosmo.