Body scent, erogenous zones and kissing

Each day, the body gets rid of two to three litres of water through two million sweat glands and so it's not surprising that body scents and odours occur naturally. Our natural body scent - often a musky smell on the skin - is an individual fingerprint of who we are. In moderation, it's generally regarded as pleasant and we respond and get turned on by the right scent in others. Body odour is when sweat turns stale - a reaction between fats and proteins in the sweat and bacteria that live on the surface of the skin. Having said that, some men prefer a strong ripe body odour to a less aggressive body scent. Pheromones are substances released in minute quantities by humans and other animals, to affect behaviour in others of the same species. In humans this seems to be centred around attracting a mate. As to whether gay men can simply differentiate between male and female pheromones or have to re-learn how to recognise male pheromones (once the attraction to other men has been established) is uncertain. However, many of us can smell for ourselves the difference between our day-to-day body scent and what kicks in when we're horny, picking up, and having sex. Erogenous zones These are parts of the body - often associated with sex and sensuality - where higher concentrations of nerve endings are located. When these are stroked, rubbed, licked, nibbled, or bitten we can be made to feel very horny. These areas include ears, lips, cock, balls, nipples, armpits, the neck and spine, the soles of our feet, toes and the arsehole. When we get turned on our sense of sight, touch, hearing and smell become sharper, we become more aware of our surroundings and these zones play a major part in our sexual arousal. Everyone's a little different, and other parts of the body, which we might not ordinarily consider sexy, can also become sensitive and highly charged. Knowing whether you or he's hit the mark is usually not difficult: just listen for those sighs, grunts, groans and whimpers. Kissing For many of us, kissing another man is a powerful expression of our sexuality and identity. A kiss can signal a beginning or an end, a need or a desire. It can persuade, reassure, tantalise or hurl us into a pit of uncertainty as we wait impatiently for the little bugger to ring. While our kissing technique is as individual as we are, most of us learn directly from others. We can kiss someone virtually anywhere although the mouth is the most common place and the most complex to interpret. For example, does a gentle kiss on the lips say 'I want to... but I'm shy' or 'this is a far as I want to go'? Or, does a aggressive kiss mean 'I'm so fucking horny' or 'I'm taking control.' While different types of kissing usually indicate levels of intimacy, a gentle kiss at the right moment can be as effective as an aggressive open-mouthed kiss with tongues and tonsils. We're invariably communicating what we feel at that moment as well as what we want or desire next. Obviously, kissing is accompanied by other signals, and as we grow more experienced we learn - most the time - to understand what one kiss means in relation to another and what our intentions are when we kiss someone else. Like a longitude and latitude, that first kiss - whether you are in a backroom, bedroom or on a first date - provides a direction in which you can both go, at least in the first instance. Lips and tongues are extremely sensitive so, when you kiss, remember to receive, absorb and enjoy his attention. A long mutual deep kiss can often develop a satisfying rhythm of its own and if you feel you are inexperienced or could improve your technique, follow someone else's lead. However, there are men who don't like to kiss. It might betray an existing relationship or face them with the reality that they might be gay. Alternatively, they could have appalling bad breath and are just being considerate. You'll probably never know. This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:

several chapters more useful advice and information

more in-depth information in some chapters

more pictures and tables

further contacts at the end of each chapter

a comprehensive listing of gay and health organisations Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.

Available from Prowler Stores and all good bookshops, or click the link below for price and ordering details.ly never know.

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