Gay relationships come with their own special dynamics to navigate when it comes to sexual chemistry, from sexual roles and fetishes to body standards and mismatched libidos, to the pesky interference of other gay men and the omnipresent pressure of potential threesomes. We take a look at how it’s done without turning what should be fun into a full-time job.

Whether you’re an experienced hunter but interested in whether your gay cruising etiquette and strategies are sound, thinking of going to your local cruising bar for the first time, looking to get lost in the dunes of Maspalomas on your next gaycation, or simply wondering why there are more men than trees in a certain part of your local park at night, here’s a beginner-friendly guide to gay cruising.