If friends/family found out about your secret hobby would they be surprised?

[Vivago]

...or would it be a question of knowing looks and 'I told you so's'.

In my case there would, I think, be a fairly even split of those had me pegged as a punter to those who never would have guessed and who would proclaim themselves totally shocked.

But I might be wrong.

[cunningman]

...or would it be a question of knowing looks and 'I told you so's'.

I feel 'friends' and 'family' ought to be separated in this context?

[OakTree]

Horrified, repulsed is probably more the case for me.

Family that is. Some of my friends know and aren’t fussed.

[Jamboney]

my family would not be best pleased if they found out. most of my mates have punted in Amsterdam at one time or another so if they knew I was still doing on home soil I doubt they would have anything to say about it.

[hungrypunt]

Nope, I was a little wild as a youngster, then became mr done OK.

I think the reaction would be "we we know he used to always do his own thing" Now if my dear old Mum was still around, Id be scared, shed knock the living daylights outta me

[Christos]

Close friends already know.

Family would be awkward. They'd realise how I met some people I've introduced them to.

[DeWallenFan]

Friends already know because I've told them.
Some family members already know, brothers, a brothers wife, the old man, an uncle(a punter himself ) they're ok with it.....Female members would probably be horrified lol
I wouldn't care though.

[Home Alone]

Yes, they almost certainly would.

But, as it's my business and not their's, then "frankly, mah dear, I don't give a damn!"

Several of my friends have actually met Regulars of mine. The only thing is that the Cover stories the Regular in question at the time and I used was sufficiently reasonable that the friends never suspected how I met her.

[geordieman]

There are often two sides to this in that you need to ask why a punter punts.  Would my friends and family be surprised that my wife hasn't wanted sex with me for the past twenty two years, quite possibly.

[pamplona]

Friends would be fine. I still haven't told any though. Family would be mortified. Possibly a topic to bring up at Christmas!

[Titti Tatti]

No one else knows of my hobby and I can only think of two guys I know who I'd bet are punters. They give themselves away by odd comments and in one case a very obvious preference for cash even when cc's are much easier.

But what proportion of the male population punts?  Not that many I'd assume?  10 per cent?

Before I started it wasn't something I thought about,so in a way I would be a little surprised if any other men I knew were outed. So to answer the question I think,YES they'd be surprised.

[HarryZZ]

But what proportion of the male population punts?  Not that many I'd assume?  10 per cent?

Before I started it wasn't something I thought about,so in a way I would be a little surprised if any other men I knew were outed. So to answer the question I think,YES they'd be surprised.

There about 60 WGs in a 10 mile radius of where I live with a population of around 180k, half the population are female and probably only about a third of men would be in the punting age group so 30k potential customers, if the SPs only had 2 clients a day that's 120 total punts a day, 840 a week 3360 a month, I think that's be a conservative estimate. I'm presuming men will maybe punt once a month on average, that's roughly your 10%. (rough calculation, completely wrong in every detail probably)

Now I'm going to have a look at my 19 closest mates and try to work out who the other punter is.

[Blackpool Rock]

But what proportion of the male population punts?  Not that many I'd assume?  10 per cent?

Depends how you calculate the numbers I guess, it may be that around 10% regularly punt but I bet a lot more have punted even if only once on a stag do in Amsterdam etc, on the basis that once a punter always a punter then the numbers would probably be much higher.

[Horizontal pleasures]

the end
time for a Swiss euthanasia clinic as an alternative to homelessness

[morgoth77]

For  me it is the case that some family know and some friends

[itk]

Family probably be horrified, as for mates they already know. Best two mates I’ve been punting with for the last 20+ years, as for the others who don’t know I couldn’t care what they would think.

[Bogof60]

Shocked and horrified 

Friends and family think i am the perfect husband/family man

Maybe the OH would not be so shocked as only she knows how much sex has declined over the last few years nudging me into this darker world.

[claretandblue]

Friends and family is completely different, family would be all shocked/disgusted (at least outwardly) , friends completely different scenario

[threechilliman]

Doubt anyone would be surprised.

[myothernameis]

Some of my brothers know, but only know because at the time, was going through hard times, suffering from depression, and done some stupid things, and called out for help from one of my brothers

We never openly discuss my private life and what I get up to, but he understands why, and as long as I don't get into trouble, he is fine with what I do

[shagmore]

Would be somewhat surprised to say the least

[Chorley]

My family and friends would be pretty shocked and disgusted and I reckon if work found out I'd be signing on sharpish.

[Drayki]

If family found out they would be horrified, only 1 mate knows, but he punts as well. if the mrs found out then it would be a different mater all together, Id have my balls cut off, ouch!!! 

[PatMacGroin]

Some friends and family know. I reckon those that don't know suspect something...

"He can't have been single all that time without getting up to something"

"All those trips to Thailand, Amsterdam and Prague? Got to be more to that than beaches, weed and beer."

Even so, if it was ever revealed for definite, all of them would pull out shocked looks and stern words in public. The female friends and relatives would go as far as disgust, and possibly shun me from then onwards.

It's one thing to suspect. It's something else altogether to be given proof.

[Vivago]

...and I reckon if work found out I'd be signing on sharpish.

Why? Vicar? Teacher?

[Home Alone]

Family - I've nobody closer than cousins - would be staggered if they knew. 1 or 2, the more enthusiastic God-botherers might b disgusted but I suspect the majority would think something like, "Good on the old bugger!"

I have a feeling that 1 or 2 mates may have suspected over the last 10 years that I'm doing something like punting, although they probably can't believe I'm actually 'paying for it'. That's as much because 'the queen blinks at the daylight' whenever I open my wallet! 

I've said on another thread earlier this year that on 2 separate occasions - one 10 years ago, one last year - friends - and the second time, family and friends - have actually met my Regular at the time.
I invited them to parties as friends, which each of them is. I think that the bloke who was my Best Man 30-odd years ago - he was one of the few at both parties - may have guessed.

But he's never asked, so I've never told!

[thor555]

Female members of family and friends disgusted and the under 18 year old young people if they found out would be all judgmental and disgusted

Male members, some would pat me on the back. Some probably knew\guessed already. Some would say they are disappointed in front of female members, but are not really but would, not really go into it too much(some of which might be a fellow punter!!). Others would be openly disgusted but secretly wish they had the balls to do it themselves but would never ever punt, but would be disgusted to keep their OH's happy!!  last set of people are a bunch of punks\a-holes\..... fill in the blanks

[chadwingard]

I'd be surprised if anyone at my workplace didn't know about my escapades, I'm not ashamed and I don't give a fuck what they think of it.

[paper7]

Family would be mortified I was even thinking such a thing. I would be shunned by everyone and my marriage would be over.

[MustaphaShag]

Family & friends would be horrified,disgusted,angry,along the lines of "he seemed such a nice ideal family man"
Totally ignoring that the Mrs hasn't provided sex for about 15 years.
I would end up living in a cave or field or total end of life.

[Robinh191]

Some male friends would probably have to feign shock as they've probably punted at least once or twice in their lives. The women would go through the usual emotions of shock and anger and sympathy for the OH followed up with avoiding me at all costs.

Also reasonable to assume that with family/friends finding out, it would only be a matter of time before OH finds out. The likely consequences of this are: divorce with loss of house, loss of income and limited visitation rights and the ultimate humiliation of having to go back to my mum's till I got myself sorted out.

Being found out is not an option.

[Marmalade]

In your case Vivago, might they not think, “Thank fuck he’s having fun instead of wasting it on some fnucking gold digger!” ?

[dubs]

I just turned round to them and yelled "HOW THE FUCK ELSE CAN I FUCK GORGEOUS 25 YEAR OLD BLOND POLISH GIRLS UNLESS I PAY FOR IT EH EH ?".  Its a fair question that they couldn't answer.

[Dr Watson 60]

Some interesting comments especially from fellow posters who think their family would be shocked. But would they  ? Is this  not the case that the punter unconsciously thinks what he is doing is "wrong"and assumes that family members will feel the same ?  I suspect that male family members would raise an eyebrow but in the end say "good for him . Wish I had the courage to do the same".  Never forget when I got my first girlie magazine years ago my dad studied it in more detail than I did.  It has been 50 plus years now since the advent of the pill and sexual freedom for women.  The ladies I am sure talk much more about this sort of thing than us men do. I am sure many  know about WG's and may have met some as friends or work colleagues and know what goes on.  I would even bet that some of the ladies who have withdrawn sexual favours to their other half are content to  remain in a sexless marriage content that the other half is getting his enjoyment elsewhere. As long as the punter does not play too close to home and brings embarrassment to the family do they care ?

[Horizontal pleasures]

As long as the punter does not play too close to home and brings embarrassment to the family do they care ?

absolutely they care and I would be out on the street.

[snp862]

My family in general would be extremely disappointed.  I would be divorced!  My Brother and close Cousins who are like brothers would be slightly surprised, but accepting.  They all have done one off brothels and my brother has seen escorts regularly etc.

If work colleagues or employer found out, it would be another disaster!

Yet we carry on with this double life of risks, but amazing fun!

Life must go on!

[Vivago]

In your case Vivago, might they not think, “Thank fuck he’s having fun instead of wasting it on some fnucking gold digger!” ?

Or to quote Georgie Best. 'I've spent a fortune on booze, birds and fast cars. the rest I squandered'.

[threechilliman]

Some interesting comments especially from fellow posters who think their family would be shocked. But would they  ? Is this  not the case that the punter unconsciously thinks what he is doing is "wrong"and assumes that family members will feel the same ?  I suspect that male family members would raise an eyebrow but in the end say "good for him . Wish I had the courage to do the same".  Never forget when I got my first girlie magazine years ago my dad studied it in more detail than I did.  It has been 50 plus years now since the advent of the pill and sexual freedom for women.  The ladies I am sure talk much more about this sort of thing than us men do. I am sure many  know about WG's and may have met some as friends or work colleagues and know what goes on.  I would even bet that some of the ladies who have withdrawn sexual favours to their other half are content to  remain in a sexless marriage content that the other half is getting his enjoyment elsewhere. As long as the punter does not play too close to home and brings embarrassment to the family do they care ?

Fair point fella.

[JamesKW]

I doubt if anyone would be particularly surprised,but it would still lead to a load of aggravation.