Charmless

Walk into a nightclub somewhere and you'll be sure to see that special guy. That lucky man who has that certain look, that certain attitude that draws people to him, that indefinable something that charms and beguiles everyone around with a snap of his fingers. Charisma, we call it.

So what is it about a place that draws gay boyz and their playmates like the proverbial rainbow moths to the flamer? One of the malls I actually frequent quite often is the Curve in the snooty Damansara wing of the Klang Valley Mall ( isn't it all a huge department store after all? ) since it's not only close by and accessible to me, it's also relatively secluded and almost suburban serene despite being minutes away from its more boisterous, flashy sista. Add that to the presence of the supreme Borders Bookstores ( though still a poor second in comparison to my darling Kinokuniya ), Starbucks and the incomparable Metrojaya - and I'm definitely sold. Certainly could plant recommendations for the other little stores around that I frequent but then I'd have to start charging for ad space. :)


Gay mall! Wherefore art thou?
However, nothing about the sedate, suburban mall even remotely suggests seedy makeout area behind the shadowy bushes or even glitzy pink disco with prerequisite crystal ball - which was why it came with a tinge of shock when I was told that it's practically a state designated gay hangout. WTF! Could it be the sinuous, delectable curve shape of the building that drew the attention of the aesthetically inclined gay boyz? The presence of a reputable gym - with the obvious lure of hot, virile, gym-toned hunks trolling the corridors? The obvious gay-oriented home decor stores such as Barang Barang and the firm fan favourite IKEA?

Or perhaps it was always meant to be gay - and my permanently fritzed gay-dar was actually telling me something, a psychic premonition of some kind way before it even turned homo. Of course, now after viewing the visual delights of sweaty bronzed manhunks haunting the area - especially when viewed from the relative safety of Starbucks - seems like I'll be frequenting the place even more often.

Unfortunately with the advent of the gay men wave, does that mean that I'll have to actually dress up to cruise the malls? Would I have to actually comb my spiky, untameable mop into the gay clone hairstyle? Squeeze myself into a sleeveless tee one size too small? Would they bar me from entering if I didn't fulfil the exacting gay men criteria?!