Many men say that they feel more confident about approaching people, either generally, or in a sexual sense, when they are on holidays. This may mean being more likely to abandon the rules you usually apply to your own behaviours, including safe sexual behaviours. I would stick my head out a bit more…if I’m travelling I’d be into more experiences… because you’ve got limited time. — JEFF
TRAVEL TIP: Make a conscious decision that you’re going to use condoms for sex when you are away from home. If you leave it up to someone else to take the initiative, then it’s less likely you will end up having protected sex.
I’m not generally that outgoing in any kind of a social situation but when I’m travelling I force myself to, even if don’t know the language. — DAVID
Part of the fun of travelling is having new and different experiences. However, sometimes the desire to be adventurous can tempt you to do things that you wouldn’t do at home. The sense of freedom you have, the anonymity, as well as the increased sexual opportunities can play a role.
Your usual decision-making processes may also be influenced by the use of alcohol and recreational drugs, the location you’re in and the people with you.
I’d never had a sauna experience before I went overseas. I haven’t been since I’ve been back either, but that was what I felt was adventurous. It was something that I had never even considered. — GREG
You get to a place and you go out to a bar or a sauna or somewhere like that. So you’ve met the person in different circumstances and you’re in a different sort of environment.That doesn’t necessarily mean any more or less that I would go and do unsafe sex. But it’s just the fact that it is different so you have to be aware. — STEPHEN
TRAVEL TIP: If you’re on HIV treatments, pack enough for your entire trip. Carry your pills in your hand luggage. Use alarms, dosette boxes, etc. to remind you about dose times if you think you’ll have trouble remembering.
I mean I’m not, nowhere near in the celibate league, but yeah I think I’m just a bit more reckless about who I fuck when I’m on holidays. — CON
Travelling may be a time when you live on the edge a bit. It is often an opportunity to abandon the rules, routines and restrictions of our everyday lives. Sometimes you may do things you wouldn’t do back home.This sense of adventure also means being less careful about what you do when you’re away from home, and this makes you more likely to take increased risks. This may include being more likely to have sex without a condom when you are travelling.
The freedom of travel, however, doesn’t mean freedom from consequences. HIV transmission can occur anywhere. Many HIV positive gay men in Australia believe that they acquired their infection when they were away from home — either in another Australian state or outside the country.
Apart from the feeling that you can do things while you’re away that you might not usually do at home, sometimes there are situations that you might find yourself in, that may affect your behaviour and how you assess risk.
Remembering to take condoms with you is an important factor in having protected sex with casual partners while you are on holiday. Being determined to only have protected sex also helps in maintaining condom use while you are away from home.
You can just go and you totally let go of all your inhibitions and just throw yourself in and have a fantastic time… and no there weren’t any condoms. — SEBASTIAN
I just didn’t want to bother about safe sex — I was enjoying myself too much. — RICHARD
I’m probably more open to having unsafe sex on holidays. Yeah, just more open to it. If someone doesn’t say anything and you don’t say anything either then you’re just more open to it. Whether I actually do or don’t depends on the night. — EMILE