A TikTok user, known as “Simply Underrated,” is shedding light on the less glamorous aspects of working at a gay bathhouse, contradicting the often-assumed perception of a hedonistic environment.
In a series of videos, “Simply Underrated,” who has over 40,000 followers, describes the daily tasks that involve cleaning up bodily fluids, including fecal matter, from various surfaces within the establishment.
“Everybody wants to work at a bathhouse, until they actually start working there and see what goes on and what they actually have to do,” he said. “I clean up poop every single night that I work. It somehow gets on couches, or on the floor, or the bathrooms. I’m always mopping it up. So yes, it is a gross job.”
@simply.underrated0 It’s an actual job shocking lol #fyp #gay #bathhouse #gayboy #gaytiktok #gaytok🏳️🌈 #queer #mlm #hookup #jobs
The user’s account challenges the notion that bathhouse employees are primarily involved in sexual activities. He emphasized that the job is more akin to a service role, involving front desk duties, answering questions, and maintaining the facility.
“You don’t just get to hook up with everyone who walks in,” he said. “You are working. Most times, I work alone, so I can’t just leave and not do anything. People are coming on, people are checking in and checking out, constantly asking questions. So someone needs to be at the front.”
@simply.underrated0 It’s so random #fyp #gay #lgbtq #cruising #gaytiktok #lgbtq🏳️🌈 #foryoupageofficiall #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #storytime #queer #queertiktok #gayboy
“Simply Underrated” also highlighted the difficulty in recruiting new staff, attributing it to the demanding and often unsanitary nature of the work. “We don’t get a lot of new people, actually, because there is a lot of responsibility,” he said.
Beyond the bathhouse, the TikTok user also discussed the practice of “cruising,” or seeking sexual encounters in public places. While acknowledging the prevalence of hookup apps like Grindr and Sniffies, he shared anecdotes of finding potential partners in unexpected locations, such as a Hobby Lobby store.
He described the irony of cruising in Hobby Lobby, a retail chain known for its conservative stance on certain social issues. The company previously won a Supreme Court case regarding its refusal to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate.
“Simply Underrated” uses his TikTok platform to share his experiences and perspectives, often responding to comments and engaging with his audience. He described his TikTok activity as a form of therapy.
@simply.underrated0 Cruising at the airport was wild #fyp #gay #cruising #cruisetok #queer #mlm #gaytok🏳️🌈 #gaytiktok #airport #hookup #storytime #foryoupageofficiall #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp
” ‘Wow you’ve been through so much. You should go to therapy,’ ” he said, mimicking comments. “I post TikTok videos. That’s my therapy!”
The user’s videos provide a glimpse into a world often shrouded in secrecy, offering a counter-narrative to the idealized image of bathhouse culture. His content also reflects the ongoing evolution of cruising practices in the digital age.
The videos have garnered attention and sparked discussions about the realities of bathhouse work and the changing landscape of gay social interactions.
