Cruising Signals & Cues
Cruising signals and cues can be as simple as eye contact to something more intricate like the handkerchief code in the 1970s and 1980s when men would wear colored handkerchiefs sticking out of their back pockets.
| Left | Color | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Wants to fuck | Dark Blue | Wants to be fucked |
| Fister | Red | Fistee |
| Anything | Orange | Just Looking |
| For Hire | Green | Hiring |
| Pees On | Yellow | Peed On |
| Bondage Dom | Gray | Bondage Sub |
| S&M Dom | Black | S&M Sub |
Modern cruising signals are more overt and typically don't rely on colored handkerchiefs. Feral Mode apparel and accessories can be used to signal interest in cruising. See the Feral Mode Store for cruising gear.
Cruising typically involves a nonverbal cue that is subtle but obvious enough to signal other guys you are interested in having sex.
The best way to respond to a guy who is potentially cruising you is to mirror his signals back to him. When cruising a guy always signal slowly and more than once.
General Cues
These cues can generally be used anywhere and are the most common signs to look for. You should always look for a combination of more than one of these signals before assuming a guy is cruising.
- Prolonged eye contact. (Usually the first sign to look for.)
- If he makes eye contact with you only once briefly then looks away; he most likely is not cruising.
- Touching his bulge. (While making eye contact is a sure sign.)
- A raise of the eyebrow or a wink.
- Poking the inside of his cheek with his own tongue (means he wants oral play).
- Licking his lips (means he wants to suck).
- Patting his butt (means he wants to bottom).
- His zipper is down.
- One of his pocket lining is hanging out.
- Tipping his baseball cap.
- Pulling on one of his earlobes.
- Stroking his thumb in a suggestive manner.
- He walks past you then looks back or stops and pretends to look at something.
- Tilting his head or glancing with his eyes toward the direction he wants you to walk.
- If he signals for you to follow and it takes you a while to do so, it is assumed you are not interested.
- Lowering his pants to partially expose his package or back side.
- A single cough used to be very common but this cue has become outdated.
- Verbal cue: asking "having fun?" and replying "not yet."
- Verbal cue: asking for directions "do you know what's south of here?" and replying "I can show you if you want."
- Verbal cue: asking "are you generous?" means he is asking for you to pay him money for sex.
After establishing unmistakable interest using cues, you can always go somewhere more private and be more direct about what you are looking for. Remember to always be safe and have fun!
There are other ways to cruise besides using cues. Check out the Cruising Spots page to learn about different cruising areas.
Check out Cruising Basics to learn more.
Updated October 14, 2026