And while the craze has not yet hit the United States, it is reportedly a rapidly growing phenomenon in Britain with a growing following of people looking to brighten up their days with a little anonymous sex in public places.
Using Bluetooth-enabled devices, people all over the UK are using wireless technology and a pre-specified lingo to hook up for sex fests. Consequently, toothing blogs and boards have sprung up on the Internet where devoted toothers can exchange ideas, toothing tips, and experiences with other toothers.
Bluetooth is a short-range packet radio networking technology first introduced by Ericsson engineers in 1998. An industry consortium that includes Nokia, Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Toshiba, 3Com and Motorola coordinates the specifications for the technology that enables the ad hoc creation of wireless networks which can link up to eight devices and transmit data and voice packets at speeds of up to 722 kbps.
According to the "Guide to Toothing," a website supporting the sex trend, the usual toothing solicitation sent via wireless devices is simply "Toothing?"
Toothers identify each other by scouring their devices for other Bluetooth-enabled devices in their area.
If the person on the other end of the wireless message is interested, messages and photos are exchanged until a location is agreed upon for a sexual encounter. Typically the toothers sex spot of choice are public restrooms.
"Toothing is a form of anonymous sex with strangers - usually on some form of transport or enclosed areas such as a conference or training seminar," the toothing websites states. "Toothers meet by first connecting suitable equipment - such as a modern phone or palmtop computer. Users discover other computers or phones in the vicinity and then send a speculative message.
The author of the "Guide to Toothing," and the originator of the sex craze, claims that he first got started as one of the first toothers after he had his wireless device "bluejacked" by a stranger who he later ended up having an anonymous sexual encounter with. The term "bluejacked" eventually evolved into what is known today as "Toothing."
"Flirting is fun, sex is fun," said one anonymous toother. "We're just employing expensive, complex toys to find the most basic form of entertainment."
