The most popular use is between gay men on each side of the wall. But, women and couples also love to play with cocks at the "hole." Some video booths do not have a hole but, instead, have a wall that is open at the bottom. This space, between the floor and bottom of the wall, can range from a few inches, allowing very little action, to a few feet, allowing the occupants to climb right into the next booth if they so desire.
Other booths have doors that do not go from the ceiling to the floor (half doors). These are usually setup to allow the owners and clerks to assure that there is "only one person per booth" -- This is a common requirement of many adult establishments. Some adult bookstores do not even offer doors to the video booths and, consequently, no privacy is provided.
The size of video booths varies and can range from huge rooms with a couch, chairs, etc. to very small booths, the size of a typical telephone booth (that one person can stand in). As noted earlier, most places do not allow more than one person in a booth. There are some, however, that actually encourage it by advertising "couples booths" and even offer specials to couples or provide special designated evenings as "couples nights."
Of course, females and couples attract more customers and it's only to the stores advantage to inform customers when they might expect to see a female or couple at the store. There are different types of gloryholes and other ways for people to enjoy themselves where two booths are next to each other.
For example, many bookstores have replaced the hole with glass. These are usually called "Buddy Booths", and a glass partition with either opaque glass or a curtain separates the two booths.
To turn the glass from opaque to clear, or to raise the curtain, the occupants of each booth (both sides) must press a button. When both buttons are pressed, the occupants of both booths can then see and watch each other, but not physically touch. However, there are a few bookstores where the glass opens a little bit, allowing the occupants to touch each other through the equivalent of a gloryhole!
When you enter an adult bookstore that has video booths, you'll find that most work in the same manner. Usually, there is some type of slot on a control panel that accepts tokens, quarters (very rare nowadays) or paper money in the USA, $1, $5, $10 and $20 denominations. The more money you add, the longer the video will play.
Change is readily available either at the front desk, through a clerk, or through change machines located in the store. In general, USA tokens equate to a value of 25 cents and up. Some places (e.g., New York City) charge $10 for one token which will buy you about two minutes of viewing time. Once you enter a video booth, you deposit the token (or cash) in the slot and the video will start. Additional controls are usually available such as volume and channel selection, allowing you to view different videos..
Years ago, these booths would basically have two quarter slots that operated one of two 8mm movie projectors, which continuously looped. The slot you dropped your quarter in would control which movie played. After a minute or two the movie would stop and more money would be required to start where it left off.
Almost all booths have a light inside/overhead that turns off when the movie starts and then turns back on when your time expires. And, most booths provide an "occupied" light outside the booth. It will light when the movie is playing to let others know that the booth is in use as well as letting clerks know if someone is occupying a booth, watching or not watching a video (a big "no-no" is to be in a booth and not drop money). More recently, video booths provide two sets of televisions - gotta love technology!
One is usually at eye-level when you are standing, and the other up above that screen. The one at eye level displays the video you have selected and provides the sound. The one above cycles through other movies available and allows you to select them through more advanced control panels. Some even use 4-way (or more) split screens to display a number of other videos available (at the same time). With four or more buttons on the control panel, it's easy to select any one of the previews and watch it on the main screen... But, if you're in a booth with a gloryhole, the video will quickly become secondary to the pleasure you're receiving while it rolls!
The bottom line of video booths is to either provide adult x-entertainment or to get off (have an orgasm). Gloryholes generally lead to a guy getting pleased and cumming. But, some customers go simply to watch a movie and maybe masturbate alone. These people, usually select a booth without a gloryhole to be left in privacy. Leave them alone.
Okay, now that you have some video, you're ready to move on to the hole, here is what you can do to "make it happen." If you're a female and want to please your neighbor, first see if he's interested at all. Of course, there has to be someone on the other side of the wall! But, if there is and you look through the hole and see him touching himself at all, you can let him know you're interested. A few ways to do this are to squat down and play with yourself so that if he looks down and sees you he will know you are excited as you look back at him.
Or, if you want to be a little more assertive, stick your finger near the gloryhole, or rub it around the outside of the gloryhole, in clear view, but not protruding into the next booth. If the other person is interested, that should be enough! You will soon have a cock near or through the hole for you to enjoy. Otherwise, he may just leave. Do NOT be pushy. Some people are in booths with gloryholes by accident and may not be into it. And, others may just not be interested at the moment. The worst thing you can do is get too pushy (besides not spending money)...
Being pushy gives everyone a very bad feel for these places and causes some people to leave and never return. Finally, some people just like to watch through the gloryhole. They'll watch you masturbate or you can watch them: No touching! Again, enjoy what you get. If that's not what you want, find another booth.
Now, if you're a male who wants to get off, the best thing to do is to stand in your booth and openly rub your crotch. If you are daring enough, you can pull yourself out and play. This generally gives the person in the next booth a very good idea of what you have to offer. Perhaps they only like huge cocks or they want a smaller one. Maybe they like a shaved cock or uncircumcised cock, etc. This allows them to do a little "window shopping" before they decide to let you know if they want you. If you see a finger near the hole or rubbing around the edge, it is a sure sign that you are wanted. Sometimes, you may just see an open mouth, ready for you. If you want to be cautious, get very close to the hole, without pushing yourself through. You may see a hand come through, grab on, and pull your through. Or, you may see a tongue stick out, waiting to feel you. By now, you can probably tell if this is a good sign and decide to follow through and stick your cock through to your neighbor or turn away and wait another day.
Are you wondering if there is more to gloryholes than just blowjobs or handjobs? Well, of course! Some people enjoy fucking through the hole. This can be anal or straight sex, even with a woman on the other side (although this is not as common it does happen!). The way you encourage this, or find out that the other person wants it, is by what you see and your motions near the hole. If your neighbor bends over and shoves an ass or pussy to the hole, you can bet they want to be fucked.
But, don't just assume this. In fact, many may want you to "rim" them (a woman may want you to taste her). If this interests you, go ahead... lean down and enjoy that ass (or pussy). And, if you want the same, after some play, just pull away, turn around, and put your ass or pussy up to the hole. But keep in mind that less people are into this than blowjobs. So, you may get pushed away or get nothing at all. And, you may turn your neighbor off, causing him/her to leave just because you asked for something that they do not want.
Finally, keep in mind that this is through a hole and not the easiest position for most types of sex. With a small cock, it just isn't going to happen. To get through the hole and into something else requires a good sized shaft. If you are 5" or less, don't waste your time. The best you can do in this situation is use your finger or expect a finger in you. Perhaps you may have to take it elsewhere if this is what you both want. You can always chat through the hole and ask your neighbor if they'd like go elsewhere.
Although people go to adult bookstores to have "fun", remember that we live in a world with many types of individuals. So, play it safe (very safe)! Always wear a condom guys! In addition to protecting yourself against possible diseases, keep yourself out of harmful situations and know your local laws. Don't be pushy and expect the same!
Play it safe, have a great time, and enjoy!