"Trying" is always appreciated by the recipient. As for the "giver", I don't mind gagging a bit while working more and more of him down. It's all part of stretching your throat open and getting just a bit more of him down. It's provides good saliva for lubricant and I enjoy my eyes tearing up during the process because I'm determined to get him all down. Once it is, we're both very happy as the feeling for both is remarkably enjoyable. For me, deep throating is like a "notch-in-my-belt"...another challenge accomplished.
I prefer a cock without foreskin but I've had several uncut cocks in my day and doesn't seem to matter as I can deep throat 9-10" depending on their thickness. Our lover is 9 1/2" and not overly thick so his entire cock slides right down my throat with ease. He and I love the feeling and both our wives get turned on watching his cock disappear down my throat.
I'm just not a big cock fan. I prefer five to seven inches, medium thick, cut and hair trimmed. I just don't have the room in my mouth to play with a huge cock. I like to run my tongue all around the head and suck him to the back of my throat then twirl his cum all around and suck gently until he goes soft. I just don't have the flexibility any more to deep throat an eight inch hard cock. I can do it soft but it usually doesn't stay that way for long. As he stiffens, i return to the head for round two. Yum!