I agree with XER, the quality of ladies and service have decreased, especially in Chicago. As times goes along the ladies involved in the hobby are becoming younger and inexperience, which, in my opinion are causing the lack quality. In my experience, other cities (i.e. Atlanta, Boston & LA) has better quality of ladies and service than Chicago. Also, there are more scam artist involved in the hobby than previous years. I been a victim of blackmail, catfish and mislead advertisement. Hopefully, in the future, the hobby improves in Chicago.
The men have more of a accessibility and selection amongst escorts, and things are safer and easier through the vouch system and screening sites. Before it was only street walking, calling an agency in the phone book, or going to a strip club. Street walking required a "Pimp" or else the other hoes would beat you up (lol - I think) , and agencies and strip clubs take half your money. If it wasn't for the internet being able to be independent would be almost impossible! (and I have only ever been independent, I am proud to say no one but me has ever made one red penny off my booty) So men are able to spend money with independents, and know they are not supporting someone whom is probably taking serious advantage of a woman and her body and her work!
With there being more of a community now, and information easily shared about providers who give less than a "fuck" , and the scam artist get called out quickly. That makes things a lot better for the guys (although back page guys are still at high risks, for busts, scams etc, I am certainly not talking about that realm of the hobby)
I honestly think sometimes the guys have it worse than the girls. It have heard so many more scam artist attacking hobbyist and not offering decent service, being discriminatory, and black mailing. Hobbyist have a lot more to lose than a lot of providers. (not to discount the ladies whom do have degrees and day jobs, and not to give too much credit to the bargain hunters lol) I really doubt too often a hobbyist wants to black mail or "OUT" an escort unless she did something to make him feel very cheated and taken advantage of. After all, most of them figure we already have/had it some kind of "hard", for choosing this profession in the first place.
I think that there were probably just as many bad providers, bad hobbyist and scam artist back in the day you just didn't hear about it so much like you do today, so you weren't aware that there so many men and women within the business behaving badly.
But today I don't think too many people last long exhibiting bad behavior. The men will black list you through reviews, and the women will black list you through our own communications.
I myself personally have never met a gentleman who blatantly disrespected me while in my presence, I have never had a guy with horrible hygiene. I haven't really had a "bad" experience yet in this world (knock on wood)(i'm sure I can account that to my screening and staying away from back page) , except for the occasional horrible fuck, where he has no idea what he's doing and almost sucks my pussy off the bone, lol, but hey that comes with the occupation, not everyone knows how to be a good lover.
I couldn't imagine working back when there were no cell phones (how did you know when the person was outside, just give them the address/room number and hope they show up/on time). No way of really screening guys, back before reviews, and no community to reach out to. Seems lonely and a lot more easy to get into a bad situation with no way of warning others about your experience as well.
just my 2 cents as a "youngin"
I do not participate in the hobby on a regular basis but have been around for a while.
I get the feeling that it used to be better. I am not sure when it changed for me. Maybe I am nostalgic for some of the providers not available anymore.
worse on both ends. Basic manners seems to be a past time of the business and society as a whole these days. Clean, courteous, professional attributes are no longer the norm or appreciated as in the past. Sad but true
That's why it's always important to be polite and respectful in this hobby and in life. You treat her better, and you'll be treated better in return. Everybody wins!
Sy
From a guy's point of view;
It's better because there's more of a selection of Providers to choose from. But you still have to be careful on which one you choose. There are still rip offs and cash and dash Providers out on the market.
From a provider's point of view;
Worse. In Chicago there are so many gals entering this hobby almost on a daily basis. It's difficult for Providers to really stand out among the crowd. Without great reviews and advertising Providers don't stand much of a chance of making money to pay the bills. Even the nice Providers are having trouble seeing and keeping a solid base of regular clients.
If that were true then you would think that providers would be more customer oriented and even the rates may be a little lower, but I am not sure that is the case.
As far as a selection of providers. How does Chicago compare to other big cities?
It's better because there's more of a selection of Providers to choose from. But you still have to be careful on which one you choose. There are still rip offs and cash and dash Providers out on the market.
From a provider's point of view;
Worse. In Chicago there are so many gals entering this hobby almost on a daily basis. It's difficult for Providers to really stand out among the crowd. Without great reviews and advertising Providers don't stand much of a chance of making money to pay the bills. Even the nice Providers are having trouble seeing and keeping a solid base of regular clients.
If that were true then you would think that providers would be more customer oriented and even the rates may be a little lower, but I am not sure that is the case.
As far as a selection of providers. How does Chicago compare to other big cities?
It's better because there's more of a selection of Providers to choose from. But you still have to be careful on which one you choose. There are still rip offs and cash and dash Providers out on the market.
From a provider's point of view;
Worse. In Chicago there are so many gals entering this hobby almost on a daily basis. It's difficult for Providers to really stand out among the crowd. Without great reviews and advertising Providers don't stand much of a chance of making money to pay the bills. Even the nice Providers are having trouble seeing and keeping a solid base of regular clients.
Even some gals have to discount their prices in order to keep their regular clients seeing them. Most Gals are generally accommodating to their clients. But the tough part is finding the nice ones. Like I said even the nice gals are having a difficult time keeping a solid client base.
I think its better than it was 15 years ago, worse than it was 5 years ago.
15 years ago the hobby meant either high end providers or agencies who could afford to advertise pre-internet and would only cater to the richest clients, or the streewalker scene with all of its risks. Back then, good luck finding out any real info about a provider before you saw her - you could only take a leap of faith based on descriptions in print ads. The internet has obviously opened up the market both to mid-priced independents and more mid-market clients. Those seem like good things by themselves.
Between 5 and 10 years ago the hobby had really hit its internet boom. Review and ad sites were well-established and could be trusted if you knew how to read them. There seemed to be a constant flow of legitimate new talent advertising online. But since then the same internet channels have been polluted and corrupted - pimps, traffickers, and scammers dominate the biggest ad sites and its so easy for absolutely anyone to post in review sites that there's no way to know who to trust anymore. And obviously the anyone, anytime, anywhere nature of the internet has upped the risks providers face, leading to the excessive personal screening that goes on now.
I personally miss that in-between time - there was always a YMMV side of things but you could browse ads online and with a little common sense find what you were looking for at a reasonable price and some light screening. Now things seem to be splitting again - you either have to pay top dollar and go through extensive screening to see a well-reviewed established girl or take your chance in the mass-market and hope you actually luck onto a more mid-priced independent.
Agree with what you have written.
15 years ago the hobby meant either high end providers or agencies who could afford to advertise pre-internet and would only cater to the richest clients, or the streewalker scene with all of its risks. Back then, good luck finding out any real info about a provider before you saw her - you could only take a leap of faith based on descriptions in print ads. The internet has obviously opened up the market both to mid-priced independents and more mid-market clients. Those seem like good things by themselves.
Between 5 and 10 years ago the hobby had really hit its internet boom. Review and ad sites were well-established and could be trusted if you knew how to read them. There seemed to be a constant flow of legitimate new talent advertising online. But since then the same internet channels have been polluted and corrupted - pimps, traffickers, and scammers dominate the biggest ad sites and its so easy for absolutely anyone to post in review sites that there's no way to know who to trust anymore. And obviously the anyone, anytime, anywhere nature of the internet has upped the risks providers face, leading to the excessive personal screening that goes on now.
I personally miss that in-between time - there was always a YMMV side of things but you could browse ads online and with a little common sense find what you were looking for at a reasonable price and some light screening. Now things seem to be splitting again - you either have to pay top dollar and go through extensive screening to see a well-reviewed established girl or take your chance in the mass-market and hope you actually luck onto a more mid-priced independent.
I have been in the hobby for about 12 years and IMHO it is way better now. More upfront in all aspects and if you do your homework there is no reason to take on for the team. Still see the ladies I have seen for 12 years and with some it is like old friends getting together sprinkle in some of the new women for variety and life is good
The tone of the boards and TER in general is different than it was yeas ago when I first joined. Back then it was the wild west with train wrecks abounding but lots of entertainment. Now the west has been tamed and it's less entertaining.
Providers come and go. GFE is commonplace so that's an improvement. BBFS is now discussed, not a good thing. The moderators are gone and posts get pulled randomly for vague generic reasons and often for completely wrong reasons. At least back then, we had English speaking mods with senses of humor who could tell the difference between sarcastic jokes and insults.
Toss up...
25 years ago you would leaf through the yellow pages and hope that an actual woman who was reasonably attractive showed up at your hotel and that she didn't have a thuggish driver with her. Even then she might be a ROB. About 20 years ago providers started going on line but with little ability to research you still had little idea whether she'd actually put out. 15 years ago I discovered TER and started having a helluva time in P4P. The quality of the ladies also improved substantially--suddenly some quite attractive women were available. In the last 5 years I think P4P hit its golden age. Porn stars, drop dead gorgeous women, Greek, doubles, you name it and you could find it. Yes prices have gone through the roof but if someone offered me the choice of P4P at today's rates with today's ladies versus going back 10 years I'd choose the current environment 10 times out of 10.