These posts talking about decriminalizing prostitution got me thinking. If it ever became legal in the U.S. do you think there would be more haggling of price. For example, I've never been to a legal brothel, but I've heard that you negotiate the price beforehand and there's no set price for say an hour. Also do you think average prices would change? I would imagine that there would be more competition with more girls getting into the business, so perhaps a drop in prices?
and I have found that the legality of it has little effect on the prices. The cost of living seems to have much more effect on pricing than anything else.
As for negotiating, it will take out the whole "no talking about sex for money" excuse for not negotiating, but as long as there are spineless men who let women push them around, there will still be women who won't negotiate because they don't have to. Of course if their phone stops ringing, maybe they won't think that negotiating is so "degrading" after all. lol
How do you explain such low prices in Germany. Overall cost of living is much higher in Germany and overall Europe.
Nor are they low in most of Western Europe. Now if you want to talk about Poland, Romania, Hungary et al. Prices there are quite low, but do a bit of research on Western Europe and you will find the prices to be very similar to what you find in the US, just like the cost of living.
I agree with the previous poster. If it becomes legal prices will drop. Maybe a little, maybe a lot I don't know for sure but it will definitely drop. The low-end of the market probably will not drop much but the high and middle-end will.
Yes I too have been to a few countries where prostitution is either legal or decriminalized.
that there is NO NEGOTIATION right now? It may not be visible to you. It may not be a popular thing to do, but plenty of negotiation takes place, especially amongst those who know how to play the game. We are not talking about haggling here. Haggling is what you do in a fish market in a third world country.
As far as legal prostitution goes, the only place I have been where its is Germany's FKK clubs where its strictly regulated. Not my preferred way of doing it, but anything beats the whole thing being illegal. The prices are set by the club, and are pretty much uniform with a range of few Euros. I don't have any knowledge of how the prostitution takes place outside of FKK clubs. But you are more than free to do your research...
The prices would absolutely drop.
Just my $0.03 (I don't give two cents anymore..)
that reflects real supply and demand, real costs, etc.. If "decriminalized" means "over-regulated" we might find rates rising as Uncle Sam steps in and imposes taxes, license fees, testing requirements, and so on. If "decriminalization" means simply elimination of illegality, then the market may not change much at all... unless fear is a barrier to entry for some and once eliminated, the demand/supply balance is upset by new providers and clients entering the market.
My money would be on Uncle Sam doing what he does best, and over-regulating. It's about power and control, not what is best.
Just my 0.02
Would there be more haggling of price? Probably no more (attempted) haggling of price than happens now. And just like now, an independent would still have individual discretion as to whether s/he is open to negotiation.
Would the avg price change? Very likely, yes. Take a look at "sin" taxes imposed by state and local govts on liquor, cigarettes and now, in 2 states, marijuana and it's hard to imagine uncle sam would not be stepping in to tax the crap out of every 'legally' traceable P4p transaction. Not to mention the inevitable regulation and licensing, or penalties imposed for non-compliance; gawd knows what that would look like, or how much overhead it would add to current avg rates.
If the sin taxes already levied are any indication, it's not far-reaching to assume a minimum %50 of a current hrly rate would be 'assumed' by the local/state/fed govt as it's 'fair-share'. And, legalization would bring with it so many rules that the black-market might remain a preferable option for many. You want a legally sanctioned BBBJ in the US? Think again.
Decriminalization OTOH? As MZ already said, if what that entails is simply allowing consensual transactions to take place without fear of arrest, for either party, likely not much changes as far as prices. Supply + demand will find it's own level; just like now.
my speculative .01
Even I had to look that up. Rowan and Martin's Laugh In? Really?
Lots of girls already pay taxes. The IRS could care less what they call themselves as long as they pay up.
first you would have a lot more people wanting to provide - I don't think this would be offset by a concomitant increase in customers because factors other than legality are exerting a suppressing influence on that sector of the market. In countries where prostitution is legal rates are generally a lot lower. That would have the effect of driving much of the best talent out of the market.
second, you can bet that there would be an active government presence in the marketplace - and the hobby is one place where I would consider that this is more likely to be a negative than a positive
I favor decriminalization of both sides of the sport - but not "legalization"
It won't be cheaper. Vegas has one of the highest average rates per hour for an escort, yet the legal brothels an hour away are even more expensive