Can anyone tell about taking phone calls for appointments in public places such as a mall,grocery store, gym or fast food restaurant?
Is this a bad thing to do? Could a provider or a booking agent or agency owner get arrested for this behavior? Or be asked to leave an establishment? Just asking bc I wanted to make sure I don't cross any lines such as being labeled a public nuisance or something like that. Obviously, no explicit conversation is used when I do this, no curse words, or mention of anything inappropriate. But what about the words "incall" and "outcall".Can say a restaurant owner/manager call the police on you if you are on the phone with a prospective client in their business establishment?I try to excuse myself to the bathroom when I can for this type of conversation,but its not always possible. A few years ago when I first started my business, I was working out at the gym and a call came in. I took the phone call and the prospective client happened to be looking for a dancer for an upcoming party. I was aske to describe the lady and I did,and then like 5 minutes later an old man stepped off the treadmill in front of me and said he had overheard my conersation  and he was ex vice( in another state) and I should "watch what I am talking about bc you never know who can hear"
I was stunned bc at the time I really didnt think it was such a big deal, I was describing a dancer for a party! But that left me shaken up back then.
That was a long time ago and nowadays I do have an attorney on retainer obviously, like most everyone in this profession should, but I am notorious for botherng him with every little question lol.
So, what do you providers or other agency owners do when it comes to this type of situation with the phone?
Do you just not answer your phone in public, shut the phone off( which could mean missing appointments) or what?
I need input- thanks!

Private business establishments can generally tellanyone to leave at any time for any reason.  They can even tell you to leave for no reason.  The major exception is that some can't make you leave due to discrimination based upon race, sex, religion, etc.  In many states, many types of businesses are free to exclude people even for these reasons, but most either don't want to or are unwilling to face the negative P.R. that would follow.

If you have conversations like this in public, they can be overheard just like any other conversation.  The law does not require people to pretend they can't hear something when they can, or to ignore what they heard.

If you are overheard by someone who works for law enforcement (or who hs ties to someone who does, or even who just decides he doesn't like what you're doing and wants to intervene), you might trigger an investigation that would otherwise not happen.

The last part of your question isn't about the law, so I have nothing useful to say in response.

Thanks for your reply sidone.
I was actually in a fast food establishment today, when I had to take about 4 phone calls, one right after another. The manager of the restaurant was taking a break, probably bc it was a slow time of the afternoon and there was only maybe 3 customers in the whole place. He was sitting down eating something and I took my calls about 4 tables away from where he was. When my husband and I got up to leave, we noticed a police officer coming in. He came in and didn't say a word to anyone, but followed us almost to the exit door. At first I thought he may be following us bc we were near the restroom, to maybe go to the bathroom but he didnt do that. As soon as we left out the door, the officer went to the front counter , said something to the manager, and then got in his car, and passed us as we were preparing to get in our car and leave too.
The whole situation was very strange indeed. My husband did say he noticed a suspicious looking customer in the restaurant by the drink machine about 5 min before the police got there, but that he wasnt there anymore. So we dont really know if the police was there bc of that weird guy, or if he was called by the manager because of the phone calls and since we were leaving, the officer just wasnt going to bother to say anything to us since we were already exiting the building, therefore ceasing to be a public nuisance or whatever.
I dont know if he took our plate down, but I think not since I saw him come in and he wasnt parked anyhwere near us, but afterward when he left, he left really fast and jetted out of the lot, sped off somewhere.
I asked my friend about this and he told me the worst that could be done in a situation like this is he could have passed off our tag info to another section that handles stuff like this to investigate further. But there would be nothing to investigate since we dont even have any warrants or tickets or anything at all.
I didnt talk to my lawyer today bc it was a holiday and I felt something this small I shouldnt bother him with

I see looking at me, I would avoid the situation and relax.

If I was with my wife at lunch I won't take any calls, I am not comfortable doing that, unless it was about my kids.

But that's just me.

If you are involved in questionable activities you should use discretion at all times.  I know it's tempting to answer that cell phone the second it rings but there is such a thing as too much sharing!



-- Modified on 5/26/2009 8:35:08 AM

While discretion is always recommended in this arena, unless a cop overheard you make a blatant solicitation on the phone ('yes, I'll fuck/suck/whatever you for $X00.00 - language that should NEVER be used on the phone (or in person for that matter) anyway), there isn't much anyone could really do.  

I seriously doubt a busy metropolitan police department would even respond to a call from a third party reporting an escort setting up a date on the phone.  I know for a fact that in Vegas there is no immediate response from either Vice or Patrol if you report a blatant streetwalker, they make a note of it and eventually (meaning someday) a vice officer may swing through to see if he can make contact and get a solicitation.

Having said all that, it doesn't mean you can establish an office in that comfy corner chair at Starbucks!  Most likely the manager eventually would just ask you to leave, but I suppose it is vaguely possible that you could get on Vice's radar that way.  

Do you have a cover story/job?  Many legitimate professions require taking calls and making appointments - realtor, cosmetology, etc.  Handing someone a business card and somewhat indignantly telling them 'OF COURSE I was making an appointment, its my BUSINESS' would disarm most people.  A minor investment in a sample case of cosmetics or something and some business cards might give you plausable deniability - enough to shut up the nosy anyway.

MVR

Well, as a client...  I would never m,ake a call in a public place.  I don't think you should either.  You could answer the call & walk out to a private place if you really need to but for Peter's sake be discrete.
That starts not only in in the location but carries to all communications as well.
skb

I've always removed myself to a private location for calls or stated I was in the store and could I return their call in a moment.  

You're just asking for trouble without a good phone policy in place.  

Lack of discretion seems to be the common denominator for those stating they've gotten into trouble.

if i need to say to something that would attract unnecessary attention, i simply say "i'm not at my computer at this time, can i call you back in 10-15 minutes"

guy always understand this.

That's how mamasan gets new customers.

I have all the necessary information on my website
so there is really nothing to discuss that would attract undue attention.
But i usually step outside or promise to return the call if I am in a busy place.



-- Modified on 6/3/2009 10:51:11 PM

It is a bit more complicated for us though. We are an agency, and people are always calling all day long and asking questions and setting appointments. It is difficult.
I try my best to be discreet, but with being in operation 24 hrs a day, I cannot always stay in a private place all day to answer calls.
We also do not have a phone operator, so I have to do all the work myself. To involve a phone operator would be a very unwise decision. Everything needs to be discreet and involving another person to me would be not the best move. Already having the driver is enough

contact me if you need one

contact me if you need one

Hey Ana
I dont think I can PM you since we dont have a VIP membership on here. I went and checked out your sites. We *do* have a website but I think I need some help revamping it. Jose and I had just switched over pretty much about 6 mths ago from lite adult entertainment to what we now offer.
Can you tell me how we can reach you? Also, do you do Search Engine Optimization? I dont think many are finding our agency through google and the like
Thanks
ps I put a link to our site on this reply so you can see what our site is like
Great pics of you on your site btw!