I felt my other post might appear a little one sided so I thought I'd post one for hobbyists too.  It's wonderful to get a perspective from a provider that is professional and well balanced.  Thanks.  That's the kind of attitude that makes this hobby so much fun.

I think the key to "asking away" is all in how you ask.  Part of the job of a good salesman is to ask the customer for their business in a way that makes the customer feel bad about saying no and feel good about saying yes...  This approach DOES NOT work with a provider.

Every provider has her own unique comfort zone, her own limits.  Find the right time and the right way to ask that makes it very comfortable to say no.  When you ask in the genuine interest of learning more about her wishes and limits, no request is inappropriate.  If you ask in a way that makes her feel like she has to be the lone defender of her limits (against your encroachment), then it's another story entirely.

When I first started, I felt uncomfortable asking for things.  More recently, I've mustered up the courage to "ask away" more often, and have gotten the "silver platter" that Tiger referred to.  (I had the priviledge of meeting Tiger some time ago, and unfortunately, it was before I got this new-found courage.)  Each session I find myself being more and more assertive in communicating, and the results have been amazing.  Of course, now I have to go back and re-visit those I saw before, and see what silver platters I missed out on!

There's one thing that turned out to be very different than what I expected when I first got involved in this, and this has made it easier to be more assertive.  I've been really overwhelmed by how personally engaged the providers I've seen are, and how genuine their interest in my satisfaction has been.  And I really meant to use the term overwhelmed.  One could certainly accuse them of being good actors and good marketers.  But go see Tiger, or any one of the great gals that frequents this board, and ask yourself if it's just a marketing ploy.

As for Tiger's thoughts on time enforcement, I prefer that the provider just be open and direct.  If things are going great and you feel like running over with no additional charges, she should just say so.  If more time is available for "a tip", that can be said without it making it sound like an upcharge game.  If time will be up on the hour, say that too.  I've gotten that "it's okay to stay for a while" signal but left because I didn't know if there was a $ expectation associated with it.

I've never felt rushed just because a provider hinted that the time was nearing.  The times I've felt rushed are when things start out slow, so that by the time things really get going, it's half way into the time, and the clock's running out.  The most awkward time for me personally is when I feel like I'm being pushy to move from small talk to getting things going.