Sometimes both patrons and providers present less than their potential.  I'd like to suggest that both sides deserve compassion and respect for taking charge of a difficult situation and deciding to make the best of it.

Patrons: difficult to define as a group, but all share the common trait of needing a form of affection that is not currentlly readily available.  They are human, their life isn't as rosey as one might think; they are doing their best.  They tend to have the financial means to easily solve wordly problems, but emotional fulfilment remains elusive to most.  The sweet hours of fantasy the hobby provides is one of the small condolences that fuel many of us through "real" life.

Providers: I don't know of a provider that could say that this is her ideal lifestyle.  Even the highest rated, the most genuinely enthusiastic about new encounters, are subject to the difficulties of working in an industry rife with mysogyny, social stigma, and emotional challenges.  On top of that, many enter the industry with emotional baggage and financial desperation before they even see their first client.

My point is that the MN board is just recently starting to show a real sense of community and I think that this is a wonderful thing.  At the moment, it might be one of the most active local boards in the country.  Let's take care of each other and demonstrate our sense of community.  

Pehaps we can draw some new talent to take up the industry, perform better, and even be more inclined to visit.