Hello, I am relatively new to the hobby lifestyle. I will just tell you about a recent experience and I would be interested to hear what everyone thinks.
About a year ago I was travelling and set up an appointment with a provider. We hit it off, had a great time and I left town with no issues. It's now a year later and I was returning to the same town, so I wrote and asked if she remembered me. She replied "of course!", and we set up a meeting which I thought went better than the first.
After the meeting, though, she said we should keep in touch and gave me her real phone number, real name and email. We have texted and talked a few times,in a friendly way, but nothing significantly more than this. I have no idea when I will make it back to visit and there was no solicitation or anything.
For the couple of years I have been reading these boards, it has been beaten into me, that providers don't care about you, they only want your money, etc., etc.
Can I just take this at face value and think it's just a case of two people getting along well even though it started as a business relationship, or should my spidey sense be tingling? I think being on the boards has maybe made me super cautious/cynical.
Is this something that happens regularly?

it does happen in this hobby..but very rarely..if she gave you her private info..you are in a position of trust..my best advice to you is to value that trust..if you never try to exploit or endanger that trust..you will be fine..sometimes it is more than just money..

I agree with Macdaddy1944. I've given out my name and number to a select few. Even though we don't talk or hang out like we use to, no one tried to hurt the other person. So take it as a compliment and don't betray her trust.

- HTH

When it is all said & done, we are all human. The beauty of this, is that we get to meet people that we probably never would have crossed paths with in the "real world". I have met many interesting individuals from many walks of life, & love hearing about different aspects of people's lives, what they have experienced & seen, etc, etc. I have a handful of individuals who I have not seen in 1-2years, as they do not live in my area, but we still keep in touch.

While some may try and take advantage of you, she may very well just like your company. I would not look too much into it, unless she starts hitting you up for $ or "loans", lol.

One of the biggest problems with the board is that every issue is posed as an absolute choice between polar opposites. Life, as we know, is more about shades of grey than black or white. The same is true for the hobby. It is quite likely that the provider in question found you to be safe, enjoyable and pleasant company who she would like to have as a regular client whenever your respective schedules permit. Why guess at an ulterior motive where none yet exists.  At this point, you should take it as a gesture of extreme trust and not necessarily view it with the jaded lens that the boards seem to promote.

One Favorite lady has trusted me with her full info as I have her mine.  There is always a donation but our time together extends way beyond play time, we do things for each other besides play & we do indeed care about each other on a friendly level.   I would never do anything harmful to her interest.    

No, but it can happen.  A little healthy cynicism is a good thing in this hobby but anything can happen and the trick is knowing when to trust your judgement.  I've hobbied for many years and met dozens of ladies.  I've known the real names of several but only two of these many ladies have become a part of my non-hobby life. Some would say that's two too many but I count these ladies among my closest friends.

...anything that hasn't been said. I will say however, I agree with the previous posters. Being cautious is a good thing. But I too have a couple of ladies that I keep in touch with even though one is now retired. Sounds like it's a good thing. Just go with it, after all the only thing that matters in this world is people.

this--does the provider work for an agency? If so, she might be trying to cut the agency out of their share of your donation if the appointment is not booked through the agency.

She's setting you up to take the fall in an international ponzy scheme.

You should contact the Department of Justice and request to go into the witness protection program. Hurry!!

Those who keep saying that it's all about the money are talking about their own experiences, and that's valid, but it's hard the truth for everyone.

Just be careful that she isn't into just your money, if you are considering going beyond that aspect in a relationship with her.

i like this!