I was curious to know approximate number of years that we have in the hobby and how we got started.  I will offer my story and look forward to others.  I am not a native CAlifornian and when I was a much younger man - 25 years ago - I came upon a local weekly newspaper much like the Reader.  In the back there were escort listings.  I called up a couple ads and made an appointment with a lady who claimed to look like Maryiln Monroe (the live version).  I showed up and she offered a doubles with her friend.  WOW!  Her friend was about 300 lbs and I dismissed her but the Marilyn look-alike worked for me.  Over the years I migrated west to CA.  I stumbled upon a newspaper that cost 50 cent called the LA Express and I would secretly go buy one (young and embarrassed).  Had a few ladies from there (of course hourly) and I was hooked.  For the past 20 years I have been indulging and never in a "real relationship".  I have watch all my best friends get married or in a relationship and then divorce or out of relationship.  I like my life - simple, hourly, bliss.  Ahhhh!!!

I got started just after I retired 4 years ago. I still feel guilty about straying from my marriage. I justify it because I have needs and this is the only way I can fulfill them. I have been married a very long time. My wife has medical conditions that do not allow her to be intimate. I won't expand on that further. The bottom line, I went about 20 years without an adaquate sex life.

One day I was going through the yellow pages looking for an electrician. I found a page with a listing for escorts. Hmmmmm, I said. Then I began an internet search and, of course, I found a lot. It took a few months after I began seeing providers before one turned me on to TER. I've been grateful to her ever since.

At the beginning it was hard to see quality companions because I had no references from TER girls. I had some bad experiences early. I was robbed, ripped off, and was almost beaten by a bunch of guys in a dark alley. There were even a few ladies, I use that term loosely, that were definitely low life individuals. but, live and learn. TER has been my friend quite a while now and those problems are a thing of the past. Being here has given me new life and an entirely new opinion of the world's oldest profession and all associated with it. I think it is amazing what people do for sex, companionship, intimacy etc. but I have a much better understanding of it now.

So, maybe now, some will understand why some guys here seek connections in addition to the sex. I can get sex easily enough without seeing a provider. Then, there is always Rosy Palm for a quick release. But I need a connection with intimacy. Even for an hour. Like Humpbert said, Hourly, bliss. Ahhhh!!! With the right lady, of course.

...glad you found TER!  

Mariah

Interesting.  I like you learned many things the hard way.  I also relied on the yellow pages way back when as thi sinternet thing wasnt as good as now.  I also had my share up upsell and bait-n-switch but I guess I learned the hard way.  Recently I just experienced this (shame on me).  I never connected the dots but there was a lady (loosely used) who went by the name Holly who advertised on Eros.  Ad is not there any more.  I did my due dill and researched but no info on the phone # searches.  She shows up and wants $$ up front and I said to her as long as this is for escort and she plays dumb.  I gave her $20 to GTFO.  It turns out she is a well known rip off massage lady
I hate all the lies but unfortunately that's part of the game.  After 20 PLUS years I thought I was immune.

 

-- Modified on 5/9/2016 5:59:54 PM

Was married 27 years. Sex life had become almost non existant. I had a lot of free time during the day.....and the rest is history. 4 years later I was divorced and now live a much different life. Im 99% certain my ex has no idea.

Not all that articulate, but will give it a shot.
Was in a very active marriage, when I just could not put up with her drinking to excess(I do not!).
At that point in my life(58), I had limited places to meet ladies my age(I still do not know where to look!!).
A friend told me about backpage....not for me, too sleazy. Did some research...found TER. So thankful.
Could kick myself for not discovering this sooner.
I do not have a lot of hobbies, but I do not need to have more...I love this HOBBY.
Old Guys Rule!

a rising success in my profession, I had no problem getting civvie girls.  I was the king of the one-night stand, and had plenty of "game."  Found a great woman who calmed me down and I was married at the age of 32.  She was a hot blond, blue-eyed, spinner who remained at 5-2 and 105 lbs the ENTIRE time we were married.  I never cheated.  Didn't need to.  Amazing sex life - had to be to get me to give up my bachelor life.  She had a stroke out of the blue eight years ago and passed away.  As a suddenly eligible and successful bachelor, I was immediately deluged with women (some were even friends of my late wife - Eww) who were throwing themselves at me.  A relationship was the last thing I wanted after such a horrific loss.  A friend suggested trying this hobby to address my sexual needs, and it was so appealing once I got into it, it has become part of my everyday lifestyle.  The benefits that I value the most are 1) sex is always on my schedule, when I want it, and not at all if I don't, 2) low-maintenance relationships with "regulars" that I can also date on the outside if I want to, but don't have to, 3) variety (within reason - I try not to be too much of a slut), 4) no commitment beyond the hour(s) I have booked, and 5) very little drama.  Is this a great life, or what???

I remember a line from a 1984 movie called Hard Bodies. Some older dudes having a midlife crisis hitting spring break. At a party, a hot girl tells one of them "I don't fuck fossils for free." I laughed, but knew that would be me some day.

Again in 2000 and the movie Roadtrip. The line was "The clock is ticking. Before you know it you'll be 40 and paying for girls." Again, it was like the movie was talking to me!

It was another ten years (2010) before I got my first FBSM.
Didn't sign up for TER for almost 2 years. Only had one bait-n-switch and a few girls who didn't quite live up to my expectations based on review scores, but nothing actually dangerous. Overall, I've taken a cautious approach and have met some terrific girls along the way

20 years ago is where I started.  Fast forward to 2015 and I stumbled onto TER.  Now I never considered this hobby in the States before because of fear of a rip-off, LE, or just a bad vibe.    

I still consider myself a newbie and don't have any desire to become a stud.  I, like others, enjoy building friendships with the few ladies I meet.  None of us are actors, at least not good actors, and finding someone that captivates us is hard.

Does she respect my time? Is she looking at the clock and the white envelope?  What drives her in her life?  What is she passionate about?

Someone said this site isn't Match.com.  If we are only looking for a quick roll, then I agree.  Still, I think many of us enjoy a thoughtful conversation in between romps where we both are enlightened at the end.  I'm at the point in life where I don't really care what a woman's tits look like if she can capture me with her mind

...it's about 25 years and four continents, and I've seen providers from six.  It all started for me in Southeast Asia.  Since then I've taken a few breaks.  I've had my share of mediocre experiences, but have to say I've met some truly wonderful women, some of them life changing without a shadow of doubt.  Despite having some dubious aspects, TER has helped me navigate the local shoals and find some real gems.

-- Modified on 5/9/2016 8:52:35 PM

It maybe hard to believe (even for me sometimes) but I first got involved in this business more 30 years ago as sudden and unexpected owner of an escort service agency. An acquaintance was moving out of state and offered to sell the business to me and my best friend. Without much thinking we agreed. Running an escort agency in the mid eighties (before the Internet) meant only having an ad in the Yellow Pages, a few hundred names of clients and about a dozen girls. The price $150/h. 50 for us, 100 for the girl.  
No reviews or photos, still had police stings and crazy clients though. After about a year, we decided it just wasn't worth the hassle and resold it again. Little did I know that 15 years later, I would become a client myself. But after a very rocky marriage and being involved in a super stressful line of work, sure enough, I was checking out the ads on BP. And the hobby was born. Soon after moving to Vegas, I discovered Ter and has been a paying member since. I really do believe that being active in the hobby kept me from losing my sanity during all the crazy times. My life is much calmer now, though I am still a single father raising two teenage kids and trying to have a little fun on the side.

first provider experience was typical "escort" ad. Average looking woman showed to three young guys. Surprised she didn't just leave, im a Sweetheart but my two buddies not so much. CBJ then nothing for a decade. Started cuz I was horny and didn't have a regular civvie thing due to work. Found TER 2008, No moral objection so jumped in. Met top 5 SD lady few times then got back to civvie deal for years. Been on and off since only seeing a few companions but multiple repeats normally with breaks.  

See where things go. This is better for my lifestyle right now than having to put the emotional effort into a typical "relationship" which is mental energy I don't care to spare. Strangely this thing is way more honest than most civvie dates and I have been spoiled by technique/experience. Last civvie hookup was a snorefest.  

Working for now and have one or two I have fun with beyond shots on goal.  

"I am like a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar."

TER member since 2005, but didn't start hobbying until 2011. For those 6 years from 2005 to 2011, I was 1) on the fence about hobbying and 2) reading TER as a form of realistic porn (both the ads and reviews).

I got started because I was lonely and horny after my wife passed away. I am not sure how (perhaps a newspaper article) but I started by going on Craigslist. Met a few girls there that were fun. However, I did have some rip-offs and bad experiences. That caused me to search for ways to review before I picked up the phone or emailed someone. I drifted away from CL quickly after finding TER. I enjoy the search function, like perusing the ads, and very much enjoy the variety. I still occasionally check BP but than do my research after that.

I started about 40 years ago, first by visiting Massage Parlors in the Pomona Valley area.  I got FS in three different parlors.
I was only occasionally in for about five years in the early 80's, but got in heavy during the 90's and up to current time.
TER has been great for researching who do what and how well, and what they cost.   I have had a few steady dates but mostly like the variety of different girls.  During these many years, I have been  married, widowed and married again.
Getting zilch at home, I venture out a couple of time each month.  If I could afford it, I would be playing at least once  a week.
                   Rocky

It was the mid 90's, the internet was getting started, and I was single and horny. Much like the OP, I was young and embarrassed to buy an LA-Express or the San Diego version (I've forgotten the name). I searched the new thing called the internet and found the beginnings of this...and was hooked. Have had 1 weird experience, some that were just ok, and dozens of great adventures.

First started in the late seventies when my first wife lost interest in sex. There were a lot of good massage parlors in the University Ave area. Not AMPs, just girls trying to pay the rent. Heard lots of stories and had lots of great times, but had a few bad experiences too. Cops closed them all down and drove all the providers back on the street. I stopped hobbying after my divorce and went through several relationships finally ending with a second marriage. And now I'm back for the same reason as marriage number one. I started with CL also, but was glad to find TER and have been a faithful follower ever since