What percentage of the time do you go into an appointment with a "new to you" lady (that you've found from a reputable source whether it's reviews, P411, twitter, etc. some background) and the idea of being fearful for your safety passes your mind?

but I do remember this time in Cartagena Colombia where we pulled up to this "casa" in one of the really bad barrios in the "historical section" of town and there was a guy out front providing "security" for the place carrying an AK 47.  

between men's and women's experience of the world. Having a wife, then daughters, and women friends along the way helped, but it still took awhile before I got it.

Before the internet I met a lady on the streets of DC (yes a true streetwalker).  We got in my car and went to her place in NE DC.  I got out of the car and was opening the door for her when a guy put a gun in my back and said, "gimme your wallet."  I handed it to the guy and he ran off.  Luckily, I had gotten into the practice of having a hobby wallet with nothing but my cash in it.  It was a bummer for the night but I got out of there with my life and he didn't want my car, so I was good.

And I do understand why providers have to worry about theirs.  So, no, you are not melodramatic, depending on what you do to enhance your safety.
But once in Jaco I was accosted by two street girls who were really pickpockets.  One even reached into my pocket pretending to grab my cock and pulled out a wad of a couple of hundred dollars worth of colones. I shoved my hand down the back of her pants and pulled most of it out of her ass.  She didn't like it.
From then on I never walked back to my place.  Much smarter to take a cab when it's barely more than a dollar US.

It has only gotten worse by the Co Cal in Jaco.  

I sometimes SMH when I can tell that men don't get that.  I am always conscious that women correctly can have real fear of being hurt by men. It happens every day.
I will even cross the street if I am behind a woman walking and there are no other people around.

It's just my nature to always be ready. Fear not so much but vigilant hell yes...  
regarding "being melodramatic" I call bullshit ... you have every right to be vigilant as well and should be ... never let someone else's opinion get in between you and going home safely

I picked providers with a high enough review number that I figured they were safe. Unless the provider knifed me or pulled a gun on me, I probably could handle a possible physical confrontation. When I hired my first provider, I was more worried about her being a front for either police or some criminals who she would let in to rob me.

By letting them tie you up in the first five minutes.  

but twice I recall situations from a long, long time ago where I got weirded out.

The last thing I need is to gutted in a place I'm not familiar with.  Just doesn't seem as fun when you have to worry.

My first time I was a little weirded out on how the provider opened the door (her being behind it so you can't see her until the door is closed) but that's about it.

.... the 2 hour session is up. Tease and denial in the extreme.

But I am mindful of my surroundings and will look to see if anything looks "out of place" or unusual.  Once I have a location of where I'm going, then I have a good idea of the area.  

In other words, you can just as easily get killed in New York by going to the wrong place at the wrong time.  Some of us have learned how to do that south of the border.  I'll soon be making plans to go back and I'm not worried.
It's pretty simple:
1) Don't walk on the beach at night.
2) Use cabs at night.
3) Keep your passport locked in your room safe.
4) Keep large sums of cash in the safe, too.
5) If anyone comes at you, shove GaGa at them, point at him and yell, "Rolex!  Rolex!"

Don't really "gut" you, they just harvest your organs.  Its a legit medical procedure usually done by an ex-doctor or medical student.  You will have no chance of infection afterward.  

The short answer is "no, I never fear for my physical safety when meeting an established escort for the first time."

I've never been concerned that a provider was potentially dangerous. I have been concerned about the area in which the encounter took place, but that's rare.  

When I plan and use TER as a tool I have no concerns. On occasion and usually it involves alcohol and impulse I throw caution to the wind via responding to posts or picking up a provider I may meet in my late nights out. In most cases it works out great and my intuition was right with a hint off danger and unknown the makes it more exciting.  A few occasions I was really disappointed and in South Beach I was ruffled and robbed.  I was a trusting, fun loving drunken dumb ass. But I also meet a young Volley Ball player in Vegas at about 4:00 a.m., Jack Pot!  So I do have fear but only because I did not use all the tools at my disposal and embraced the moment.

NE D.C.? Neighborhood has really gone down hill.

So you are the guy who taped a hundred on his back

One hour with a fine piece of pussy.

My first encounter in the hobby was with a very well reviewed, newbie-friendly lady who did an outcall to my place.  I was nervous as hell for a million different reasons, personal safety being one of them.  She turned out to be very pleasant and our session went off without a hitch.  Since then, my concerns when seeing a new provider center mostly on law enforcement and being stood up.  Even these fears have receded as I've gained more experience and learned how to choose reputable ladies.  As with most things, it involved some trial and error, but I've never had a reason to fear for my safety.

...for both parties. My first experience in p4p was at one of the legal bordellos in Nevada, an hour outside of Reno. Part of the reason for my choosing the venue was that, being a public place of business, there was probably a substantially reduced chance of something bad happening for either party.

... my heart.     No, not really. Just kidding.

My only use of providers was in Costa Rica.  Now, my dad's from there and I speak Spanish, so might have an advantage.  Even back then, Jaco was getting seedy and didn't use any girl there.  I stuck to the Blue Marlin bar in San Jose, and never had any issues there.  

I hear its pretty dicey at night. We would stay at The Sportsman Lodge and walk to Hotel Del Ray & Casino. The park between the two has a bad rep after dark

My driver dropped me at my hotel and said"Do not go ANYWHERE without me, if you want a Coke or a pack of cigarettes from across the street you call me and I'll bring them to you.

For the last ten years or so, except in some of the rougher "zonas" Colombia has been rather safe to visit. However that is pretty much the same advice I got the last time I went to Venezuela.