I've always kind of wanted to see this as a topic, just for curiosity sake. There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer on this; I'm just curious as to what people's thoughts are - and certainly hope not to have any flames! So..
I was wondering..what do you think is the definition of:

Streetwalker
Prostitute
Escort
Provider
Call girl (don't hear that one much anymore)

How does one differ from the other, and what does/does not fall into the category?

Also, if you were the decision maker on legalizing the Hobby, while making some things legal and some things NOT - what would it be, and why?

Sedona

what the difference is between a prostitute and an escort.  She said, "Teeth." (grin)

I spit soda all over my monitor when I read that. Too frickin funny.

Streetwalker is pretty self explanitory. As for the other definitions. I truly think they are used as an advertising ploy (with the exception of prostitute. I think that is an LE definition)

Escort, Courtesan, Provider are all ways to describe the worlds oldest profession. I have yet to see a women post something like "The Best Hooka in (insert city of choice) Just waiting for YOU~!". Its not very classy and it doesn't bode well when someone is trying to find companionship. It is just like for the BBWs. No one is gonna say "Fat provider, or overweight courtesan or chubby escort". BBW stands for Big beautiful Women. It is a pleasing, complimentary description of a women with more meat on her bones.

You want a word to describe you in the best light possible. Its all about the advertising. I really do not think, other than streetwalker, that these labels have any variance in meaning. One of my favorite quotes...and this is a basterdized version so forgive me if it is not accurate but you get my drift, A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.

But as always, this is just my humble .02

Reefinitions...

Streetwalker = low class provider

prostitute = any elected or appointed Gov't official.(I'm NOT trying to be funny here)

Escort = a provider socially adept enough for public functions.

Provider = a sexually liberated individual who has the guts and good business sense to capitalize on their gift.

Call girl = antiquated term for Provider.

 If I had the power and authority to determine the legal status of the hobby I believe I would keep it technically illegal but have no fines or punitive actions imposed on the participants.

In this way the Church people and the moralists have no axe to grind with me or the Gov't in general.

The illegal status would also protect the hobby from the incidious Gov't regulations that would otherwise grow to a point of strangling our hobby.
( Do providers REALLY want to declare EVERY dollar earned???)
( Do hobbyists want a sterile, homogenized, overpriced situation like the Bunny Ranch???)

 Illegal but unharassed is the best way for our hobby to remain a haven for free thinkers & thrill seekers.

  FR225

Reefinitions...

Thanks for all the replies, including the one I received as a PM. They all were good responses - some you could even sink your teeth into! LOL LOL

Freedom - thanks for answering the second part of the question, and you bring up some really good points.

Big hugs,
Sedona

Reefinitions...

I believe we have left out one very important definition...and I think my post, (which I have copied here) on the FAQ for Newbies Board, reflects my thoughts on it... A poster asked what a Courtesan was.                                                IMO It's a matter of levels. A bit like being a member of the military, A Private, as opposed to a General. Or the difference between a Gen.Contractor and a Finish Carpenter. Any woman can be a provider(trust me, there is someone that's even attracted to the Mamasan in a AMP), but a true Courtesan is similar to the ancient tradition of the Geisha, in that her primary purpose, is the pleasure of her clients. Now of course, calling ones self, a Courtesan, doesn't automatically mean you are one, just like the popular, GFE,the reviews will tell the story. If a Provider,removes your condom & brings a warm cloth to clean you up after you play, scratches your head and back while your preparing for POP2, dries your back after your shower, offers you a fresh toothbrush & mouthwash, before and after your session,doesn't watch the clock, chances are you've seen a courtesan .....

Reefinitions...

Source: WordNet ® 1.7, © 2001 Princeton University


streetwalker (noun) -
1. a prostitute who attracts customers by walking the streets
Synonyms: street girl, hooker, hustler, floozy, floozie, slattern (this is probably where my friend's "teeth" remark best fits).

****
prostitute (noun) -
1. a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
Synonyms: cocotte, whore, harlot, trollop, bawd, tart, cyprian, fancy woman, working girl, sporting lady, lady of pleasure, woman of the street

****
escort (noun) -
1. the act of accompanying someone or something in order to protect them
Synonyms: accompaniment

2. someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
Synonyms: bodyguard

3. a participant in a date
"his date never stopped talking"
Synonyms: date

4. an attendant who is employed to accompany someone

****
provider (noun) -
1. someone who provides the means for subsistence

2. someone whose business is to supply a particular service or commodity
Synonyms: supplier

****
call girl (noun) -
1. a female prostitute who can be hired by telephone


So, it would seem the term, "provider," encompasses all the other terms.  "Prostitute," would then be a subset of "provider," as you ladies do not ALWAYS provide sex -- it depends on what the hobbyist wants.

"Streetwalker," clearly has to do with how customers are found, and arrangements made, as does, "call girl" (I'm sure e-mail covers this term, as well).

While, "escort," appearently has to do with accomanying a hobbyist on a date as part of the event.

Just for fun, I looked up, "courtesan."  This seems to be more of a long-term situation:

courtesan (noun) -
1. a woman who cohabits with an important man
Synonyms: concubine, doxy, odalisque, paramour

Reefinitions...

An escort is someone I would be willing to be seen out with.  Someone I can take to dinner or a bar, engage in conversation with in the company of other people and don't feel like
I have to be having sex with to be earning her keep

I don't believe the "co-habitation" portion of that definition of Courtesan, is applicable to todays life-style, since most of us independants are self-sufficient, unlike a hundred years ago...But I like Paramour, which I believe, insinuates(sp?) an on going arrangement, between a gentleman and a woman trained in the art of seduction...all us Courtesan type Providers, aspire to have our own Harem of regulars, whom we pamper & spoil on an on-going basis...Am I right girls...??? Kisses, Robyn

I would agree with the definition of courtesan.  Derivation is possibly from "lady at court" or someone who accompanies a high official.  In days of yore, she would probably live in the castle or on castle grounds.  She would have been literate, possibly learned, definitely upscale for the day.  Her looks and skills in pleasure would probably have put her in a position for the position.  These days, the term is applied innacurately.

I don't know, legalization doesn't sound like an awful idea.  Not only would it eliminate concerns over LE, but the contracts entered into by hobbyists and providers would no longer be calling for illegal acts, and would therefore be enforceable.  This would give providers and hobbyists recourse to seek damages in the event one felt the other had defaulted on their mutual contract.

Those ladies who, for whatever reason, prefer to associate with an agency, would be entitled to protection against usurious agency owners.  Indeed, ladies, both independent and agency-affiliated, might even enter into group medical and dental insurance programs.  There are a lot of people in this profession.  A group of that size might even form an effective lobby in congress (I dare say there are as many providers out there as there are NRA members).

Of course, incomes would be taxed.  But, IRAs and 401(k)s could be maintained (without having to launder the funds first).  For that matter a group of this size might form its own credit union, and self-maintained pension plan.

With legalization would likely come attempts at government regulation.  But, if the activities were legal everywhere -- not just in certain counties in Nevada -- the perceived need for regulation would be lessened as the stigma and novelty decreased.  Regulation would probably settle down to health code issues, which likely wouldn't be as stringent as many ladies impose upon themselves now.

As far a government pricing regulation, there'd be no need to regulate here any more than there is in any other service sector.  And with the business out in the light, the free market would be able to operate in full swing.  This would ensure stabilization of prices, and would generally see the most business go to the best providers.  Moreover, less desirable agencies (from the providers' viewpoint) would be under the same free market pressure, seeing the best providers gravitate to the most agreeable agencies.

I don't know.  Sounds like it's worth thinking about, anyway.


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If I could type right, I wouldn't have to keep modifying!  Going for a new record here.  Must learn to proofread!  LOL
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