Something I’ve learned is that “disappointment” is usually manufactured from both sides. It’s a dynamic. It’s a cycle. And it takes honesty on both sides to break it. From what I’ve heard (and experienced), the issues you listed do come up but there are deeper layers underneath them.
• Lack of engagement
Yes, it happens. And it shouldn’t. If someone is paying rates most of us never imagined we’d earn, they deserve presence. That’s a non-negotiable in my playbook. But detachment often comes from provider burnout, a boundary being crossed, or a client who is directing the whole thing with no care for the providers comfort. That matters too. I know the answer to this will be "Well, the provider should take a break." Sometimes that might be easier said than done as we do not know anyone's financial situation.
• Mid-session changes / restrictions
This is almost always a boundary issue and a communication issue. In my other business (also service industry but primary demographic served is women), I learned that constant upsells make people feel uneasy. Some things absolutely should be add-ons, but others are better handled by offering distinctive package experiences. That’s why I created two distinct experiences and am working on a third. It prevents surprises, aligns expectations before we ever meet, and makes everything feel intentional instead of transactional. It’s the same advice I gave a friend who coaches bodybuilders. His clients complained about him not traveling to their shows but his clients weren't covering his hotel, flight, coach's registration, etc. So, I told him to create a second "VIP" package that included a flat rate travel fee. Two options, clear differences, no confusion. Complaints disappeared. The truth is this: ambiguity kills chemistry faster than anything.
And I'd argue that most of mid-session “changes” happen because someone is trying to push a boundary they already knew existed. Providers are typically very clear about what’s okay and what isn’t long before the appointment starts. Once screening is complete, I’m always willing to clarify boundaries respectfully but entitlement or pretending not to understand them is where things fall apart. Clear communication on both sides keeps everything smooth. Boundaries keep the experience enjoyable. When those two things line up, nothing gets awkward.
• Communication
This one goes both ways. According to my data from October 1st - November 30th, my average response time to all initial inquiries was around 21 minutes (offset by email because email is slow by nature). But real talk: a large portion of “communication issues” come from vagueness.
If someone sends me, “Are you available?” my next response is inevitably going to be something like: “Available for what? Coffee? A bank heist? Are we attempting to rob the Louvre today?” Because without the basics: when, what time, how long, etc... no one can actually answer that question. It’s not attitude. It’s basic logistics masquerading as mystery. If someone keeps changing things during the booking process or even AFTER the date is confirmed, that also gets frustrating. And I have cancelled and returned a deposit more than once when things like this happen. Sometimes the frustration people feel is the frustration they created. Clear information creates clear experiences.
Entitlement.
The “I didn’t read your ad but I want what I want” energy. Or walking into a curated space and treating it like a fast-food order, then blaming the provider for not being able to “read your mind” about boundaries and desires.
At the end of the day, I agree with you on one point completely: presence, clarity, and communication do make everything fall into place. The best experiences I have had happen with men who give as much intentionality as they receive.