I am relatively new to TER, but I have been involved
with what you guys call "The Hobby" for over 18 years.
I have always been curious to know what makes other guys
see "providers", and if they have the same reasons as myself.

I guess the categories could be generalized into the following:

1) Always been succesful with women, a "stud", but find "pros"
  exciting.
2) Have always had a girfriend or wife, not a "stud", but is
  just bored or your "SO" doesn't give enough sex.
3) Single, girls may have like you, but you find "pros" easier
  to deal with.
4) Single, girls have never been attracted to you (at least not
  the ones you are attracted to), and "pros" are your only
  sex outlet.
 
I would fall into category (4), and I guess I should be thankful
I have a semi-decent job that allows me to afford this. God only
knows what I'd do if I was broke!!

Once again I am just curious. Any feedback would help to satisfy a curiosity I have had for a long time. Thanks.

Just a note*  since Masseuses are on this site too- i think there is the category that I belong to which is happy with life at home but SO does not massage hubby and he seeks occasional session where he is fawned over.

In civvie street, i do the fawning.  Here I get to be the fawnee.

But the major categories are probalby close to the truth.

The number of guys for whom this is their only sex blows me away.  I bet they have to be careful when they do get some non-commercial action. Asking for half and half from the girl you ppicked up in the bar will get you a quizzical look!

This was a topic of discussion a couple of days ago.  For me, I probably fall in catagory No. 2 Maybe also making up for a relatively naive youth.

I'm a #2 on your scale, but I would add it's not because I'm bored or not enough sex at home is there ever enough) but because "Variety is the Spice of Life"  Take Care & Play Safe

Back in the day, I was in the #1 group.
Periodically I've belonged to the #2 group.
I'm not aging well so #4 is becoming increasingly more applicable unfortunately.
#3 has always been a constant reason over the years

Frankly, whatever group you may belong to, the underlying theme is that by hobbying, we can "cut to the chase" and take care of business quickly and easily. I think this is the main reason guys hobby, it's a win win for all.

Is that like "Batting the cycle"?

Thats' for Sedona!

#2  Love the family just "scratching my itch" by means of the hobby.  

Over the years, much of the thrill (and the frequency) of intimacy has gone.... and I don't care to have the typical "affair" (but damn near came close until I ran for cover).

I mostly look and lurk until the itch just hast to be scratched.

number 4 big time!

#3!  Girls like me but I'm shy and intimidated by civilian types usually.  However, I'm very cool and charming with strippers and providers.  I think its a control thing.  For one thing, I don't like to have to discover what a girl will or won't do, I wanna know before I go on the "date".  Also, I find most women boring or annoying socially.  At least this way I can enjoy their physical qualities in isolation.
Good day sir...I SAID GOOD DAY!
cy

I was never a "player" when I was younger (now 35).

I have been hobbying on and off for over 10 years now.

After I got divorced I went nuts!!!  Civilians (many and often) and providers alike.

Now I just have a tough time finding someone I would like to date, LOL.

I have been told by women I have dated that I am attractive (I don't see it myself.  I think I'm average).  I guess there is something to be said for us short, fat guys (5'8, 200 +), LOL.

... Where I am at.

I would fall under #2.

I've only seen two providers so far. One I've seen twice now. Prior to seeing the providers I saw civilians, (I'm married, and have been for thirteen years.) My wife asked me to "slow down and be more discreet", so I decided to oblige her. I still love her and want to stay with her, I just like the variety. We started dating at sixteen and we're now both 35. So, I'm one of the guys with little experience prior to the last two years.

Well I would say I'm a 1.5.  I've never had problems landing civilians, but I love the family too much to risk a real affair.  Due to medical problems my wife is almost never able to perform, so an occasional dip in the hobby is my compromise.

Like Catlin, I'm a #2 (no pun intended), but I do it because variety is the exciting thing.

Say, "unsigned long", you must be a software engineer!

I have a long-term marriage; not a lot of sex anymore. We enjoy it together for the sake of intimacy, not to scratch a sex itch. So I guess I'm mostly a #2, but would add the element of adventure. I only hobby while traveling on business, and adding the hobby in a few times per year adds excitement and adventure.

I cannot say that there is one specific reason why I, or perhaps others, hunt as it would oversimplify a rather complex behavior. I would even go further and suggest that each and every lady any of us has collectively seen is based in many respects to a combination of those abovementioned factors.

First of all, I make no aspirations that I would fall into category #1, or even anywhere near it, even though in my younger years I had my fair share. I'm just not a John Trovalta look-a-like, although some suggest a resemblence to Woody Woodpeaker is closer.

For example, if I am not getting any at home and I was to see a provider, then it might stay within the confines of the #2 category. But if I am not getting any at home (#2) and I was to see Ms. Morgan Ashley, then it could argueably would fall squarely under category #4 as there is absolutely no way a woman of her unflawed beauty, grace and charm would even give a little mongrel like me the time of day!! And for that, I give great thanks for this hobby!!

You got it!! I knew someone would pick up on this.