Alright..
There are many of us who don't like the term 'Hobby', or Hobbyists regardless of whether it's a noun, or a verb!

So what are some alternate terms then? If you had to rename it, what would you pick??

That should be an [eom] but I can't help but add that I have never liked the term 'provider' either---how did 'courtesan' get lost?

therapist, sensual engineer, quasi-lateral appendige investigator, snake charmer, caregiver, liason official, hanky-pankiest, animal tamer, barefoot hockey goalie, bio-mechanic....cant think of to many more. please keep in mind some of these are meant to be humorous.

I vote for hanky-pankiest ---  Ill pankie your hanky any time
kisses Rose

Personally I find nothing to fault with the present terminologies.
Cynically speaking "FUGGIN BROKE ALL THE TIME" might sum it up well, but it's hard to type and doesn't fit into being a noun very well.

  Cm.

I would think that as it is so innocuous, it is something that would be favored by the TER hierarchy, as it is in line with the "fantasy" nature of this site in the first place.  There are terms that are more "business like", but that would imply business.  There are terms that are more accurate to the activity, but that would implicate specific activities.  As a "hobby", it is non-threatening, and casts our "fantasies" as socially acceptable behavior, which, of course, we all know it is, but much of the "outside world" doesn't.

As such, I doubt that you will find something that will be as acceptable to as many of the interested parties as "hobby" or "hobbyist".  While I admit that I don't use the terms myself (they make me feel like I am something out of a Tolkien story), it is something that most I talk with understand is a necessary quirk, and we just use more direct terms in conversations with each other.

-- Modified on 10/11/2003 10:56:25 AM

For the guys - "clients" sounds more professional.
Providers sounds kind of cold, but let's face it - you ladies do provide a much needed service, and I am not just talking about the sex itself. You provide a level of intimacy with no judgements or agendas that us "clients" are in dire need of and are missing in our regular lives.
Courtesans sounds a little quaint. What is wrong with just plain old "Ladies"

How about .....

Donating

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

Hiring a Temp from the girlfriend agency

Paying a Hooker

Buying Sex

Why do we call it a hobby?  BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AT IT TO TURN PRO!




-- Modified on 10/11/2003 12:04:18 PM

I like "Fur Trading" myself

Rose, Laurel:
If it is appropriate for a gal to say, "I'll hanky your panky" is the aappropriate response from a guy, "I'll panky your hanky?"

Sedona from the above responses I think we can see why the term hobby is a good one.  I really think that those that come up with terms like Suckers or paying a hooker might want to rethink their involvement in the HOBBY.  I think most of us have a much higher opinion of our activities and the gals we associate with then that.

and others have said The Game and Players..

we could certainly have fun with that! We could say that he's truly 'taking one for the team'; when she looks at her calendar, she can say 'who's up next?', and when he gets there she could say, "Let's play ball!" If she's juggling a few, it might be a question of 'who's on first?' and if something goes wrong, they can just call 'foul'.
If she goes to the gents house, it's a 'Home Run', if it's a 'no show', it's a 'strike out' ....

Now what about 'slide home'...? he he


-- Modified on 10/12/2003 7:51:17 PM

Your baseball terms remind me of Woody Allen in "Play It Again, Sam", where he and Diane Keaton are lying in bed the morning after and he says that he always thinks about Willie Mays when he makes love because it gives him stamina, and she says "I wondered why you kept shouting 'Slide! Slide!'".

Singey, miss your humor.

Instead of "The Game" (reminds me too much of Michael Douglas), I think providers should be the "home team", and "hobbyists" (see, Sedona, you didn't melt! should be the "visitors".

Of course, then it starts sounding vaguely like alien abductions, and then the X-Files comparisons will start...although, come to think of it, I wouldn't mind nailing Scully...but I always have been a sucker for redheads.

I like the Players line.  And the baseball analogy could be fun...

Makes me long for the suicide squeeze play at home plate.  Or the "Rotation Play".  Sliding head first into third has its appeal, as well........

Hmmm...

I'd like to learn more about Sedona's infield fly rule.

All kinds of things come to mind:
Sacrifice bunt
Squeeze play
caught stealing
Hit by pitch
Passed ball
Double play
Pitchout
Rushing the mound
Pitching rubber
Batter's box
Designated hitter
Pinch hitter
Hot box
Balk
Dugout
Chin music
Corked bat
Interleague play
Exhibition games

Man, it just goes on and on...

Waiting and wondering when someone would catch on! Glad it's you who did! See how much fun we could make it??

Going into overtime
1st in-ning; 2nd in-ing
fly ball
ground ball


America's past time..yes siree..like Apple Pie! LOL

How 'bout R&R?

R&R originally meant "rest and recuperation" -- could now mean "relaxation and release"

Who needs R&R?  People who fight "wars", i.e., "warriors"

Who assists during R&R?  "Nurses"

or

Therapy = Hobby
Therapist = Provider
Client/Patient = Hobbyist

??