I live in Atlanta.

 Frankly, after a dozen years of playing with my girlfriends, I have never once had this problem.

 They all know me; I know them.  They all call me by my first name, plus some other choice ones which I, too, appreciate.

 Maybe it's the part of the country in which you live?  We southern beaus with our southern belles live a good life, and have lots of fun doing it, one friend at a time.

 Your point is well made, and I don't necessarily disagree with you.  However I have not experienced the same negative results that you have.

 Maybe it's a cultural part of living in the South?  Maybe it's a manners lesson that has been learned by association with others that live here?

 Finally, either way works for me, just as long as my lady is happy, and confident, and clean, and sassy, and smart.  A name is important, yes, but there is more, much more to the experience that goes with it.

 If you find a girlfriend that you really enjoy, then stick with her, go back and see her repeatedly, learn her likes and dislikes and teach her about yours,...my guess is that your results will begin to fall in line with your expectations.

 Do any of you ladies have a voice in this conversation?  What say you?

Years ago when I used the Rickbethel board name, I saw a provider with whom I had chatted back and forth on the board for several months. As a result, my board name was more solidly implanted in her mind. She moaned "Oh Rick" at the moment of orgasm, and immediately started apologizing for using the wrong name.

On the original topic, I'm not very sensitive about a provider who calls me "sweetie" or "honey" or the like. It's just the way she is and I accept it. However, it is definitely a turn on when the woman you're making love to calls you by your name.

I would rather pay the price of not returing your phone call and appearing as though I am just ignoring you, rather than call you up an hour or two after you left me a message, only to reach you while you are in the car, sitting next to your wife, with your two kids sitting in the back, and force you to explain who that woman was that just called you.

While this IS a business, it is a business unlike any other. Discretion is crucial, and if I have to "blow off" a few calls in order to maintain your discretion, that is fine with me. My rule of thumb is, if I get your voice message within an hour of when you left it, I can reasonably assume you will be able to take my call when I return your message without any awkward explanations. If more than an hour has gone by though, I just can't be confident that you will not be in the middle of a business meeting, or in the presence of someone else to whom awkward explanations would be due. So I err on the side of caution and do not return your call.

My suggestion to you is, if you haven't gotten a response from a lady and its been an hour or two, give her another call. Alternatively, when you leave a message for her, specifically state in the message that she can return your call at any time, and not worry about whether you might be alone or not.

I was using that one provider to illustrate one reason that a provider might not want to use a client's name instead of "baby", etc.  I have seen many, many providers (15 + years at this hobby) and that was one example that came to mind.  It is not a broad stroke of all my experiences.

Oh Bizzaro, you're so green...

I dunno, I think I'd prefer sweetie, but maybe that works for you...