SouthOfTheBorder

LOL and prefer super XL because I have a deep oven to keep it warm. And I like to have it again in the morning, which I find is better the second time

me neither - in NYC, I like to pick mine up in person and pay when I arrive. Not sure whether it’s an incall or outcall, just no (you know what) yes on pineapple, but not usually. my preference is for meaty w thick crust and very hot

@coriolis888should be thanked for alerting people of a problem there. The known & ongoing site security issues may not show up in all browsers. Proceed at your own risk. I imagine getting hacked by cyber criminals would be most unpleasant when they have access to all kinds of personal data. there might be one good thing about the other site - since none of them actually hire anyone, you’ll probably never see threads about *DEPOSITS*

pretty sure I could think of more outrageous pictures. those images created such a backlash because they paid to make sure it would be hard to avoid for anyone online. It’s Jeff Bezos - I think he knows how to do it.

nailed it. we should consider ourselves lucky !

It’s unmoderated by the owner, so it is different. There’s a small clique of members there that tells the owner what to do when somebody pisses them off - so the “moderating” isn’t about violating rules, it’s if you offend the clique & then they get people banned. there was purge of several of the most prolific posters sometime in the last 12 months & it was all people who posted non-Thailand information. Mainly about Brazil, DR, Colombia, etc. Once those guys were gone, the activity went way down given there is very little of interest other than Thailand. Like here - you don’t need to be a registered member to visit the site. See for yourself - except you might get hacked, evidently.

You are the OP. And you did ask for thoughts. He gave you his thoughts & maybe it’s as simple as that.

The owner of “the other site” is disengaged from it. The security certificates frequently lapse and those unsafe messages come up. That’s best case scenario. Could be something else entirely & much worse.

There is no easy road to success in any profession. It’s all about hard work, dedication, adapting to change, a positive mindset - and being able to overcome challenges without getting stuck in why it can’t happen. The simplest way to be successful is to identify the people who are successful and do what they do. And if those same successful people are offering specific ideas, advise & help on how to do it - even better & an invaluable resource. In my professional life, I had to coach lots of people on how to do better in a super competitive work environment. It was a 50/50 chance that the employees could survive, “get it” and eventually thrive in their work. The ones who failed could not take direction & were always making excuses about why something couldn’t happen or that they had unique circumstances - they got stuck in a negative mindset. I think being a successful provider is difficult because it requires an extensive sexual repertoire & being very good at all those things to appeal to broad range of client interest. In addition, they need to excel in the business end (advertising, screening, booking, & analysis) which requires a completely different skill set. How many providers can do all those things & do them well ? A very few who are the real pros.

I have no idea what this means. I see alot of providers in various places. Most providers I see are either in my home (known people), their home, or a hotel I happen to be in. Very very few hotel meetings where the provider has the room - almost none. There has never been a conversation about the need for a hotel room between a provider and me. If I do meet a provider in their hotel room, there should be no guilt trip on me because a provider has chosen to get a hotel room in whatever city for whatever reason. if they have a hotel room, then my assumption is they’ve done an analysis to make sure it pays off. But, the room & cost is not my problem or concern - I’m booking an hour or two only. The discussions about hotel room goes to the business model the provider has chosen & where they actually live. If attempting to “tour” for whatever reason and visit multiple cities in short periods of time, that has its own set of issues baked in. Seems a risky business model unless the provider has figured out how to screen & book effectively in short periods of time. just my opinion - a big travel commitment on either end isn’t worth it given the effort required and potential to be disappointed. I’m always going make the best choice among a set of options that just doesn’t require that much work. I want to reduce my investment of time & travel in every situation where the outcome is unknown. That equation may change with known providers where the outcome is more certain. I feel like the entire discussion is unnecessarily complicated. If i was a provider, I’d choose to locate in an area target rich with potential clients to use my service. These are always going to be big metropolitan areas with people making more money, more disposable income & more gay men/bi men and tourists/executives. Not complicated. Hint - they’re not in Sioux Falls SD or similar

very wise. when I react to something beyond my control, regardless of right or wrong - I’ve given up my power. and you’re right - it’s the small daily frustrations w people, places & things that in the big picture don’t mean much. that doesn’t mean I’m a doormat & sometimes push-back is required, depending on circumstances. the response, if any, should be measured and not escalate a benign situation. Not reacting in the moment definitely helps. I find myself asking, will I see this person ever again & does it matter ? usually it’s a no. and if it’s a no, then walking away is the best move.

I can think of lots of sub-topics just please - no *deposits* seems to have been thoroughly covered interesting to note how this negative thread turned positive - let’s have more of that

A thread on the unwritten rules would be very helpful. I’d love to see it

that is fantastic - nothing says vapid more than a weather person in LA, where it’s basically the same everyday. And Good Morning LA was next level for every stereotype & cliche about Los Angeles. Ms Sanchez encapsulates it all in human form. ALL OF THIS MAKES PERFECT SENSE

you have a point & it makes sense. In this case, I read something critical of Bezos/Sanchez and the Apple News feed probably doesn’t distinguish between critical or not, it just sends more Bezos/Sanchez. My primary news source is not Apple News, so I didn’t think this was everywhere. But for people that get primary news from FB or similar - I can see where it can create a false sense of what is really happening. No wonder we are so fucked up. It’s a monster just feeding whatever outrageous content people will consume.

I think I need to see @Jamie21and @Vin_Marco

I always pay upfront with new providers so there is no confusion or question. It’s my choice & always seem appreciated. Usually there is a look of surprise, which I enjoy. I operate on slightly different norm & it works for me. I try to pay in big bills so no reason to count it. I wouldn’t be offended if someone counted it tho. If upfront money is requested or demanded, that’s a red flag and things probably won’t get better.

because I mean it & it’s true .

wise words. everything you post is spot-on. I’d say there is alot to be learned from your wisdom and willingness to share. the guys who are starting out and/or struggling can make it so difficult, yet you make it look easy. Of course, it’s not easy and that’s what sets you apart from the rest, IMO

I’ve been doing this for 35 years, hundreds of meetings, in many countries around the world. I’ve been asked for a deposit exactly one time. It was in NYC and with a provider I knew well who had just switched to a deposit business model. Since I knew him well, I went along with it knowing there was zero risk on my part and he was testing out the deposit model. Guess what ? He no longer requires deposits because he lost income - new clients wouldn’t do it. The main point is that in the provider/client context - deposits are not customary and very very few providers operate on that model. So, to decide to operate outside the customary model, the provider will get push-back. It’s baked it - meaning its absolutely going to happen. If the provider is ok with the push-back & loss of potential clients & corresponding income - then by all means, go for it. Try to change the industry. Just my opinion - but I think the only time a deposit model would work is if there is a very famous & known provider where the demand for appointments is so high and the rate is corresponding high - so deposits would be a way to minimize lost opportunity if people flake when there are others waiting in line to pay for same appointment time. That would only happen in NYC, London, LA, Las Vegas or Miami. It doesn’t work in small markets where demand is less and clients don’t want to pay at all. Creating barriers in small markets with people that don’t want to pay, is a recipe for frustration & no money. This isn’t complicated - it basic economics re: supply/demand & marketing online services given known human behavior in context of markets, clients & competition. It could be for any sort of business - same sort of analysis.

good question the recent coverage of Bezos & Sanchez is a paid public relations campaign. It’s not a random event & the press coverage you see is not random either. The entire thing was a carefully orchestrated paid media campaign with lots of money behind it. And it’s thinly disguised as random news. They paid to be on the cover of Vogue magazine and for the article inside. They paid for all the mentions in adjacent traditional media & social media. Of course, there is some spillover because they’ve gone to such lengths and cost ensure they capture the public attention- that in and of itself is now newsworthy because it’s so unusual. And that’s the point - this insanely rich couple aren’t satisfied with their extreme privilege & position. They want more. That’s what’s gross & disgusting about it. It’s an insatiable hunger for more money & more fame. I’m not on any social media - yet, the Bezos/Sanchez “news” pops up in Apple News feed. I’m not looking for it. It’s been hard to avoid it actually. I didn’t read the fawning Vogue article - but rather the Slate piece about the reaction to the article & pics. That’s what’s interesting- the analysis of why they would do it and the general public reaction. It’s not about a super rich celebrity couple - it’s more a critique of American culture and why does the average person worship these people when they are destroying the very basics of our society. Amazon is an unsustainable business model for a number of reason too lengthy to discuss here. The more basic proposition is that Amazon put the final nail in the coffin of American Main Street shops because now it’s far more convenient to make a few clicks to buy vs patronizing a local retailer. If you think this is an abstract concept - just visit a European city and you will see thriving small local stores in every city of every size. Amazon is in Europe, but it has not devastated the local retail - they still prefer to shop in stores and buy local. You do not see buildings like in NYC where it’s flooded with dozens & dozens of packages. Amazon is a cancer devouring American retail. When this becomes a common thought, it’s way too late. Bezos represents the billionaire class so much that’s it’s a cliche of a very wealthy mid-life crisis, complete with a surgical second wife and some super cringe pictures and desperate for attention. Obviously, money does not buy happiness - just look at those two. https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/11/jeff-bezos-and-lauren-sanchez-vogue-photoshoot.html

If a provider has been burned repeatedly by flakes, no-shows, cancellations etc - it’s easy to understand why they would try a deposit only model. But, that will cause a loss of potential clients who just won’t contact that provider. Then it’s up to the provider to decide if the deposit model is worth it vs the loss of potential clients. I checked out your RM profile. Super sexy & handsome with many 5 star reviews. Yet, no mention of any deposits in your profile. If that’s a requirement, and is a dealbreaker for you - why not mention it there ?

Correct in most cases, just not this one. Bezos & Sanchez are actively pursuing publicity/press coverage in attempt to shape public opinion. This appears to be Ms Sanchez doing as it was never a thing for Bezos previously. In doing so, they open themselves up to all kinds of criticism that wouldn’t be an issue otherwise. They invited the scorn, criticism & ridicule. And it was predictable. It’s not enough for these people to just be insanely rich, they want more attention and to be more famous - and the Vogue article & pictures are tone-deaf and in poor taste considering much of the American public struggles financially.

I would not make that assumption. I’d bet the majority never make it your website & most don’t even bother to read your complete profile on RM. It’s just typical online behavior. It’s a major barrier to anyone (or company) selling anything online. The people who would read your RM profile & then click thru to your website and read all of that is a very tiny percentage of users. This is not unique to you & your ad - it’s just how people consume & comprehend online information. And in the case of providers on RM, I’d also bet most users look at the pics only. When a I ask a provider for location in an initial inquiry, I’m not asking for an address. I’m asking for a general description of neighborhood so I can figure out how easy it is for me to get there. If I’m in Upper Manhattan and a provider tells me they’re in specific neighborhood in Brooklyn, then no - I’m just not willing to travel that far and I couldn’t make that decision without knowing where provider is located. If they tell me Hells Kitchen, that’s easy and location would not be an issue. Some providers give general descriptions in profiles like “located in West Hollywood” and that eliminates the question about location for me….because I actually read the profiles. tbh - when I see a provider ad that has a heavy travel schedule, I don’t message those people because if they’re only in a place where I could meet them for 2 days, it’s just not worth the effort because of the general trend of providers not responding timely. You may respond timely, but that’s not typical in my experience. It looks like much of your frustration seems to be because of moving around a lot in smaller cities with fewer people looking for providers, who don’t want to pay. It makes sense to look for opportunities in smaller cities and less competition, it just brings a different set of issues than someone who may be permanently based in LA. The deposit thing is not a right or wrong. However, it creates a barrier for most potential clients who just won’t do it. The key to successful marketing of any product or service is to make it easy for potential customers to buy the service. And if the vast majority of your competitors make it easier for customers to buy their service, then your business will suffer in comparison. It’s not about you, your ad, your skills as a provider - it’s just human behavior to take the easier option.

it’s kind of pathetic - one of richest men in the world & he could do so many good & necessary things w the vast wealth. Instead, he marries someone that looks like a Real Housewife and they’re just chasing publicity to be even more famous. the paid Vogue article & pictures look more than a little desperate. She’s got no style or class, whatsoever. That picture is so re-touched and filtered - she must be a trainwreck in person. She looks demonic