SouthOfTheBorder

the OP description of escort is actually a very small subset of professional providers.  The vast majority are far more average types no matter the place.
the subsequent preferred description of a “bit more real, masculine……” is more like the typical providers in Brazil & Thailand, where they have a fairly well developed market for this exact thing. There are hundreds of guys that fit that description. 
idk - maybe the attraction for Africa is going somewhere where it’s more difficult/risky/dangerous ?  If the purpose is to meet men, that just doesn’t seem worthwhile to travel all that way & then perhaps a letdown when it doesn’t work out for whatever reason.
 

staying in a 4-star hotel hardly qualifies anyone as rich.  equating a billionaire like Epstein to a middle class Western tourist who thinks they’re relatively rich in a poor African country doesn’t make sense.  Thats exactly the mindset that gets people in serious trouble abroad - thinking the local laws or customs don’t apply. 

the second delusion is typically the tourist thinks nobody knows what they’re doing, when it’s obvious to all and the locals have seen it dozens of times before
fyi - the seriously rich aren’t going to Africa for sex-tourism 

agree - the problem is most people aren't honest w themselves.  
a real conversation w a potential partner is definitely helpful in context of making decisions.  
working with known & established people also helpful.  
trust is something that's earned - not automatic.  and I don't think that is cynical at all.

for every one person that is responsible & contacts their partners for potential STI exposure - there’s probably 10 more that don’t.  It’s statistically impossible for people to be routinely engaging in unprotected sex w multiple partners and not be exposed to STIs.  Indeed, the numbers show gonorrhea surging. Many don’t know they have anything & are asymptomatic- but still very capable of transmission.  
testing, while absolutely worthwhile gives a false sense of security as it’s outdated the minute the test is done. 
theres a certain level of collective denial going on among gay men, disguised as “sex-positivity” & selective information uptake to justify doing what they want to do anyway.  
get educated, make your choices & live with the consequences.  it’s that simple  

perspective - to afford an $8M house, you have to be worth $30M in reality, an "ultra high net-worth" individual. And typically, these people own several homes. 
there are 129,750 people worth $30M in the US.  Or, .00039% of the population - way beyond the 1%.
I get Florida as a tax-haven if you really don't want to live there.  As an investment- those days are over.  
i sold last year at a very good time for sellers.  Between rising carrying costs, increase in equity & the general decline of quality of life - it was a very easy decision.   Basically, take the money & run.  The new buyer of my place will have $50,000 in HOA & property taxes in year 1, after a cash purchase - and it wasnt anything considered high-end.  the buyer just wrote a blank check for spiraling fees & taxes
owning real estate in Florida in Florida is like owning a boat - there are 2 good days, the day you buy it & the day you sell it.

Or the providers "assume that all of their partners" are on Prep and/or Doxy prep; thus neither has to give a lot of thought as to fucking bareback or not.

agree - the problem is most people aren't honest w themselves.  
a real conversation w a potential partner is definitely helpful in context of making decisions.  
working with known & established people also helpful.  
trust is something that's earned - not automatic.  and I don't think that is cynical at all.

you have a exponentially higher probability of getting shot in any American shopping mall (or road rage, or an elementary school, or a church/synagogue)  vs terrorism at LGBTQIA+ event in the US.  
might be more consequential in other countries 

I’m really happy to be early 60s.  
I think men of our generation got to experience so much.  It was fun when gay bars/clubs used to be more subversive & underground.  We appreciate the freedoms we have now because we know what it was like before. We appreciate our good health because we saw so many whose lives were cut short by AIDs/HIV epidemic.  
And most of all - we knew how to socialize in real life without the constant distractions of phones & toxic social media.  It was a time when having a friend really meant something - not the hundreds of “friends” people have on FB.
When I find myself in environments with much younger people, I often wonder if I’d like to be 30ish again - the answer is NO. 

the OP description of escort is actually a very small subset of professional providers.  The vast majority are far more average types no matter the place.
the subsequent preferred description of a “bit more real, masculine……” is more like the typical providers in Brazil & Thailand, where they have a fairly well developed market for this exact thing. There are hundreds of guys that fit that description. 
idk - maybe the attraction for Africa is going somewhere where it’s more difficult/risky/dangerous ?  If the purpose is to meet men, that just doesn’t seem worthwhile to travel all that way & then perhaps a letdown when it doesn’t work out for whatever reason.
 

most of my friends are early 60s & late 50s - I’ve never heard the conversation about younger gays being unappreciative or anything similar.  Or, the work & pain speech.  I don’t know anyone who thinks they’re owed something by the younger generations - it’s not even a thought 
 

you have a exponentially higher probability of getting shot in any American shopping mall (or road rage, or an elementary school, or a church/synagogue)  vs terrorism at LGBTQIA+ event in the US.  
might be more consequential in other countries 

I was referencing bars for the most part, where older guys are more visible. Agree, Spain is probably best example in Europe where older gay guys are out in force - and that seems to attract older guys from all over.  I’ve noticed this in Paris & other European cities too - not the same degree as Spain tho.  
There is a sugar-daddy element at work for sure the same as other places.  But, it feels like that is only a small part - it’s more about open acceptance of older men. 

No experience clubbing in recent years.  It’s too late & too loud for me these days.  Plus, nothing good really happens after midnight imo.

most of my friends are early 60s & late 50s - I’ve never heard the conversation about younger gays being unappreciative or anything similar.  Or, the work & pain speech.  I don’t know anyone who thinks they’re owed something by the younger generations - it’s not even a thought 
 

go on RM and filter by age - there are huge drops in 40+ and even more drop at 50+ and very few at 60+. out of the hundreds of providers on RM - there are 30 guys 60yrs and over….a relatively small percentage.   if there was a preference for older, then there would be more older. 
seems like this conversation is confusing preferences for hiring vs other preferences- big difference 
btw - the ageism experienced in the US does not happen in the same way in other places. In Latin America & Europe, older gay men are much more visible & mix more frequently in bars/clubs without disapproval or stigma. It seems to be the worst in the US, followed by other English speaking countries - UK, Canada & Australia.  I think it has something to do with other cultures more general respect for elders. 

I was referencing bars for the most part, where older guys are more visible. Agree, Spain is probably best example in Europe where older gay guys are out in force - and that seems to attract older guys from all over.  I’ve noticed this in Paris & other European cities too - not the same degree as Spain tho.  
There is a sugar-daddy element at work for sure the same as other places.  But, it feels like that is only a small part - it’s more about open acceptance of older men. 

No experience clubbing in recent years.  It’s too late & too loud for me these days.  Plus, nothing good really happens after midnight imo.

go on RM and filter by age - there are huge drops in 40+ and even more drop at 50+ and very few at 60+. out of the hundreds of providers on RM - there are 30 guys 60yrs and over….a relatively small percentage.   if there was a preference for older, then there would be more older. 
seems like this conversation is confusing preferences for hiring vs other preferences- big difference 
btw - the ageism experienced in the US does not happen in the same way in other places. In Latin America & Europe, older gay men are much more visible & mix more frequently in bars/clubs without disapproval or stigma. It seems to be the worst in the US, followed by other English speaking countries - UK, Canada & Australia.  I think it has something to do with other cultures more general respect for elders. 

I’m really happy to be early 60s.  
I think men of our generation got to experience so much.  It was fun when gay bars/clubs used to be more subversive & underground.  We appreciate the freedoms we have now because we know what it was like before. We appreciate our good health because we saw so many whose lives were cut short by AIDs/HIV epidemic.  
And most of all - we knew how to socialize in real life without the constant distractions of phones & toxic social media.  It was a time when having a friend really meant something - not the hundreds of “friends” people have on FB.
When I find myself in environments with much younger people, I often wonder if I’d like to be 30ish again - the answer is NO. 

I wouldn’t be able to … 
Part of the rationale for providers is service on demand. If a straight or bi  provider claims they can deliver regardless of to whom, they’re as qualified as anyone else.
The question for me isn’t are you gay or not, but can you provide an experience I want once we confirm terms. Once a provider - gay bi or whatever - starts asking for photo, says “it depends” for some services, I strike them off any consideration as they aren’t hiding they likely can’t. Then we can avoid the runaround where they expect payment without delivering.

I've never met a provider who asked my STD status.
I'm hoping it's because, like me, they assume that all their partners have STDs (including HIV) and take the proper measures. 

it’s not interesting from a soap opera POV. 
 It is interesting, historically as the beginning of the end of the British monarchy  

working guys at Copacabana Palace ?  
Never heard that before - please expand on the subject 

some Thermas tips 
1. go early - before it gets crowded.  Thermas is big and spread across 3 floors - it can be disorienting to arrive when filed with providers & clients. Plus - it’s competitive & the locals/regulars will always go for their favorites who are usually the most in-demand. Arriving when it’s crowded puts you at a disadvantage. I like to arrive at opening about 3p and watch as providers/ clients arrive. 
2. get familiar with the layout - because it is confusing.  I’d recommend a complete walk-through of the entire place at least once to take note of spa facilities & bar (first floor), all showers (first & second floors).  And the one private bathroom on first floor with a douche - the key to that bathroom is at reception and depending on the attendant, they may require you buy an attachment or if you have your own, then a tip to get the key.  Return the key asap as there may be others waiting.
3. there will always be guys hanging around the reception area & watching the clients locker room.  the game is to snag clients in that area & before they can see the other providers.  don’t fall for it.
4. like anywhere else - be cautious if anyone offers you anything to ingest. last time I was there, a provider offered candy between sessions - upon inspection it was potent edible marijuana. there are a couple guys there routinely selling things - I’d avoid them & whatever they have.  they are obvious & likely will make an approach at some point. 
5. the free cabins are fine for 30 minutes & the staff cleans continuously- but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get a fresh cabin.  If you want to make sure it’s clean - then private rooms. Again - getting there early ensures access to private rooms - when it’s crowded you may wait and sometimes they don’t open up at all. 
6. you dont need ID to get in - leave passports & valuables in your hotel safe.  I carry a set amount of cash, one credit card & phone.  I don’t leave those items in the locker - I carry them with me in a small pack at all times.  you need cash for the guys - everything else can be on credit card.
7. bring your own condoms & lube.  the condoms provided are the most basic & the lube is almost nonexistent.  the guys appreciate good quality condoms & it makes a big difference.  I like to bring my own antibacterial soap along too - just to be extra careful between sessions.  availability of soap in the showers is not a sure thing.
8. if smoking bothers you - avoid the area on the second floor where smokers congregate.  for people who smoke, it’s ideal place to engage the guys in a more relaxed environment.
9. don’t be afraid to say no.  you will be approached many times by guys who may not be your type.  there’s not pressure per se, but they are direct and don’t want to waste time.  they are used to no & it’s just part of the environment.  polite & firm gets the message across.  

10. you will pay for everything at the end & check your final bill carefully.  if buying drinks for providers, make sure you are clear at that time what you’re offering. an offer for a drink can easily turn into a full meal - and that’s fine if that is what you’re offering.  if spending a few hours there, the charges can add up quickly. 
11. don’t be afraid to tell the provider exactly what you want - they’re professionals and have seen it all, several times.  no reason to be embarrassed.  If there is a language barrier - use google translate or show them a video of the type of scene you want. a video is easiest way to get the clear message across & I’ve seen several clients do it.

 
 
 

I’m really happy to be early 60s.  
I think men of our generation got to experience so much.  It was fun when gay bars/clubs used to be more subversive & underground.  We appreciate the freedoms we have now because we know what it was like before. We appreciate our good health because we saw so many whose lives were cut short by AIDs/HIV epidemic.  
And most of all - we knew how to socialize in real life without the constant distractions of phones & toxic social media.  It was a time when having a friend really meant something - not the hundreds of “friends” people have on FB.
When I find myself in environments with much younger people, I often wonder if I’d like to be 30ish again - the answer is NO. 

disagree & who cares ?  
I get turned on by guys who have sex for money. I think most are into it for whatever reason.  For those that may not be into it - doesn’t matter if they deliver.
recently had a straight guy who had to watch straight porn in a session: super turn-on for me & I loved it.  his performance was exceptional & he wanted to keep going when I was ready to stop. 
worrying about whether or not someone is “into-it” defeats the entire point. it’s a financial transaction for a service. making it more is a sure way to disappointment