saminseattle

I remain a big fan of @Andrew Maroc, although I was only able to see him twice this year. https://rent.men/AndrewMaroc I think he and Mike Gaite are the most professional and consistently, reliably excellent companions I have had the privilege of spending time with over the last few years.

I don’t know if I am one of the “popular” kids around here, but I do have more "likes" than messages, for whatever that’s worth. For me, I think it was helpful to poke around these forums for awhile (several months as I recall) before I became a member or started asking questions—to get a feel for the place, to see what kind of things led to threads being shut down or people being placed on time-out, etc. When people took my questions on tangents, I mostly went along for the ride, and if people were overly sensitive or hostile, I tried not to take the bait and avoided get into pointless shouting matches via my keyboard. I don’t ask questions or comment as much as I used to, but I still check the forum regularly, and appreciate all the helpful information it provides. While we have not always agreed, I certainly appreciate your contributions, @Tarte Gogo, and think this thread is a very good idea.
 
*One other thought, if a newbie finds this forum valuable, he/she may consider making a donation to help keep this place running. I don’t know if that leads to more “popularity” or people taking a contributor’s questions more seriously, but I see this place as a rather unique little community, and I appreciate those who support it as they are able, as I try to do (will be sending in my annual contribution later today in fact).

I don’t know if I am one of the “popular” kids around here, but I do have more "likes" than messages, for whatever that’s worth. For me, I think it was helpful to poke around these forums for awhile (several months as I recall) before I became a member or started asking questions—to get a feel for the place, to see what kind of things led to threads being shut down or people being placed on time-out, etc. When people took my questions on tangents, I mostly went along for the ride, and if people were overly sensitive or hostile, I tried not to take the bait and avoided get into pointless shouting matches via my keyboard. I don’t ask questions or comment as much as I used to, but I still check the forum regularly, and appreciate all the helpful information it provides. While we have not always agreed, I certainly appreciate your contributions, @Tarte Gogo, and think this thread is a very good idea.
 
*One other thought, if a newbie finds this forum valuable, he/she may consider making a donation to help keep this place running. I don’t know if that leads to more “popularity” or people taking a contributor’s questions more seriously, but I see this place as a rather unique little community, and I appreciate those who support it as they are able, as I try to do (will be sending in my annual contribution later today in fact).

Hey, if we all agreed on things, life would be incredibly uninteresting

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I couldn’t disagree more. Personally, I loved the show, thought the writing was excellent, and could really identify with many of the story lines based on experiences I’ve had or people I’ve known. Far more realistic and less contrived than dated shows like Tales of the City or Queer As Folk. For example, I’m quite certain there has never been a place like “Babylon” in Pittsburgh, whereas the venues and scenes portrayed in Looking are genuine San Francisco. Obviously, the series is not to everyone’s tastes, but I have no hesitation in recommending it as a smart but entertaining take on contemporary gay urban life for those in the 25-45 age-range.
 
*I do agree that the movie they made after the show was cancelled seemed rushed and the quality was not up to the same standard as the episodes in seasons 1 and 2.

I don’t know if I am one of the “popular” kids around here, but I do have more "likes" than messages, for whatever that’s worth. For me, I think it was helpful to poke around these forums for awhile (several months as I recall) before I became a member or started asking questions—to get a feel for the place, to see what kind of things led to threads being shut down or people being placed on time-out, etc. When people took my questions on tangents, I mostly went along for the ride, and if people were overly sensitive or hostile, I tried not to take the bait and avoided get into pointless shouting matches via my keyboard. I don’t ask questions or comment as much as I used to, but I still check the forum regularly, and appreciate all the helpful information it provides. While we have not always agreed, I certainly appreciate your contributions, @Tarte Gogo, and think this thread is a very good idea.
 
*One other thought, if a newbie finds this forum valuable, he/she may consider making a donation to help keep this place running. I don’t know if that leads to more “popularity” or people taking a contributor’s questions more seriously, but I see this place as a rather unique little community, and I appreciate those who support it as they are able, as I try to do (will be sending in my annual contribution later today in fact).

I don’t know if I am one of the “popular” kids around here, but I do have more "likes" than messages, for whatever that’s worth. For me, I think it was helpful to poke around these forums for awhile (several months as I recall) before I became a member or started asking questions—to get a feel for the place, to see what kind of things led to threads being shut down or people being placed on time-out, etc. When people took my questions on tangents, I mostly went along for the ride, and if people were overly sensitive or hostile, I tried not to take the bait and avoided get into pointless shouting matches via my keyboard. I don’t ask questions or comment as much as I used to, but I still check the forum regularly, and appreciate all the helpful information it provides. While we have not always agreed, I certainly appreciate your contributions, @Tarte Gogo, and think this thread is a very good idea.
 
*One other thought, if a newbie finds this forum valuable, he/she may consider making a donation to help keep this place running. I don’t know if that leads to more “popularity” or people taking a contributor’s questions more seriously, but I see this place as a rather unique little community, and I appreciate those who support it as they are able, as I try to do (will be sending in my annual contribution later today in fact).

may want to take this private by now!.....don't want to see the forum put at risk by nitty-gritty chat like in posts 2 and 3!......

Are you kidding? I almost feel like I am the Kevin Slater of clients.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I couldn’t disagree more. Personally, I loved the show, thought the writing was excellent, and could really identify with many of the story lines based on experiences I’ve had or people I’ve known. Far more realistic and less contrived than dated shows like Tales of the City or Queer As Folk. For example, I’m quite certain there has never been a place like “Babylon” in Pittsburgh, whereas the venues and scenes portrayed in Looking are genuine San Francisco. Obviously, the series is not to everyone’s tastes, but I have no hesitation in recommending it as a smart but entertaining take on contemporary gay urban life for those in the 25-45 age-range.
 
*I do agree that the movie they made after the show was cancelled seemed rushed and the quality was not up to the same standard as the episodes in seasons 1 and 2.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I couldn’t disagree more. Personally, I loved the show, thought the writing was excellent, and could really identify with many of the story lines based on experiences I’ve had or people I’ve known. Far more realistic and less contrived than dated shows like Tales of the City or Queer As Folk. For example, I’m quite certain there has never been a place like “Babylon” in Pittsburgh, whereas the venues and scenes portrayed in Looking are genuine San Francisco. Obviously, the series is not to everyone’s tastes, but I have no hesitation in recommending it as a smart but entertaining take on contemporary gay urban life for those in the 25-45 age-range.
 
*I do agree that the movie they made after the show was cancelled seemed rushed and the quality was not up to the same standard as the episodes in seasons 1 and 2.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I couldn’t disagree more. Personally, I loved the show, thought the writing was excellent, and could really identify with many of the story lines based on experiences I’ve had or people I’ve known. Far more realistic and less contrived than dated shows like Tales of the City or Queer As Folk. For example, I’m quite certain there has never been a place like “Babylon” in Pittsburgh, whereas the venues and scenes portrayed in Looking are genuine San Francisco. Obviously, the series is not to everyone’s tastes, but I have no hesitation in recommending it as a smart but entertaining take on contemporary gay urban life for those in the 25-45 age-range.
 
*I do agree that the movie they made after the show was cancelled seemed rushed and the quality was not up to the same standard as the episodes in seasons 1 and 2.

I never consider PMs to be “private messages.” As @Guy Fawkes reminded us a couple of years ago, it is better to consider them “personal messages.” While they may begin as relatively private “conversations,” they do not necessarily stay that way. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/psa-conversation-facts-of-life.107601/#post-1001935
 
Personally, while I acknowledge that such personal messages may be useful, I am also somewhat troubled by the lack of accountability they imply. I consider the actual review system to be the most fair and reliable system that is possible in this world, because a neutral arbiter moderates it, providing checks and balances and giving all sides their say. A personal message, while it may convey valuable information, typically reflects only one (relatively anonymous) person’s claims and perspectives, not subject to any kind of independent verification. And while I think that most people aspire to avoid descending into gossip and to remain objective and fair in their assessments, but I also suspect that this is not always the case. Just something to keep in mind.

Clients on the forum have often said that they pay for companionship because they want an intimate connection with someone, or at least the illusion of one, without having to worry too self-consciously about their own physical appearance: their age, their weight, their receding hairline, etc. Perhaps it’s part of human nature to want to be attractive to others, or at least not unattractive.
 
Yet the same group also frequently comments, sometimes quite callously, about the physical appearance of those seeking to be hired. Sometimes they politely say, “he’s just not my type.” But sometimes their comments are not so neutral. They compare. They pick apart photos. They joke. They belittle. Someone’s getting a little older, a little flabbier, putting on a few pounds, has too many muscles or too few, an unconventional tattoo or a bad haircut...it can be noticed and commented upon. Undoubtedly, there’s a lot of this outside the forum as well.
 
Of course, the business is inherently asymmetric in this respect. As with models or Hollywood stars, escorts put pictures of themselves out into the public domain and hope to be paid in part by how people react. And whether spoken or unspoken, people make judgments about how others look. As someone pointed out recently, even waiters perceived as attractive get bigger tips. So, none of this should be surprising and having thick skin is part of the job description.
 
Still, I can’t help but think this kind of thing must have a psychological effect. Even people who would score well above average looking in any survey might still have body image/self esteem issues if they’re not in the top 1%. Plus, since no one is everyone's type, there's always going to be someone out there who finds you unattractive and doesn't hesitate to let you know.
 
So, to the escorts out there: how do you deal with critical comments about your physical appearance? Can you brush them off or do you find that they really affect you? Have you been able to develop a thick skin about it and do you have any tips on how others can do the same? And, recognizing that clients here are going to talk about your looks, what are the most and least offensive ways of doing so?

I never consider PMs to be “private messages.” As @Guy Fawkes reminded us a couple of years ago, it is better to consider them “personal messages.” While they may begin as relatively private “conversations,” they do not necessarily stay that way. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/psa-conversation-facts-of-life.107601/#post-1001935
 
Personally, while I acknowledge that such personal messages may be useful, I am also somewhat troubled by the lack of accountability they imply. I consider the actual review system to be the most fair and reliable system that is possible in this world, because a neutral arbiter moderates it, providing checks and balances and giving all sides their say. A personal message, while it may convey valuable information, typically reflects only one (relatively anonymous) person’s claims and perspectives, not subject to any kind of independent verification. And while I think that most people aspire to avoid descending into gossip and to remain objective and fair in their assessments, but I also suspect that this is not always the case. Just something to keep in mind.

I raised this question awhile back, but folks mostly went on tangents about Presbyterians versus Anglicans and how to best arrange bills in a wallet. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/what-denomination-do-you-prefer.116261/ Since then, I’ve asked a number of people one-on-one, and they have uniformly expressed no preference between 20’s and 100’s (though admittedly, this is a small sample of the population). Anyway, I generally now pay with a mixture of denominations to cover all my bases

I raised this question awhile back, but folks mostly went on tangents about Presbyterians versus Anglicans and how to best arrange bills in a wallet. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/what-denomination-do-you-prefer.116261/ Since then, I’ve asked a number of people one-on-one, and they have uniformly expressed no preference between 20’s and 100’s (though admittedly, this is a small sample of the population). Anyway, I generally now pay with a mixture of denominations to cover all my bases

I never consider PMs to be “private messages.” As @Guy Fawkes reminded us a couple of years ago, it is better to consider them “personal messages.” While they may begin as relatively private “conversations,” they do not necessarily stay that way. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/psa-conversation-facts-of-life.107601/#post-1001935
 
Personally, while I acknowledge that such personal messages may be useful, I am also somewhat troubled by the lack of accountability they imply. I consider the actual review system to be the most fair and reliable system that is possible in this world, because a neutral arbiter moderates it, providing checks and balances and giving all sides their say. A personal message, while it may convey valuable information, typically reflects only one (relatively anonymous) person’s claims and perspectives, not subject to any kind of independent verification. And while I think that most people aspire to avoid descending into gossip and to remain objective and fair in their assessments, but I also suspect that this is not always the case. Just something to keep in mind.

I never consider PMs to be “private messages.” As @Guy Fawkes reminded us a couple of years ago, it is better to consider them “personal messages.” While they may begin as relatively private “conversations,” they do not necessarily stay that way. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/psa-conversation-facts-of-life.107601/#post-1001935
 
Personally, while I acknowledge that such personal messages may be useful, I am also somewhat troubled by the lack of accountability they imply. I consider the actual review system to be the most fair and reliable system that is possible in this world, because a neutral arbiter moderates it, providing checks and balances and giving all sides their say. A personal message, while it may convey valuable information, typically reflects only one (relatively anonymous) person’s claims and perspectives, not subject to any kind of independent verification. And while I think that most people aspire to avoid descending into gossip and to remain objective and fair in their assessments, but I also suspect that this is not always the case. Just something to keep in mind.

I raised this question awhile back, but folks mostly went on tangents about Presbyterians versus Anglicans and how to best arrange bills in a wallet. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/what-denomination-do-you-prefer.116261/ Since then, I’ve asked a number of people one-on-one, and they have uniformly expressed no preference between 20’s and 100’s (though admittedly, this is a small sample of the population). Anyway, I generally now pay with a mixture of denominations to cover all my bases

I never consider PMs to be “private messages.” As @Guy Fawkes reminded us a couple of years ago, it is better to consider them “personal messages.” While they may begin as relatively private “conversations,” they do not necessarily stay that way. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/psa-conversation-facts-of-life.107601/#post-1001935
 
Personally, while I acknowledge that such personal messages may be useful, I am also somewhat troubled by the lack of accountability they imply. I consider the actual review system to be the most fair and reliable system that is possible in this world, because a neutral arbiter moderates it, providing checks and balances and giving all sides their say. A personal message, while it may convey valuable information, typically reflects only one (relatively anonymous) person’s claims and perspectives, not subject to any kind of independent verification. And while I think that most people aspire to avoid descending into gossip and to remain objective and fair in their assessments, but I also suspect that this is not always the case. Just something to keep in mind.

I raised this question awhile back, but folks mostly went on tangents about Presbyterians versus Anglicans and how to best arrange bills in a wallet. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/what-denomination-do-you-prefer.116261/ Since then, I’ve asked a number of people one-on-one, and they have uniformly expressed no preference between 20’s and 100’s (though admittedly, this is a small sample of the population). Anyway, I generally now pay with a mixture of denominations to cover all my bases

Apparently, it is possible to have an “internalized orgasm” from bottoming, based on a recent video starring our own @Lance_Navarro. https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/video-of-the-day-on-rent-men.131728/ I watched the video he referenced in this thread (purely for academic purposes of course ), and it does seem that Mr. Alan was experiencing tremendous physical pleasure from bottoming (this is especially apparent around minute 15 in the video), so it is possible with particular positions if the circumstances are right.
 
Perhaps this should go in another thread, but I am really curious about how one might learn to be a better top, in terms of giving the bottom more physical pleasure. Any ideas on this?

This is a little shameless promotion. I shot a little video with the very sexy Heath Alan last week. Was alot of fun. He joined me with a client a couple months ago and had an internalized orgasm while I fucked him. Well, we made it happen again in this video. It's getting plenty of views, but no ratings so far, so if you like it, please rate it. https://rent.men/videos/play/44112

People get sick all the time. Sometimes it creeps up on you at the last minute. Food poisoning from a bad meal, for instance...
 
Stop being so pessimistic! (It’s better for your health)