CuriousByNature

I'm not sure how many - not a lot. I found out about this site and the various provider sites almost exactly 5 years ago, and after 40+ years of thinking nobody would ever want to spend time with me in any sort of romantic way, I started to think maybe I could meet someone this way. In those first few months I requested access to many private galleries, but very little contact beyond that and thanking them for sharing when they did. I knew it would take time for me to follow through with a meeting and that it would need to be far from home, so I always let providers know my circumstances because I did not want to waste their time. Some were very understanding, and others were not - which I understood and could not hold against them. Then the pandemic hit and there was no way I would be able to travel and meet anyone. I also have been concerned about STIs, and I am very risk averse. Having been molested early in life has likely contributed to a lot of confusion, and I waffle back and forth about my worthiness to experience the fullness of human contact, and I'm probably less likely to pursue meeting anyone compared to 5 years ago when the thought was new and exhilarating. I even lost quite a bit of weight so that I could feel less self-conscious. At least the weight has stayed off, so becoming healthier was an unexpected silver lining to my odd journey. I tried to stay in periodic contact with a few providers who were particularly kind, or who confided about some of their own struggles. There are those who are no longer on the sites, and I think about them often and hope they are doing alright. Honesty has always been very important to me, so I have never suggested a meeting and then backed out of it. I know providers are busy and that they have to deal with that far too often. Perhaps one day I'll be able to bite the bullet, but if I never experience these sorts of things - aside from what happened to me many years ago - I can't complain. Sorry for the long answer to your short question

I'm confused by the back and forth on this issue. I have never met with anyone, but I understand that donation amounts have increased in most places, especially since the pandemic. And the cost of living has gone up in many places as well. So it is understandable that donation amounts would also increase - providers can command whatever donation amount a client is willing to pay. However, affordability has generally decreased across a wide range of goods and services, and many people seem to be feeling the crunch of their income not growing at the same pace as the cost of living. I assume that is the primary problem here. Things like meeting with providers has probably become less and less affordable for a lot of people, but that doesn't mean a provider needs to reduce their requested donation for their time. If their donation amount is too high, they won't get enough business to justify the amount, and they may need to lower the amount being requested. Simple economics. But there are still many clients in high income brackets who can afford to meet with anyone and at any cost, and these individuals will continue to support the higher donation amounts that providers request. It ultimately doesn't matter whether or not someone can survive on a middle income in Brazil or elsewhere. What matters is that affordability pressures in the US and Canada have reduced the ability for many people to access time with providers. It isn't the providers' fault - it's that the present economy has concentrated relative wealth in a smaller and smaller group of clients.

So, nobody thinks they were soul mates?

As long as he shares his fries with me, I would be okay with it. LOL To bring things back to the original question, and the apparent drop in donation amounts. Last night I found myself in a situation where a very desirable (to me) provider, PAID ME for my time. It was amazing. Such a connection. And it seemed to last for hours and hours. But then I woke up.

It looks like this Noel could certainly keep you warm on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Sadly we don't have any record about what the ghosts of his mother and dog called him during those seances...

Also any guy named Rex.

When God was handing out beauty, it seems he was particularly generous with Mr. Rockham.

As long as he doesn't smell like Durian God... 🤣

Some people are more complicated than others. There are facets to most people that never see the light of day, and therefore they manage to escape scrutiny. For others, not so much.

I wrote that it 'might' be a good thing. Some will agree, and others will not. I still find it odd when I see a thread for a 'NEW' provider that has 7 pages of replies, and the OP has been deceased for some time already. BTW, we don't have to agree or convince each other of anything.

None of us are perfect

I don't think the question posed by @cbaby deserves this kind of response. Perhaps a bit of overreaction on your part?

Hence my words, "Not a big issue". It isn't 'needed', and nor did I suggest it was.

Not a big issue, but it might be good to avoid adding 'NEW' to a thread title, unless you also happen to add the month and year. There are threads from 5 years ago that still indicate a provider as being 'new'.

He might be a fan of Mozambique's flag.

I suppose as a Canadian I would be able to claim back the tax by filing a US tax return, but I don't currently live close enough to the border to make a trip across the line worth it for a 1 in 290 million chance at winning.

This is a situation where he should capitalize the 'r' in his profile. Bi people are not gross. LOL

I'm more concerned that she noticed his body temperature at a time that her toe was being crushed. Glad it was just one toe. It's a good thing.

What??? When did that change? LOL

Maybe some turn back into pumpkins, mice or newts after midnight, like in Cinderella?

No need to thank me at all - feelings are feelings, and they hit each of us differently. Only you yourself know the amount of preparation you invested, and none of us have a right to judge you on that or diminish what that means for you. And it doesn't sound like @GordyLex judges you on that either. Perhaps the DMs on this forum could be a place for the two of you to come to an understanding, separate from the observations and comments of all of us onlookers? Just a thought, anyway. You both sound like reasonable guys, and it would be a shame to miss an opportunity to soothe the soreness each of you might be feeling.

Sorry to hear this happened to you @savantsav - each of us responds to things like this in different ways. It evidently caused you hurt, and for whatever reason, it is still affecting you. As an objective bystander, I believe the texts that @GordyLex sent you indicate a deep regret for what happened. He clearly wants to take responsibility for this, which says a lot. No excuses were given, but he provided an explanation that is completely plausible. I hope his words ring true to you and that you can move past this. @GordyLex sounds like he is a pretty thoughtful and self-aware guy, which can be rare to find in today's society. I'm sure I would have been extremely disappointed not to meet him as well, if that had been me, but I think we always need to make room for grace, and to extend that grace even when we feel we've been slighted. Just my thoughts for what they might be worth.

I'll never understand comments that have the sole purpose of yucking someone else's yum. Such comments only serve to demean people who have a different view.

6-inches? I could carry you in my shirt pocket - do you live in Lilliput?