CuriousByNature

I'm not sure how many - not a lot.  I found out about this site and the various provider sites almost exactly 6 years ago, and after 30+ 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. 

34 years ago today....George HW Bush throws up on Japanese Prime Minister
 
 

I would run!

What everyone should be able to agree on is that his dick is not 12 inches.  Otherwise it would be a foot.

Is he the guy who also goes by the name 'Amal'?   So when you've seen Juan, you've seen Amal?     Sorry, that was pretty awful.

I'd be more scared if someone's profile name included the word 'Vegan'.  I'd be afraid they would spend the entire appointment time talking about it.

They told me  those pictures weren't going pubic-errr I mean public  I'm blushing    

To a certain extent, posting here, even though anonymously, is a twisted form of coming out.  At least that's how I feel about it.  I know it sounds silly -- and maybe even laughable to some -- but it is somewhat cathartic and comforting at the same time.  Interestingly, it is so much easier to tell strangers (e.g. my primary care doctor, all the providers I've met, and people here) than those you love/care the most.

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

What everyone should be able to agree on is that his dick is not 12 inches.  Otherwise it would be a foot.

What everyone should be able to agree on is that his dick is not 12 inches.  Otherwise it would be a foot.

What is with people on this forum trying to devalue Intel. This isn't the CIA. If you don't believe me IDC. 

Uh-huh.  Sure... it was the cat that caused that reaction.  Blame it on the pussy and nobody on this site will question it, right?

Reading these posts leaves me incredibly impressed with everyone.   
And depressed for myself - hahahaha 😆

They take the Victorian approach.  They close their eyes and think of England.

My favorite is the Nicky knot.

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.

A little humour isn't bad.  Whether the humour itself is bad may be up for debate.  (And I should know) LOL

They take the Victorian approach.  They close their eyes and think of England.

I think you should definitely get the engagement ring back from him. lol
But joking aside, it sounds like he needs space.  Could it be that his feelings for you went deeper than a provider-client relationship?  You've offered to increase his massage fee, and I don't think there's anything more that you can do.   It's good to let him know that you didn't realize you were getting a discount, and how much you appreciate that, but that you are also more than happy to be paying his regular fee because you appreciate him and his service so much.  I wouldn't ask what more you can do, but rather, let him know you are sorry for disappointing him, that you never realized he would be disappointed, and that you would like him to contact you when he knows he'd like to move forward with future visits.  Just a thought, for what it's worth.

I'd be more scared if someone's profile name included the word 'Vegan'.  I'd be afraid they would spend the entire appointment time talking about it.

I think you should definitely get the engagement ring back from him. lol
But joking aside, it sounds like he needs space.  Could it be that his feelings for you went deeper than a provider-client relationship?  You've offered to increase his massage fee, and I don't think there's anything more that you can do.   It's good to let him know that you didn't realize you were getting a discount, and how much you appreciate that, but that you are also more than happy to be paying his regular fee because you appreciate him and his service so much.  I wouldn't ask what more you can do, but rather, let him know you are sorry for disappointing him, that you never realized he would be disappointed, and that you would like him to contact you when he knows he'd like to move forward with future visits.  Just a thought, for what it's worth.

They take the Victorian approach.  They close their eyes and think of England.