Had a deep conversation with a provider

[JungleForest]

Met a provider that I have seen a couple times before, we are very comfortable with each other and he has even recommended other providers to me when I’ve been traveling. We have “known” each other for about a year. But during this conversation he brought up the difficulties of being a provider - some of the horrible clientele he’s had to deal with etc. He talked about what he’s done with learn how to deal with people like and he says things are better now. 

I did get a bit in my feelings about the nature of the conversation. I know he doesn’t feel like that about me and it was more of a moment for him to vent but still left feeling weird about the whole thing. I do believe that although the nature of our meetings is transactional that we have a pleasant rapport with one another. 
 

Has anyone else had a conversation like this with a provider and it almost made you feel guilty - maybe not the right word but I’m struggling to find the right ones right now. Was just curious of anyone else’s experience. 

[Spikeguy]

I had a masseur vent to me about his boyfriend during an entire session.  He obviously was upset but it was the opposite of relaxing.

[Nue2thegame]

Yes, I’ve had conversations like this with providers. Just as we’ve learned to look for red flags from blogs like this or trial and error, successful providers must do the same. The conversations that I recall were mutually beneficial with shared perspectives and advice. Rather than feeling guilty, I felt that the relationship was strengthened and we both (or at least me) had a richer experience. 

[big-n-tall]

I've been told something about me (personality, my face) makes it easy for people to talk to me. Some of the stuff I've heard is tragic and some of it the most uplifting.

Like the previous posters have mentioned, I have been told/asked a number of things by providers that isn't something necessarily part of a hiring session. Like about some of the horrible encounters or general bad behavior by clients, but also the positive stuff as well. Even shown awful messages from potential clients who never intended to hire the provider in the first place. I have had providers talk about their significant others (both good and bad)... their families... and other struggles or highlights they might have. I've even had providers trying to get me to hire their SO's. One even offered to bring his SO along for free, at no additional charge, because he trusted me. (His words not mine. I didn't take him up on the offer though.) I've heard it all.

Do I feel guilty in any way? Absolutely not. For one, I'm used to people spilling their guts to me... whether I know them well or not. However, if someone I know and like/love does it, to me it's a sign of the trust they have in me. I see it as a honor in some ways. They put their emotional trust in me which more often than not, as @Nue2thegame stated, the "relationship was strengthened". It is why I think over the years a number of the guys who have retired from providing I still talk to or see on some level.

If you feel guilty in some way because how bad other clients have treated the provider. That I understand and I sympathize. It is and can be a very tough business for provider and client alike.