Lets talk about rates....(edited)

There is a lovely young woman on bluesky whose response to a post got me wanting to discuss rates. I'm not sure what the conversation was that she had had, but within her response she mentioned that an escort was privileged..... This somewhat irked me as I've been called a "privileged" escort over the years. Here's where I take issue with that term. No one knows what any escort has gone through, or is going through, in order to ply their services. No one knows why they offer the services they do, why they work at all, and why they charge as they do....So to determine that anyone is more privileged than another is a bit presumptuous imo, and I dislike labels, especially those used within this industry. It would be nice if we all saw one another as individuals, not as a "type", or apart of some group, or as some acronym....

Speaking of rates....You certainly cannot determine a person's status or privilege based on what they charge. Nor the quality of service they provide. I believe that we all get to decide as independent escorts, what we feel our time is worth. I also believe that there are many who decide their rates based on what others in their area are charging and will therefore charge less, they are considered competitors. As an example, if ladies in their area are charging 300 hrly, they'll charge less to compete, to win clients. This I don't think well of. I find it underhanded and quite frankly it seldom brings in more clients, just more unsavory clients. You also have those ladies, like myself, who set their rates according to the times.....Meaning, as everything else increases in cost, so must our rates, to keep up. I suppose some might then say, since I and others have the ability to do this, then we're considered privileged....To them I say, I've worked hard for many years and saved. I made choices in order to be in a position where I can now choose my clients and charge what I deem reasonable for the times. Being able to do this wasn't/isn't privilege, it was years of hard work, putting up with lots of abuse, doing without, and other things I have previously spoken about, and things I will never speak about. I believe a lot of where we end up, a lot of what we have, is because of the choices we've made and continue to make. You also have a sector of people in this industry who will charge whatever a client is willing to pay....These people are usually struggling with mental health issues and or drug issues, often both. I feel for anyone who is in that position and struggling. Clients are often the cruelest to them. However my perspectives aren't concerning them. I'm not an escort advocate, nor a psychologist. I don't have the ability nor the knowledge to rescue anyone. I certainly have compassion, yet I'm not going to bite my tongue to save someone's feeling. I speak openly and frankly about this industry. My opinions are based from my experiences and conclusions made because of those experiences. I'm not working to set any example, although I have tried to do that in the past. Which I learned only earns you trouble. I work now to benefit myself.....my needs and desires, and I speak not to hurt anyone, or even to flatter, I simply state what I believe, and have experienced throughout my many years in this industry, but I digress...... Back to rates.... It's my belief that anyone who is charging below 300 an hour in 2026 is typically am agency or a high volume independent escort who usually will only escort for a short amount of time. I'd say even those at 300 an hour are high volume, and nothing wrong with being high volume, I worked years looking for volume over quality, and if and when I tour, I seek volume also, to a certain extent, lol...... I believe those who charge 400 and above are charging as such to purposely attract higher quality clients and because they want to see fewer clients. Although this isn't always the case nor is it a foolproof way of avoiding nefarious, or unfavorable clients. Bad or unfavorable clients also have more money to spend, however, it does limit them..... I do feel those ladies who are undercharging, meaning those who offer cheaper rates, or 15/20/45 min sessions set themselves up for more abuse, more problems, and having to deal with more unfavorable clients. Hagglers and the nefarious are less likely to contact ladies who charge a higher rate. Be that known, there are pros and cons to working at all levels of rates, so I've learned over the years. But imo, in 2026, I don't understand why any attractive, intelligent, grounded escort would charge less than 300 hourly, other than to compete....Which again, I find to be underhanded and unnecessary. Clients will pay what they have to if they want to see you!! In fact, back when I had agencies I always charged more than the other agencies as an encouragement for others to follow suit and was busier than the other agencies at the time. I've always been bothered with the competitive aspect of this industry. I've always felt that we should want to help one another. To share clients, not hoard them, to uplift one another and not demean or shame. I have always felt that if a client wanted to see me or anyone else, he would, regardless of who else was working or what they charged. I have never charged a rate to under cut another or offered services just to attract certain men. Although in my early review board days I felt forced into offering bare blowjobs. Many then were aggressive and bullies towards those of us who only offered and believed in covered bj's only....Clearly I have changed, lol. But not because of pressure, because I truly enjoy some of my regular clients...and thanks to having a great relationship with my doctor, have come to understand the risks involved with oral covered and uncovered. Risks are also something we all get to decide....and should be able to decide without judgement. Remember too that because an escort may be high volume doesn't necessarily make her a higher risk of contacting a sti. It only takes one time with an infected person to contract something, so bear that in mind. Most professional, responsible escorts take their health seriously and have regular check ups. So an escorts body count shouldn't play into your decision making when choosing an escort. It always bothered me when I'd read about one escort demeaning another because of the services they offered or how they offered them. Lets face it, we're so harshly judged by society in general it's almost appalling to be judged by our own peers or clients, and I feel it's just another way some unkind escorts and clients try to make themselves feel better than.....In the end, there will always be a varied amount of differing rates and differing reasons why they are being offered. We can all have opinions on that subject, but wouldn't it be nice if we more more "community" like on this particular subject..... and before we label a person, perhaps we should want get to know their story...