Yogi

You know what, after reading that, I was going to try to be logical and repeat the usual explanations about this situation. But, no, fuck it. Do you feel like a big, powerful hombre when you call someone a "frightened mouse" because they're doing responsible things to help keep themselves, their families, and strangers just a little bit safer during this shit show that's killing 3,000 people a day? Is that it? You're like, just really super wise to the ways of the world unlike every fucking body else, eh? You know RISK, right? Eat it for breakfast. You're just out there fucking killing it every day on the mean streets unlike all of us sheeple hiding under our beds? Right? Nobody knows the grind like you know it? Okay, boomer. Nine months of hearing this sort of idiocy over & over again and I'm fucking done with it. Congratulations, you just publicly failed an IQ test. Grow the fuck up.

I can't get past potentially giving it so someone else. My work won't let me stay out of public and I'm often assigned to risky areas, so I do my best to be careful. It is a drag. But, fuck, there are 3,000 people a day dying. Not a joke. Many, many more getting sick, some with aftereffects that they don't know will ever clear up. (And now there is research indicating that ED might be an issue. ///Every TOB'er suddenly puts on a mask or two! ha.///) I sort of just consider folks temporarily radioactive. Keep a bit of distance, don't hang out too long and hopefully, I won't catch it, kill grandma and my dick won't break. (oh, didn't mean to mention Mr. Happy and granny in the same sentence....) So, nope, out of the hobby for the duration. But, as soon as they jab me with the vax, there is a long list of folks who are going to get tired of seeing me. Ha.

The real problem is the part about passing out fully clothed first....

This sounds like story time?

I wonder if anyone else would find it useful to have an option to display listings for providers tagged as "favorites" in a user's profile? Might this be covered by an plug-in with a little tweaking or by adding, if available, a "favorite" option in the advanced search field? The reason for this request is that, as of about ten seconds ago, there were just under 300 listings (six pages of 50 each) for the past 24 hours. While variety and activity in the community is a good thing, (eh?) I'm not as adventurous as I once was and just want to see what the providers I'm interested in meeting are posting. Thanks for considering it.

Trying to catch up with the hobby vs the virus & this thread is an interesting snapshot/timeline/progression.

Close, sustained contact transmits it... I think the above is the definition of this. Sorry, Pit.

I truly feel for the providers who may be seeing appointments drastically decrease (as I've had almost all my assignments for the next two months cancelled, so any visits for me are off the table for quite some while.) I wonder -- for their sake -- if there was a way for folks who can still afford to engage, but chose (wisely) not do, to "pre-pay" as gr8owl suggest? Maybe folks can arrange with their ATF or similar trusted companions for a non-expiring gift certificate? Perhaps a provider could offer a discount! (I know, I know...dangerous territory discussing rates.) Just a thought... Good luck everyone. Wash your hands and follow the latest recommendations from the CDC/WHO. (Seriously, do it.)

Thank you, everyone, for your replies and insight.

Greetings, Searched the forum a little, but I didn't see any recent posts on this topic. So, here goes. With the (somewhat) recent restrictions in ad and website content, I find that it is a bit difficult to determine a providers requested donation -- especially if they are not on P411. (That seems to still have donation information usually.) Are folks finding that, due to the changes I mentioned, a gentle inquiry about donations is no longer taboo? I've been out of the game for a few years and trying to get a handle on how things have changed. Many thanks. Yogi

The consensus seems to be courteous and clean beats gussied up. But, if you're still itching to upgrade, I'd suggest -- don't laugh -- a trip to Costco. Seriously, they have a nice selection of Oxfords and khakis that will get you out the door for less than $40-50.00 and they're perfectly fine for making a solid, inexpensive "hobby uniform" hang it in the closet and boom you're set. Just a thought.

Do you go to the grocery story and shoplift, then brag about it? That's pretty much what this is here. In my earlier post, I said I wasn't picking on you, but now I am. If you want the product, then pay for it. If not, don't steal it.

Or you could pay for a subscription? Ironic to see this in a thread where furious comments abound about how inappropriate it is to be a cheapskate when it comes to providers. Sorry, don't intend to specifically pick on you, Kali & Rick. This circumvention of paywalls is a widespread practice, but those articles do not get produced for free either.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/02/time-to-check-your-withholding-for-2019.html

Best of luck, A. ....sigh....

I've been on a bit of a hiatus that started before all the SOFTA (sp) stuff and the lockdown of P411-- which I forgot to renew and now am no longer a member. I relied on P411 a LOT. I never referred to TOB when booking, so I never used a handle or even referred to the board. I know the usual rule of thumb "YMMV" applies as in all things, but trends still form. Has the board and handles and "reputation" become more of a norm for screening? (I assume references still rule the day.)

This is an excellent point.

This is pure speculation and may not apply here, but some providers have very, very compartmentalized lives. Their social activities here are strongly fire-walled off from the real world. I've run in to this a few times where causal, mutually enjoyable chit-chat stops suddenly, then just as a suddenly restarts. One person took a new job in a new town & after a couple of months of radio silence, I heard from her about the move & that she'd retired. We still keep in touch a little bit. Another time, family was in town for a couple weeks. Life.

This works only if the provider is good at this "text marketing." If, between "keeping in touch" messages, they accidentally send a client a text* discussing their next heroin score, that's not a great look. (*true story)

Probably true...the only problem is when you reach to shake someone's hand there is one in it.

Late to the topic, but a reminder "You can freshen up there." (points to lav) is great. Even after being in this adventure for a number of years, I get a little distracted and forget sometimes. I'm completely in favor of anything, within reason, that makes a provider more comfortable and that can help create a "mutually enjoyable encounter." (I draw the line at wearing a paper bag over my head. It gets really hard to breathe in one of those things...errr, so I'm told.)

One of my favorite providers & long since retired :- ( kept her supplies under the pillow. Out of sight, but easy to reach. Another provider, who was excellent in every way, but who I only saw once, had a bowl of candy at the door, a glass full of toothbrushes in the bathroom and a wicker bowl of condoms on the nightstand... Very tastefully done, but as Bora said, it kind of takes the edge off the "fantasy" part. I mean...ya know...

Might have come up in search results?

I would prefer if reviews had no "naughty details." I have found that they are wildly subjective. I'm not saying that what happened between the reviewer and the providers isn't what happened. But, I have learned that my experience will be different. Not worse or bad, just different. But, it is tough to not have preconceived notions from a review or reviews. I'm not blaming reviewers. They're helpful and useful -- even if not always popular with providers. I wonder if there is a way to split reviews where the fairly objective, logistical details are in one section, then the commentary is in aonther that can be accessed via a "Read more..." link?

I think the consensus is that he use of "Daddy" is generally a no go. I think I'm in the minority when it comes to another phrase: "Baby." I know it is very commonly and innocently used -- especially by folks from the south. Yet, it can be a red flag for me. (I haven't spent time decoding why it tends to bug me. I blame Al Davis....) Well, this topic had run its course and I don't think this post is a way to revive it.