What makes an escort "high class"?

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

The term high class escort conjures up vastly different connotations to the term sex worker. One job title sounds glamorous and ethereal, the other is exactly what it says on the tin but the direct language without any flowery disguise makes people feel uneasy. Courtesan, call girl, prostitute, companion… some names sound “better” than others, but what is the difference when we all suck dick for money?

Due to the stigma surrounding the sex industry, workers like to make themselves and their job sound palatable to society. One could be forgiven for believing an escort purely escorts men to dinner parties (that’s what I believed before I entered the industry!) when this is not the case. Escort is another term for full service sex worker, i.e an individual who provides sex in exchange for money. The high class bit is, quite simply, all about the marketing.

Words such as “luxury”, “high-end” and “high quality”, are so far removed from the sleazy side of sex work depicted in the media that workers use this language to convince society, clients and sometimes themselves that they aren’t like their colleagues.

Advertising as high class undoubtedly attracts a particular type of clientele. Let’s face it, men pay for sex for many different reasons and the types of men who engage in transactional intimacy include anyone and everyone. The term high class appeals to a client who wants to avoid sleazy stereotypes and convince themselves they aren’t paying a prostitute but instead a “luxury courtesan”.

Ever since I started advertising as high end I began to receive longer booking requests, I was taken to dinner, I was invited to fancy hotels and given gifts. My bookings began to feel like a proper “dates” rather than quick shags for cash. I’m still the same person, the only thing I changed was the way I labelled myself.

As well as longer, social dates, another benefit of marketing as high class is that I can now get away with charging higher rates than before. Because I make a song and dance about being high class clients believe that I am worth high class rates, and of course who doesn’t want to earn more money?!

How to be high class?

There are no rules. One doesn’t have to complete a diploma or rack up a certain number of hours before they are certified to add “high class” to their ads. It’s a buzzword which anyone can use.

I’ve come across ads from workers under all price brackets who mention the term high class. It doesn’t mean they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, only see millionaire clients and spend their bookings on private yachts. All it means is that they want to stand out against the hundreds of other profiles online and attract a certain type of clientele.

 I believe a certain level of professionalism is expected when clients book a “high class” lady. e.g they expect her to be punctual, polite and well presented, but I don’t believe it’s necessary for high class escorts to wear designer clothes or host from 5 star hotels as people may be led to believe.

 Those serious about the high end charade can go the extra mile. To really stand out as a high class escort it is important to have your own website rather than a brief ad on an escort directory.  Professional photos rather than a few selfies taken at home also add to the illusion. Advertising high rates actually work as marketing as does screening clientele as it shows the worker is able to be selective about who she sees. Advertising as “low volume” is another way escorts justify charging higher rates, feeding into misogynistic views that women with fewer sexual partners are somehow “worth more” than those who have many. As sexist and outdated as those views seem, they can be used to the worker’s advantage when marketing.

Much of high end marketing is smoke and mirrors, any average sex worker can play into the high class charade. All they need is a few professional photos, write some social media posts about fancy hotels and Michelin star restaurants, have high or bespoke rates on their website and essentially fake it until they make it.

If it’s that easy, why doesn’t everyone advertise as high class?

Although anyone can add “high class escort” to their ad, the workers with their own websites and professional photo shoots are privileged in the sense they have the time and money to invest in their business - not every worker has this luxury.

 A harsh fact is that it’s easier for a conventionally attractive escort to charge more. A size 8, white, cis woman can easily slip into the “high class” role and although I’ve seen all races, ages, genders and body types on high end directories I’m aware they often have to work harder to convince clients they deserve to be there.

 Although I personally love being “high end” as I enjoy the social aspect of bookings, I understand it isn’t for everyone. Making conversation with someone you have nothing in common with for hours on end can be draining, and I sometimes wish I could just do a 20 minute quickie with them and leave! I feel I have to spend hours getting ready for a high end date, I ensure that I’m wearing a nice outfit with my hair and make up done to perfection-I never worried about this when I was advertising as lower end.

The higher the rate, the smaller the target market. Of course I want to charge as much as I can per hour yet still attract plenty of work. If one is okay with only receiving one or two bookings per week (sometimes less in the current economy) then high end is ideal. However, if one is in need of quick money, it is more efficient to advertise with low rates and get instantly booked even if it means earning less per hour.

What makes an escort high end? Marketing. I believe the majority of sex workers can market themselves a high end if they wish, many high-end workers entered the industry charging a lot less and have rebranded over time. They are still the same person however much they are being paid. Some workers have a high end persona as well as a separate lower end identity to tap into all markets. The main thing separating a high class escort in a 5 star hotel with someone working in a brothel or outside on the street is the way they advertise. A courtesan by any other name still sucks dick for money.