Should we change the term "hobby" for something else?

Splotch · Aug 30, 2016

Hi all!

I am wondering here if the terms "hobbying" and "hobbyist" are the best descriptions for what we all are a fan of on this board?

I say that because I have read some SPs conversations on Twitter who do not like (at all!) this appellation, as well as a couple of SPs that I have seen personally.

I guess the problem lies not with word in itself ( people can call themselves what they want after all!) , but more because of the connotation : when I think about a hobby, I imagine someone collecting stamps, or painting miniature soldiers, etc.
If I am correct, by using that word we seem to be equating seeing escorts or courtesans as something as trivial as having butterfly collection, meaning that we equate people to things.
I used the term myself in other posts because I have seen it used a bunch elsewhere, but I didn't know that this term could be "charged" so to speak ( I am new to this field after all, still "learning the ropes"!).

So if the word we are using to describe our activity can be offensive to the ones who provide the said activity, should we change it?
And so, for what?

Do you have suggestions for a new term, that would be more respectful or just more neutral?
"Clients", "Guests", "Aficionados", etc.

Any SP wiiling to comment on this matter would be more than welcome!

EagerBeaver · Aug 30, 2016

I have never liked the term either. What is the word the French use for it?

Splotch · Aug 30, 2016

EagerBeaver said:
I have never liked the term either. What is the word the French use for it?

Well even in the French section of MERB people use the term "hobbyiste" to describe themselves! So it's the same thing!
As a joke between me and my friends, when I go see courtesans, I use the expression " Je vais courtiser en fin de semaine!", which translates to : "I'm going courting this week-end!"

But Mr EagerBeaver, as a veteran of the field, would you have a suggestion for a more adequate name for our activity?

VictoriaJolie · Aug 30, 2016

Pooner? called like that in the rest of Canada Punter?UK

Passionné · Aug 30, 2016

Splotch said:
Do you have suggestions for a new term, that would be more respectful or just more neutral?
"Clients", "Guests", "Aficionados", etc.

I always prefer "connaisseur". It sounds more professional, subtle, and a lot less cheap.

VictoriaJolie said:
Pooner?Punter?

Oooooooooookay. Well, that's directly to the point. You know, you could be just my kinda girl.

I like women who are very intelligent, playful, and not afraid to show a streak of naughty inside.

BETUDONTBET · Aug 30, 2016

I often compare having a SP to going to the restaurant. You chose what's on the menu and you can go to McDonalds or go to a great restaurant. You will never call someone whos going for dinner often a hobbyist. it's not a hobby or un ''passe-temps'' in french. It's more for an experience. So i would call them ''les expérienceurs''

nycbadboy128 · Aug 30, 2016

What about calling us "Bootyologists"? I certainly won't mind because that's what I am and I have my degree in it.

EdaBlackwood · Aug 30, 2016

I'm with NYC on this one. Bootyologisits is a great term

I call everyone who see's me a guest. They are coming into my space, and I am greeting them. They are a guest fir an hour or two.

SportifDick · Aug 30, 2016

Hobbyist is too soft indeed.

hungry101 · Aug 30, 2016

I have always considered myself a Boobologist.

Yes, I have heard some of this. Check out Hillary Holiday. She retweeted the term "Slobbyists" Some of the shit that they tweet is ridiculous. It is clear that they do not like us as a group and yet their livelihood depends on us. I think she had a falling out with TER after some bad reviews. I like to read these tweets because these SPs (wait..they don't like this term either) are not getting my 500$.

I can't stand people that are all caught up in semantics and are offended by every word. You have to tip toe around them and the term they like changes almost daily and they are allowed to fly into a rage.

You know what they say about a pig. You can put lip stick on it and it is still a pig.

Bottom Line: Avoid SPs (or whatever they want to be called for the moment) with bad attitudes.

smuler · Aug 30, 2016

hungry101 said:
I have always considered myself a Boobologist

I am the President of the club :high5:

Best Regards
Smuler

talkinghead · Aug 30, 2016

Words matter, and in fact words go a long way to creating reality. What you call a sex act (fucking, making love, etc) will determine the meaning of it. As a wordsmith, I would love to hear people's suggestions. I agree that "hobby" is problematic, but I assume that part of the logic is to make it sound like a friendly, congenial activity; most importantly, the word moves the activity away from its obvious (and very real) business or even mercenary associations, creating a connotation that, while perhaps offensive in its way, is nevertheless skirting the legal and professional implications.

The business or hobby or whatever is obviously filled with all kinds of euphemisms, and SPs use them just as often as clients--words such as courtesan, companion, etc. Even "escort" is a euphemism. As we all know, the term preferred by professional groups is "sex worker"; and yet that's a term that undermines the (fantasy of) shared pleasure and intimacy. I want to see an attractive companion, not pay a sex worker; and yet I also want to appreciate and respect the work that I'm paying for. Complicated.

So I assume that the OP is trying to think of a term that would allow us to see the experience as pleasurable (rather than merely professional) and intimate (rather than just sexual), and is respectful to the women who work (or, er, play?) in the profession. ...

ShyMan · Aug 30, 2016

Sugar Daddy, but I'm not wealthy, but I kinda like "Hobby", IMHO.

TheDon · Aug 30, 2016

This being a "Hobby" has more to do with the time you spent reading reviews, researching, comparing notes that lead up to the encounter than the meeting itself. It just consumes your spare time and keeps you busy like collecting stuffed animals and hockey cards.

I don't like the word courtesan, companion, or escort because once you get rid of all the fluff theses girls are just prostitutes!

PopeDover · Aug 30, 2016

Splotch said:
something as trivial as having butterfly collection

Do you have any concept of how offensive these words are to anyone with interest in lepidopterology?

Please, leave the hypocrisy on titter and also show some respect for the smart ladies that make the Montreal market so fantastic; if they don't feel comfortable regarding the amount of importance a client is placing on their relations then they can do something about it. If anything, use of the word hobby probably helps those guys that take themselves much too seriously.

UncleBob · Aug 30, 2016

Some words have multiple definitions or interpretations, and some people, usually pessimists, often see and use the wrong ones...

The basic definition of Hobby is: regular activity that is done for enjoyment... Like... collecting things, but not only that, you can think of any activity that you enjoy.
So the basic of hobby if happy... A hobby is not denigrating...

I don't know who brought this word to describe a client, but it has been accepted quickly. So might not be that bad.
I find it imaginative. It's like a fun code.
So it's use here is more an image.
It's to help to make the "thing" more acceptable like Popedover is saying:

PopeDover said:
If anything, use of the word hobby probably helps those guys that take themselves much too seriously.

applebaum · Sep 1, 2016

i live in San Diego. The American term seems to be "monger." I know that means "seller" but we still use it.

EagerBeaver · Sep 1, 2016

Sam21 said:
I don't see anything wrong with "Hobby".
A hobby is meant to be something you enjoy doing and something that gives you pleasure and becomes repetitive.

What better hobby can you think of?

I think women do not like being thought of as a hobby. I think a few SPs shared that view here and what started the thread was resentment about the term expressed on an SP Twitter chat. We should be careful and considerate in our language, moreso in person than on the Intermet. I don't think you would want to ever use the term in person with a lady. But we have to remember MERB isn't a guy's private club and the women read what you write. Would you rather present yourself as well read and literate or one who engaged in guttural and slang terms?

UncleBob · Sep 1, 2016

No SP complained in this thread as far as I can see but I read fast.

I don't think all women (SP) dont like the use of Hobby word. The Hobby here is about everything escorting related, women and men, service etc.
A couple of SP/Men maybe will complain but again, some people like to find something bad where there isn't...
Still, I believe they are a minority as I can see that in this thread.

It is exagerated to say that Hobby in the context here is guttural and slang...

I use the word hobby with many SP and Guys and really they do not care.

Doc Holliday · Sep 1, 2016

How about "Fucking for Money"?

Should we change the term "hobby" for something else?

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