Deposits speak louder than words

When I first dipped my toes in the clandestine waters of the sex industry, there came a point in the booking process when my stomach tried to escape through my abdomen.

We’re both ready to lock in the date and the time, there’s just one more thing I need to ask.

“Are you able to pay a deposit?”

I’d wait, reticent to hear that they’d cancel the booking altogether.

Truthfully, when I first put on Gigi’s ruby shoes, I had little pushback from my gentlemen enquirers.

They were happy to pay deposits, some even paid the full fee up front. 

It wasn’t until around 6 months that someone voiced their apprehension.

And more recently, I’ve found this wariness far more prevalent.

We put down deposits on houses.

We put down a deposit with marketing agencies.

I put down deposits for my hair, nail and lash appointments.

It’s a completely commonplace business practice. 

And yet, it’s one that people can’t fathom.

Why do I need a deposit?

I’m promised all sorts of things by those who text me late at night.

They promise to be a gentleman, that they’ll show up on time and that I needn’t worry.

But as an adult who’s experienced the blows of the full contact sport that is life, I know that there’s often a lack of congruence between people’s words and their actions.

So I need a deposit.

People are more likely to show up when they pay one, and less likely to cancel if they’ve already put down $500.

Common Complaints

“But I don’t want to leave a paper trail!”

Ah! Yes. The infamous paper trail. Look, I don’t want you to either. I want our little rendezvous to be kept a secret as much as you do.

There are a few discreet options for paying a deposit: some will provide bank details for a card-less deposit at an ATM (I do not).

You can also buy a physical gift voucher of your companion’s choosing with cash, and send them a photo of the voucher code.

“But I’ve been burned before!”

That well and truly sucks. I empathise with you.

However, there’s a few ways you can make sure you won’t get burned again.

Firstly, book a provider who’s been at it a few years. A provider who’s managed to build a name the industry wouldn’t have made it if they were frequently stealing deposits.

It doesn’t make common sense to do so.

“But I might have to cancel!”

It’s true that life has a funny way of sending inconveniences our way.

But as a grown man, you need take responsibility for your schedule.

Plan ahead, much in the same way you’d book a dentist appointment or a trip to the barber.

If you’re concerned something might pop up ­– an aunt dies, your child breaks their arm, you get called in to work – check your companion’s deposit policy. Many will be happy to transfer your deposit to another booking if you don’t have a history of cancelling or changing booking dates and times.

Essentially, paying a deposit is basic decency.

It demonstrates that you’re a man of your word and that you can be trusted, and that, my friend, will guarantee an experience you’ll never forget.