How did SP business work before the internet?

[Big Daddy]

How did SP business work before the popularity of the internet? Generally, before 1994? Did you go through yellow pages not knowing who might show up at your door? Was it easy for SPs to provide bad service and not get noticed? I was a student and I did have the money, so I don't know, but curious

 

[Goober Mcfly]

Haven't you heard of the TETRIS*? Or the TETR**? Or even its precursor, the TESSR**?


*Toronto Escort Telephone Review Information System
**Toronto Escort Telegraph Review
***Toronto Escort Smoke Signal Revue

 

[Big Daddy]

Haven't you heard of the TETRIS*? Or the TETR**? Or even its precursor, the TESSR**?


*Toronto Escort Telephone Review Information System
**Toronto Escort Telegraph Review
***Toronto Escort Smoke Signal Revue

I live in US so I didn't hear of these. The internet was the only way, I got aware of scene in Toronto. Thanks for the info.

 

[Damondean]

Before the 'Net

Before the 'Net you read that companion ads in the papers, went to bars at certain hotels and cruised the streets. There was also Word of Mouth. It'll all be in my memoirs which I'll start writing as soon as I can't get it up any more.

 

[Big Daddy]

Inspite of the newspapers and magazines, was there a way to see the picture before you saw the lady? I recall that I have once called a agency in 1998 (from yellow pages) and the guy described the ladies avaliable and then I picked one. I was not sure what I was getting till the lady showed up at my door. I did not remember her name, so there was no way I could have reviewed her. There were very few boards. The worldsexguide.org was only one board that I used to visit.

 

[drlove]

I live in US so I didn't hear of these. The internet was the only way, I got aware of scene in Toronto. Thanks for the info.

I think he was kidding!

 

[Bes]

Newspaper Ads

At one time (1970's, more or less) massage parlours normally offered FS--at least if the advertisement in the Sun had wording like "nude or lewd, whatever your mood..." I never tried outcalls in Toronto, but most places had papers with appropriate advertisements, if you knew how to interpret them.

 

[Sasha Jones]

We used to advertise in the paper and then additionally in the yellow pages.

We would sit by the phone all day answering calls from, gentleman during the day, drunken idiots by night.
Not to mention having to be ready at the drop of a hat.

This way is much better, when I go to bed at night I know if I have to work the next day, and it tends to weed out the less serious from those who really want to have some quality company for an hour or two, or more!

When I worked for an agency, the rule was "in and out as fast as you can". I remember doing calls in like 10 min. I thought that was what we were supposed to do. I wouldn't even think of doing that now, not only for fear of the implications it would bring to my reputation but because I genuinely hate to rush in and out.

 

[Paul Waters]

Back in the 70's many of the strip clubs were located in hotels.

Filmore's was called Stage 212, and there were hookers at the bar when you entered. Some of the strippers turned tricks as well. This was before table dancing, so they had no way to make extra money between sets on stage.

There was also the Silver Dollar on Spadina, and another around Church and Dundas. Can't recall the name, but Paul Rimstead used to hang out there.

 

[Big Daddy]

Till about 1994, I didn't even know it was legal in Canada. I had to go to Amsterdam for my first time with a SP. The legality of the outcall business was the best education I ever got from the internet. In US it is still illigal and it is hard to trust reviews (could be undercover agents) and take chances.

I think the best thing that internet did for clients is that most SPs stay for entire 1 hour. Otherwise, like Sasha said, they will be out in 10 minutes. Further, they can change their name with every ad. to escape bad (word of mouth) reviews.

 

[legmann]

Toronto streets

I can't rember the 70's (was learning how to read), or even the 80's (...was still learning how to read), but I can remember the early 90's well.
As a student in downtown Toronto, I checked out the street scene often and with great delight. It has changed a lot since those days. At an intersection like Church/Gerrard or Church/Carlton, it was not uncommon by 10 pm (or sometimes even earlier) to see hookers on each of all four corners. There were also a few streetwalkers lined up on Gerrard between Church and Jarvis, and all along Church as well - on both sides of the street - between Gould and Carlton. And for you guys who don't remember or weren't living here, believe me - a lot of these girls were lookers. Jarvis of course had enough ladies out in noticeable view, but not nearly as attractive.
Harvey's was known as 'Hooker Harvey's' (still is I think), and Mr. Tasty's was more a legion hall for hookers than a restaurant.
Today, you might notice the odd SP here and there in that general area, mostly again at Church/Carlton, but rarely on Jarvis anymore.
Just an observation I suppose, but I guess that street scene has definitely moved indoors.

 

[Gentle Ben]

I used to rely on various papers & tabloids
Now was my choice for Toronto, The Spectater for Hamilton, it was a hit & miss I d say, I had the same girl show up at my room on 2 ocassions ( a month apart), funny thing, she was from 2 different agencies, had a different name each time, and her description was different each time, definately the same girl tho, & the same less than memorable service
I much prefer these internet days, its good for both sides I think, for the gents, we can research and broaden our supply very easily, for the ladies/agencies that want to provide classy upscale service, they can broaden their market , its a win win situation for both sides
just my opinion

 

[legmann]

Weeklies

I used to anxiously await Thursdays when Now and eye would come out, but I guess it's a given now that most of those ads are pretty dubious. The net certainly makes it a lot more foolproof when searching for an SP, but it used to be a lot more fun scanning the adult classifieds before most (but not all) of them were uncovered as being misleading shams. The ad section in Now also used to be several pages longer than it now is.

 

[Prophet]

Re: Weeklies

I used to anxiously await Thursdays when Now and eye would come out, but I guess it's a given now that most of those ads are pretty dubious. The net certainly makes it a lot more foolproof when searching for an SP, but it used to be a lot more fun scanning the adult classifieds before most (but not all) of them were uncovered as being misleading shams. The ad section in Now also used to be several pages longer than it now is.

It also used to be good deal more explicit, as I recall. Some of the ads were particularly long and specific. My friends and I at university used to howl with laughter at some of the things people listed. Back then classified ads like that were over the top, although today you can see your chosen SP in delicto flagrante on the internet before you make and appointment.

But to go back to main question, before the internet, the industry worked in the same "birds and bees" way that it does today...