The Evolution of an Industry: The Elite Escorts
Even if the escort industry might seem like a new business, it’s not new at all. On the contrary, it’s one of the oldest and most established ones. The ‘elite escorts’ concept changed over the years, influenced by societal norms, and people’s overall perception of intimacy, companionship, and attractiveness standards. In this article, you will find out about the history of this industry, and how it got to what it is today.
The Beginning: The Ancient and Classical Eras
The courtesans of Ancient Greece were also called “hetaira”, which as the Britannica definition says , means “female companion”. These women were more cultured than the average Greek woman of the time, as their intellect was a big part of their job. Besides the physical part of their job, they were also often hired for conversation and intellectual stimulation. They were taking part in political and philosophical discussion; and were highly appreciated for both their knowledge and looks.
In Ancient Rome, there was the concept of “meretrix” or “meretrice”, which refers to sex workers who were working legally. They were, more often than not, educated and witty, serving as great social companions. Everything concerning to sex work was socially accepted in Ancient Rome, maybe even more than today. Some of the things that prove this are:
• The many poets that wrote about it.
• The way they painted erotic scenes on their walls (check the Pompeii brothel photos).
• The placement of the brothels (near, or in the center of cities).
Also, the Japanese “geisha” is worth mentioning. They were females who performed for wealthy clients; they sang, danced, and took part in conversations. The word “geisha” means “art person”, and it clearly reflects in their duties. They perform all the arts that are held in teahouses, and are valued for their specific look, and artistic skills and talent.
The Medieval Times and Renaissance Period
The courtesans from this time were often the mistresses of highly put men. The women working this job started using this to navigate society towards higher social status, and make sure that they are taken care of. Thanks to their beauty and intelligence, they were always present at all kinds of meetings, and they were considered as an important part of society. One of the most popular, and explanatory historical example for this is Veronica Franco.
Later in this period, things started to switch a bit, because of the rise of religion. While the job was still present, sex stigma rose a lot, making the whole industry to start hiding. With all of this, the Church recognized the activity of courtesans as the “lesser evil”, saying that it prevents other worse things from happening.
Throughout this period, brothels or any establishments related to this filed, started being moved towards the edge of towns. And even if it was not as accepted or popular as before, the practice remained alive thought the whole Medieval Era, and way beyond that.
From the 19th to the 20th Century
The “demi-monde” is a term that was used in 19th century France, that referred to courtesans; to women that were provided for by very wealthy men, and were kept on the verge of respectable society. The term itself means “half-world” and it comes from a play written by Alexandre Dumas, called “Le Demi-Monde”, in which he talks about the threat that prostitution represents to marriage.
Also, around this time, is when the concept of elite escorts became an actual thing. Wealthy people wanted more privacy, and they wanted courtesans that were more catered to their requirements. As the difference between social classes grew bigger, the need for elite courtesans also grew.
The 20th century brough even more desire for discreet services. The idea of ‘public person’ became more and more popular, and the politicians, business owners, or celebrities need for confidentiality became bigger. Therefore, the more high-end services became more requested than ever before.
The 21st Century and The Present Times
Like any other industry, with the help of the internet – especially social media – the escort business became greater. The general perception when it comes to this kind of taboo topics keep changing, and that is also the case for this topic, especially in the 21st century. People are now discussing more about personal agency, interhuman relationships, intimacy and gender dynamics.
It seems like people came to understand that the evolution of the business was built on the people’s need for companionship. The need for intimacy, conversation, connection, and overall support, was always something that humans needed. The present times put high value on consent, a good time, and respecting the person in front of you.
The Industry in The Biggest City in the US: The NY Elite Escorts
NY is the biggest city in the US, and one of the biggest cities in the world. As it is a highly populated, visited, and dynamic city, this industry is more than present. The city is an urban center, full of different people, so it’s an interesting combination between luxury and exclusivity. As the history shows us, the average client is the wealthy man of the society. Most of them don’t seek any kind of physical interaction, but companionship, and emotional support for different types of social gatherings.
The word ‘elite’ comes from the escort’s appearance, which is always well taken care of. It also comes from the fact that she understands how important it is to be discreet; but to also be sociable and likable at the same time. With NY being one of the wealthiest cities in the world, the industry is high-profile and generally expensive. The NY elite escorts are on the high-end side of the business; and will offer the most luxurious services.
Conclusion
From the Ancient to the Modern times, the industry of elite escorts always existed. It evolved and changed along with technology, religion, and the way society works and thinks. The history of this industry shows the differences that took place in the last thousands of years, and how they impacted everyone. Beauty, intelligence, and charisma seem to be some of the qualities that humans have been appreciating ever since the beginning of time; and this will probably still be the case many thousands of years from now on.