I would hope a provider isn't running back to the client telling him which girl said no but *shrugs*. It looks like you know the answers in your first paragraph other than one other reason I can think of that they are just too wrapped up in their own business and life to respond back promptly so it MIGHT not be personal.
IMO 9 times out of 10 if a provider wants to get back to you about a reference even with just a simple yes or no.... SHE WILL.
My experiences with receiving responses from refs is 50/50. I'm personally very reference friendly receiving (granted the providers ONLY presence ISN'T on BP) and giving within reason (not more than 1yr from the last date me & the gent had).
And that providers response about reference is pretty interesting to say the least. I would go as far as she just sounded bitchy but that might just be too simple. *shrugs*
Many times while contacting another provider for a reference, they simply never get back to me. I've always wondered about the reasoning behind this. I can understand if it's a fly by night, but some of these providers were well established ladies. My question is, what reasons do people have for not giving references? I mean, it seems simple enough to say Yay or Nay. If you don't remember the gent, it's simple enough to say so. Are providers afraid to say anything bad for fear it will get back to the gent? If the provider doesn't get back with a reference, I wonder if that means the gent gave her problems, or if shes just too lazy to help another lady out, or worse, shes afraid to lose a regular. OR all of the above.
What have your experiences been? Ignoring a reference request has got to be one of the most annoying things. Ladies, do you give references? If not, why not? Gents, how do you feel when you list a lady as a reference, and she doesn't get back to the future provider you want to see? Personally, I think references are an integral element while trying to scheduling a date.
One time when I contacted this lady,she responded by saying that we didn't know eachother, so why would I put my safety in the hands of a stranger? And that she thought references are a false sense of security..that she never gives references or sees someone based on references because a promise is a comfort to a fool.. and that I should be careful and check his work, etc. I didn't know how to respond. I thought her response was interesting.

But think about it. Every. Single. Day of our lives we put our safety in strangers hands. When you fly on an airplane, are you not placing your safety and life in the pilots hands and hoping that airplane doesn't malfunction while up 30,000 feet?
So her response has little merit IMO. Everyone depends on strangers to ensure safety in all aspects of life. But yeah, getting back to references, what have your experiences been?
Originally Posted by Tatiana M.