Several discussion posts in the Jacksonville section got me to thinking and that is not a comfortable thing for me and frankly a dangerous thing. The discussion posts focused on the low number of ad posts, low number of discussion posts, and general slowness of the hobby in central Florida. The hobby is very different in other parts of the country. The activity on many other regional boards surely surpasses the activity of the boards in Florida.
In the Pacific Northwest (PNW), daily ad posts outnumber the weekly ad post here. The discussion posts per hour far exceed the weekly an d possibly new discussion posts here. There certainly is a more vibrant and exciting atmosphere on the PNW boards. I am not sure why that its, maybe it is because the norms are a little more relaxed in the PNW while their is a strong parochial attitude to the hobby in the southeast of the country. Regardless of why, the hobby here is slow compared to other areas of the country.
I have safety and discretion concerns regarding participating in the hobby in the southeast area of the country. The safety and discretion concerns are centered on the lack of use in using references. As a hobbyist, when a provider asks for references I provide them. Why does the provider not check them? I have provided references many times as requested, and the local providers have not checked them. I know this because I alert my references that a reference inquiry if coming and the provider lets me know when the reference was provided and to who. I receive more email from the reference that she has not been contacted yet. I am asked by the provider who was sent the references for a day/time to schedule to meet. This is a big red flag to me when the provider has not contacted my references and but still wants to schedule an appointment. I will not schedule until I know my references have been contacted. This is a safety issue for everyone.
Another concern is the lack of discretion here. After a provider has checked my references and a appointment is schedule I have been asked for personal and employment information. The request is for real name, place of employment, a picture, a copy of drivers license which will be checked upon arrival, etc...this lacks discretion. Heck, ask Tiger Woods how he feels about giving his name. Ask the clients of Ashley Madison how they feel haven provided personal information including a credit card. Yes, they are idiots.
I will not provide personal information. I am told the personal information is destroyed after it is verified, yeah right...again ask Tiger and the Ashley Madison clients. Providing personal information breaches discretion. I understand the safety concerns and totally support the need for safety and discretion. Aren't references to show the provider the hobbyist is real and not scum? Aren't reviews of providers to show she is real and not a scam?
Yes, the hobby culture in central Florida, and quite frankly all of Florida, is different than the PNW. The area boards are not as active as the local regional boards in other parts of the country. But lets change that.
Lets have fun.