I tell anyone I live with, and I only live with people I know will be cool with it. My current roommate couldn't care less and actually acts as my safe call which is nice, because I don't have to bug another provider! I have a few friends who know, one found me on accident (reading TER for his own purposes hahahah...) and a few others I've told. The number of people who know though, I can count on one hand.
I tried to hide it once, the person found out, stole a lot of money and ran back to our hometown, and that was that. In the end karma got him (stealing the money, losing all of his lifelong friends, etc caused his life to downward spiral) and he's rotting in jail for something like 3-5 but my lesson was learned: honesty pays. If the person I'm living with isn't cool with what I do, I probably shouldn't be living with them or associated with them in the first place.
Honestly, for the most part I just don't have friends anymore. It's hard to make friends when you have to hide/lie about something as basic as your job until you're sure they won't freak out over it.
Originally Posted by Missy Mariposa
Missy...the part about 'having friends' speaks volumes to me because it's hard to keep it a secret, and in the past, when I made the mistake of revealing what I did, I KNOW these people placed judgement on me or started avoiding me. Of course, with 'friends like those' who needs enemies. A true friend would never judge. But inevitably because society has such deeply-ingrained notions of prostitution and all that, even my most liberal friends can't help but make snide comments or roll their eyes whenever the topic comes up. The few good friends I do have...I have chosen not to let one know, and the other two friends, like sisters to me, are also providers. Only another provider can know what a provider goes through on a day to day basis. My neighbors and other relatives don't know. Thankfully I do have another job to 'cover my bases' but I often wonder if people find my lifestyle believable and in sync with the income of a part-time trainer. I've had people say " Well if you work part-time how can you afford to buy that house...etc..." To which I say " Oh I'm smart about my money...investments!"
But travelling entails a whole new level of secrecy. Especially when you're at the hotel. You have to be really private and discreet.