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AAkasha -> RE: Defining what exactly is a "Pro Domme" (8/27/2008 6:14:59 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pinnipedster
My only real complaint about Pro Dommes is simply that I can't afford them....
(And that is a complaint about my own finances, not about the prices they charge. Sure, it may seem expensive, but when you consider their expenses, and the creative time and energy a good dominant can put into a scene, the rates don't really seem unfair to me. It's just that I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend for a few hours pleasure -- also, given my tastes, an hour or two frequently would be nowhere near enough.)
I think the profesional dominant fills a very valuable role, in catering to specific fetishes that customers might otherwise find great difficulty in having fulfilled, and in not requring a commitment (beyond the actual money) for men who can have their needs met by an occasional session, but for various reasons cannot get into a committed D/s relationship. I have some qualms about men (or women) who might patronize a pro without informing their own spouse or relationship partner, but that's their issue, not that of the pro domme. Also, let's face it, since it's part of their living, professional dominants often can afford to invest in some really cool toys. :)
I don't think a professional dominant, even if I could afford to visit reasonably often, would fulfill all my own needs and/or wants. On the other hand, I can definitely imaging patronizing one, specifically to have a play session that catered directly to my fantasies (as a paying customer), or involved some kind of equipment or situation that was otherwise hard to replicate.
The only other issue was raised at a munch I was at -- a guy was griping that the demand in California for pros is so high that any woman who is at all good at it can make a good living as a pro, which (according to him) had an adverse effect on the supply of lifestyle/non-pro dominants. I don't know if that's really true.
As a career woman who has done the math, that's just not true. I think I could have a pretty good clientele and live near a good bdsm market. There's no way I could make a living as close to the one I have now with my degree and normal job. Guys just take the pro domme rate per hour, multiply by 40 hrs a week (or THIRTY, and then they feel they're being generous with the numbers) and come up with some crazy annual salary. Not taking into consideration no shows, how many sessions a day can be done, vacations, sick days, equipment, lawyer, medical, marketing and advertising, etc. And, the reality that it's clearly a job with a lifespan for most pros - you don't see many women working 30+ years and retiring a pro. The burnout rate is high and a woman's packaging and "look" also has a lifespan, like it or not.
I considered for a short (very short) period of time going into pro domming for a little break from corporate hell when I was in my mid 20s and suffernig burnout from the entire rat race. I am so glad I didn't pause my career and take the detour.
Akasha
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