The History of an Industry: Escorts in Manhattan

Manhattan is one of those cities that you know no matter where you are in the world. Some of the most famous series and movies take place there! It’s a city with a lot of history. It symbolizes ambition and power. And, today, there are many escorts carrying on with their business there. This article will get into the history of how this industry came to be so prosperous in New York. There are a few stages that this industry has gone through, to arrive at what it is today.

The Gilded Beginning

The Gilded Age is typically the period between the late 1870s to roughly the early 1900s. This age witnessed a rapid growth in industries like manufacturing and railroad. That’s why, the elite of New York were beginning to build their empires. This is the time when many families established the foundation of what are now called ‘old money families’. As escorts were then called, courtesans were educated women. They read books and knew about fashion. Their appeal was exactly this. Wealthy men could pay these courtesans to attend galas with them, or go to the theater.

They were often involved in conversation about art or politics. Their popularity rose almost as quickly as that of railroads. Everyone wanted to pay for such an experience. Every busy and rich man of the time was curious about what these women knew and how they behaved. And so, the escorting industry began. The courtesans only interacted with upper-middle-class and high-class men. Their influence could be seen in fashion, art and even politics. You could watch the HBO series called ‘The Gilded Age’ if you want to see how society looked at that time.

The Prohibition Era

As you probably already know, between 1920 and 1933, is when the manufacturing and commercialization of alcoholic beverages was illegal in the USA. This fact led to the rise of speakeasies, which are illegal bars. And, because of this, the business of companionship took a new turn once again. Even if liquor was technically banned, the speakeasies played jazz while alcohol was filling the glasses. Moreover, the rich businessmen of that time always had a beautiful lady on their arm. Escorts in Manhattan were no longer just companions for a short period of time, but part of the experience.

You couldn’t say that you experienced Manhattan if you didn’t visit an illegal bar with a courtesan. They were now seen as keepers of cultural experiences. They were one of those elements that make the city feel more magical than others. The educated women who ran from one speakeasy to another, meeting with only the richest men, were part of the ecosystem. So, you could either hop onto the trend, or keep it a secret. You would open the door and see some of the most beautiful women dancing to jazz with a Martini in their hand. Looking back to those times, you cannot imagine it being any other way.

The Post-War and the Independence

The mid-20^th century changed a few things. The city was becoming a hotspot. People from all over the world started moving to the city, because of the many opportunities that it now presented. Everything, from finances, to the industry of publishing and advertising, rose overnight. And, as you would expect, so did the escorting industry. The workers could now operate with more independence, which made the job more pleasant. Moreover, there were more clients than ever, and more diverse. Lots of new wallets that wanted the full experience of the city.

But with all of this happening, the culture of discretion was also born. Private clubs and luxury hotels were the places where most of the services were now taking place. And if you, the worker, were to attend an important event with a rich man, you kept your identity private. These practices made everything feel more mysterious, which inevitably made it more appealing. Psychology Today talks about the fascination with mystery. You want to know what happened behind the closed doors of that private club, so you must do everything in your power to be invited into that club. There was a secret and a mystery, that drove people!

The Digitalization of Intimacy

We are now in the present, and many parts of the industry have moved online. You can find professionals online and contact them directly. You can spend a few days talking through text, after paying of course, to see if you actually want to go on a date. You can hire someone to act as your girlfriend, or someone to just attend an event with you. Everything that happened before had a big impact on the industry, and you can still find bits of pieces of every past era in this new one.

Working in this industry requires you to be smart and emotionally intelligent. You need to be able to carry on a conversation, and be pleasant no matter where you are. Many businessmen nowadays are craving intimacy and affection, but don’t have time to find it in a traditional way. And there is nothing wrong with that, because modern problems require modern solutions. Dating, or hiring companionship can now be done with just two clicks on your smartphone. Some people think that it’s great, because it’s safer, as it allows you to talk to the person before meeting. While others miss the mystery!

Conclusion

The industry of escorts in Manhattan has a long history. From the Gilded Age, to the Prohibition Era, the period after the war, and our modern times. There have been many changes in the way in which the industry is working. But, the only thing that didn’t change is the people’s need for affection and intimacy. What we need to do now is to wait and see how this industry will further evolve. Will it be affected by the fast evolution of technology? Or will it be that one constant thing, no matter what happens?