Producer’s note: Someone on Quora asked: What is a true personal story that people have a hard time believing? Here is one of the best answers that’s been pulled from the thread.
I worked as an escort in Chicago for about 6 months. I am a man. My clientele was comprised of women, mostly between the ages of 35-50.
It was an incredible experience for me. I was an 18-year-old kid fresh out of Navy Boot Camp. I was, in my mind, horrible with women. Turns out I was wrong. This job taught me that I can be a charming, caring man and a loving, considerate, and innovative lover. Which was cool. That really helped me moving forward and I think that I am a better person and a much better husband today because of it.
I just happened to meet a woman on a train who “ran the company.” On a whim I struck up a conversation with her and we ended up exchanging numbers. She was, at the time, 40 and I thought I was going to get lucky with a professional. Turns out she thought I would be a perfect addition to her newest venture.
I ended up providing what’s known as a “boyfriend experience” to the majority of the women I worked with. This basically (there’s a hell of a lot more to it) means that I cuddle and compliment and remember all of the important dates (birthdays etc). I was often asked to be arm candy for very highbrow functions. Most of these women were high muck-a-mucks for companies in the area so…I got to be quite skilled at the inane banter required.
Of course, none of you care about that, huh? Okay, okay. Yes, I had sex with more than a few clients. A man hires a woman for sex and other things. A woman (the majority of the time) hires a man for the other things…and if sex happens, it happens. There are, of course, exceptions. Like the woman who had been horribly disfigured in a car accident two years prior and her husband hadn’t laid a loving hand on her since. Usually the women who just want the sex would seek out the beefcake, Adonis type. I, a skinny, nerdy guy, ended up with the women who wanted intellectual conversation and to be charmed…sometimes out of their pants.
I have told a few people about this and, universally, the reaction is the following:
Me: Yep. I was an escort.
Them: For men?
Me: No. Women. I’m straight.
Them: Sure you are. Wait…women paid you for sex?
Me: Surprisingly that usually wasn’t what it was all about. Although yes, sometimes.
Them: Bullsh*t. You’re so stupid for thinking someone could believe that.
It kind of sucks, you know? To not be able to reveal a facet of my past that was so very important in helping me go from being an idiot boy who treated women as a potential toy/trophy to a gentleman who recognized women are a treasure who have needs, wants and intellect that all require fulfillment. 
