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Wealthier people can choose forms of exchange with more formalities and more ambiguity (and consequently more economic friction).

You've chosen good examples, but its often not that clear cut.

I have a friend who was once a (non-stripper) entertainer at a bar in Japan. Sex wasn't explicitly required, but boyfriends were forbidden, to make sure the customers felt they were in with a chance. Grey area. Not a big jump from there to some account management or acting careers.

And on the flip side, my neighbour had a favourite client she was always happy to see. And before I knew her, her last boyfriend had started out as a client.

I don't think its practical to distinguish, and I certainly don't think its practical to distinguish in a nondiscriminatory way.

splinter 2y ago

Has a service been exchanged for money? If the answer is yes then I think that's a clear enough way to distinguish it.

Let's say you have a friend who runs a coffee shop, for example. If you pay for a coffee, that's a business transaction. If they offer you a coffee for free because they like you, that's not.

The end result is the same, you got a coffee, but the dynamic is entirely different.

Once the client becomes the boyfriend, he no longer pays for sex and the dynamic is completely different.

I do agree that wealthier people have more options, as I agree that poor people are way more likely to resort to prostitution. I don't think prostitution is that ambiguous though.

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Discussion

Low Information Voter 2y ago

What if I get the coffee for free because I helped her with an assignment? What if I get the coffee for free because she thinks then I'll vote for her in a party preselection for delegates to the state convention? (Both of these have happened with me).

Commercial vs noncommercial is actually very hard to distinguish some times, and business at the higher levels is less about cash and more about relationships.

(I've never paid cash for sex, but I've written papers, offered sympathy, helped with chores/moving, taken out socially, given tours of my city, in more ambiguous circumstances)

splinter 2y ago

Sure, but influencing someone through various means, including sex, is not the same as selling sex for money.

Anything can garner influence, from gifts to small favors to just being nice to someone or having a family connection.

Most corporations recognize this, for example, which is why they have policies in place to regulate gifts, workplace relationships, etc. They're not seen as business transactions, they're seen as liabilities.

If I sell expensive watches at my store, it is not the same as me gifting an expensive watch to gain influence. One is a business transaction, the other is not.

On another note, you sly fox you! ;)