TampaYankee

>Hate to reply to myself so quickly but I apparently have been >quoting her too often here but noticed that I can't say >Margaret C H O .... wtf? LOL.... yes we are single-mindedly anti ####!! Now for the real story... An artifact from the early days when two well know posters of that era loved taunting each other through pet names and other words. If Margaret ever decides to join under her own name then we will reconsider.

Well, it had to happen. This thread has turned from discussing the candidates to discussing each other in direct exchanges. Such exchanges have NOTHING to do with 2008 Presidential politics or national policy or how to make the trains run on time. Nice that we think we and our debate opponents are so important but really... it just ain't true for the bigger picture. This always happens when political discussions take place. So far, the slings and arrows have remained sheathed or at least fitted with soft foam tips. But that will change with the next step down the slope. This is how political forums get dragged into the mire, excluded from the premises. Discuss the issues not each other.

Johnw, We have been having trouble with our eaill gateway: ...@maleescortreview.com. I have the programmers on it. As Oz suggested, the maleescortreview@gmail.com is woking. Also our Contact Us link is up but best left to brief messages. Sorry for the frustration and incovenience. TY

>TY >I haven't contributed in a while so I hope that I am not out >of line in responding to this thread. > Jack, I don't ever recall you being out of line and certainly your comments are always welcome. >I never heard from him until he got a copy of my no show >review. >After he emailed me and after several email exchanges in which >he apologized for what he called his screw-up, the guy took >some of what I said in my emails, put it in a different >context and then used it as his rebuttal to the review and >made it sound like I had canceled the appointment myself, >complaining that I was trying to malign his character and >reliability. It was hard for me then and still is even today >to believe that people lie. sometimes they just flat out lie. I had a similar story about my only no-show review... well maybe the obverse side of the coin. After I wrote my no show the escort replied by calling me a liar in several ways during a rant in 3 paragraphs or so. He was young though and screwed up when he emailed me privately to rub in how he decimated my review and neutralized my charges which he essentially admited. Of course, I forwarded a copy to HooBoy who didn't know me from Adam. The next day one of those early 'reliable reviewer' icons went up on my 3 or so reviews including the no show. > >Please consider at least a list of reported no shows. I hear you as I heard others above. There will be some broadening of the policy for accepting no shows when I can get it implemented. My current thinking: Complaints from members with a track record will be posted. Complaints from members without a track record will be filed for future reference. If an escort receives multiple complaints of that nature then those complaints would be posted.

>One of them cost me airfare from LA to Chicago. Ever >stood at an airport waiting for someone and they not show or >call until 2 hours AFTER their plane was due in. It stung abit >more than just waiting at the Hotel for them to show up. I am awed at the mellowness of your nature. You are truly a Southern Gentleman, even when seething underneath. Your instance would have been accepted under present policy because it involved a loss. However, that horse is out of the gate. The reasons I remark are: 1) my first comment about your nature and 2) to respond more generally that this thread has prompted some thought and exchange of ideas that gives me the germ of a concept that broadens the current policy. Details remain to be mulled.

>TY -- Sensible. However you choose to deal with this very >real problem, I do hope you will finally deal with it. I say >that in full realization of what work it will take to impose >some sort of order or reason on any aspect of the chaotic >free-for-all that is the escort business now. Oh lord... When I finish digging this hole someone started for me, please... just fill it in over me... lol. I'm devoid of all powers -- divine or mystical -- [em]"to impose some sort of order or reason on any aspect of the chaotic free-for-all that is the escort business now"[/em]. It would take no less. I'm a simple observer of the scene and tabulator of volunteered anecdotal information. :7

FWIW, please keep in mind that we operate in a gray area with respect to society. With that comes increased risk for disappointment and loss. Nothing we do can eliminate that. >No process we can invent is going to be 100% fair in all >circumstances. ... I think the no-show problem is prevalent enough >and frustrating enough to have some imperfect process in place. I suspect that 'frustration' carries more wieght than does 'prevalence' in your reaction. It does in mine. I don't have to suffer too many no shows before I get really frustrated -- like one!! As for prevalence, it is my impression that the average active escort is likely to suffer more no-show clients in a month than your active client will suffer in a year. This phenomenon plagues both sides of the house. The escorts have little recourse -- that's the price of doing business. Not only the price but sometimes the loss, because there are instances when they could have booked with someone else. As I mentioned earlier clients suffer only a loss of time and enthusiasm.

[em]KYTOP, I am responding more on this issue here because you originally raised the No-Show discussion and I wanted to move these comments out of the bowels of this thread. This is not a response to any specifics you posted only to the topic in general. [/em] What is the purpose of a no-loss No-Show report? Venting? Punishment? Identifying a chronic abuser? I suspect deep down all apply at some level. However, venting and punishment do nothing for the community at large. If our mission is to support the community then we are left with the third purpose? In addition, this distinction is likely, I believe, to filter out the would-be client abusers or escort competition who seek to slime an escort for whatever reason. Identifying chronic abusers, i.e. recidivists, can be accomplished by posting No-Shows for an escort only after it appears there is a repeating problem. For example, if an escort receives two complaints in one month or three in six months then his no-shows would be posted, with specifics. A six-month-period free of complaints would wipe the slate clean. This amounts to escorts vetting their own performance. There may still be potential for abuse but less so I think. This idea attempts to address the fairness and reliability issue -- very important to me. It is food for thought and fodder for discussion. And it is only one aspect to address. Implementation issues have to be addressed as well. Some of those have been discussed elsewhere (see newatthis) if not exhaustively. One not raised is the issue of identifying escorts correctly. Often reviewers post escorts under different names or different spellings of a name. Just as escorts change names to 'lose' negative reviews, they will change names to lose no-show reports. Not a deal breaker, just a horsefly in the ointment. In summary, the present policy is stated in the opening post. The door wasn't closed to implementing no-loss no-shows down the road if certain issues could be resolved satisfactorily. It has been simmering on the back burner. This thread has generated discussion and ideas that perhaps move the ball down the field. (Sorry for the mixed metaphor.)

> Here's the germ of an idea. > >Why not have a special section and/or format for no shows? >Something that is quick, maybe just the escort's name, the >date, and some very minimal recitation of circumstances (you >could have a word limit, or direct the submission through >questions). For fairness' sake, escorts would have the >possibility of making a similarly minimal response. > I have mulled this idea over before. I have not dismissed it but it is only one of the issues. Another: Is there reliable and fair way to vett the no-show reports? >This would give clients some warning, especially if there are >multiple reports on an escort, without getting into "he >said, she said". > The problem, as I see it, is that most escort responses to fair or fictitious complaints are likely to be the same or similar. (see above) A one dimensional issue generates a limited range of responses. There will be a natrual bias to go with the guy you know, be it client or escort. That is not fair to those who are unknown just because they are unknown. Unvetted announcements are no better than scribblings on a bathroom stall wall -- some truth to protect, some bull to do harm. >There are lots of possible refinements. You might want to >limit such reports to registered members, or to those who have >posted reviews or have a certain number of posts in the >forums. Anything posted on this site must be by a registered member. That will always be the case. However, that doesn't stop people registering for the sole purpose of contributing an annoucnement. That, in itself is no vetting. The other comments have merit. I like the idea of limiting to contributing reviewers. Posters would be fine too but I suspect that implmenting that interface would be probelmatic. You might want to allow such reports to expire after >a certain number of years. > I agree that an expiry date is essential. >Since clients will not want to search 2 lists, there could be >a link under the name of reviewed escorts with no show reports >along the lines of "there are no no-show reports on this >escort". A separate list would be necessary, otherwise announcements would be limited to reviewed escorts. As for a status note on reviews, that would be nice. My bottom line is concerns about reliable vetting, fairness and practical software issues: development and maintenance. I have more comments on this subject that I will post in response to KYTop's post which brought the subject up.

The lady emailed a response to this thread and asked me to post it. TY Dear Sirs, I just recently became aware that my review of Alex from Las Vegas was the focus of such controversy. My intention in writing his review was not to upset escorts nor their potential clients. I wrote the review because I wanted to make your subscribers aware that Alex has no intention of following through with what he has been hired to do. I wanted them to know what I went through and how rude, how indifferent and disrespectful he is to his clients. On Rentboy, there are 2 reviews for him. There is a review before mine made by a man from Michigan and it is also negative. Please look at it under Rentboyreviews.com Your readers should be made aware that Alex also has a review from someone with more credibility than me--a gay man. Perhaps if they know that someone more believable than me reviewed Alex, they'll see what a disappointment he is as an escort .

>Currently there are two active threads in the Pub related to >politics and my concern is this will continue to multiply with >the upcoming '08 USA elections. I'm sure there are other men >here who prefer to stay out of the political arena and do not >care to see the Pub dominated by such conversation. > Good point. I agree that political discussion does not belong in The Pub, for the reason you state as well as others. >Tampa Yankee I recall your past comments that you did not >especially want a political forum. I haven't changed my mind. However, I was impressed to see the interest... and with only one lapse in decorum. That there was only a single lapse doesn't ally my concerns in general. I'm of a mixed mind. I believe in being responsive to members interests. Interest was clearly exhibited. Yet I haven't changed my view that politics internet forums are rife with abusive exchanges. Something about politics seems to prohibit some from exercising self discipline in the exchange of views. However it might be unavoidable. Therefore, I'm suggesting > that you simply review and reevaluate the situation. Oz opened this Pandora's Political Parlor. Maybe he will decide what he wants to do with it.

>Thanks for letting us know where you are coming from in >review expectations. > Your most welcome. I know it goes against a long established trend, but I see no reason to keep our expectations secret from the contributors and the readers. It is only fair that everyone knows the ground rules. That way we can reassure everyone that the same rules apply to all. >A couple of comments: I have a mixed reaction to the "No >show" policy. ...but there are a few escoorts that are notorious >for "No shows" and reviews of them can keep some of us from >wasting our time. I hear read you. >I had a no show in Indianapolis a few years >ago and then found out by a thread in the message center of HB >that he had several all with the same excuse. Also I had a >well reviewed escort no show, but accpeted his excuse. Then a >few months later someone else posted a no show on him with the >same exact excuse, which involved a car accident with the same >detailed injuries. Seems he was using the excuse often from >other comments made. We will not know the chronic no showers >without a little help from the clients telling of such >incidents. > I agree that egregious cases deserve light. I'm just not sure the best way to achieve that. It is easy for someone to report a no-show for spite or harassment. Most of the complaints I get are from completely anonymous members i.e. no previous review track record, no forum participation, etc. Usually, the member signed up the day of the complaint. That is neither good nor bad, just a total unknown. I have had some guys submit fictitious negative reviews simply because they couldn't contact or reach agreement with the escort. The potential for abuse seems high. Reputable escorts can be slimed easily with a simple short no-show comment by someone with an axe to grind. How does this reputable escort refute the charge? Seeking confirmation of these amorphous no-show events seems more difficult than reviews for concrete engagements. Asking an escort to comment on a no show is not likely to be very informative -- " I don't know anything about this. I always keep confirmed engagements." " The client never confirmed his appointment." "Who is this guy? Never heard of him? Requiring proof of a no-show with monetary loss puts the event on a factual playing field not readily denied. And these irresponsible acts are either a scam or the next closest thing IMO. They really derserve light. Also, I suspect the occurrence of no shows on any given weekend is not insignificant. I would hate to see the meaty reviews buried in a morass of no-show reviews. How many AOL or craigslist escorts fail to show? I have pondered the idea of a separate No Show database. I am sympathetic to no-show complaints. Years ago, my third review was a no show. I was pissed as he failed to show three days in a row over a long weekend. I was a newbie, what can I say. I managed to fill my dance card anyway thanks to guys who were responsive with an hour notice. I have not closed the door on reporting no shows. Clearly, there is a need to expose the recidivists. I'm just not sure the best and fair way to do it. Until some more appropriate way is determined, The Buffet seems an effective way to inform the community. >As for only 1 review per year from the same client for the >same escort, unless drastic change in occurrence. I assume that >if a client posts a not so favorable review and then he posts >a favorable one because the escort made up for the clients >discontent would apply? Or a No show with money/airfare >involved where they actually end up meeting at some date? > drastic change of occurrence == reversal of fortune Your examples apply. >Thanks for all you do and the time you've put into this site. >Also thanks very much for Oz and yourself both seeking input >from your readers. Thanks for the good words. It seems only appropriate that, because we offer the site as a service to our members, we ask their input. True, we have dreams of a modest income some day. But that takes satisfied members. We also have a mission to carry on the essence of a tradition started by HooBoy and improve upon it in modest ways if we can. We are not in a position to demand nor do we desire a 'take it or leave it' attitude on the part of management. Our Business Model requires satisified customers: free or future premium members. We appreciate that our customers have other options available to them. At the same time, we cannot be responsive to all inputs due to any of a multitude of reasons -- mission goals, implementation cost, breadth of applicability to member base, etc. Also we do take notice of some suggestions that are put in a queue that may take some time to get to as our priorities are dynamic. This translates to several pots on the back burner. Thanks for your comments. Always appreciated. TY

>Tampa is the one that answers the e-mail there and he is the >Boss. > Ummmm... I prefer mail-room mensch. :+

I have grown weary of writing the same responses over and over to contributors sending inadequate reviews. In response the following policy will be posted for guidance. A page link will be established. If you wish to comment then please do so. I promise to read but no promises about incorporating suggestions. MER Escort Reviews Policy At MaleEscortReview our policy is that reviews are written by clients for clients. As a review site our primary responsbilility is to provide prospective clients with reviews that help them make informed selections of escorts that are professional, reliable, and most importantly compatible with client interests and desires. In most cases reviews also benefit escorts. It helps to facilitate them securing a match with compatible clients. That makes the engagement successful for both the client and the escort. This translates to satisified clients and repeat business and/or additional positive recommendations for the escort. However, reviews are not intended as PR or advertisements for escorts. That is not the basis for accepting reviews. We provide escorts with free profile listings so that they can advertise and describe their services in their own words, uncolored and unfiltered through the eyes of a client. Escorts may not review themselves. Escorts may not be reviewed by other escorts, friends or acquaintances. Escorts may only be reviewed by actual clients that have paid the usual and customary fee for service. Only one review per escort per client per year unless some drastic change in the experience occurred. Escort reviews are accepted at the discretion of the Management. The Management may request the reviewer to provide clarification or additional information before accepting a review. What is a review? Some definitions: Recommendation: An endorsement; adivorsy opinion. Review: a general survey; critical evaluation; retrospective view.[/bf] Involves citing facts and events. Reviews that consist of little more than a recommendation will not be accepted. A recommendation is NOT a review. It is part of a critical evaluation review but only a part, inadequate on its own. A required part of the review is a critical evaluation of the 'Experience'. Why? Interests and preferences are varied among clients. It is not reasonable to expect that one client's satisfaction with an escort will translate universally to all clients. Hence endorsements not substantiated by factual experiences are of little value to the wide range of clients. Thus the need for specific information about that experience relating to client expectations and escort peformance in providing satisfaction. The review should reflect the experience -- no more, no less. Write the 'Experience' to reflect your actual experience and only your experience. If your engagement is limited to massage and dinner then write about your massage and dinner. Don't elaborate in detail about what you 'understand' about his other services. Conversely, if you imply an experience broader than you actually describe on a factual basis then your review will be taliored to the reported experience facts. For example if you hire for an intimate weekend and only write about the how great the escort was as a travel companion then expect to see your review reassigned from 'Escort, Companioin' to 'Travel, Companion'. The scope of the review must match the actual experience described. We want to know what you experienced not what you only hint at. The Experience Specifics The specifics must be detailed sufficiently for prospective clients to make a judgement about whether their interests and perferences are likely to be shared by the escort and whether the performance is likely to provide satisfaction. Details need not be lurid or salacious but minimally a recitation of facts and performance assessment. Such expressions as [em]"details shall remain between us"[/em] or [em]"I don't kiss and tell"[/em], or other expressions that only hint at the experience do not meet the basic requirement for a review, in whole or in part. Many escorts have web pages advertising their services. Many manage to describe their services in a forthright manor without being lurid. (An absence of some service detail is often viewed as a red flag.) Reviews should be no less descriptive about the experience. Successful reviewers should be as forthcoming about the experience for the benefit of fellow clients. A word about reviews submitted for escorts with multiple prior reviews. Sometimes we recieve a review in which the client says he has nothing to add to the previous reviews. Then please do not submit a review. Often we are asked to read previous reviews for details. Which reviews? Which details? These ambiguous references amount to asking the reader to assemble the review for himself. This provides no new information and obscures which previous information actually applies to this experience. If you wish to submit a review then write about your experience. Leave it to the reader to decide if it is the same as any, some or all of the previous reviews. Prospective clients find helpful updated information in the form of more recent reviews, even if the same excellent perfomance is being lauded. But they want to know specifically about that performance in the context of your setting, preferences, experience and 'client type'. Reviews are encouraged but the reviewer must write an actual review of his experience with his details. No Shows No show experiences are disrespectful, frustrating, inconvenient, and upsetting. However, unless money or an airfare has been fronted prior to the engagement, or nonrefundable hotel room charges incurred, it is not a reviewable engagement. No meeting took place and no loss was incurred other than time and enthusiasm. In addtion, failure to make contact or settle on an agreement is not a reviewable event. No meeting means no performance to review. Thus it is not reviewable. A no-show review will be accepted upon proof of loss incurred based on a good faith agreement. That means money or a nonrefundable airline ticket is tendered up front, or hotel charges have been incurred. Proof of 1) a confirmed agreement and 2) the monetary loss must be provided. (It is strongly recommended that no money be tenered by client to escort up front unless you know the escort personally from previous first-hand experience. Airfare is a legitimate upfront expenditure, recognizing that it is put at some risk of loss due to a no-show. It is only reasonable that the client assumes a reasonable airfare risk if he asks an escort to travel to him. It is a measure of earnestness that is reasonable for an escort to ask. This is the risk a client pays to fly an escort to him. Do not do this if you cannot afford the loss. It is advisable to provide nonrefundable e-tickets only, in order to avoid scams based on cashing in refundable tickets. ) Why Information About the Reviewer? Not every escort is a match for every client. Some escorts have limitations with respect to age, race or body type. Kissing or conversation or an engaging escort personality isn't important to every client but is important to others. These attributes and preferences will influence the client perspective of escort performance and color the client review, as is to be expected. Prospective clients need to know those reviewer attributes and preferences so they can judge how relevant the experience is to them. Please include a brief physical description, minimally: race, approximate age, body type, and tell us about your interests, preferences, and expectations for the escort and the engagement. Keep it simple, short and informative. We, The Management, appreciate that it takes some effort to compose a focused informative review. However, it is necessary if we clients seek focused information to help us select an escort for a successful enagagement. Escorts are not inexpensive, however, they are worthwhile if they are professional, reliable and compatible and provide a satisfactory experience. We clients all are in this together. We help other clients in order to help oursleves. Over the long run our own efforts come back to us ten fold in benefits. Acting together we raise the probability of our successes. Acting individually we succeed or fail by our own wits and guesses. A secondary benefit is that the good escorts shine and get that notice in front of the community.

Unfortunately, the Power Goeth. One of the tens of thousands experiencing a power outtage in this ice storm. After much of the day and night the Ghost of Edison is again working his miracle.

TPL, Thanks for the report. Seems that you found the action. Thanks for sharing the flavor of the fun. Good timing that you have MLK day to recover.

Love the humor and sarcasm... even if KYTOP missed the latter.

Welcome soccerjock, Sorry, I didn't attend myself but I'm curious what you find confusing here. We are always looking for feedback to improve the site. Any you wish to offer would be appreciated. Either a post or email would be great. Thanks. TY

>So what was the decision? Are we going to have a beauty >contest or not? Yes. It has required the development of new software in order to take the human element out of the vote counting process. In addition the request for a run-off phase added to the development effort. That and the holidays. Presently the software is undergoing final review.

>I saw Sean in London... Hot... here is a link to his review: >http://www.maleescortreview.com/index.php?...rt_id=206050008 > Hot... is an understatement KYTOP. The first time I saw his photos I damn near went into caridac arrest. Even now my heart skips beats... lol. I have only two words for you on this guy -- envy, mine! Sean is the thing that dreams are made of... mine anyway. :9

Thanks for the comments and for starting this thread. There are lots of European guys that pique my interest. I am pleased to see comments on some of them. In the absence of reviews comments like these are very helpful. >Lets start in Paris, I haven't seen EdenChris for over a year. > Tall young guy, well hung and a tight ass. > Based on your comment and his looks, he would definitely be on my Paris list of sites to do. }( >To Prague, I have seen Oskar, not sure I will repeat this >year, I have been interested in Oskar ever since he registered . He as a very nice body. The question remained about his performance. From you comment I am unclear if you are up for a repeat with Oskar. Seems lots of Czech guys are gay-for-pay so I always wonder if their heart will be in it. It usally means it seems to me, that they are tops only and protective of their lips and bubble butts. but always wanted to see the guy who goes under the name >of Thomas and is listed on the books of vipescortagency.cz,... > Several of the 'EA" guys have caught my interest. I assume EA stands for Escort Agency? Well, that is all I can think of. They have some hot guys. The questions remains 'Do they put their heart in it?' >In London, the french/russian combination of Marat looks very >tasty. There is a review pending for Allan20 from me, and I >will be seeing him again. > London is full of hotties IMO. Marat has attracted my interest as well as have: adrianescort, Bernard, Felipe, Fernando, garyescort, JasperUK, leobrazilian, LondonBoy, starrman.... Did I say that London has lots of hotties? }(

Free or not, I just wish Adam would get a different pickle storage container!! He and his pickles may be the death of me yet.

The standard delete operation or dragging or moving a file/folder to the trash/recycle bin only causes the system to remove the file name from the disk directory and to allocate the space for later rewrite usage. The file information remains on the disk and can be recover rather easily with the right file restore software. However, whether, or if, or when that 'erased' file space is overwritten with a new file is left to the vaguries of the operating system. Even then the file may not be complete overwritten. If you really wish to erase a file so that it cannot be recovered you need an erase specific application such as Window Washer that performs a 'DOD standard' wipe. That means that the application identifies the file location segments and overwrites the space three distinct times, usually with Ps and Ks, although that choice may be application dependent.

It strikes me that 9 out of 10, if not more, of these situations arise out of public nuisance concerns whether streetwalkers or suburban home settings. To be sure, there are exceptions such as electioneering busts and sweeps before big public events likely to draw press coverage like national conventions etc. But, as in this case, neighbors or local businesses take notice of unsual activity involving strangers, especially at odd hours. Lack of discretion on the part of these ladies or anyone else begs for notice because their activity is spilling over to affect nonparticipants. There are no guarantees but practicing appropriate discretion that keeps a low profile and in essence respects your neighbors is likely to serve individual practioners well. Well worn travel paths are very apparent and beg notice, thus group practices are best housed off the beaten path but that in itself may bring unwanted notice when noticed. IMO indivdiual practitioners practicing appropriate discretion reasonable caution run little risk in normal times. Clients using the same practices run even less risk. That does not mean no risk. FWIW

Time to emphasize a few points, some tangential to the discussion... We are a gay site for gay men and will remain one. We have no other agenda. We offer FREE male4male escort profile listings and have no desire to change. We offer FREE access to the reviews to everyone age 18+, nonmembers included, and have no desire to change. We offer a FREE membership to anyone 18+ that registers and we have no desire to change. Membership is required to submit reviews and is a prerequesite for active participation in the forums. TY