The Modern Courtesan Experience
When corresponding with colleagues and potential patrons, I am often asked if I am a “GFE” or if I provide a “girlfriend experience,” but everyone seems to have their own definition of this popular term. Several years ago, when I first saw the term girlfriend experience, it was used primarily by upscale escorts who enforced multi-hour or even multi-day minimum engagements, in order to truly connect with their suitors. These women choose to only see gentlemen whose company they genuinely enjoy, after an extensive screening and acquaintanceship process, thereby allowing them to provide each patron with a level of attentiveness corresponding to a girlfriend, yet without any expectations of marriage. Elite escorts who advertised and provided a girlfriend experience were generally very well-educated, well-traveled, and capable of belonging in any social setting.
Some gentlemen, however, who generally refer to themselves as “hobbyists,” perhaps because they take pleasure in visiting and reviewing as many ladies as possible, have so altered the use of the term GFE that a definition found on many websites includes references to illegal and unsafe activities, such as providing unprotected sex for a fee.
Therefore, I have decided to coin a new term, “Modern Courtesan Experience,” or “MCE,” to describe the level of service I provide. I am not trademarking the term for my exclusive use, rather I am copywriting it, along with its definition, which is as follows,
The modern courtesan experience (MCE) is an assignation or rendezvous with a private companion who has the following personal characteristics. She (or he) must have a graduate education and speak a minimum of two languages fluently. The modern courtesan (or courtier) should be well-spoken, an excellent conversationalist, well-traveled, familiar with more than one culture, knowledgeable about current affairs, stylish in her (or his) dress, and comfortable in a variety of social situations.
The term modern courtesan experience (MCE) shall never be used to refer to the exchange of specific sexual acts for compensation. By definition, a lady (or gentleman) who offers a menu of sexual services is not offering a modern courtesan experience.
The modern courtesan experience is also not defined by the age, gender, race, ethnicity or body type of the companion, with the exception that a modern courtesan (or courtier) must be a minimum of 23 years of age, in order to allow her (or him) time to achieve the educational requirements and to gain the requisite life experience, conversational skills and personal confidence.
Any person who provides companionship for a fee, and who meets the requirements listed above is welcome to use the term modern courtesan experience or the acronym MCE in any advertisement or other publication, online or off, as long as a link is provided back to this page. The permalink for this post is http://www.ainamontero.com/the-modern-courtesan-experience
1AlexaD
wrote on 15 November 2008 at 12:46
You know, I actually like that phrase (Modern Courtesan Experience) and the description you’ve developed for it. Probably the only thing I would add is that the MCE should be “sexually articulate.” And by that, I mean that she’d be familiar with a range of concepts associated with human sexuality and have the requisite knowledge and experience to be able to apply them to fit her client’s desires.
2Crysta
wrote on 17 November 2008 at 17:35
I really like the phrase and I feel that the description is perfect. Thank you for developing a professional phrase with a model for those who are offering a courtesan experience beyond that of the current escort model!
I believe keeping anything “sexual” out of the equation maintains that the level of companionship will be a truely professional experience.
3Aina Montero
wrote on 24 November 2008 at 12:01
Alexa & Crysta,
Thanks so much for your feedback! I love the phrase “sexually articulate,” and I will certainly use it the next time I describe myself to a potential lover.
However, I prefer to keep explicit sexuality and paid companionship separate. Of course, that is only my preference, and others may choose to manage their affairs differently.
But those others won’t be able to use the term “Modern Courtesan Experience” in their advertising!
People see things very differently at 32 than they did at 23, but at this point in my life, I would very much hate to see myself or my patrons caught up in the same type of scandal as Ashley Dupre and Eliot Spitzer.
For that reason, and many others, I will continue to offer private companionship for a fee, but not sexual services.
XOXO,
Aina
4Aspasia
wrote on 3 December 2008 at 21:13
Fantastic definition, though I have to agree with Alexa too. But this is a great standard to aspire to.