High class gigolo: what luxury companionship really means
What a high class gigolo and companion mean for successful women, from intelligence and discretion to real, undivided attention.
Glossary
Courtesan
The term for the woman who offered more than sex, and where the word actually comes from.
What is a courtesan?
Courtesan (Dutch: courtisane) is a companion who was in the service of one wealthy patron, in exchange for upkeep and protection. Besides sex she offered education, conversation and culture, which set her apart from the ordinary prostitute. The historical predecessor is the Greek hetaira.
| Dutch term | courtisane, from the Italian cortigiana |
| Also known as | the Greek predecessor was called the hetaira; the modern, paid form of companionship is often called the boyfriend experience |
| Category | sex work, a historical form of paid companionship |
| Not to be confused with | an ordinary prostitute (pornē), who offered only physical pleasure, at a much lower price |
| Characteristic | one steady, wealthy patron instead of changing clients |
| What she offered | besides sex also conversation, music, culture and company |
Where the word comes from
Courtesan comes from the Italian cortigiana, literally “woman of the court”. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word took on the mocking meaning “prostitute” through the French courtisane around 1540. The historical predecessor is the Greek hetaira, whom the World History Encyclopedia describes as an educated woman who entertained men with music, dance, culture and wit, in contrast to the ordinary brothel or street prostitute who offered only physical pleasure, at a much lower price.
Why a courtesan was in demand
A courtesan offered what an ordinary prostitute could not: conversation, company and a woman who could hold her own on art and politics. For a wealthy patron that was a status symbol, at least as much as pleasure. The pattern lives on in modern paid companionship like the boyfriend experience, though a courtesan herself rarely chose who became her patron. What these women themselves thought of it is poorly documented. That same emphasis on conversation and company alongside sex is what you find in what I offer as a boyfriend experience, only now you choose for yourself.
Sources
- Hetaira. World History Encyclopedia, Mark Cartwright, 2021. Description of the hetaira as an educated companion in ancient Greece, in contrast to the ordinary brothel or street prostitute.
- Courtesan. Online Etymology Dictionary. The origin of the word from the Italian cortigiana, “woman of the court”, and the shift in meaning around 1540.
Related terms
- Sex work. The overarching term for paid sexual services, of which the courtesan is a historical form.
- Boyfriend experience. The modern form of paid companionship where attention and conversation matter as much as sex.
- Glossary. All the terms worked out so far.
Frequently asked questions
What people still ask about the courtesan.
What is a courtesan?
A courtesan was a companion with one steady, wealthy patron, who besides sex also offered education, conversation and culture. That set her apart from the ordinary prostitute.
What is the difference between a courtesan and an ordinary prostitute?
A courtesan offered conversation, culture and company to one steady patron, while an ordinary prostitute offered only physical pleasure, at a much lower price. That distinction made the courtesan more expensive and more socially visible.
Who can you turn to with questions about the courtesan?
With Victor, a gigolo with twenty-five years of experience in BDSM and a background as a psychotherapist. Company that is about more than sex is exactly what his boyfriend experience is about. You can ask him a question with no obligation through the contact form or first chat for free.
Blog
Articles about paid companionship
This article is about the modern form of paid companionship that the courtesan was once the historical predecessor of.
Related service
Boyfriend experience with Victor
Company that is about more than sex, that is what I offer as a boyfriend experience. The service page shows how an evening goes.
Boyfriend experience?
A boyfriend experience is a paid date where a man acts like your boyfriend. What the term means and how an evening with me goes.
Learn more
Still have questions about the courtesan?
I am Victor. Company that is about more than sex, that is exactly what I offer as a boyfriend experience. Feel free to ask your question, no obligation, I will WhatsApp you back at your own pace.