(11-03-2014, 05:43 AM)UltraFennec Wrote: A question I ponder, given Eorzea's apparent acceptance for the whole spectrum of sexualities and general equality of the sexes, is whether these groups of courtesans would be applicable to men as well as women. 

Presumably not quite the same way and to a differing degree in some (many? most? all?) cases, given there are some differences in how people go about this between the sexes culturally and just...in general, I guess.

Ul'Dah in particular seems like they'd be happy with whomever doing the job, as long as it turned a profit.

(11-03-2014, 01:09 PM)PkThunda Wrote: [quote=UltraFennec pid=120346 dateline=1415007803]

There have been actual cases in real history where men have taken up the title of courtesan and/or "mistress".
It is generally a female term, but can easily be taken by men, trans, fluid, or non-binary characters!

Though, we ought to think up a title for cis-male characters in regards to "mistress". "Lover" is too generic, and "Mister" just doesn't hold the same weight- suggestions are most welcome!

(11-03-2014, 11:46 PM)UltraFennec Wrote: I'm of the opinion that in a society like Eorzea's, where almost everything is egalitarian to a degree that's unheard of in our own world, that there would be far less social stigma in seeking out a male courtesan, all things being mostly equal.

(11-04-2014, 01:04 AM)UltraFennec Wrote: Fair enough. I'd say Ul'dah seems like the most...equal, in that regard. It's Ul'dah, after all.

Limsa to me seems like the least likely to have a large number of male courtesans, if only because such things might not be necessary given the historical proclivities of some pirate crews...

Gridania...I don't even know.

(11-03-2014, 01:31 PM)Telluride Wrote:

(11-03-2014, 01:09 PM)PkThunda Wrote:

(11-03-2014, 05:43 AM)UltraFennec Wrote: There have been actual cases in real history where men have taken up the title of courtesan and/or "mistress".
It is generally a female term, but can easily be taken by men, trans, fluid, or non-binary characters!

Though, we ought to think up a title for cis-male characters in regards to "mistress". "Lover" is too generic, and "Mister" just doesn't hold the same weight- suggestions are most welcome!

Considering the sorts that would think a male "courtesan" something desirable, it strikes me that such men might often be referred to as being part of some separate profession - a butler, or messenger, or musician, or masseur, or the like. There are fewer traditional roles for males in the traditional sense of being a courtesan, so it might behoove such a male to take on a more sociably acceptable role to mask what he did for his clients.   A music teacher, combat instructor, professional speaker, or dance instructor would make excellent cover for a male whose primary income came from entertaining clients, and since there may be more potential humiliating social stigma in seeking a male "courtesan" than a female one ("What, a good-looking one like you can't find some big, muscled brute for a free romp? What's wrong with you?"), a man who has skills, social standing and a very advanced sense of discretion may meld these roles smoothly into anything else he might offer.

In other words, lacking a social structure that sees men used as frequently as women as temporary compensated company, the need for a male-specific title may not even be WANTED by the clientele, for reasons of discretion. I haven't yet seen in Eorzean lore a setting in which such a different social structure exists in force, but I'd be happy to be corrected.

However, it amuses me to think that Patrick Swayze's character from DIRTY DANCING was pretty much one good epiphany from being the very sort of male "courtesan" that would be in demand.

(12-19-2014, 04:50 PM)MikoBehnen Wrote: There WERE male courtesans but they were called chevalier in french (which is where the English form "courtesan" came from, "courtisane" ^_^ ) and they were common escorts for married woman in the 18th century.