What is the difference between a prostitute, an escort and a model (modelo in Spanish)? In most cases there is no important difference – all accept money in return for having sex with strangers.
In Costa Rica, modelo and escort is actually a code name for a woman who will show up to perform sexual acts in exchange for money; prostitutes (prostitutas or putas) are found in bars, discos and brothels (massage parlours in Costa Rica).
But many times the model is an escort who is also a prostitute, the difference being the price point: while a prostitute charges x, an escort charges y, the modelo typically up to 10 times or more of x and y.
Another difference is their stationing, while escorts can be ordered from a catalogue, modelos are typically from personal contacts, messaging apps or social media; prostitutes are typically in a fixed location, waiting for customers.
So, in my example, while the escort is usually a prostitute, the modelo is a like a “prostitute plus” – one who may provide additional services beyond just a sexual encounter.
In Costa Rica, it seems some men actually employ modelos for the purposes of escorting. At high society events, you may see women on men’s arms who are modelos or ‘social escorts’ if you will. Of course, I’m thinking it’s likely that AFTER the social events they have sex with their clients as well.
Modelos also can go on long trips with clients, whereas escorts typically are available for overnight bookings and prostitutes for short time, an hour or two, at most.
An even more interesting use for modelos is to bring home to the family for social appearance and status, possibly to hide a sexual preference. It is said that in Costa Rica half of the men are gay, and half of the women are lesbian.
Thus, it is socially beneficial for a man who doesn’t want to come of the closet to be seen in company of modelos. The same can be said for women, though, given that Costa Rica society does not yet accept an older woman escorted by model of the opposite sex, it is socially acceptable to be in the company of a model of the same sex.
Important to note that being paid for sex does not mean full intercourse, but can be any act in which a person’s erogenous zones or genitals are being touched, aroused in any way, naked or clothed, in private or public, in exchange for payment.
While escorts and prostitutes provide sex as part of their services, modelos on the other hand, to legitimize their status and not be classed as a prostitute, simply arranges for companionship. You are paying for the modelo’s company, now if somehow, someway during that time there is sex, the modelo can (will) claim that the payment was not for sex, ergo not a prostitute, but for the companionship, the sex, if admitted to, was for mutual attraction. “I would have fucked without any money,” is the typical justification.
So, in this example, the modelo that is now not a prostitute or escort, but a whore?
Whatever the justification, typically the mutual attraction is in exchange for a benefit, it can be in cash, or car or a house. Ergo, since there was no established arrangement for sex beforehand, it is a legitimate defense against being labelled a prostitute.
The core product is same but the packaging is different.
A prostitute is seen as inexpensive, a low-priced product, if you will, while an escort is medium priced product and the modelo being the premium priced. This is akin to the pricing of a seat on a plane, while seat in economy, business or first class will get you to the same place, it’s in the way you travel to your destination that changes.
In summing up: a prostitute is anyone who sells sex for money; an escort is someone who sells sex and companionship for money; a modelo is someone who sell companionship, that may or may not have sex for money. And a whore doesn’t know the difference between being a prostitute, an escort and a modelo.
My personal preference is all three. Wha’s yours? Use the comment section below to tell your story.