I've shared my contempt for the Whatever podcast a few times in the community. I’m not a fan of how they run their show though they bring up good points; I feel they push a one-sided societal view on others, even though listening to them is, of course, a choice. They seem to see the world in black and white, ignoring any gray areas. To me, they would rather see women confined to traditional roles. A recent clip I came across pretty much reinforced that, in my opinion—though I recognize my own bias.
The clip shows a debate between the Whatever podcast host and an provider on whether a provider, or any sex worker, can be considered a "lady." It’s clear they have very different views on what defines a lady, despite both referencing the traditional meaning as “polite” or “refined.” The host argues that sex workers can’t be considered ladies due to what he sees as a lack of self-respect, a sentiment that many might agree with. However, the escort’s rebuttal did make me think.
The provider countered by saying she respects herself enough to get paid for her services rather than offering them for free, which raises some interesting points, especially for those of us in this community. Her stance implies that compensation adds a level of respect to her work, much like we’d compensate any professional for their service, whether it’s a doctor or barber. Does this make her a “lady”? I’m not sure, as her definition and mine aren’t entirely different but do diverge.
In the end, I don’t think the host’s rigid view of what makes a “lady” should be the standard for everyone. That mindset is rooted in a time when social roles were restrictive, and moving beyond that allows for growth. The provider’s perspective is also limited, as it’s tied entirely to her career. I could give my own definition of what makes a lady, but I doubt it would matter much since everyone’s view is personal, and changing anyone’s mind isn’t my goal.
That being said, I do believe everyone's definition should have at least one thing in common. The original definition, being a lady is polite, well spoken, and asserts herself. See? Different definitions.
