History of Escorting: From Ancient Times to Modern Companionship

When we talk about the history of escorting, the long-standing practice of paying for professional companionship that spans cultures and centuries. Also known as professional companionship, it has never been just about sex—it’s always been about connection, discretion, and social performance. Long before modern apps and websites, people hired companions to navigate parties, travel abroad, or simply avoid loneliness in places where formal dating was restricted. In ancient Rome, elite women employed attendants who doubled as social partners. In 18th-century Paris, courtesans weren’t just lovers—they were cultural influencers, shaping fashion, art, and political conversation.

The escort services, organized arrangements where individuals pay for time, conversation, and presence. Also known as companion services, it became more formalized in the 1900s, especially in cities like London and New York, where class divisions made social mobility difficult. Women with education and charm could earn more as companions than as factory workers. By the 1970s, the rise of tourism and business travel turned escorting into a global industry, with demand growing in places like Dubai and Monaco, where wealth, secrecy, and strict laws created a unique ecosystem. Today, the line between escort and professional companion is blurry—but the core hasn’t changed. People still hire escorts not just for physical intimacy, but for confidence, conversation, and access to experiences they can’t get alone. In London, it’s about blending in at a private gallery opening. In Paris, it’s about sharing a quiet dinner in a back-alley bistro. In Dubai, it’s about navigating cultural boundaries with grace.

The luxury companions, high-end professionals who offer refined social presence, often with backgrounds in hospitality, modeling, or the arts. Also known as elite companions, they don’t just show up—they elevate the moment. They know how to hold a glass of champagne, quote Camus, and disappear without a trace. Their value isn’t in what they do, but in how they make you feel: understood, respected, and in control. This isn’t fantasy. It’s real work. And it’s why posts on this site focus so much on safety, etiquette, and cultural context. You won’t find guides on how to trick someone into a backroom. You’ll find advice on how to treat a companion like a guest, not a transaction. Whether you’re in Milan, Istanbul, or Abu Dhabi, the rules are the same: respect the person, know the law, and never confuse payment with power.

What follows is a collection of real, practical stories from cities where escorting happens—not in shadows, but in plain sight. You’ll read about how to plan a night in Paris that feels like a movie, how to avoid scams in Dubai, and why the best companions in London don’t just show up—they show you something new about the city, and yourself. This isn’t about secrets. It’s about understanding what’s always been there.