Dating apps. New relationship energy. Getting paid for your time. In this first episode of the Sex Work VS miniseries, I explore how sex work reshaped my expectations of dating, romance, and emotional labor. From valuing my time to filtering partners like my client applicants, I unpack why I still date—and what I refuse to give away for free.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/evaoh

More on Eva Oh: https://eva-oh.com

HIGHLIGHTS:

Here are the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.

(00:00) - Welcome. What is #teakink

(00:21) - Sex Work VS Dating

(01:20) - A Changed Dating (App) Landscape, but Similar Motivations?

(02:50) - The Emotional Benefits of Both

(04:50) - How Getting Paid Taught Me About My Value and Gave Me Choice

(06:30) - Why I Still Date (for free); Entertainment and Aesthetic

(08:42) - How I Keep Dating Relevant in a Frivolous Culture

(11:05) - My Dating Application Process

(13:55) - The Disadvantage of Unpaid Dating Labour

(15:15) - Oxytocin, New Relationship Energy and Infatuation

(17:00) - The 'Neatness' of Getting Paid

(17:40) - Wasting My Resource and Being Valued

(20:00) - A Cis-Het Lens Focus, for now