I’M forever fascinated by people who chastise others when they themselves are guilty of the same thing. Life is so funny, because right now I’m chastising people who chastise.

Anyway, whenever I hear New Kingston or Back Road my mind journeys to the oldest profession in the world and I have to smile. One, because I have a twisted mind, and two, because sex will always sell, no matter the economic condition. Sex is always available at a price, somewhere somehow.

I have great respect for sex workers, not because of their chosen profession, but for the grit and determination it takes to put oneself out there for inspection, rejection and judgment by the public. That is truly a gutsy, not to mention the issue of your own safety, heading off to places unknown with a total stranger; just the thought scares me.

I couldn’t do it.

Not that I don’t have marketable skills in that department, it’s just that, thankfully, it hasn’t gotten to the point where I need to peddle them. I must be emotionally connected to someone I’m going to share with intimately, and besides, my nerves would kill me before I even got to my destination to open up shop.

It is good that I have some other skills and if it has to be as a last resort, I’d probably lease myself out as a landscaper and chop bush, before I go that route.

The thing about sex workers is: what you see is what you get. The reason or motive is clear from the get-go: emotional commitment and satisfaction are not guaranteed. The service is there if and when you need it and no one is forcing or coercing you to participate.

I know some of my deeply religious readers are going to pray for my soul, and I thank you in advance because God knows I need it, but let me just remind you, people gain weight from eating fast food; fast food restaurants don’t make us obese. It is what it is.

What yanks my chain is the people who abhor sex workers and they themselves, unknowingly or deniably, are in the same trade.

If I’m to understand that prostitution is the exchange of sexual or intimate favours for cash or kind as agreed, then whenever one uses their body to solicit a benefit other than sexual gratification, they, too are a practicing prostitute.

Take some time to think about it; I certainly did.

How many of us choose a partner based on their earnings? A lot of men and women perform sexually for cars, rent, utility bill payment, shoes, party tickets, hairdos, clothes and even a box food. At the same time, they think the sex workers on the Back Road pounding the pavement are beneath them. Oh no, loves, you all are co-workers. The only difference is you do it from home and with one dedicated customer.

If you withhold sex from your partner until you get what you want, then you are a high-maintenance pro and should probably put up a sign that says ‘business as usual’. I’m just saying.

That’s really what the deal is, so the next time you drive or walk by these men and women handling their business, take care to check your own. I know I do. Have a wonderful weekend and please remember to conserve energy; Mother Earth needs our help. Send your comments, critiques etc to elvachatalot@yahoo.com like my Facebook fan page Elva Ruddock or follow me on Twitter @ElvaJamaica. Stay blessed.