You can’t travel with the mindset of your country of origin. In many countries, including money when there’s sexual activity is considered prostitution; if you don’t include it, it’s not. Either prostitute or not—there’s no middle ground. But in other countries, there’s a whole spectrum of nuances in between.
Another thing that’s hard to grasp at first is that sex isn’t seen as such a stigmatized taboo as it is in your home country. Think of sex as something natural—just as natural as eating or breathing. But in many countries, due to cultural and religious heritage (even if you’re not a believer, religion has become part of the culture and mindset), we tend to see sex as a taboo—something to be rationed and, of course, not done for money.
For example, in your country, if your daughter is a physiotherapist, it’s not considered bad—it’s a completely respectable profession. However, if you go to a Muslim country deeply rooted in its beliefs, the fact that your daughter touches men’s bare backs would be considered dishonorable.
So, who’s right? The answer is no one. It’s a cultural matter, so don’t travel thinking that your way of seeing sex is the correct one.
In my opinion, I’ve realized that I was raised with a Western mindset where sex is a taboo—but in reality, it isn’t. We should see it for what it is: something completely normal that shouldn’t be stigmatized.
In other countries, sex is viewed much more naturally, and as a result, the fact that a woman earns money through sex isn’t seen as something bad. Many even say it proudly, since being able to make money by having sex with foreigners means you’re very attractive.
Setting aside the mentality that including money in a relationship makes you someone unworthy, we can move on to women who don’t sleep with just anyone but are aware that many tourists only want sex for one night or a few nights and then return to their home countries and forget about them.
In these cases, the woman might expect money, especially if her financial situation is difficult. Expecting money doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you, but you must understand that she knows you see her as just part of your vacation fun—and just as you’ve spent money on flights, accommodation, and drinks, if she’s part of that fun, you should also pay for it.
At the same time, you might start dating a freelancer who likes you and doesn’t ask for money so as not to make a bad impression. Keep in mind that this is her only source of income, and if you don’t give her something—which probably means little to you—she won’t be able to bring money home.
Don’t make the same mistake I did at the beginning: dating a woman who never asked me for money and later finding out that every weekend she spent with me, her child went hungry because she went home with nothing.