The idea is for the flustered punter to ridiculously overpay him, and for the prostitute to gently point out what the going rate is. Below the cut are a couple of questions concerning prices.
I've heard female prostitutes of the era referred to as "shilling whores." I don't know if that's just an insult, or if it's a realistic price.
Am I right in supposing that a male prostitute, considering the illegality of his encounters, would make a bit more than his female counterparts, as a sort of insurance of discretion?
Does anyone have a ballpark figure for how much he might make for an encounter? Would oral sex cost less than anal?
Googled terms: Many variations on 1880s, England, male prostitution, and price/cost/rate. I found a really informative article on male prostitution in a 1980s volume of the Journal of Homosexuality, but it didn't discuss what they might charge.
I'd be very grateful for any input. Thanks!