I never knew that other escorts even knew each other (heck, the first thing that popped up in my head was the issue of privacy) and when she told me this, one thing popped up in my head - I felt like a creep!
Many escorts use caller ID / review apps where they can document the numbers of known scammers, time wasters, robbers, and so on. It's why you should be using a separate number or maybe a google voice number if you want to contact them. Most legitimate escorts take screening seriously and put their own safety first ahead of your privacy concerns.
But thinking about this makes me think if I am a real person or some freak!
What you described about Instagram and Tinder didn't sound unordinary. Tons of people use Tinder as a self-esteem booster, some even proudly advertise that on their profiles, girls and guys alike. That's not uncommon. Same with instagram - people follow people they are attracted to... that is like, the foundation of instagram.
Knowing all of this and the fact that I am afraid that this misunderstanding can possibly make me afraid that my own privacy is exposed considering that where I live everyone knows each other (and I fear that this can compromise everything, my job, my future career, how people see me and everything), I feel disgusted that I used my sudden exposure to sex and lust and my desperation for contact to make myself for recognised and to feel more alive only that I realised that I eventually turned into some creep or a freak.
There's nothing wrong with seeing escorts, all kinds of men do. It's perfectly natural to have sexual cravings and want to satisfy them with another human. While it's true many of the escorts may be able to recognize your phone number as a time waster, none of them really give a fuck about you enough to bother with ruining your privacy or "exposing you".
Also, quit wasting escorts time please. They're trying to make a living like anyone else and really it's disrespectful to lead someone on like that. Contrary to popular belief being an escort is hard work. I know escorts, and they have to deal with bullshitters all day long. Don't be one of those guys.
But it is also true many escorts are friends with each other, typically because they were friends prior to escorting.