What surprises me, Fred, for someone who has read a lot of psychology, is that you do not seem to recognise how sympathy and empathy can be used to influence people. I do not doubt that some of those girls, especially on the streets of New York, came from very difficult environments. But that does not mean they cannot also know which strings to pull to get an emotional reaction and take advantage of certain types of men. You find that everywhere, not only among prostitutes. I have always stayed away from women who start by explaining their situation through unfortunate events and then put all the blame on the ex boyfriend for their present situation. Their story might be completely true, but I have learned not to confuse a story that creates sympathy with knowing the whole person.
