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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To do phone sex job

60 replies

Sexysausage668 · 01/05/2026 17:31

Hi all, I'm really struggling with a decision and wonder what people thought.
I work full-time for a big care provider and whilst I don't earn terrible money I am starting to struggle to make ends meet
I've looked at a second job but as a single mum with small kids I couldn't commit to anything else on a contractual basis.
A good friend recently told me she was working on an ad-hoc basis for a chatline operator where you pick your own hours.
The money is ok and it helps her financially.
I've started giving this line of work serious thought.
I have every other weekend free where I could do this without my children present and it would mean I wouldn't have to commit to shifts etc.
I'm worried my main job would find out and I would be in trouble due to the nature of the work,which is the main thing making me hesitant.
Should I give it a go? Thoughts please.

OP posts:
Monzo1ss · 01/05/2026 21:53

DynamiteJones · 01/05/2026 21:22

Have you ever actually done this work or are you just being overdramatic? Based on my lived experience (that I’m guessing you don’t have), there are no adverse experiences to scar you forever. Yes, there are boring/unpleasant conversations but I am entitled to end any calls that I personally find distatesful. And I do, with zero backlash. It’s a phone call, there’s no way to be identified, found, or actually hurt. Of all forms of sex work, it’s probably the safest. I’ve previously done conventional customer service work on the phone for a couple of different businesses and honestly received more abuse and had more upsetting experiences in those roles than doing phone sex. Stop pretending to know what you’re talking about when you clearly have no idea.

I don’t need to experience being a sex worker to find it undesirable, you don’t need lived experience in phone sex to come to such a conclusion. It’s inherently and obviously undesirable.

And frankly; there are some things as an human you are better off not experiencing and not having direct knowledge of. I can look back at both my working life, and my sex life, and feel relieved there’s been no negative experiences in terms of some random man paying me to sexually interact for his pleasure or for my working existence to be reduced to sex.

Plus, the types of people using phone sex lines aren’t going to be well-adjusted individuals, making it more likely you’ll end up in an unpleasant or uncomfortable conversation. Sure, you can hang up on them but only after the fact.

You might have a different mindset where only abuse phases you and anything else is fair game - but for me, the whole job is not a memory I not would want of myself nor would I want those conversations to playback in my head afterwards. Hence it being an adverse experience, especially if you have other options.

DynamiteJones · 01/05/2026 21:22

Monzo1ss · 01/05/2026 21:05

I’m not really sure what to say to this. It’s not about the money, you’re actively giving yourself negative/adverse life experiences that you’ll remember forever. You can’t put a price on that. I don’t personally want to remember in a decade’s time, some sleezy man making phone sex requests to me. No amount of money is worth that to be honest. I’d much rather live in the bliss of never having experienced that.

When I was 26, I got a job on £40k in public sector after working my way up. And being 26, I wasn’t super experienced and I got a lot of flak, but I was good at my job and found a niche etc. My point is, if I could get a job on a reasonable income without necessarily being super impressive and by beating the people critical of me, so can others. I’m not saying it’s an easy thing but I’ve already significantly increased my income since then. I kind of feel like money/earning is a mindset thing and at no point would I ever consider any type of sex work.

What you need is to define a field you want to progress in and work backwards eg what experience and qualifications do you need to get there. You might need to grind etc and tolerate a low income for longer but I’d chose that any day of the negative life memories that sex work will bring that you’ll never erase

Have you ever actually done this work or are you just being overdramatic? Based on my lived experience (that I’m guessing you don’t have), there are no adverse experiences to scar you forever. Yes, there are boring/unpleasant conversations but I am entitled to end any calls that I personally find distatesful. And I do, with zero backlash. It’s a phone call, there’s no way to be identified, found, or actually hurt. Of all forms of sex work, it’s probably the safest. I’ve previously done conventional customer service work on the phone for a couple of different businesses and honestly received more abuse and had more upsetting experiences in those roles than doing phone sex. Stop pretending to know what you’re talking about when you clearly have no idea.

Monzo1ss · 01/05/2026 21:05

I’m not really sure what to say to this. It’s not about the money, you’re actively giving yourself negative/adverse life experiences that you’ll remember forever. You can’t put a price on that. I don’t personally want to remember in a decade’s time, some sleezy man making phone sex requests to me. No amount of money is worth that to be honest. I’d much rather live in the bliss of never having experienced that.

When I was 26, I got a job on £40k in public sector after working my way up. And being 26, I wasn’t super experienced and I got a lot of flak, but I was good at my job and found a niche etc. My point is, if I could get a job on a reasonable income without necessarily being super impressive and by beating the people critical of me, so can others. I’m not saying it’s an easy thing but I’ve already significantly increased my income since then. I kind of feel like money/earning is a mindset thing and at no point would I ever consider any type of sex work.

What you need is to define a field you want to progress in and work backwards eg what experience and qualifications do you need to get there. You might need to grind etc and tolerate a low income for longer but I’d chose that any day of the negative life memories that sex work will bring that you’ll never erase

DynamiteJones · 01/05/2026 20:47

I do this type of work and have done for a year. I started when I was unemployed and on universal credit but have since started working full time again and now do it at evenings and weekends. It’s a good extra income stream - I get paid a bit over minimum wage and other people do much harder things for the same money!

In terms of work finding out, I do sometimes think about this. My opinion is that it’s a legal job that is appropriately regulated by OFCOM, I pay my taxes as required, and only ever do the work in my own time - I would never do it whilst working from home in my main job for example. I can easily prove all of this through mine and the phone line’s record. I would only ever get found out if a colleague chose to use the service to talk to women. I would immediately be raising how discriminatory it is that men are allowed to seek out the service but I’m not allowed to offer it. This issue is also easily avoided by using a fake name and photo. I use a fake name and other details but a real photo.

Cosleepingadvice · 01/05/2026 20:25

Have you thoroughly read your company policy? The place i work requires the name and details of what you are doing for any second employer and then can decline permission. If you went ahead anyway, then it would be misconduct. You say they were fine with tutoring but do they request any more specific details of any employment you do take up?

NewGirlInTown · 01/05/2026 20:19

Also, there is the money laundering/organised crime elements of these types of business. You could be dealing with some nasty types in the business owners, who have all of your personal details.

Laushe · 01/05/2026 20:12

This reminds me of a channel 4 documentary years ago about phone sex workers. One lady was really enthusiastic...hitting a paint brush off the wall to make slapping noises. The did mention that a lot of the men end up just talking about everyday things and seem lonely. Maybe you could see if it's on YouTube.
If the job fits your hours, gives a wage your happy with and doesn't comprise your morals or mental health then I'd say go for it!

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 01/05/2026 19:35

How much per hour? You need to know your worth!

NimbleHam · 01/05/2026 19:32

do it girl! Your job won't find out. Do an American accent for anonymity.

Lifeisaneducation · 01/05/2026 19:15

What is the pay OP?
AFAIK, operators are paid per minute and it is a dreadful amount of money.
The whole time you are waiting for a call, you wont be paid, but you'll be practically chained to the phone waiting for a call.
The challenge is keeping them on the phone for as long as possible.
Also, you will get the ick, you will have to make sound effects, you will have to talk about certain fetishes with conviction.
Many of your most lucrative callers will be callers who want to speak to you regularly, every other weekend probably wont cut it if you want regulars who will stay on the line for a reasonable amount of time, so you'll be left with the callers who don't really have a preference who they talk to, so long as they get their rocks off. That isnt where the money is.

LameStrangeNameChange · 01/05/2026 19:01

I doubt there's much money to be made. Cam work is probably more lucrative, because not as many people would want the risks of doing it.

I remember being in a very desperate place financially some years ago and told a friend I was considering escorting. She said one of her other friends had done it, and quit after a few months. She was never able to look at men in the same way again. It disturbed her so much.

Instantlybinthisname · 01/05/2026 18:57

I worked on one 20 years ago. I used to do cross words with them . There was some of the sexual talk but I had regular callers talking general stuff for hours.

Ilovemychocolate · 01/05/2026 18:40

Well if you fancy helping some sad desperate pathetic little man wank off then go for it…personally I would do anything other than that but it’s your choice.

DeskGnome · 01/05/2026 18:35

I sometimes wonder if these threads are started by ex phoneline users, who want to reminisce and hear stories from ex workers from back in the day.

EarringsandLipstick · 01/05/2026 18:32

@DeskGnome is correct. This is pointless. You won’t make money & it’s a waste of your time.

I do also think it’s completely vile 🤮

JMSA · 01/05/2026 18:27

DeskGnome · 01/05/2026 17:47

This thread is a blast from past, Mumsnet was full of them when I joined 15 years ago!

Do phone sex lines still exist?

I thought it was all webcam now?

I would have thought this too!

ThatJadeLion · 01/05/2026 18:22

No don't do it. A lot of the men won't want vanilla stuff. There will be some vile 'kinks' and desires that push boundaries and men that will be abusive. It's highly likely you will regret it.

DeskGnome · 01/05/2026 18:20

Nah I still can't see it OP, it just doesn't make sense.

Even if someone doesn't have a laptop they'll likely have a smart phone.

You need to check there's a basic wage because if you have to sit around all week waiting for the phone to ring, you'll earn nothing.

Sexysausage668 · 01/05/2026 18:02

Apparently my friend is really busy, I'm guessing calling for some people is easier ? I suppose I won't know how busy or not until I decided to try it.

OP posts:
MightyGoldBear · 01/05/2026 18:01

My concern would be if a relative or someone you knew phoned up 😬 I like to think the chances are low but always a chance.

youalright · 01/05/2026 17:58

DeskGnome · 01/05/2026 17:47

This thread is a blast from past, Mumsnet was full of them when I joined 15 years ago!

Do phone sex lines still exist?

I thought it was all webcam now?

Same I assumed it was only fans now

DeskGnome · 01/05/2026 17:56

I just can't see you earning that much to be honest.

It makes no sense that blokes would rather spend money on not being able to see the woman he's chatting to, rather than see her remove her clothes etc whilst they chat.

Sexysausage668 · 01/05/2026 17:55

@Whatifitallgoesright thats made me chuckle but not fair for people who generally need you guys at the Samaritans.Absolutely amazing you have done that by the way.

OP posts:
Sexysausage668 · 01/05/2026 17:54

I suppose for me they don't know me or know who I am so I'm not worried.
The job I'm in you have to be fairly tough as it's medical so I've seen and heard it all to be fair.

OP posts:
somanychristmaslights · 01/05/2026 17:52

Ugh, that would give me the right ick. I wouldn’t be able to act well enough to not slam down the phone with a dirty old man on the other end maybe having a wank talking to me. Gross! Are you really ok with men maybe saying vile things they want to do to you down the phone??