A John is not even a sugar daddy. Sugar daddy do not see prostitutes. Johns are just looking for sex.
A John can be a sugar daddy and a sugar daddy can also see prostitutes. Some Johns are looking for other services besides sex, for example the guy I know that hired an escort in a pinch to be his fake girlfriend at a wedding. Once the wedding is over, they part ways, no sex involved in that pay for time and companionship business transaction.
To me the difference is the behaviors and activities. Both escorts and SBs have different behaviors. I personally prefer SBs over escorts. Escorts don’t communicate with you in between meets. They avoid these things. You only call when you ready to go do the deed. My SB and I communicate between meets and are in constant communication. She don’t charge me per hour. She don’t look at the clock. So many things to lay down here but I think you get it.
Again, Escorts can communicate with you in between meets too if the money or gift is right. And as I've pointed out, some have even gone as far as marrying their regulars.
As stated, there are a few subtle differences between sugar babies and escorts but the business premise is pretty much the same, their clients pay them for their time. There are also a few subtle differences between escorts and conventional prostitutes say a street walker for example but at the end of the day, the clients still paid them for their time and pretty all 3 falls under the same umbrella, sex industry:
IMO, they should just legalize "the oldest profession in the world" because it's gonna go on regardless of the legality status of that activity. At least if they legalize it, it could be much safer for all parties involved and generate some public resources such as tax, licensing fees, etc.
I have no issues with those that participate in the sex industry either as I've done it myself during my younger years. As long as the business transaction is between two consenting adults, it's all good IMO. And I've pointed that out several times on PH in the past...