Massage parlor

A massage parlor is a place where customers can receive a massage. Sometimes it is synonymous with brothel and the term "massage" is used as a euphemism for paid sexual favors. In many countries and regions, particularly Toronto[1] and northern England, brothels advertise themselves as "massage parlours". However, while both offer some form of sexual services, the two are not always the same. Brothels always offer sexual intercourse while many massage parlours opt to provide a range of sexual services, most typically masturbation by the masseuse or masseur.

In therapeutic massage, the genitalia or intimate parts of the body are not touched at all and remain covered by a drape, which may be a towel or a sheet. The client's modesty and personal boundaries are respected at all times by a licensed massage therapist.

Kenya

In Nairobi and Mombasa, massage parlours are opening at a very high rate; 70% of these are actually brothels. Their telephone numbers are advertised in many daily newspapers. If potential customers ask, "Are there EXTRA services?", the employee will inform them if this is the case. Such establishments usually charge around 25 US dollars per hour massage, and 50 US dollars with full service.

Northern England

Manchester, which has been called the “massage parlour capital of the UK,” has over 80 parlours openly advertising sexual services in the local newspapers and online. Reporters for the Manchester Evening News state that the police generally ignore these brothels, focusing instead on reducing street prostitution.

On October 12 2005 the Evening News reported that “A self-confessed pimp walked free from court after a judge was told police had ‘turned a blind eye’ to organised prostitution in massage parlours in Manchester.”

A number of high-traffic websites feature customer reviews of parlours.

The success of the parlours in Manchester has led to a rising number of parlours elsewhere in northern England that follow the same business model.

Thailand

There are many massage parlors in Thailand for men. In Thailand there are three kinds of massage parlours. One offers the common massage from parlor girls. The second kind has body-course (B-course) girls who massage men with their naked bodies. Both have women in certain uniforms generally sitting behind a glass-window in a showroom which is also known as a fish tank. The last kind are called sidelines, with women normally sitting outside a fish tank. The girls tend to not wear common clothes because they work in more than one place. Moreover, they are usually university students or office workers who work at the parlor at night. The minimum age is 18 years old. The girls are checked internally twice a month for HIV and have an external HIV test every 2 or 3 months. New employees must have a HIV test before beginning to work and condom usage is a mandatory.

The places normally open from 2am until midnight with some exceptions. Massage parlors in Thailand are more attractive to Thai or Asian customers than to western men. Prices are vary, depending on age, general appeal, rooms, facilities, how long she has worked, etc. They can be between US $10 to US $200 per 90 or 120 minutes or even higher in case of nude models or B-graded actresses.

Toronto

A Toronto Star investigation found that while Toronto massage parlours cannot openly advertise sexual services, about 75% do offer them. A typical scenario is that after a male customer has paid about $40 to the parlour management for half an hour (only a small amount of which goes to the staff), he enters a private room where the masseuse pressures him into buying ‘extras,’ ranging from topless massage (about $20) to “full service” (intercourse, $100 or more), directly from her.

United States

Massage Parlors in the USA are under scrutiny for illegal prostitution rings operating outside massage parlors. Massage therapy in the US is becoming more professional and is even being accepted as a health care profession. Massage Parlors may soon be only known as places for "happy endings" and not actual massage. Professional regulations are being put in place to further separate massage from massage parlors.

Interstate establishments

Many interstate massage parlors exist that cater to lonely truck drivers and travelers. Theft and disease are common.

Proper etiquette

Since massage parlors are commonly synonymous with prostitution in many areas, customers are advised to follow a set of rules of etiquette. Making sexual comments out in the open to a massage therapist can cause trouble. Even if these parlors offer sexual services, it should be brought up in private.

Female-only Parlors

These are prominent in Europe as they appeal to the woman looking to get comfortable. Generally, most patrons walk around naked.

See also

• Prostitution

• Erotic Massage

External links

• http://dictionary.laborlawtalk.com/massage_parlor
• Manchester Parlours - UK directory of massage parlours
• Punternet - A database of reports by thousands of punters of their massage parlour experiences.
• http://kenyaescorts.tripod.com - Kenya directory for escorts and massage
• http://www.adultkenya.com
• http://www.ncbtmb.com/code_of_ethics.html
• http://www.ncbtmb.com/benefits_of_certification.htm
• http://www.ncbtmb.com/standards_of_practice.html
• http://www.massagetherapy.com/learnmore/index.php
• http://www.massagetherapy.com/glossary/index.php