A massage parlor is a place where customers can receive a massage. Sometimes it is synonymous with brothel as the term “massage” is sometimes also used as a euphemism for paid sexual favours. In many countries and regions, particularly (but not limited to), New Zealand, Northern England, Canada, South Korea, the Philippines, and San Francisco<ref></ref> some brothels advertise themselves as “massage parlours“. However, while both offer some form of sexual service, the two are not always the same.
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.

Africa

Kenya

In Nairobi and Mombasa, while massage parlours are opening at a very high rate; 70% of these are actually brothels . Their telephone numbers are advertised in many daily newspapers a complete listing is also found at http://www.kenyaraha.com. 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.

Asia

Thailand

Even though Thailand is rather well-known for its unique spa experience and particularly healthy and non-sexual traditional Thai massage, this section refers to the most mentioned type of massage parlors when thinking of the term in Thailand, Sexual massage. There are three kinds of massage parlours, all of them were originally copied from those in Japan during 1960s, though now the forms have changed through time. 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 or aquarium. 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 12am until midnight with some exceptions. 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 go even higher in case of nude models or B-graded actresses.

New Zealand

Massage Parlors in New Zealand do often legally offers sexual services. Chinese massage parlours are common, but there are also others with domestic including Maori women.

Europe

Northern England

Manchester, which has been called the “massage parlour capital of the UK,”<ref></ref> 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.”<ref></ref>

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.

North America

Mexico

As in Manchester, sexual services are openly advertised in the local newspapers and online for massage parlors. These ads claim the girls working at these establishments offer a “full service” massage, to get customers to come in and oftentimes even have promotions advertising “two for one” prices.

Some massage parlors operate from suites in commercial establishments while others operate from within a residential house. Details for the “full service” massage are usually only given in person and generally they include a massage as well as sexual services, vaginal and or oral. Generally the customers are presented to the masseuses who are in a line up, wearing skimpy clothing or lingerie. Other times, the customer is shown the massage parlor facilities first, then told about the details of the “full service” massage and finally the masseuses parade in to a room, one at time, so the customer can make a selection.

The massage session can include an actual massage, if the customer prefers, but it can also be omitted for more time spent receiving sexual services. Generally, these massage sessions come with a time limit which depends on the amount spent by the customer. The use of condoms is normally encouraged by the women providing the massages, but sometimes the women offer bareback sexual services in exchange for an additional tip or the client will request this service offering a tip. Some massage parlors and or masseuses also offer their clients a bath or shower after the massage and or sexual service(s). This service can be offered with or without the presence and assistance of the masseuse.

Toronto

In Toronto, massage parlors are now beginning to call themselves “holistic centres”, and branching out to aromatherapy and shiatsu, but 75% of them will still offer sexual services.<ref>List of new stories about massage parlors and holistic centers</ref>. Nevertheless, places that offers massages (called “body rubs” in Toronto legal jargon) are licensed and regulated differently than places offering “complementary touch therapies”, such as shiatsu, and those who offer these services resent the possibility of being categorized with massage parlors.<ref></ref>

Other cities in Canada

In Canada, Massage Parlors compete with brothels and escort agencies in providing sexual services. There is also different laws and enforcement of the sex trade in each region. Vancouver and Hamilton have many unregulated massage parlours and few escort agencies. Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Niagara Falls have many regulated massage parlors and a few unlicensed ones. Montreal has several massage parlors but is dominated by escorts visiting hotels.

United States

38 states and the District of Columbia require some type of licencing for massage therapists. <ref></ref>

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 cities, customers are advised to follow a set of rules of etiquette. Making sexual comments out in the open to a massage therapist can be considered sexual harassment or solicitation of prostitution. Even if these parlors offer sexual services, it likely won’t be disclosed until behind closed doors, and should be brought up in private.

Receiving non-sexual massage services from a parlor offering ‘happy endings’ or ‘with release’ can still result in the possible transmission of ringworm or other STDs, and likely won’t be as beneficial as services from licensed or certified massage therapists. Since sexual massage usually requires payment up front, it could be advised to decline the massage, and ask for your client info back.

See also

• Prostitution
• Erotic Massage

References

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External links

• “Massage parlor” article in LaborLawTalk Dicionary
• Washington Post is urged to stop accepting advertisements for massage parlors
• UK “Massage Parlour” directory.