Massage fully exposed?

Question

Hello,

Last week I went to a legal massage place in a Chinese pharmacy in London. The masseuse entered the massage room with me and asked me to take my clothes off. I stood in front of her wearing my underwear and she told me to take them off and lay on my face on the massage table. I was fully nude and, with my surprise, she did not cover me with a towel and began the massage leaving me fully exposed. After 35 minutes she asked me to turn on my back and continued the massage with me fully naked frontal on the table. I was so embarrassed but didn't say anything: another masseuse entered the room without knoking on the door to pick up some massage oil. She left the door open for a good 50 seconds and spoke with my masseuse in Chinese (I guess), and even began giggling.

Is this normal? Has anyone had similar experiences? I was so shocked and embarassed!

Answer 1

No this is not normal.  You have a brain, right?

Answer 2

More than likely there was no bad intention from the establishment or the practitioners in this situation.

However this isn't the standard you should expect while getting a massage in the UK as your dignity and privacy should be respected at all times.

There is a certain amount lost intranslation and we expect different things dependig on our culture.

The other therapist entering and speaking in a chinese dialect and giggling during the process is unacceptable as there is no transparency.

I would have just got up got dressed and walked out.

If you complain a regulatory body you may not achieve much. You would be best off bringing this to their attention and tell them why you were unhappy and dissatisfied.

It's entirely possible they keep losing clients for the same reason because no one tells them they are uncomfortable with it.

If they are uncompliant and you get no joy then you should take it further.

Whatever happens I wouldn't go back there again. That is the best way to make them change something. if people are unhappy but keep going back why change the methodology?

Answer 3

Does it sound normal?

Answer 4

Too many people are afraid of their own bodies.  To be honest, you are asking a complete stranger to touch your body everywhere, and you are concerned about being properly draped?  By the time most adults have reached adulthood, we have seen what the human body looks like.

Draping is to provide comfort from the cold, nothing more.  However, most massage therapists do provide draping to help those like yourself to not be too embarrassed about their own bodies.  

I have given massage to clients that are fully naked and it makes my job much easier.  I don't have to spend time fiddling with sheets to protect someones "privacy".  Up to 10 minutes can be spent properly draping a person.  Wouldn't you rather have that time spent on your shoulders or feet?    And, I prefer my massage therapist to give me a massage undraped.  I only ask for the sheet when I feel cold, usually toward the end of the massage.  

I do have integrity and never touch private parts (a**s, nipples, genitals), no matter whether they are draped or not.  

Answer 5

I think its a massage therapists job to respect the comfort level of her client. Some clients are okay with nudity, and others aren't, I believe it is the therapists responsibility to honor the comfort level of her client and never assume that nudity is okay because in the community I live in, more of my clients prefer sheets and draping than not.

Remember the massage therapist is there to be working on YOU. If you're not comfortable, speak up and say something. This is in regards to draping, pressure, style etc. Its about the client.

Next time tell her you want draping.