NEW MASSEUSE (FROM CRIME IN SOCIETY, 1978, BY LEONARD D SAVITZ AND NORMAN JOHNSTON - SEE NCJ-53552)

• NCJ Number: 53563
• Author(s): P K RASMUSSEN; L L KUHN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: John Wiley and Sons
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM 'THE NEW MASSEUSE - PLAY FOR PAY', URBAN LIFE, V 5, N 3 (OCTOBER 1976), P 271-292

Annotation

MASSAGE PARLORS ARE DISCUSSED, WITH ATTENTION TO THEIR SETTING AND INTERNAL DYNAMICS AND THE MOTIVES, BACKGROUNDS, AND 'PROFESSIONALISM' OF THE MASSEUSES.

Abstract

GENERALLY, MASSAGE PARLORS REFLECT THE AREA THEY ARE IN AND THE CLIENTELE THEY SERVICE. IN DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICTS, THEY ARE CONVERTED STORE FRONTS; IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, REMODELED HOMES. THE INTERIORS ARE USUALLY DIMLY LIGHTED AND PROVOCATIVELY DECORATED. THE MASSEUSES THEMSELVES COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, WITH BACKGROUNDS RANGING FROM UPPER CLASS TO THE VERY LOWEST. THE PAY AND WORKING CONDITIONS ARE VERY FAVORABLE. TWO COMMON PAYMENT SCHEMES ARE USED: COMMISSIONS FROM 40 TO 50 PERCENT OF THE MASSAGE FEE OR STRAIGHT HOURLY WAGES OF $2 TO $3. IN EITHER CASE, THE MASSEUSE KEEPS ALL MONEY EARNED FOR SEXUAL SERVICES. SEXUAL SERVICES ARE CALLED 'EXTRAS' AND INCLUDE MANUAL STIMULATION, ORAL SEX, AND INTERCOURSE. MOST WOMEN STARTING OUT IN THE BUSINESS SPECIFY THE TYPES OF SEXUAL ACTS THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO PERFORM, AND THE MALE CUSTOMERS TRY TO SEDUCE THE WOMEN INTO EXTENDING THEIR SERVICES, EITHER BY ASKING FOR ANOTHER GIRL OR BY NOT RETURNING TO THE PARLOR IN THE FUTURE. THESE MEASURES WORK TO PRESSURE MASSEUSES INTO PROVIDING ALL FORMS OF SEX ON DEMAND. MASSEUSES SEE THEMSELVES AS PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING, AND THEY AVAIL THEMSELVES OF MARKETING TECHNIQUES COMMON TO LESS PROVOCATIVE ENTERPRISES. IN ADDITION TO MASTERING THE BODY LANGUAGE AND SEXUAL RHETORIC NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS A MASSEUSE, THEY TEND TO BECOME AUTHORITIES IN THE PROVISIONS OF STATE AND LOCAL ORDINANCES, AND THEY USE THIS KNOWLEDGE TO REDUCE THE THREAT OF ARREST. THE WOMEN ENGAGE IN A WORD GAME PROCESS THAT PUTS THE BURDEN OF SOLICITATION ON THE CUSTOMER, NOT THE MASSEUSE. ARRESTS IN THIS AREA GENERALLY INVOLVE A GIRL TOO NEW TO THE SCENE TO UNDERSTAND THE WORKINGS OF THE SYSTEM OR A VICE OFFICER WHO IS NOT AWARE OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON HIS BEHAVIOR. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)