How do you keep track of your possessions when you face down on table?

[armadillo]

So fellow massage aficionados, you have your face in the cradle staring at the floor. How do you keep sight of your clothing, and belongings inside them during the massage?? (Watch, wallet, etc.)

 

Suggestions please!

 

(Mind you, I show up with the absolute minimum in 'throw away' wallet, and wear a Timex watch)

[maninsoma]

I've never been concerned about this. At most my possessions are only a few feet away, and once a masseur begins the massage he's generally always either touching me or obviously grabbing oil or a towel. I think it would be pretty obvious if anyone was taking the time to go through my jacket or pants pockets.

[EastbayMike]

It's never been a consideration. If I didn't trust the masseur, I wouldn't be there getting a massage.

[bigvalboy]

For myself, trust should always be a consideration. I also show up with the absolute minimum, however when I am face down on the massage table, I fold my clothes neatly in one pile on the floor a few feet in front of me and just off to the side of my head. Pants, shirt, shoes, and car keys on top of the shoes. I do not use a 'throw away' wallet. The only thing I take with me is the cash and a cell phone, which is folded into my shirt and the money that is going to be used for the services is folded and placed inside the shoes. This is done regardless of the number of times I've seen the masseur. Yes, I know, I am overly cautious, and this might be a bit much for most people, however I encourage people to do that which is most comfortable for their own personal situation.

[adriano46]

Like bigvalboy I show up with the absolute minimum of things (usually in a convenient zippered back-pack) - my general clothing is near the table but in the back pack are wallet, watch, glasses, iPhone plus a towel, small showering pack (mouthwash, soap, hairbrush etc...) and they are all zipped in the back-pack and left in the bathroom. I general ask to "wash up" before we meet and immediately after and so there is no real reason for the masseur to go into the bathroom while I am face down. Most masseurs do not ask for the $$ up front but as soon as I emerge from the shower, I hand it to them in an open envelope (and usually add a tip before I do this).

[bigvalboy]

Like bigvalboy I show up with the absolute minimum of things (usually in a convenient zippered back-pack) - my general clothing is near the table but in the back pack are wallet, watch, glasses, iPhone plus a towel, small showering pack (mouthwash, soap, hairbrush etc...) and they are all zipped in the back-pack and left in the bathroom. I general ask to "wash up" before we meet and immediately after and so there is no real reason for the masseur to go into the bathroom while I am face down. Most masseurs do not ask for the $$ up front but as soon as I emerge from the shower, I hand it to them in an open envelope (and usually add a tip before I do this).

 

Excellent idea. I had not thought of that. You can hear if someone tries to unzip something.

[Steven_Draker]

You must have a very low opinion of your masseur, if you think he's going to go through your pockets and possessions.

 

I think that one should be natural, if you show yourself distrustful, the masseur will sense that and you're settling for less-than-stellar experience.

 

As a client you should be able to relax and focus on your pleasure - the massage experience.

 

[EastbayMike]

Thank you Steven. My thoughts exactly.

[+ VeryHappyCustomer]

If I didn't trust the masseur, I wouldn't be there getting a massage.

 

+1

 

If I don't trust a guy, I will never be able to enjoy his touch -- face up or face down.

[instudiocity]

You must have a very low opinion of your masseur, if you think he's going to go through your pockets and possessions.

 

I think that one should be natural, if you show yourself distrustful, the masseur will sense that and you're settling for less-than-stellar experience.

 

As a client you should be able to relax and focus on your pleasure - the massage experience.

 

As a client, if I'm going to get naked for a masseur for some bodywork, worrying about any possessions other than my body is the last thing on my list!

[desertguy1954]

I also agree with Steven. I am not going to go to someone I do not trust. I just would not be able to relax and enjoy. Just think of the masseur, the trust they must have. Here they are opening up their private space to people and the only connection they have had is either email, text or a phone call. Now that to me is trust.

[jeffla]

I am always cautious, unless I have gotten to know the masseur. I bring minimal belongings and fold everything neatly in a pile, usually in eyesight. I think it's naive to simply trust a masseur or escort on day one; that's why there's sites like this one and the use of referrals, etc. And yet even with positive referrals, there is still no guarantee. I'm sure the few horror stories out there we've heard or read about nevertheless were preceded by other happy clients.

 

Many of these people will prove to be good people who can be trusted. But even if they're opening their home to us, in all likelihood they are not keeping valuables within arm's reach to us, or letting us out of their eyesight. With our head in the cradle, though, we can't keep our eyes on them the entire time. So it just can't hurt to be cautious and smart.

 

Also, if you go to a massage spa, all the more reason to be careful. You never know who else might reach through those curtains while you're head is in the cradle. In more "legitimate" spas, there are lockers with locks on them. Even so, it turned out someone at one of these legitimate spas I frequent, with a great reputation, had rifled through lockers (and was ultimately caught), so even there, it's best to leave valuables at home.

 

I will obviously not go to see a masseur if I don't have reasonable comfort things will be fine. But why take the chance with a stranger when you can just take a few simple cautious steps?

[MiamiLooker]

Seems to me the client being cautious helps protect the masseur from unwarranted suspicion in case some money or other valuable is found to be missing (for instance, if the client has misplaced it) after the session.

[adriano46]

Seems to me the client being cautious helps protect the masseur from unwarranted suspicion in case some money or other valuable is found to be missing (for instance, if the client has misplaced it) after the session.

 

EXACTLY. Trust is a two-way street. Most masseurs who I visit either in NYC or DC have an aversion to light! You go in to a darkened room with minimal lighting (literally the curtains are pulled shut, and some either leave one lamp lit - often with a towel over it - or just the light of their computer screen). Even guys who I have seen "at their place" (apartment) keep the room very dark. I am not against that for the "mood" but I am of an age that I try to keep ALL MY THINGS in one place so that I do not leave anything behind. I know when my 60 or 90 minutes are OVER I am not expected to linger having chit chat, and since I try to take a very quick shower and dress [and yes, I bring my own things as mentioned above] I try to dress and vacate the masseur's place a.s.a.p., so he can get ready for his next client.

 

THAT is the main reason I use a small back-pack: it fits watch, wallet, mobile, glasses, change, keys etc.. into ONE PLACE (and it is so I can find my things more than mistrusting the masseur -- which I never even inferred).

 

If some of you bright lights who criticized that idea have some better one - fine. Do what you want. Armadillo asked for what others do. I wrote what I do. End of story.

[Diverdan]

I guess I have been very lucky, as although I am careful with how I put my clothes away, I have only had a concern in one situation in NYC, when the masseur was obviously not the person in the ad. I do take minimal cash and leave my credit cards, etc. in my hotel room or at home, but in all the years I have had massages, I have never lost anything. I am a big guy and I always discretely check everything before I leave, and if something was not right, I would not hesitate to confront the masseur about the situation. Maybe that is why I have never had a problem, as I can be somewhat intimidating. But, I also don't disagree with the thoughts expressed by many of you whom I respect greatly.

[armadillo]

Well not all of us are 'big guys' who can confront the masseur. When you go to pay the provider, there is $100 less in you wallet. What are small folks to do?

 

I like the idea of a zippered back pack, excellent idea.

[rvwnsd]

As a client, if I'm going to get naked for a masseur for some bodywork, worrying about any possessions other than my body is the last thing on my list!

 

My sentiments exactly!

[Lohengrin1979]

I follow the method that BVB uses, although I'm a bit stranger in the sense that I stack my clothes in order and place my wallet, phone, and keys underneath everything. Obviously, once I've built a relationship with the masseur this is less of a problem. I do agree with Jeffla's comment about spas Asian or otherwise. Guard your things carefully there and go in with the absolute minimum. I usually keep my phone and wallet in my car. One never knows and there's too much community space without lockers available.

 

 

Lohengrin