After gathering information by talking to people around me, reading the news, and other sources, I decided to visit the area to get a clearer picture, understand the issues, and listen to the solutions that some massage parlors might be using. I got a recommendation for a massage parlor from one of the people I interviewed, which was located in London near Holborn Tube station. Initially, I didn’t plan to go there to gather information; I went as a customer because I had back pain.
The massage process at this place was quite similar to what I was used to in Thailand, so I was familiar with the procedures. For those who may not be familiar with the process, I’ll briefly explain. First, you have to choose the type of massage you want. The masseuse will ask you about your symptoms and check if you are pregnant or have any other conditions that might cause harm. After that, they will take you to a room, where the masseuse will ask you to change into appropriate clothing. If you choose an oil massage, you will be required to remove all your clothes and lie on the bed under a blanket. This is something I’m quite used to because I grew up with Thai massage. However, when I shared this with my foreign friends who had never experienced a massage, they were somewhat surprised, which made me realize that this isn’t something everyone is accustomed to.
While I was changing clothes, I noticed a sign on the wall. At first, I didn’t think much of it because in Thailand, there are usually signs reminding you to check your belongings before leaving the room. But this sign was different—it informed customers that the parlor does not offer sexual services. This was something that surprised me quite a bit.
During the massage, I didn’t engage in much conversation with the masseuse, just the usual small talk as I’ve done before. However, perhaps because I’m Thai, the conversation between me and the masseuse became more open. She told me that she got this job because she graduated from university in a related field, which allowed the parlor to sponsor her visa and employ her legally. She had been in the UK for less than six months and wasn’t yet fluent enough in English to communicate smoothly with customers, even though she had to take the IELTS exam as part of her visa application process.
After the massage, I asked her if the sign was posted everywhere. She replied that it was present in most of the massage rooms because customers sometimes inquire about additional services. She herself had been asked about it, though not frequently, and she hadn’t experienced any harassment from guests. As I walked out, I noticed that similar signs were posted in almost every part of the parlor, including at the reception desk.
I had the opportunity to talk with the receptionist and asked why they needed to put up such signs. The receptionist told me that many customers, mostly Westerners or Indians, often ask about these services. On average, the parlor receives about 4-5 phone calls per day asking this question, so they put up the signs to reduce the need for staff to repeatedly answer it. Even though the majority of their regular customers are Chinese, either students or residents in London, due to the location being close to Chinatown, customers have shared with the staff that most parlors in Chinatown don’t accept female customers. Even if a woman comes with a male partner, they still won’t be accepted, which is why this customer group prefers to come here.