Does the idea of being bathed by others appeal to you or squick you out?

[Skald the Rhymer]

While looking for pictures of Jean Ingres' "The Turkish Bath," I came across this website

astoriahotels.info/album/Turkish%20Bath/slides/Turkish%20Bath5.html

I removed the http://www part of the address because (a) the "do no parse URLs" command appears to be missing (b) the pictures are not safe for work. Though all the naughty bits are covered by soap suds, the pictures show a woman being pampered at an Astoria Hotel by being bathed by servants.

This idea disturbs me. Not in an oh-my-god-people-are-being-exploited sense; I'm sure the workers are well-compensated and doing this voluntarily, and, anywhistle, I'm not in charge of them. It's more of a "I do NOT find the idea of being bathed in such a fashion relaxing or appealing. Not even if the attendants were -- let's see, who am I obsessing over this week? -- Linda Park and Taye Diggs, and both were nude, and both were going to have hot monkey sex with me and my wife afterward would I want them scrubbing between my ass. Given the opportunity to have such a four-way I'd insist on bathing in private first. Certainly I am not about to have non-group-sex-related bathing done by strangers unless I'm paralyzed or something.

But that's just me. Anybody have a different take? Has anyone partaken of such a service, or been offered the opportunity and said, "No, I don't think so."

Oh, and don't google "Ingres Turkish Bath" at work either. It's buxom bare-breased babes fondling one another.

[SiXSwordS]

Scrub out between my ass cheeks? No.
Dig out the chunkage between my toes? No.

I relax in a the tub while someone rubs a soapy, soft wash cloth around my back and shoulders and maybe my hands... that could be nice.

I have this weird thing where I don't like it when someone washes my hair... when I'm getting my hair cut for instance, but in my imagination, someone washing my arms and chest sounds ok.

[Ellen Cherry]

It looks like a variation on a massage, to me, which generally doesn't squick people out. I'm not sure what the long tubular thing is, though, on the guy in the last picture. :eek:

[corkboard]

Not clicking from here, but unless I knew my washing attendants intimately and I could lie back while they first cleansed me then used me for our collective pleasure, it would be squicky.

[Anaamika]

I take a shower first, then maybe. But no, it wouldn't be my favorite thing.

[bordelond]

I'm not sure what the long tubular thing is, though, on the guy in the last picture. :eek:
:D

[Pushkin]

If it was a woman, whom I didn't know, bathing me, I'd be ok with it. Maybe two of them. Anything else and I'd be uncomfortable to completely squicked. Turkish bath type scenario would be a bit hellish.

[beanpod]

I love someone else washing or brushing my hair. It stops at the edge of my scalp though. Anything other than hair washing...no.

[Cluricaun]

I'm a guy, we don't take baths. That being said, it there were a set of red haired young ladies who were bound and determined to make it happen, well who would I be to argue?

[vetbridge]

No thanks. Not my cupa.

[gurujulp]

Now this may get to be a bit TMI- but after I have known someone and become intimate with them- for certain things I am going to require that I be the washer before...

Eww- not me getting washed by a stranger, tho.

[Projammer]

It's not something I'm going to go out of my way to participate in.

OTOH, if I won a vacation package or something similar that it was bundled with, sure. Why not?


Well, I might go a few hours out of my way if it were Jolene Blalock wielding the washcloth.

[Autolycus]

While looking for pictures of Jean Ingres' "The Turkish Bath," I came across this website

astoriahotels.info/album/Turkish%20Bath/slides/Turkish%20Bath5.html

I removed the http://www part of the address because (a) the "do no parse URLs" command appears to be missing (b) the pictures are not safe for work. Though all the naughty bits are covered by soap suds, the pictures show a woman being pampered at an Astoria Hotel by being bathed by servants. .

In picture number one, her nipple is most definitely visible. Not that I'm complaining :D

I'd probably try it, but for me bathing certainly is a very intimate activity. If a guy did it, I'd feel somehow gay even though that's totally stupid and irrational, and if a women did it I'd feel worried that I might become totally turned on. Still, if I'm being offered to be pampered, I'm sure I'd try it.

[corkboard]

I'm a guy, we don't take baths. That being said, it there were a set of red haired young ladies who were bound and determined to make it happen, well who would I be to argue?

But if they were bound then how would...





Never mind.

[vetbridge]

if a women did it I'd feel worried that I might become totally turned on.

That's when you use your PeeWee Herman voice, "AHHHH. . .it's getting all big and hard !!!!".

[Skald the Rhymer]

In picture number one, her nipple is most definitely visible. Not that I'm complaining :D


I noticed that after I posted the OP, but since the ink was broken I figured there was no reason to give a damn.

[NinetyWt]

It would not appeal to me, at all. I would like it if my hubby was the bather; not any strangers, no sir.

I don't like folks fussing with me - I tolerate getting my hair shampooed when I get it cut. I hated the one manicure I had; just the feeling of another person rubbing my hands with lotion was hideously uncomfortable. I think it's just too intimate for me.

[Quartz]

I think I'd find it difficult the first time, but after that, I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem.

[Millit the Frail]

It's pretty unappealing to me. As a nursing student, I bathe people sometimes. It's usually not very enjoyable to be bathed by someone else, from all I can tell. Most people would rather be doing it themselves, and as far as they can, I let them do so and I just wash the "unreachables." No, that does not include "down there." ;)

Then again, it's not a sexual atmosphere at all (trust me, even if they're male and still have working equipment, it's not), and these people are usually pretty ill, so I'm sure that colors my perception of the whole deal.

Although I have to admit that I sometimes feel total married woman guilt for enjoying the shampoo at the salon so much.....

[Little Nemo]

How else is the royal penis going to get clean?

[Larry Borgia]

If a couple of reasonably attractive women wanted to bathe me, I think I could work it into my schedule.

[ShelliBean]

As someone that regularly pays someone to put me into naked yoga poses and rip the hair out of my body, a stranger bath seems damn near clinical.

[Dunderman]

Then again, it's not a sexual atmosphere at all (trust me, even if they're male and still have working equipment, it's not)Speaking as a fully equipped male with quite a bit of hospital time behind me, this is entirely correct.

[Caffeine.addict]

It looks like a Turkish bath. I tried it when I was in Turkey at the Cemberlitas Baths. It was a bit meh for me. Your naughty bits are covered. It was like a massage. The Turkish one was a big room and had a few people in there. There was nothing the least bit sexual about it. It was similar to having your hair washed and maybe getting a shave at a barber shop.

The entire thing was underwhelming but was worth trying once.

[Mama Zappa]

It would not appeal to me, at all. I would like it if my hubby was the bather; not any strangers, no sir.

I don't like folks fussing with me - I tolerate getting my hair shampooed when I get it cut. I hated the one manicure I had; just the feeling of another person rubbing my hands with lotion was hideously uncomfortable. I think it's just too intimate for me.
AH!!!!! I'm NOT the only person who hates manicures (and pedicures... the two I've had, I spent the entire time dead certain that the person was about to gash something, and there were times where I was in real pain). I keep wanting to yank my hand away, scrub everything off, and run shrieking out the door.

Bath: nuh-uh, no way. I like my privacy in the bath. Nobody touches the most bath-needing parts of me unless they a) are married to me, or b) have an MD.

Oddly though, I *lurves* a professional massage (of the therapeutic variety, you pervs :p) and that's *nearly* as personal.

[Millit the Frail]

Speaking as a fully equipped male with quite a bit of hospital time behind me, this is entirely correct.

Yeah, I kill a lot of people's "naughty nurse" fantasies by speaking the truth. And by wearing a godawful standard-issue unisex getup, too.

[BaneSidhe]

Unless the bathing is done by daHubby or two certain members of Def Leppard, no.

[Dervorin]

Although I have to admit that I sometimes feel total married woman guilt for enjoying the shampoo at the salon so much.....
Colour me confused. Married woman guilt? Non comprendo.

Regarding the bath issue, I'd be very happy to be bathed (within limits, no ass-scrubbing and toenail-gunk eradication, f'rinstance) by someone I was sleeping with or hoped to be sleeping with. Stranger, with shorts on, as depicted in the photos? Also acceptable, but I doubt I'd go out of my way to find it.

[jackdavinci]

I love bathing or showering with an SO and getting scrubbed all over. If it were a stranger it would have to be a particularly attractive and nice stranger. I definitely wouldn't want to be washed by the people on that website.

[Carson O'Genic]

Being a COF, I'm dreading a Millit the Frail scenario of being unable to bathe myself.
Sure, it's fun as a recreational thing where cleanliness isn't the purpose.

[WhyNot]

It looks like a Turkish bath. I tried it when I was in Turkey at the Cemberlitas Baths. It was a bit meh for me. Your naughty bits are covered. It was like a massage. The Turkish one was a big room and had a few people in there. There was nothing the least bit sexual about it. It was similar to having your hair washed and maybe getting a shave at a barber shop.

The entire thing was underwhelming but was worth trying once.
Yeah, I'm a little unsure how this became so completely linked with sex so immediately. I don't think sexy thoughts when I'm getting a pedicure or a shampoo - why would I be thinking sexy thoughts about cleaning other parts of me? I think I'd mentally file this in the same category, or maybe cross-reference it with "herbal wrap" and "massage". Still not-sexy things.

Really, the last time someone bathed you it was probably your mom. That's sexy? *barf*

Sign me up for a sample - I love being pampered. On the other hand, I have issues with paid help; I tend to flitter about wanting to help the bagger bag at the grocery store, so I'm not entirely certain I could completely relax like I'd want to.

[NinetyWt]

Really, the last time someone bathed you it was probably your mom. That's sexy? *barf* No, actually, the last time was my husband. I've done the "play bath" thing with various lovers over the years. I thought that was something all couples did.

[3acresandatruck]

I love bathing or showering with an SO and getting scrubbed all over. If it were a stranger it would have to be a particularly attractive and nice stranger. I definitely wouldn't want to be washed by the people on that website.Yeah...when I looked at the pictures, I was thinking that's not a bath. Lie on a stone slab while two hairy Turkish guys wearing red checkered tablecloths work you over? No thanks.

But something in a tub of hot water with a lady friend...I'm all over that! Or even just a platonic bath-massage of some sort would sound nice when you're achy all over. But I don't imagine them washing me so much as massaging...and I'm old enough to appreciate an actual massage. The ladies administering my ablutions may wear bathing suits, but no men, please. :D

[Skald the Rhymer]

It looks like a Turkish bath. I tried it when I was in Turkey at the Cemberlitas Baths. It was a bit meh for me. Your naughty bits are covered. It was like a massage. The Turkish one was a big room and had a few people in there. There was nothing the least bit sexual about it. It was similar to having your hair washed and maybe getting a shave at a barber shop.

The entire thing was underwhelming but was worth trying once.

I can see how you could misread my OP, but it's not the sexual element that bothers me; I meant that it's just too disturbing an idea for me to contemplate, and even the the prospect of comely female hands doing it doesn't help.

I don't mind showering with my wife, though.

[Skald the Rhymer]

Being a COF, I'm dreading a Millit the Frail scenario of being unable to bathe myself.
Sure, it's fun as a recreational thing where cleanliness isn't the purpose.

What is a COF?

[freekalette]

What is a COF?

My WAG: Creature of Frailty

[Kyla]

I went to a Turkish bath in Istanbul last December. It had been highly recommended to me by several other people. It was...an experience. Not at all sexual, though. I'll try to remember exactly what happened.

First, I went into a dressing room and changed into a little robe and shower shoes they gave me. Then, the bath woman showed me to a marble (it wasn't as fancy as that sounds though) room, where hot water poured out of a spout. I was instructed to sit on the floor and use a little bucket to pour the water over myself. After doing this for about ten minutes, the bath woman came back and led me to a massage-type table.

Then she cleaned the ever-loving fuck out of my skin. I don't think I had a single dead skin cell on my body after that. It was hard core. Then she gave me a "massage", by which I mean she practically beat me up. This was no namby pamby new age massage. I think I was black and blue afterwards. It fucking HURT.

Then I went back to the other room, rinsed myself off again, and was led back to the central room, which was heated by a wood-burning stove (this was winter, so it was pretty chilly). They gave me tea made on the stove (Turks are REALLY into giving people tea) and I sat there until I was dry, when I went back to my dressing room, changed, and left.

Incredibly, I actually felt really, really good the next day. I had been in Istanbul for a few days and had been walking a LOT and was kind of achy from all of the exercise. But after getting the shit beat out of me by the masseuse, I felt great and ready to tackle some more museums and bazaars.

[WhyNot]

No, actually, the last time was my husband. I've done the "play bath" thing with various lovers over the years. I thought that was something all couples did.
Ah, I've had my tits thoroughly and enthusiastically lathered by lovers, and a much appreciated if too short back scrubbin', but I consider that "Turkish bathing" like I consider the 15 minute neck rubs "deep tissue massage". ;) The one is foreplay, the other is "Ow that feels good."

[Acid Lamp]

Absolutely it appeals to me. Wash me, shampoo and brush my hair, comb and oil my beard, and massage me. I love it, it makes me feel like a conquering gladiator enjoying his rewards. There is something intrinsically manly about being attended to by scantily clad sudsy young ladies. Sex need not be involved at all. It's a relaxation thing. Men may be masseuses when servicing me but nothing else.

[Little Nemo]

Ah, I've had my tits thoroughly and enthusiastically lathered by lovers, and a much appreciated if too short back scrubbin'I think Sarah Silverman made a joke about showering with a guy and how your breasts will never be cleaner.

[Skald the Rhymer]

I think Sarah Silverman made a joke about showering with a guy and how your breasts will never be cleaner.

For liberal values of "clean" maybe, which allow for...well, never mind.

[vetbridge]

What is a COF?

I can think of one possibility, but it is entirely inappropriate and I apologize for even briefly thinking of it.

[Skald the Rhymer]

I can think of one possibility, but it is entirely inappropriate and I apologize for even briefly thinking of it.

I demand to know and, being me, feel obliged to threaten you with an attack by light-sabre wielding velociraptors if you do not comply.

[Mojo Pin]

I regularly get 'bathed' by total strangers, hell, men! We have many public baths & saunas here and they always have some kind of...(how do I put this) scrubbing service available. You go steam in the 42C hot tub for a couple minutes and get all soft, and when you're ready the guy pretty much scrubs several layers of skin (dead and living it feel like) off of you. I also do about 45 minutes of hot tub -> really cold pool and back, and its the most refreshing thing ever. I always look forward to going every 2-3 months.

[Millit the Frail]

Colour me confused. Married woman guilt? Non comprendo.

As in, I enjoy it so much, I have to wonder if I'm cheating. :) A little joke, maybe a dumb one. Maybe I'm weird for finding the shampoo thing sexy, but it feels so good!! I can probably trace it all back to the time when I was about 14 and a I had a hairstylist who looked exactly like Patrick Swayze. In this scene. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y97bWP33d8I)

Anyway, COF....hmmm....Creepy Old Fart? I kid, I kid!!! I don't mind washing my patients up except for the time it takes. I'd rather get someone cleaned up than tend to a patient with bad BO all day. And I'm happy to make someone feel better, that's what I do. It's got to be a little bit of a comfort, even though it's no substitute for a real shower.

[Chimera]

Happy ending?

(only if I, a male, am being bathed by attractive females)

[Guinastasia]

Depends on who's doing the bathing.

[Ponch8]

Yes, if it is by an attractive woman. No, if it's by a man or an ugly, old, and/or fat woman.

[Girl From Mars]

I've had this done a couple of times, in Istanbul and in Morocco. Both times it was far from erotic, it was more like being a kid and your Mum washing you. Here's my blog entry from the Istanbul trip:
But Miriam, we've only just met!
I thought I would visit one of the local hamams for a proper Turkish bath - there are several around the Old City that are more than 300 years old, and I thought it would be an excellent way to 'soak' up some culture (groan).

After signing up for the full wash, polish and turtle wax at Cagaloglu Hamam, Miriam Margolyes gave me a very small towel, instructed me to strip off and escorted me into the giant marble hall fitted out with ancient columns and fountains where she mimed that I should splash myself with water to rinse off, and that she would be right back. Unsure of just what to do, I took a surreptitious look to see what the others were doing, and found they were...basically splashing themselves with water. OK, not that complicated!

30 minutes later, I was still sitting naked and wet in Miriam Margoyles bathroom, and with only the ability to order tea in Turkish, I was acutely aware that my negotiating skills were very much restricted. Luckily she finally returned, took me by the hand, and led me to the large heated marble platform in the centre of the room.

There she proceeded to scrub the top layer of my skin off, then roughly kneaded my flesh, whilst I, all soapy slid over the marble dais like a ouija board pointer. At certain points she grabbed my arm and held it close to her to stop me moving, which left me very much at risk of feeling her up. The indignity not complete, she then sat me at her feet and proceeded to roughly wash my hair like I was 3 years old, with suds pouring down my face.

Oh yes, needless to say, I giggled the whole way through. And emerged very clean indeed.

[Elendil's Heir]

If a couple of reasonably attractive women wanted to bathe me, I think I could work it into my schedule.

Seconded, IF I weren't married. But I am, so no thanks.

[Carson O'Genic]

What is a COF?

Certified Old Fart. Cranky Old Fuck.

Freekalette, more and more.

Sheesh, Vetbridge. Pick it up lad.

[DocCathode]

I do not want to be bathed by anybody unless there is a happy ending involved- given that I'm heterosexual that leaves out Turkish men.

Re that cylindrical thing

Traditionally, your back was scrubbed with a platzah- a branch (I think usually myrtle) with herbs and suds. I assume the cylindrical thing is a plastic equivalent of a platzah.

[Pyper]

I went to a Turkish bath in Istanbul last December. It had been highly recommended to me by several other people. It was...an experience. Not at all sexual, though. I'll try to remember exactly what happened.

First, I went into a dressing room and changed into a little robe and shower shoes they gave me. Then, the bath woman showed me to a marble (it wasn't as fancy as that sounds though) room, where hot water poured out of a spout. I was instructed to sit on the floor and use a little bucket to pour the water over myself. After doing this for about ten minutes, the bath woman came back and led me to a massage-type table.

Then she cleaned the ever-loving fuck out of my skin. I don't think I had a single dead skin cell on my body after that. It was hard core. Then she gave me a "massage", by which I mean she practically beat me up. This was no namby pamby new age massage. I think I was black and blue afterwards. It fucking HURT.

Then I went back to the other room, rinsed myself off again, and was led back to the central room, which was heated by a wood-burning stove (this was winter, so it was pretty chilly). They gave me tea made on the stove (Turks are REALLY into giving people tea) and I sat there until I was dry, when I went back to my dressing room, changed, and left.


I had a very similar experience in a Moroccan hamman, in which a large Moroccan woman sanded and then beat me to death. Or so it felt.

[vetbridge]

I demand to know and, being me, feel obliged to threaten you with an attack by light-sabre wielding velociraptors if you do not comply.

Ask the urban dictionary. (http://www.urbandictionary.com/):D

[amarinth]

There's a Korean spa here where they have a service where you soak in hot water for a half hour and then they scrub the crap out of your skin.
It's quite relaxing. And my skin feels great afterwards.

[LouisB]

On the day following my spinal surgery, I was bathed (wiped down with baby wipes, anyway) by a male orderly/attendant. And I mean wiped down ALL FREAKING OVER, which I wasn't expecting at all. It was disconcerting, to say the least. He also shampooed my hair and shaved me, which didn't bother me at all. I actually don't remember the sequence of events but since I was very nearly helpless as well as drugged nearly senseless and needed the hosing off, I didn't object. By the time I knew he was going to do the disconcerting parts, he was already doing them. As to if I would allow another male to wash me again, it would depend on conditions, I suppose. Situational morals and all.