# How do "spas" get to open and stay in business? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566 "2012-05-30T18:12:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/21 "2012-05-31T03:02:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > More or less correct, except that if it’s attached to a Chiropractor or similar it’s legit. That’s an assumption that is not always correct. Chiropractic and acupuncture can also be fronts. And to make it more confusing, there are now some spas that advertise as if they are of an adult nature, but aren’t, at least not explicitly. So guy wanders in thinking he’s going to have some fun and just gets a massage. How can he complain? ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/22 "2012-05-31T03:35:17Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > I think this is the kind of “spa” the OP is referring to 😉 > > [Billboard](http://z3crosscountry.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/georgia-spa.jpg) That’s exactly my point. I would call that a “massage parlor”. Note the word “massage” on the billboard. I don’t see the word “spa” there. Would you call it a spa? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/23 "2012-05-31T04:40:31Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > That’s exactly my point. I would call that a “massage parlor”. Note the word “massage” on the billboard. I don’t see the word “spa” there. Would you call it a spa? Fair enough. But here’s an [ad](http://www.ktvq.com/images/thumbnails/36365B3D4A4B080774EDAE848900241A_600_600.jpg) for the Shangri-La Spa and Sauna. And I suspect that you could obtain illegal services at this business. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/24 "2012-05-31T04:41:06Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > Being in a sleazy part of town… I-65 manages to be a sleazy part of town for most of its length, even if the town is a cornfield. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/25 "2012-05-31T07:00:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Most “spas” are legit, but the ones that are more “adult oriented” make it rather clear by their advertising. In the Montrose area(large gay population) of Houston there used to be a massage place with a sign featuring a muscular man posed so no nudity was showing, they advertised man on man massage with other wink wink nudge nudge phrases. And of course all the places that mention their workers race and sex, asian massage, I’ve even seen one or two just come out and say erotic massage. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/26 "2012-05-31T10:44:21Z")
I have always assumed that the massage parlors/adult video store type places that you see out on the interstates away from the cities probably are pretty significant tax revenue generators by the standards of rural locales, and that is why they are tolerated. Selling sin to people who are just passing through isn’t marring your community, and brings in real money. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/27 "2012-05-31T13:56:06Z")
Just don’t expect a happy ending at your local [Spar](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spar_(retailer)). ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/28 "2012-05-31T14:42:56Z")
Here in New England, the word “spa” was used for a soda fountain/lunch counter operation. It’s apparently quite archaic, since there are very few of them left. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/29 "2012-05-31T14:54:22Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > Not to mention “veterinary clinics.” I can see figuring out that a salon/spa is really a brothel but how do you let people know a vet clinic is? Use the word “pussy” in lieu of kitty? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/30 "2012-05-31T15:22:21Z")
That reminds me - does anyone else think that Friendly’s should be shaken until it’s teeth rattle for selling a “Happy Ending Sundae” on the kids menu? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/31 "2012-05-31T15:39:21Z")
In the alternative papers here in Philadelphia, there are two sections of advertisements for spas. The first section is listed with the ads for doctors and such. They use words like reiki and accupressure. The second section is near the personals and uses words like asian staff, body shampoo, and full body massage. The cops could go after the spas in the second section. But, largely they don’t. Technically laws are being broken. But, it’s kept out of the public eye and there are no complaining neighbors. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/32 "2012-05-31T15:53:32Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > In the alternative papers here in Philadelphia, there are two sections of advertisements for spas. The first section is listed with the ads for doctors and such. They use words like reiki and accupressure. The second section is near the personals and uses words like asian staff, body shampoo, and full body massage. > > The cops could go after the spas in the second section. But, largely they don’t. Technically laws are being broken. But, it’s kept out of the public eye and there are no complaining neighbors. I’m of the opposite opinion-the spas offering woo therapy should be shut down, and the ones that give you bang for your buck should be left alone. ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/33 "2012-05-31T16:08:21Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > In the alternative papers here in Philadelphia, there are two sections of advertisements for spas. The first section is listed with the ads for doctors and such. They use words like reiki and accupressure. The second section is near the personals and uses words like asian staff, body shampoo, and full body massage. > > The cops could go after the spas in the second section. But, largely they don’t. Technically laws are being broken. But, it’s kept out of the public eye and there are no complaining neighbors. My husband used to have an office on Chestnut Street in Philly. The employees who smoked would use the loading dock that was on Ranstead to hang out and smoke. The loading dock offered a great view of the local Massage Parlor. He said the clientele was almost always of the white middle aged male variety, the girls who worked there were all young, pretty and asian. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/34 "2012-05-31T16:15:25Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > … Just like with prostitution, there is some tolerance in most communities without the public picketing City Hall… uh… wouldn’t this be prostitution? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/35 "2012-05-31T17:32:25Z")
Here in Nevada, they (brothels) are called “ranchs”. There are 4 or 5 of them just down the road. Can’t think of any “spas”, however. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/36 "2012-05-31T19:10:15Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > I think this is the kind of “spa” the OP is referring to 😉 > > [Billboard](http://z3crosscountry.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/georgia-spa.jpg) [Found it!](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Macon,+GA&hl=en&ll=32.854788,-83.644087&spn=0.01132,0.017316&sll=32.854679,-83.644023&sspn=0.022784,0.034633&geocode=CWvZQaeG1yvnFfcb9QEd7t4D-ykN44GIS_jziDGhpL_xPH2x7g&hnear=Macon,+Bibb,+Georgia&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=32.854689,-83.644006&panoid=tNkE66Hbx4xB2y0osCKbEQ&cbp=12,235,,0,0) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/37 "2012-05-31T20:39:58Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > uh… wouldn’t this be prostitution? Technically, not necessarily. At common law, prostitution was the act, for money or its equivalent, of committing adultery, fornication, or crimes against nature. Masturbation for hire, then, may not be prostitution – depends on the laws of the state. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/38 "2012-05-31T21:06:24Z")
> [@fiddlesticks](#): > > [Found it!](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Macon,+GA&hl=en&ll=32.854788,-83.644087&spn=0.01132,0.017316&sll=32.854679,-83.644023&sspn=0.022784,0.034633&geocode=CWvZQaeG1yvnFfcb9QEd7t4D-ykN44GIS_jziDGhpL_xPH2x7g&hnear=Macon,+Bibb,+Georgia&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=32.854689,-83.644006&panoid=tNkE66Hbx4xB2y0osCKbEQ&cbp=12,235,,0,0) Can’t be. Not a pickup truck in sight. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566/39 "2012-06-01T14:47:59Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Fair enough. But here’s an [ad](http://www.ktvq.com/images/thumbnails/36365B3D4A4B080774EDAE848900241A_600_600.jpg) for the Shangri-La Spa and Sauna. And I suspect that you could obtain illegal services at this business. Why, just look at those cute Asian ladies who are happy with their spa experience. Asian ladies, this is the spa for you. What do you mean, “Asian massage” doesn’t mean “we massage Asians”? I thought an “Asian massage” was where they walk on your back, as opposed to “Swedish massage”, where they break you in half. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-spas-get-to-open-and-stay-in-business/623566.md?page=1)