I’m happy to continue life never having gotten any sort of spa treament. They are expensive, indulgent, and a little too new-age for me. My bullshit meter goes off the charts when I read about the services. These are reasons enough for me to not participate.
Just the first example I found, bullshit bolding is mine.
Still, I understand that it can still be relaxing and pleasurable.
On several occassions, I’ve declined the opportunity to receive free professional spa services, and the root cause is that it is outside of my comfort zone. I don’t know the etiquette. I don’t know what to expect. And most importantly, I think I have to be naked. I’m uncomfortable in my birthday suit.
Is it customary to be naked? Would I seem out of place in a pair of boxer briefs?
I’ve got some free spa stuff coming my way and my wife has occasionally suggested that we enjoy it together. Though she doesn’t press because she knows I’ll never “come around” under pressure. Convince me that I should give it a try, or tell me that the whole thing is nothing but nakedness so I can continue using my original excuses.
If it makes any difference, the spa services would be at Caesar’s Atlantic City. Here’s their web site for the spa stuff
I don’t get massages regularly or anything but I’ve been about 3-4 times, on vacation or when I got a gift. Generally, the massage-ing person (masseur/masseuse) will ask you what you’re comfortable with. If you choose to be naked, they will lay towels over your bits, and move them only enough to get to the appropriate areas (for example, moving it slightly down to get at the lower back, then back again when they are done). They also generally ask you first before touching you in any new way or moving you into a position you might feel vulnerable in. (I’m going to lift and flex your knee, is that ok?) .
You can also get a back/shoulder massage without it being full-body (so no expectation of removing lower clothing). Most 1/2 hour massages concentrate on the shoulders, arms and upper back.
Massages are wonderful. I don’t go in for the new age ones - but I have a friend who is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) who works on athletes and dang - it’s awesome. Now I try to get them when I can - usually a few times a year.
Nudity was awkward for me too. Your LMT will tell you to undress to your level of comfort and then have you slip under the sheet - they will tell you whether they are going to start you face down or face up. They leave the room while you are undressing - and don’t come back until you are covered up under the sheet again.
I usually leave my panties on, but I do push it down a little since the base of the back is a critical area for me.
Throughout the massage, the LMT will uncover your arms or legs as they are working on it - but will cover them back up when they are through. The only time you will ever be “exposed” will be when you turn over - but they usually turn their heads to give you privacy.
Most LMTs understand it can be the awkward the first time - and the soft lights - pleasant smells - new age music are all to help you relax. Usually your LMT will chat with you a few minutes to put you at ease. I was so scared the first time, and my friend was so careful - that I finally had to tell her to leave so I could get naked or I was stripping in front of her!
Please don’t resist the opportunity if it gets presented again. Massages are so awesome.
One other thing - if you get Swedish or Deep tissue massage - don’t be scared if you are a little sore the first day or so. Your knots have been unknotted and they are going to need to adjust. This is not a new age-ism. Your body, any associated swelling or aggravation around the nerves, etc - all that excess fluid and tightness has to go somewhere - it gets pushed back in to your circulatory system and flushed out. So drink lots of water to help it flush out - and realize that in 2-3 days you are going to feel so, so amazing.
I’ve gotten a professional massage a couple times. I don’t believe it has any kind of health benefits other than relaxing me because it feels soooooo good.
It is typical, in my experience, that you’re naked except for underwear. I think it would be fine to wear boxer briefs. If you think you’d like to give it a shot and aren’t sure what to expect, just ask the masseuse/masseur what they’re doing and if it’s okay to wear whatever article of clothing you would like.
Boxer Briefs would not be a problem. I leave my underwear on and my rule is no touching areas covered with underwear.
Also, if you find the massage a bit too “pleasurable” (which is not intended in most massages but can happen), the massage therapist may step out of the room to give you time to calm down.
I generally do them nude, but plenty of people wear their undies. IF you don’t mind being touched, its very relaxing. The whole “detoxification” thing - well, it does help blood rise to the surface of your skin, you do often sweat (and sweat does release toxins), and it does exercise muscles in a way that releases lactic acid (like exercise would, but much more pleasantly for a lot of people).
If you are going with your wife, you want a relaxation massage, something that makes you feel pleasant - not sore. My husband and I shared a spa day for our tenth anniversary - his first spa day. He even got the “man” manicure and pedicure. And I think he was surprised at how relaxing the whole thing was. And being spoiled like that is a really intimate (not sexual, and yet makes you feel sexy) experience - not at all a bad thing to give a try when you are in Atlantic City with your wife.
And don’t worry about your looks (or lack thereof) - massage therapists are like dental hygienist. They don’t last long if they don’t learn to professional conceal their reactions.
I have to put in here the obligatory George Costanza quote: “It moved!”
I know nothing of this spa business, but does a massage really take an hour or longer? I guess as employment it beats staring into a computer screen all day, but an hour?
One thing to consider is that for the LMT - this is one hour of pretty intense activity. You are on your feet and pushing, pulling, lifting, and squeezing. Especially if it’s deep tissue.
My friend Sonia can only do about 6 deep tissue a day max, and is more comfortable doing 4 deep tissue and some others in between.
And, depending on the amount of knots or tension in the backs of her clients - she could easily work on them for 2+ hours and still have not addressed all their aches and pains.
