Frank - I think you’re my kind of guy. I owe you a beer some day!
When I had a couple of massages on the cruise I left the bottom half of my tankini on, it was an upper body massage anyway [with the foot and joint issues I don’t like having my legs and feet touched, it hurts.]
I think there are too few qualified massage people in the world, the world needs more massages done right 
Heavenly. Worked knots out of my shoulders from wheelchair/crutches that are more or less permanent.
For a good deep-tissue massage (as in, one that really grinds on my trouble spots, makes me feel better for days, and is uncomplicated by hippie-dippy new-age bullshit), I’ll get out of my kit in a hot second. No shame about it. They’re professionals. If they sneak a peek, they deserve whatever they get.
OK, serious question: how does a masseuse cope with someone who’s seriously ticklish. I like having my shoulders and neck rubbed, but if someone gets close to the traditional ticklish spots (love handles, ribs, etc) it can be really uncomfortable for me. I’ll tense up and defeat the purpose of the whole thing.
I’m afraid that 5 minutes into what’s supposed to be an hour of bliss, I’d end up saying, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Do they somehow not tickle people? Do they avoid areas that are ticklish? Do they numb people first?
Years ago I had never had a professional massage but was friends with a girl who was studying to be a masseuse. She kept offering to give me one so she could practice. Who was I to object?
She came to my apartment and I was in shorts and a tank top. I laid down on my futon (she didn’t have her own table yet) and she was all “um… I, uh, sort of need you to be naked. Why don’t you go get undressed and bring out a sheet?”
Uh, OK. I had no idea. Since then, I’ve had about ten professional massages from as many masseuses, and always get naked. Yes, I’ve had… blood flow down there, not a full raging hardon, but maybe a 30-percenter. She didn’t seem to be bothered by it, and eventually it went away.
About 50% of being ticklish is about being nervous. Everything about a massage is meant to relax you and calm you down. I have no doubt that even the best LMT occasionally gets a client who simply can’t be handled, but a good one will make you forget you’re ticklish before they even get to the ticklish parts.
I, for instance, have a nerve cluster in my back that is so sensitive that even gesturing towards it quickly can cause me to have a large spasm. I warn every LMT about it, and have never once had one trip it.
Or running shorts. Whatever is comfortable. A good LMT will want you to be relaxed and comfortable.
Well, no, not in any medically meaningful way. It isn’t a medical detoxification by any means.
Personally, I believe that you cannot get a decent massage unless you are nude. I believe the guy giving the massage should be nude too, but that is just me.
Bob
I didn’t read all the previous posts. Just wanted to say I trained as a massage therapist and it is better for the client to be completely nude. We work with a sheet, and we only uncover the part we’re working on. Every bit of you that we’re not working on is covered with the sheet from chin to past your feet. You will NEVER be completely exposed.
When you turn over, the therapist will not look. You can either squiggle over under the sheet on your own, or s/he will lift the sheet slightly, blocking his/her view of you so you can roll over. We spent a LOT of time in school practicing how to keep covered because they can’t relax if they know their modesty/privacy will not be respected.
The client is vulnerable and the practitioner has to be aware of that and respect that. If your therapist makes you uncomfortable in any way, tell him/her, and if you so choose, don’t go back. Just like we tell little kids, “You don’t have to let anyone touch you in a way that’s uncomfortable.”
Isn’t there a televangelist from your neck of the woods that seemed to agree with your position on what comprises the most satifying mutual male massage?
His congregation (and wife) seemed to feel differently, as I recall…
If you’re not coasting into the No Fly Zone, what’s the diff?
Maybe you have an irrational fear of being naked? My wife usually locks the door to change, take a shower or poop. On the other hand, I’m totally fine with showing my bits to whoever would be interested. Interestingly, she comes from a culture where public baths are normal, and my main experience was only a one year health club membership where I got over it really fast.
Enough time for you to think about your mother, grandmother, minister, dying puppy, or whatever. Not to take it to it’s natural conclusion (then we are talking bio-hazards with fluids and decontamination issues)
Just as an aside as well, while everyone has mentioned you being covered up on the massage table itself, pretty much all reputable spas and massage places will (or should) provide you with a big towel or a soft robe (or both) to cover you while you are waiting for your massage or using their other facilites (if they have any). So no worries about being nekkid then either.
The one time I’ve had a massage I changed in another room, left my clothes in the locker there, put on the robe they left for me, and then went to the room where the massage table was. Afterward I went back to the changing room and had a very nice shower with steam for as long as I wanted. It was lovely. Next time I’m getting the whole hour instead of the half hour. Oh, and she didn’t care that I left my underpants on. Next time I might not.
I get them regularly, generally speaking I leave the boxers on, which is normally the best way I think. (respectful for both me n her) also, of all the massages I have had, the sure clue that she wanted to offer extra services was when she asked for boxers off.
I also quite regularly get chinese massage from guys…hes more “foreward” than any lady has ever been.
I get a massage about once a month or so and just put on the disposable cloth thongy thingy. Everything else is covered or simply not looked at by the worker, so it’s not an issue to me.
I steam ahead of time and shower later if they used oils.
You’re a handsome guy, Frank. For real. Who are the kids? Your young 'uns? Very cute!
Anyway, in response to your OP, go for it! You won’t regret it.
My wife took me to her favorite massage spa for my birthday once (Spa D’Sante, here in San Antonio, in case anyone wants a recommendation) and bought me one of those 90-minute deep tissue jobs. I normally don’t care much for being touched/massaged (that is, when it ain’t sexual), but I swear, it felt like I was melting into warm goo, it felt so good. (And I kept my boxer briefs on.)
The room was really dark, it smelled nice (light incense), and there was lovely music playing quietly. My MT was very friendly and totally professional.
Although I enjoyed it, unfortunately for me, I must be in a near-constant state of tension, because the MT told me that in 15 years of practice, she had never worked on someone with so much tension. She described it as trying to massage drywall.
I’m as skeptical as you about the new-agey “detoxification” stuff. Just stick with straight-up massages, and you can’t go wrong.
I’m not trying to impugn your MT, but I’ve had similar lines from therapists. I can only assume it’s a frequently-used gentle encouragement for repeat business.