# What do you like better: good sex or a good massage? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305 "2008-11-24T19:28:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/21 "2008-11-24T23:00:10Z")
Never had a massage I liked. I don’t think I’ve ever had sex I didn’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/22 "2008-11-24T23:24:13Z")
Sex. It doesn’t even have to be good sex. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/23 "2008-11-24T23:27:25Z")
Just noting the OP name/thread topic thingie. For me - sex. Preferable really, really good sex. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/24 "2008-11-24T23:36:08Z")
I haven’t had much sex in the past decade or so, but I’ve had a lot of massage, and I will go out of my way for massage, no problem. I am a total massage slut. And the weird thing is, until I was 28 or so, I had no idea what massage was. It was so missing from my life that I didn’t even know there was a lack. Sex and massage are definitely on the same continuum, that of the pleasure and beauty of human touch. But then I maintain that doing the dishes can be foreplay. It’s all about intention. “All acts of love and pleasure are acts of worship.” ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/25 "2008-11-24T23:40:09Z")
It would really depend on my mood on the day I was asked. Today’s answer is massage. Tomorrow could easily be sex. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/26 "2008-11-25T01:25:45Z")
I’ve had some really, really terrible massages. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had a _good_ massage. I’m just not in to extensive premeditated touching. Maybe I’m just too naturally tense. But even _bad_ sex generally leaves me feeling, if not happy, at least relaxed. More so than any massage (that didn’t end in sex). So, sex wins. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/27 "2008-11-25T01:36:27Z")
I would have to go with the massage. I have so much chronic upper back and neck tension that I would almost be willing to pay $50 a day for someone to come to my house every night and give me a good one. I think that would solve, or at least help with, all of other life’s problems. However, I have a dilemma. I have had many professional and non-professional massages and most females don’t have the hand and finger strength to get the job done. Most males do but I don’t like men touching me in that way for extended periods nor do I like it to come from Olga who was the wrestling champ from the old country. I don’t need a handjob at the end. I am the world’s best expert on that. I just want a pretty, petite massage from a professional with crazy man-strength in her hands and fingers. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/28 "2008-11-25T01:45:14Z")
Having never had good sex or a good massage, I feel I am unqualified to answer. Except I have never enjoyed any kind of massage, but what little sex I have had was pretty much all right. So I choose sex. ---
**Author:** ![hobscrk777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a6a055/32.png) [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/29 "2008-11-25T01:53:17Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Aren’t they the same thing? HAH! I know they both _end_ the same way for me (even if the other party isn’t privy to this knowledge). ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/30 "2008-11-25T02:27:23Z")
I prefer a good massage followed by good sex. Each alone is acceptable too. We have a heated massage table and have taken a few of lessons in couples massage. Massage table, heated oil, fire, candles, wine…Hmm sounds like my birthday. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/31 "2008-11-25T02:56:45Z")
> [@black\_rabbit](#): > > But even _bad_ sex generally leaves me feeling, if not happy, at least relaxed. More so than any massage (that didn’t end in sex). > > So, sex wins. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/32 "2008-11-25T02:57:15Z")
That’s like asking, “What’s better, a massage or breathing?” I don’t NEED a massage. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/33 "2008-11-25T03:06:13Z")
Well, by coincidence I’ve been able to make a direct comparison recently, having briefly dated a professional massage therapist. She did really excellent massages but really mediocre sex, and despite that I’d still prefer the sex. OTOH, although I’ve developed a bit of a reputation for quality back and foot massages, none of the women who really go for those seem to want to have sex with me, so take that for what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/34 "2008-11-25T03:11:39Z")
I’m too ticklish to enjoy a massage. Sitting around doing nothing is better than a massage to me, much less sex. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/35 "2008-11-25T08:56:08Z")
It depends. If, for example, it’s my first day off after three solid, seven-day weeks, ten hours a day of campaigning, then definitely the massage. ---
**Author:** ![motomoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@motomoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motomoon)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/36 "2008-11-25T10:33:20Z")
Me: Sex! My SO, who is usually subdued vocally during sex makes all sorts of porno-esque noises when I give her a massage, whether that’s a reflection on my skills as a lover or masseur… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/37 "2008-11-25T12:34:41Z")
How about a compromise? A good massage with a happy ending? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/38 "2008-11-25T13:26:07Z")
I often find that I enjoy giving a massage AFTER sex - as a thank you for the great time had by all. Kind of like the rubdown after a really great work out. I almost enjoy giving massages more than receiving too - because I can relax and enjoy hearing the moans and groans from the person I’m giving them to. ---
**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:** [November 25, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/39 "2008-11-25T15:56:02Z")
Depends what you mean by sex, though. Is sex just penis in vagina? Because I don’t really orgasm from that. But if you mean any sexual act that results in an orgasm, I’ll go with sex. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305/40 "2008-11-25T16:15:42Z")
A massage with out a happy ending? Does not compute. If I can’t have both; give me neither. It’s all or nothing baby! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-better-good-sex-or-a-good-massage/474305.md?page=3)