So today I went for a massage because my neck has been killing me. I decided to splurge on a 90-minute deal because it had been so long since I'd been for a massage and because I am spinning and running regularly, I thought I could use the whole full body job, not just my neck and shoulders.
Now you tell me if this was inappropriate.
I had a male masseuse, looks like the less attractive older brother of Ryan Gosling. He is NOT eastern European, as is my usual practice, because I went to the secondary place, not my usual spa. He was a bit of a mouth-breather but seemed pleasant enough.
So while he's working my legs and glutes (just at the side, not a full-buttock massage), he asks: "Do you work out?" I say yes and tell him what my weekly routine is. To which he replies: "I can tell, because you've got an incredibly hard butt. It's really impressive."
I think I stopped breathing for a moment or two, I was so taken aback, and then was quite uncomfortable since he was vigorously kneading my naked hips and my upper thighs at the time. But he never said another thing that was unprofessional. And eventually I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the massage, even though I was suddenly acutely aware that I wasn't wearing any underwear under the blanket.
So was it unprofessional? Was that sexual harassment? Or was it just the talk of the trade?
I honestly don't know.
p.s. That photo above? I wish!
13 comments:
In the context, it doesn't sound like sexual harassment to me. (He would have to know better.) It sounds akin to him saying, "Do you work at a computer all day? Because you're shoulders are really strained."
I think you're absolutely right, but because it was my bum and not, say, my arms, I immediately feared the worst. Because bums are associated with sexy stuff, especially men rubbing female bums. And I know one or two women who would have complained about that comment.
If I'd rolled over and he'd said the same thing about my hooters, however: Houston, we have a problem.
I agree.
And your hooters are great!
Probably shop talk - but he should be careful - that sort of thing could get him in deep dodo.
"Houston here, Jacy. (static) ... Let's get a look at those hooters and we'll (static) ... ah, see if we can get a ID on the problem (static) over."
Just kidding. I think I just sexually harrassed you on your own blog.
Actually, if you are going to get naked with a stranger ... well, I don't know where the line is there. I suppose he might have hoped you'd ask for a happy ending.
lol.
Well, the thing is, you are naked, but you're under a blanket and they tuck in your naughty bits so they don't see anything. So when you're on your tummy, for example, they tuck the blanket around your bum.
I won't deny, however, that I have had experiences in the past where I sensed someone was sneaking a peek. Usually they aren't employed for very long.
I don't think it was harassment.
Oh, and I hate you for getting that compliment.
The guy was a mouth-breather, Beth -- I don't know if I bought the compliment. That was why I was momentarily creeped out.
And yes, after 10 months of spinning four times a week my arse is certainly firmer, but we weren't starting with anything terribly impressive.
p.s. Aw shucks Tanya.
Reading that post made me shiver.
Go with your gut. If you felt uncomfortable (and if you have to ask the question) then just don't go back to him.
that's not a big deal at all. had the massage therapist (btw, masseuse has very different connotations) been a woman, would you have been freaked out?
Yes, perhaps, especially the manly Katrina who I have blogged about before. It's kind of a startling thing to hear if you're not in the business of discussing firmness/tightness, etc.
And you're right -- I should have typed masseur.
Not harrassment -- just shop talk. What do you think all the masseurs talk about when they go out for a drink after work?
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