Redlemon

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a massage therapist. But I am turning to you, the general public, to help me understand something.

Why is "couples massage" appealing?

The office where I work offers couples massage. We don't have any big rooms, however, so all a couples massage turns out to be is two people receiving massages in two separate rooms from two separate massage therapists. At some other companies, you can get your massages together in the same room.

I do not understand the appeal at all. If I'm receiving a massage, I want it to be all about ME. I don't want to think about anyone else. If there's someone else receiving a massage in the same room, that will interfere with ME.

The only possible reason I can see is if one of the people in the couple has jealousy issues. That way, they know that their partner isn't fucking the massage therapist. Setting that aside, we often get people booking couples massages who aren't even couples, just a pair of friends.

Please help me out here.

__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.

noodle

I would only and (have only) considered a couples massage in a room together with two therapists so it becomes a shared experience. I've never gotten one with my SO just because we haven't found two good people in the same company. But, the appeal to me is the shared experience related to environment, mood, and relaxation, where you can look over and see your partner enjoying the experience as much as yourself and then carry that experience out together to wherever you're headed next, whether home to a joint shower or out to dinner, etc. Kinda like a mood setter. Otherwise, what's the point?

__________________

snowy

Never had a massage from a massage therapist, but I'd like to. In regards to couples massage, specifically: I can't be sure what the appeal is, especially since my guy doesn't like to be touched. I would rather have my hubby learn how to massage me and then give me a massage, not receive a massage from a stranger in the same room as him, and receiving a massage in a completely different room from him just seems dumb.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Ourcrazymodern?

Oh! Blushing & backing away, I thought you were talking about couples massaging each other.

__________________
BE JUST AND FEAR NOT

BadNick

It seems to me those are two good reasons for couples to both have massages at the same time, whether in the same room or not.

Both leave with the positive vibes and feelings from the massage which they can afterwards share and enjoy together...during sex or other shared activity.

And since both have experienced a massage, they are better prepared to try massaging each other.

hunnychile

Years ago when my hub & I were getting massages regularly...we tried it both ways. In all honesty, I found that a massage does more for me when it's one on one & all about ME and my trigger points. (Whoa this sounds sexy) The best type of massage I've had was Shiutsu in Sausalito Ca. and it made me feel so healthy, strong and enlightened. I was totally blown away! I had that one from a very talented Chines lady, 1 on 1. The only time we did couples at the same Spa, it was distracting and just not as intensely healing as I wanted given the setting and professionals on board.

There is so much to gain from body work! And there are many talented people out there that can help people find healing in this way. I never felt compromised and I suggest more people try massage. As for couples using massage...it's a great way to bond and help eachother feel happier, healthier and close. IMHO the couple part is best at home or in a cozy hotel room awayfrom all distraction... together 1 on 1!

__________________
"I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

amonkie

Friend to friend, I don't know that I would be comfortable having a massage with someone else in the same room. I work in the massage therapy industry and know any massage therapist I chose would be completely professional, and have no problems with my body being exposed as needed to be worked on. Someone else in the room though, would be an entirely different story.

During a massage, I usually have my hearing aid out, hear just about nothing, and am totally in a state of relaxation. I don't really talk to the therapist other than to adjust pressure as needed. I can't even dream of trying to carry a conversation with someone else having a massage at the same time in the room, which is what I hear from friends is a reason to have them together in the same room.

__________________
Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

noodle

Yeah, Monkie, I'll get 700 pedicures with you, but I'm not doing a friend massage.

I'm starting to thing I'm weird for being interested in sharing a relaxing experience with my SO. Hmm.

__________________

amonkie

As I couple I could see doing it. For example.. I love to give them and I think I do a pretty good job - I usually put the guy to sleep. but that means for reciprocation.. I've got to wait till another day or when they wake up. For us to both have a massage at the same time, I would feel like we were both getting the same level of relaxation out of it.

__________________
Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

Charlatan

I've done the couples massage thing and didn't really like it. I am with Redlemon on this. I want a massage to be all about me. I find it too distracting to have another person, even if it is someone I like, in the room with me.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

Plan9

I'm confused by your last line about banging the massage therapist. How common is this whole "happy ending" thing, anyway? Jeez.

I mean, the girl that cleans my teeth puts her boobs pretty close to my face but that doesn't mean I'm going to get laid.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

Redlemon

No, clearly you aren't, because there are many people who are interested in receiving it. I really appreciate your input, because it helps me to understand the other people who also want it. I hadn't considered "shared mind-states" after leaving.
It has never come up for me. Most of my female colleagues have had a proposition or two, and have kicked those clients out. But the jealous boyfriend is a real issue.

__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.

dlish

im knot a massage person myself.

unless theres two therapists working on me at the same time. then i think its HOT as hell and ill be willing to do it every week.

__________________
An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere

I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay?
- Filthy

Redlemon

Dlish, you are confusing therapeutic massage and prostitution.

__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.

dlish

sorry red, i didnt have it mixed up. i was just being a smart ass.

and sorry about the 'knot' pun too. bad bad joke.

just curious, has anyone ever requested two therapeudic massueses (sp?) work on them simultaneously.

__________________
An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere

I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay?
- Filthy

Redlemon

You hit a sensitive spot, sorry for overreacting.
Commenting on puns only encourages the punster.
I've never heard of it happening. I personally wouldn't want it. Even with a relaxation/Swedish massage, the pressure, length and depth of strokes, and tempo will be somewhat different. With deep tissue, absolutely not, I want the therapist to understand how the two sides are behaving differently.

__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.

CinnamonGirl

I just plain love getting a massage, doesn't really matter if someone is with me or not. I think a couples massage would be kinda cool in the sense that I could look over and see my SO as happy and relaxed as I was, and that would make me happy. That wouldn't apply if we were in different rooms, obviously...

Eden doesn't like massages, though, so I guess this isn't something I'd have to worry about. Ah, well...more for me

__________________
"...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world."


"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Starkizzer

I would like to be able to talk and look at im2smrt4u while we had a massage in the same room, by two different people. The main reason I think a couples massage would be nice for us is that we both enjoy massages so much. Sometimes we both need one but its hard since I am way to relaxed afterwards to reciprocate and he is very much the same way.

I can see where a couples massage even in different rooms would still be nice. Both partners could come together and leave together, both equally relaxed and happy. This, I think would be better than the alternative where one gets a massage and not the other.

__________________
Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp, hears Hymn-Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse. ~Edward Gorey

EventHorizon

THIS!

also, i can understand the shared experience point of view, my girlfriend for example is an absolutely terrible masseuse. i wouldn't mind getting a massage with her so if we happen to look at each other and have a "damn this feels great huh?" moment.

not necessarily sexual, but maybe it'd make for a good anniversary present

__________________
Does Marcellus Wallace have the appearance of a female canine? Then for what reason did you attempt to copulate with him as if he were a female canine?

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuckguy Pretty simple really, do your own thing as long as it does not fuck with anyone's enjoyment of life.

Redlemon

OK, thanks everyone. I understand where the viewpoint is coming from, and that will help me provide a better service to those who are interested in it. Dlish already asked one side question, if anyone has any more, I still have the thread http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...therapist.html, feel free to jump in.

__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.

james t kirk

Depends on what type of massage you are after.

If you're after the RMT Massage that's one thing. If you're interested in the sexual type massage - then a "Couple's Massage" can be quite thrilling.

I would acknowledge that the two are very different, but it's a big happy world out there.

Redlemon

Ah yes, I was expecting you, James. This thread is solely about non-sexual massage.

__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.