Question about parlour etiquette

[qarma]

Would it be acceptable when presented with the available ladies in a MP to ask who provides X service(s), or is that regarded as bad form? Are there regional differences that members may be aware of?

It seems an obvious thing to do but that isn’t always the best guide.

[jamiekinkxxx]

I've never been to a massage parlour, but I would 100% say you should not

[RandomGuy99]

In a massage parlour I've never seen a line up.

In a brothel I think you'd tell the maid what you're interested in and they would identify the SPs that provide that service.

I don't think you get many places that do line ups.

[daviemac]

I've never been to one where there's a choice.      However in my experience extras are always discussed in the room.

[mr.bluesky]

Would it be acceptable when presented with the available ladies in a MP to ask who provides X service(s), or is that regarded as bad form? Are there regional differences that members may be aware of?

It seems an obvious thing to do but that isn’t always the best guide.

Some parlours will state on their website what services each girl is willing or not willing to provide.

[scouting]

In a massage parlour I've never seen a line up.

In a brothel I think you'd tell the maid what you're interested in and they would identify the SPs that provide that service.

I don't think you get many places that do line ups.

I think RandomGuy is correct.

qarma - your question seems to be confusing people somewhat. When you ask about a line up in a parlour, do you mean a massage parlour or a brothel? I'm guessing you mean a brothel.

[qarma]

Yes, a brothel. 

[snaitram99]

I think RandomGuy is correct.

qarma - your question seems to be confusing people somewhat. When you ask about a line up in a parlour, do you mean a massage parlour or a brothel? I'm guessing you mean a brothel.

Well massage parlour is traditionally a euphemism for brothel, where you are unlikely to get a genuine massage.

[daviemac]

Yes, a brothel. 

What does the 'MP' in this stand for?  "ladies in a MP"   

[GoodLookinGuy]

In a massage parlour. I would say not. Until you are in the room with the girl and she's got a 'feel' of you, she might not have decided what extras she will offer yet.
Also some of the girls might not necessarily want the other girls to know what extras they provide.

[RandomGuy99]

Here's an example where the parlour makes it what services each SP provides

External Link/Members Only

[Jonestown]

If you look at the OP's reviews he has been to numerous massage parlours and has even written about discussing extras with the receptionist or waiting till he is in the room with the girl. his other punts seem to be AW Indies, so I guess he is talking about pukka FS parlours where there is hopefully a selection of girls.

[qarma]

What does the 'MP' in this stand for?  "ladies in a MP"   

Massage parlour = MP. I use the term as a euphemism for brothel but realise it’s been a source of confusion.

So, when presented with the available ladies in a brothel it seems the verdict is don’t openly ask who provides X services.

[Southernbloke]

I usually always phone up first and ask the receptionist who does what. If they are vague about the services provided then go elsewhere is my suggestion.

[daviemac]

Massage parlour = MP. I use the term as a euphemism for brothel but realise it’s been a source of confusion.

There's a whole section dedicated to massages so it's very much a source of confusion, a massage parlour is exactly that, a place where you get a massage some with extras some without. A brothel is something entirely different and being illegal are not allowed in certain parts of the country. 

[Steely Dan]

The questions was is it acceptable.  I say yes.  It may not work, but sometimes you have to be a bit bold in this hobby.  As long as you are polite, clearly.

I used to go to two of the brothels in Manchester, and I would check services with the manager/beer server sometimes on the girls.  Was a bit awkward when 'Bunny' became free and I would declare I'm waiting for 'Honey'.  Actually it was only awkward for me and only for a minute.  Because it was clear that she was happy for 10 minutes off and didn't mind that I was waiting for another girl.  Happens all the time.  Checking was easier once the manager knew me.

[TomTank]

I suppose it depends what service you are looking for.
I wouldn't wait till the line-up, but I often check with reception if they're up for the things I like.
Tracey at Roses knows what I like and I can just ask which girls are best for my stuff

I have had it where they do the intros, then had a quick chat with her, so I can balance off who I like the look of vs how good they will be at my stuff .....

[Malvolio]

Massage parlour = MP. I use the term as a euphemism for brothel but realise it’s been a source of confusion.

So, when presented with the available ladies in a brothel it seems the verdict is don’t openly ask who provides X services.

I disagree - being direct about the services you want is the only way to ensure you get what you're after in this game.  You don't want to go into the room and find you can't get what you've been looking forward to.

[myothernameis]

Guess one way to get round this, without insulting the girl, is ask if the massage can be done un-drapped.   And if she says yes, then your half way there, but if she says no, no point in pushing this

If she said yes for you to be un-drapped, see how the massage progresses, like are there any swipes, or close touches to your balls, and then maybe you can pose the question

[Dylanbob]

Playing devil's advocate. Use aw chat to arrange the meet you want .

[Blackpool Rock]

Massage parlour = MP. I use the term as a euphemism for brothel but realise it’s been a source of confusion.

So, when presented with the available ladies in a brothel it seems the verdict is don’t openly ask who provides X services.

Yeah I have to say i've always used the generic term massage parlour when I really mean brothel, many people blur the lines on this and there is a clear distinction between them but I guess it matters more to those who actually use massage parlours for a massage possibly with extras rather than those who use brothels.

In terms of a brothel line up i've not had one for over a decade as I tend to book in with a specific girl however many years ago when I was "Introduced" to the girls they were presented one at a time rather than all at once.
I'd say it's a bit more discreet and acceptable to ask a girl if she does XYZ one on one rather than to ask girl A if she does anal in front of the other girls

[Fuzzyduck]

Here's an example where the parlour makes it what services each SP provides

External Link/Members Only

Annabelle's don't do line ups where you can choose do they? It's all pre-booked isn't it?

In the line-up brothels I've been to before, I might call up in advance to ask who's working and who provides what. No need to make an appointment so I would rock up and see who was free. Typically it wasn't a line: each girl would come into the room briefly and then the maid would come back to ask who I wanted.

In the Scottish "saunas", it was more of a lottery particularly with few online reviews at the time, certainly no UKP. There'd be a lounge or waiting room that you sit in with any number of other punters/SPs. You'd just ask if someone was free and take pot luck. Rather intimidating, with the occasional alpha-male scramble if a popular hottie walked in.

[Fuzzyduck]

Yeah I have to say i've always used the generic term massage parlour when I really mean brothel, many people blur the lines on this and there is a clear distinction between them but I guess it matters more to those who actually use massage parlours for a massage possibly with extras rather than those who use brothels.

In terms of a brothel line up i've not had one for over a decade as I tend to book in with a specific girl however many years ago when I was "Introduced" to the girls they were presented one at a time rather than all at once.
I'd say it's a bit more discreet and acceptable to ask a girl if she does XYZ one on one rather than to ask girl A if she does anal in front of the other girls

This.

In as true line-up, punters could always ask to see the girls one by one to avoid awkwardness.

[GoodLookinGuy]

Seems to be a lot of confusion between Massage Parlour and brothel. A Massage Parlour is still FS but the difference being from the outside you can see exactly what it is and you don't need to book in advance you can just walk up. A brothel, technically illegal and therefore a little more discreet, so looks like a normal residence from the outside and usually have to book.

[snaitram99]

Seems to be a lot of confusion between Massage Parlour and brothel. A Massage Parlour is still FS but the difference being from the outside you can see exactly what it is and you don't need to book in advance you can just walk up. A brothel, technically illegal and therefore a little more discreet, so looks like a normal residence from the outside and usually have to book.

This from Houseboot in 2019 is useful guidance on what is usually meant by the term massage parlour:

 " ...first of all understand the important distinction between a "Massage Parlour" and a "Massage Shop".

...

A "Massage Parlour" is a place where you are unlikely to get any massage but will be offered FS. In the old days probably staffed by English ladies but then the EE ladies "invaded". Unlikely to see Chinese or Thai ladies there. You wouldn't take your mother or sister to such a place and they wouldn't venture in by themselves.  "


(If you are referring to a place, usually Thai or Chinese, which does legit massage and may do extras, they usually refer to themselves as Massage shops. )

[big-al93]

Seems to be a lot of confusion between Massage Parlour and brothel. A Massage Parlour is still FS but the difference being from the outside you can see exactly what it is and you don't need to book in advance you can just walk up. A brothel, technically illegal and therefore a little more discreet, so looks like a normal residence from the outside and usually have to book.

And this post is adding to it. The type of parlour I assume you are talking about, along the lines of the late Sandy's Superstars or the edinburgh saunas is just a brothel and is just as illegal as any other brothel, the difference being that the police will usually tolerate as long as they are well run and allow welfare checks for girls being trafficked. But this stance can change on a whim.
A proper massage parlour is a place to get a proper massage, hundreds of them are completley legit with nothing else on offer, others may offer a happy ending, but only a few places go as far as FS, and many of those that do only go as far as that with repeat customers.

[qarma]

I absolutely understand the difference between the two and never gave it a thought when I wrote the original question so sorry for any confusion.

In terms of my question I meant brothel. I mean the places you go and the madam introduces the available ladies to you, usually altogether in my experience. Can't say I recall anywhere introducing the ladies individually. You then select the lady of your choice and follow her to the room.

Prior to making your selection there are times when I'd like to ask which ladies provide XYZ but I think it would be awkward for the ladies to maybe admit the services they provide in front of the other ladies so I've never done it. This has, at times, inevitably led me to discover once in the room that XY or Z are not available and it's now too late to change my selection.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't!!

Thanks for all the replies, they've been helpful.

[GoodLookinGuy]

And this post is adding to it. The type of parlour I assume you are talking about, along the lines of the late Sandy's Superstars or the edinburgh saunas is just a brothel and is just as illegal as any other brothel, the difference being that the police will usually tolerate as long as they are well run and allow welfare checks for girls being trafficked. But this stance can change on a whim.
A proper massage parlour is a place to get a proper massage, hundreds of them are completley legit with nothing else on offer, others may offer a happy ending, but only a few places go as far as FS, and many of those that do only go as far as that with repeat customers.

Not gone that far up north with the hobby so can't comment on the 2 examples you've listed. In my home town a current example would be External Link/Members Only which as you see calls itself a 'Massage Parlour' has the word "Massage" in big letters on the outside. If you look in the phone book they will be under 'Massage' or 'Massage Parlour'. So it's a bit silly to argue that it isn't a massage parlour. Of course this place does also do FS. Unlike a brothel it's completely legal and has a sexual entertainment licence, same as a lap dancing club would have. It gets around legalities by simply saying a customer pays for a massage and anything else that happens is simply private business between 2 consenting adults. Of course the police know what really goes on but I guess they decide better there than on the streets.

[Doc Holliday]

Not gone that far up north with the hobby so can't comment on the 2 examples you've listed. In my home town a current example would be External Link/Members Only which as you see calls itself a 'Massage Parlour' has the word "Massage" in big letters on the outside. If you look in the phone book they will be under 'Massage' or 'Massage Parlour'. So it's a bit silly to argue that it isn't a massage parlour. Of course this place does also do FS. Unlike a brothel it's completely legal and has a sexual entertainment licence, same as a lap dancing club would have. It gets around legalities by simply saying a customer pays for a massage and anything else that happens is simply private business between 2 consenting adults. Of course the police know what really goes on but I guess they decide better there than on the streets.

The place you have linked to is legally a brothel. There are multiple women providing sexual services in 'managed' premises.

EDIT badly worded should have said is legally defined as a brothel and is therefore illegal

[GoodLookinGuy]

The place you have linked to is legally a brothel. There are multiple women providing sexual services in 'managed' premises.

EDIT badly worded should have said is legally defined as a brothel and is therefore illegal

Yet brothels are illegal and this place is licensed by the council. It's hardly hidden. It's a grey area, officially you are paying for the girls time and if anything sexual happens it's simply a matter between consenting adults. Which is why massage parlours don't advertise 'services' on their websites, nor will they discuss them over the phone.

[Doc Holliday]

Yet brothels are illegal and this place is licensed by the council. It's hardly hidden. It's a grey area, officially you are paying for the girls time and if anything sexual happens it's simply a matter between consenting adults. Which is why massage parlours don't advertise 'services' on their websites, nor will they discuss them over the phone.

Consenting adults etc is irrelevant as Prostitution is legal. Brothels however are not. The term brothel relates to the premises where the sexual activity takes place.

What the premises are called, and how it advertises etc is irrelevant because if more than one person provides sexual services at the same premises then it is a brothel. Whilst the individual providers are doing nothing illegal per se the person(s) responsible for renting/ owning the premises and running the business area acting illegally. Enforcement is a separate subject.

Full sex is also irrelevant from a legal perspective. A HJ is a sexual service and paying for it as with full sex is legal for both parties involved but if it takes place in premises which constitute a brothel as defined above then any third parties involved are acting illegally. 

[Doc Holliday]

One other point about licences. The premises may or may not be licensed. Massage alone does not require a compulsory licence, but if it is licensed it will have a 'Massage and Special treatments licence and not a Sexual Entertainments licence, which relates to lap dancing clubs and any other sexual entertainment venue such as live sex and peep shows.

[big-al93]

Not gone that far up north with the hobby so can't comment on the 2 examples you've listed. In my home town a current example would be External Link/Members Only which as you see calls itself a 'Massage Parlour' has the word "Massage" in big letters on the outside. If you look in the phone book they will be under 'Massage' or 'Massage Parlour'. So it's a bit silly to argue that it isn't a massage parlour. Of course this place does also do FS. Unlike a brothel it's completely legal and has a sexual entertainment licence, same as a lap dancing club would have. It gets around legalities by simply saying a customer pays for a massage and anything else that happens is simply private business between 2 consenting adults. Of course the police know what really goes on but I guess they decide better there than on the streets.

Doc is correct, your example is very similar to the ones I quoted and is 100% a brothel and not legal. I used Sandy's as an example as so many know of it.

Any licence given from the council will be there merely to provide a facade and does not allow them to operate prostitution from the premises. The council will happily hold out their hand and take the money, the police will likely turn a blind eye, but at any time should the chief constable deem it, it can and will be shut down and the owners prosecuted.
This is often due to political reasons or an increase in complaints at/about the property.

[Steely Dan]

Also, what a place calls themselves is one thing, what they actually are may be the same or different.  On this forum, we need to be clear with each other.  The Edinburgh saunas are brothels.  Cosmopolitan in Manchester Chinatown is a brothel.  Weststreet massage is a brothel. As others point out just above, the fact that the police don't charge the owner/manager does not change anything or mean that they are legal for the owner.

The OP has clarified already that he wanted to know about brothel etiquette.  And I stand by my answer: be polite but direct and don't worry about what others think.  And yes you can clarify services in front of the other escorts - they know who does OWO, DFK or anal already. Heard it all before.

[Doc Holliday]

In terms of the nomenclature it is important to understand the history and how this has changed and evolved.

Going back a few decades Massage Parlours were establishments were the primary purpose was to provide off street paid for sexual services under one roof, but under the guise of providing a massage. In most instances a massage (of sorts and usually not expert in nature) was provided in the opening stages before proceeding to sex. There was often a menu of services individually priced.

Although there was considerable geographical variation in numbers and tolerance, they probably reached their peak between 2000 to 2010 and then began declining in most of the country and for a variety of reasons. At their peak the massage was generally dropped both from the service and also from their name and they were more commonly referred to just 'Parlours' to distinguish them from Independent providers and which had grown considerably in number and popularity.

As the parlours declined their was a growth in legitimate massage providers, usually in high street locations. Their main purpose was to provide professional therapeutic massages which became increasingly popular with a health conscious public generally and with both sexes.

Some of these massage providers also provided unadvertised sexual services. Those gradually increased in number especially with the proliferation and dominance of the Thai providers in the sector. They are now often referred to as massage parlours but differ from their predecessors of the same name. Personally I feel they should be referred to as massage providers/ or shops as mentioned in the thread. Unlike the parlours and which still exist of course they do not openly advertise sexual services, nor do they consistently provide such services as a parlour would. In some instances the owner of the business does not know or endorse what some of the staff provide.

To complicate it further I gather the term Sauna is preferred for parlours in Scotland?

In terms of being classed as brothels then they all run the risk of meeting the criteria, although the evidence gathering if prosecution takes place is easier for traditional parlours. That said it is very simple to prove the existence of a brothel in court for any establishment, should the powers that be wish to do so.

[rubric]

In terms of my question I meant brothel. I mean the places you go and the madam introduces the available ladies to you, usually altogether in my experience. Can't say I recall anywhere introducing the ladies individually. You then select the lady of your choice and follow her to the room.

I've never been to a brothel where there was a line up - usually the girls would come in one by one and say 'hi' and then the madame would come in and ask you who you wanted to see, you could ask for services at that point, but IME the madame often wouldn't know and would be equally likely to ask as to bellow the question out of the door.

Although the places I've been to had around 2/3 girls working at a time, so individual intros were feasible.

As per Doc's email I wasn't aware many of these places still existed, I thought a combination of property prices, AW and the end of free newspapers had done for them.

[bigboy96]

I've had a line up twice, around 20 years ago. I got the advert for a massage out of a free paper that used to be in London, mainly adverts. I can't recall the name, but I think it was printed on pink or yellow pages.  The first was near Baker Street where four girls came out, and I chose a Spanish girl with a nice smile. Good choice. The next was near Maida Vale, where four Chinese girls lined up for me. Again, I chose the one with a nice smile, and again I wasn't disappointed. The only time since was the well know one in Reading, where I was sent into a room and two girls came for me to pick. 

[Atlas1957]

There are only a couple left in Manchester that do a line up instead of one at a time. I tend to go a bit crosseyed trying to assess more than one WG at the same time so I'm glad for the one at a times. Any more than three WGs in a row though and usually I and other punters start to struggle to remember the WGs.

I tend to not ask what services the WGs provide, in person or on the phone, instead just trusting or mistrusting the website. But, I do overhear plenty of others asking on the phone, and the receptionist and WGs never seem bothered by it. I do notice that often even the good receptionists struggle to remember which WG does what.

I think if you are after a specialist service it makes a lot more sense to ask, so a punter who needs Anal in their booking or has a very strong preference for a CIM/Swallow finish should probably ask.

For me, I suspect it would be quite pointless to ask for my favourite service (FK) because I suspect there are plenty of WGs who honestly claim they do FK when in my opinion they don't. Plus there are plenty of WGs who know they do closed mouth kissing only but would lie to get the booking.

[rubric]

There are only a couple left in Manchester that do a line up instead of one at a time. I tend to go a bit crosseyed trying to assess more than one WG at the same time so I'm glad for the one at a times.

This is an interesting tangent; are there a lot more parlours once you get away from the south?  As afaict around here - apart from things like HoD - which are more like a number of escorts with a diary working in the same house - parlours don't really exist.

[Jonestown]

  As afaict around here - apart from things like HoD - which are more like a number of escorts with a diary working in the same house - parlours don't really exist.

Does Edgware Health & Beauty not count as a parlour, I believe you get to choose your girl there.

[mrwhite]

And this post is adding to it. The type of parlour I assume you are talking about, along the lines of the late Sandy's Superstars or the edinburgh saunas is just a brothel and is just as illegal as any other brothel, the difference being that the police will usually tolerate as long as they are well run and allow welfare checks for girls being trafficked. But this stance can change on a whim.
A proper massage parlour is a place to get a proper massage, hundreds of them are completley legit with nothing else on offer, others may offer a happy ending, but only a few places go as far as FS, and many of those that do only go as far as that with repeat customers.

If the police think any of the ladies are being trafficked they would close the place in a heartbeat and probably arrest everyone there.

[Markc]

About 20 years ago when there no no internet on phones l used to look at newspaper ads and they give you a phone number to ring. When you were either told who was working or be asked what you were looking for.

There where a couple of parlours in a nearby town l used to visit and generally they would send each escort that was available into the room you had been put in and then the maid would come back and ask who you wanted to see. I remember once l asked to see a blonde in her 20’s and when l arrived l was shown to a room and told my escort was already waiting for me. She was really lovely and l was going at doggy quite hard with her when l lent forward to grab her hair and it come away in my hands as she was wearing a wig. I finished the deed and we both had a laugh about it afterwards but she told me that the woman who owned it would take phone calls from clients and the ladies had to say they where the age the guy had asked for and wear a wig if they didn’t have a girl with the hair colour the guy wanted. It was a great punt and she was actually 38.