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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Naked or not naked?

129 replies

Nakedornotnaked · 30/12/2022 22:11

Please settle an argument between DH and I about nakedness when having a professional massage...

YABU - Of course you should be completely naked when having a professional massage, the towel covers your bits. The massage therapist has seen it all before and doesn't need clothing getting in the way and it's not like they're gonna be massaging your bits anyway

YANBU - Of course you don't get completely naked, you keep your underwear on underneath the towel. The massage therapist does not want to accidentally touch your bare bum/genitals as they work their way up your legs

OP posts:
FrangipaniBlue · 31/12/2022 00:29

@OnTheRoadAgain1 definitely try a physio for a sports massage!

A good sports massage uses passive stretching, so instead of just massaging the muscles they will manipulate your limbs/neck

Gingerbreadhouseofhorror · 31/12/2022 00:32

In the UK I keep my knickers on but I had an amazing spa treatment in Belgium once where it was definitely rudey nudey 😂 I just went with the flow, the masseuse didn’t bat an eyelid so neither did I!

BungleandGeorge · 31/12/2022 00:34

in the UK either is absolutely fine. A professional is quite able to ensure that you stay covered up and that they avoid touching your genitals! Paper pants don’t stay in place so are a bit pointless! If men are wearing loose boxers or swimming shorts they’d get in the way of the massage? Possibly an opposite sex masseur might request underwear is worn. Some countries nude is the norm

anotheruser173 · 31/12/2022 01:04

Pants on.

The only reason not to keep your pants on is if you don't understand that a massage is just that, and it's not a sex act... I'd assume anyone not wearing pants is hopeful of a happy ending.

I get regular massages, and I can assure you, my massage therapist would not be impressed if I didn't wear any pants. Apart from him not wanting to accidentally get a flash of something inappropriate, he always tucks the towel into the top of them, so they serve a purpose!

saltinesandcoffeecups · 31/12/2022 01:17

Both are absolutely reasonable and I’ve done both on different occasions. (US and in different countries). Contrary to someone’s understanding I don’t expect a ‘happy ending’ just because I am not wearing undies. (I seriously can’t roll my eyes hard enough at that statement)

I can say that I have not been treated different based on my my option.

The only thing that differentiates the two is that the the masseuse may reposition my undies slightly and there is a high probability of having the oil get on on them.

every professional masseuse will tell you to do what is comfortable and will make you most relaxed.

SocialLite · 31/12/2022 01:46

I've done both depending on the type of massage.

They get in the way of doing the hip/side area on a full massage, can be damaged by oil, and I'm usually wearing swimwear when I arrive as it's usually part of a spa day for me.

JM10 · 31/12/2022 01:58

Definitely pants on. I would feel very uncomfortable naked.

My massages are normally back, neck and should ones though, so I can leave my trousers on too. My towel normally gets tucked into whatever I have on on my bottom half as others have said.

JM10 · 31/12/2022 01:58

*shoulder

dizzydizzydizzy · 31/12/2022 08:58

Knickers and no bra where I have massages. Totally unnecessary to take off knickers/pants.

Pootle40 · 31/12/2022 08:59

Bra off, pants on

Runningintolife · 31/12/2022 09:03

I was expecting to keep pants on last week when I went but was instructed to take all clothes off, I checked 'all clothes?' and they said yes. They kept the towel in place.

BungleandGeorge · 31/12/2022 11:46

anotheruser173 · 31/12/2022 01:04

Pants on.

The only reason not to keep your pants on is if you don't understand that a massage is just that, and it's not a sex act... I'd assume anyone not wearing pants is hopeful of a happy ending.

I get regular massages, and I can assure you, my massage therapist would not be impressed if I didn't wear any pants. Apart from him not wanting to accidentally get a flash of something inappropriate, he always tucks the towel into the top of them, so they serve a purpose!

The only reason they tuck the towel in is to protect your pants from oil. Being naked has nothing whatsoever to do with sex, masseurs are professional people, the same as HCP. It’s usually pretty easy to distinguish a beauty salon from a brothel

LlynTegid · 31/12/2022 11:49

Your choice. Only ever had two, was naked myself, was in a spa outside the UK where no swimwear was the norm for the saunas etc.

Hawkins001 · 31/12/2022 11:51

I guess it would depend on the options available

Hawkins001 · 31/12/2022 11:53

BungleandGeorge · 31/12/2022 11:46

The only reason they tuck the towel in is to protect your pants from oil. Being naked has nothing whatsoever to do with sex, masseurs are professional people, the same as HCP. It’s usually pretty easy to distinguish a beauty salon from a brothel

Show quote history

Depends on the legality and weather it's camouflage to appear as a normal massarge parlour

TodayIsFridayHooray · 31/12/2022 11:55

I'm guessing it's your DH that wants to get stark naked? Maybe he can when you give him a massage, but not anyone else...

BaileySharp · 31/12/2022 11:55

On unless they specifically say to remove (or provide paper pants in which case that's what they expect you to wear!)

BungleandGeorge · 31/12/2022 12:07

TodayIsFridayHooray · 31/12/2022 11:55

I'm guessing it's your DH that wants to get stark naked? Maybe he can when you give him a massage, but not anyone else...

I’d guess the other way. Most men are not used to having treatments and very worried that they will cause offence/ give the wrong impression so wear their jeans or knee length swim shorts!

W0tnow · 31/12/2022 12:22

All the ones my husband and I have been to provide disposable underwear.

EileenAdler · 31/12/2022 12:24

ltappleby · 30/12/2022 22:16

I always go naked. You can’t get a proper massage otherwise.

Me too.

TheHauntedPencilCase · 31/12/2022 12:24

I've always been given paper pants but told they are happy for me to be naked. I've done both and occasionally wear my own pants, the masseuse will give guidance.

NotBadConsidering · 31/12/2022 12:32

It’s not just the choice of the client though, is it? The masseur/masseuse has the right not to be exposed to body parts they don’t want to see or be placed in a compromising position.

So the answer is firstly, whatever the service provider says, goes.

Then whatever you’re personally comfortable with.

Melaniais · 31/12/2022 12:48

Sorry but what YABU / YANBU stands for?

Talia99 · 31/12/2022 13:21

Where I go, the therapist tells me every time to undress down to my knickers, remove my bra and get under the towel.

I had wondered why she kept repeating what to me seemed to be the obvious in terms of what needs to be removed / kept on but I guess this thread explains why (and also that it’s not obvious and that some therapists suggest underwear off).

catfunk · 31/12/2022 13:29

I keep my pants on purely because I don't want to risk them seeing my bum hole when massaging my buttocks

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