Behind the Curtain - The Adventures of a Thai Masseuse

By Saifon Summer and Michael Mish

Being a masseuse is somewhat similar to being a hair dresser. One gets to know peoples' deepest secrets. Things people would never dare share with a spouse, their children or even a best friend, are shared with the masseuse. Why? It's because people, when having their hair done or having a massage, are completely relaxed. They have nowhere to go

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vesica Media Books
• Release date: Oct 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781888311099

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

I never intended to be a writer. But, some of the stories contained in this book are simply stranger than anything I could make up and I felt that they were interesting enough to share with others.

I love my job. Even though I’d studied hotel management in University, working in hotels cannot compare to the interesting people and situations I’ve experienced as a masseuse. Being a masseuse is somewhat similar to being a hair dresser. One gets to know peoples’ deepest secrets. Things people would never dare share with a spouse, their children or even a best friend, are shared with the masseuse. Why? I think it’s because when people are having a massage, they are completely relaxed. They have nowhere to go and nothing to do. A certain honesty emerges that isn’t to be found anywhere else.

Now, there are massage shops and there are massage shops. The shops I work in do legitimate Traditional Thai Massage with occasional oil massage. I feel so good when I’m able to help someone feel better. And, if nothing else, when I can give them a few moments away from a hectic life-style. A big bonus is when they can be better in touch with their own bodies so they are able to determine for themselves what their body needs. When I do massage, I pour myself into it and I feel that people sense that. At the end of a busy work-day, although I’m tired, I feel satisfied that I’ve helped others to feel better.

The following stories are all true accounts. Most of the experiences were my own and a few were stories told to me by other masseuses. As I wrote these stories a few things occurred to me:

Respecting others is the highest tribute we can accord someone

We’re all a little crazy

Everyone has an interesting story to tell

(and here’s mine)

THE AMERICAN CONDUCTOR

When it comes to people, is there such a thing as a normal? At this point in my life, I’m not sure. I’ve been thinking lately that there is a fine line between normal behavior and strange behavior. A fine line between fact and fiction. I think it has everything to do with perspective.

It was a lovely November day. The sky was blue and the warm sunshine shone through the shop window and played on the carpet floor near the reception area. Suddenly a man approached the massage shop. Looking at him through the window that read: THAI MASSAGE, this man appeared at the door. He opened the door like he owned the place. Very tall wearing a long-sleeve shirt blue plaid sport shirt, I found it different that his shirt was tucked in when most other westerners wear their shirts hanging outside their pants. Uncharacteristic-for-Westerners, he wore very smart-looking patent leather shoes. I can remember him so well because he was well-dressed and a very good-looking middle-aged man. He seemed like a kind person. I’d never seen a customer so stylish coming to massage before.

Thai massage for 1-hour, he said with an American accent. All the other girls in the shop, pretending to be busy, ignored him because they didn’t want to massage him. Who will take this customer, the owner of the massage shop called out in local Thai dialect. But, no one responded.

Moments later one of the masseuses in the shop directed me to massage him. I felt like he’d been pushed on me. With no other option, it’s me who had to give him a massage. Because I was new in the shop and didn’t want to argue with any of the girls, I was the obvious choice to give a massage to this man the other girls seemed to want no part of.

I’d like to tell you about this customer. He was a man of very few words. I said hello to him and that was the end of our conversation. I asked him to change into a Thai massage gown but, curiously, he wouldn’t take his socks off. Normally, the Traditional Thai massage gown consists of a baggy pant with a tie string and a loose-fitting top. He told me he’d only change into the pants but his plaid shirt was staying on. With his socks and plaid shirt still on, I told myself that this guy is really particular. And, I just knew that this wasn’t going to be an easy job. It was no surprise no one wanted to massage him.

Having changed, he lay down on the mat on the floor. I began massaging him like I massage other customers but after 3 minutes he twisted his body toward me and asked me if I could massage very softly and slowly. And – only on his legs. I did what he asked but he, nonetheless sat up on the mat and asked to take my hand. He showed me with his hand how he wanted to be touched. Up and down