Thai Toilet Massage
First time visitors to Thailand often get quite a shock the first time they go to use the toilet. I remember the first time I stood at the urinal, completely unaware of the curious 'tactile' service I was about to receive.
It's not unusual for male restrooms, particularly those in nightclubs and nice restaurants, to have a handful of young male staff on hand with hot towels at the ready to serve your needs. The shock usually comes when you are urinating and a pair of male hands come from out of nowhere to softly massage your shoulders, after placing a hot towel on your neck. To the average Western male, this is naturally unexpected and can be taken very much in the wrong way!
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In fact, this is quite normal in Thailand and you are not being molested or propositioned for anything naughty. The 'Toilet Massage' is often a welcome and relaxing moment to relieve tension in your shoulder muscles. After zipping yourself up, you may also find yourself with a knee in your back, an arm around your neck and a sudden sharp jerk to correct your neck... a real surprise if you're not expecting it and I often wonder how many British hooligans on a beer holiday have got the wrong idea and turned around to thump the poor massage guy.
If you don't want the massage, simply politely refuse and say 'no massage'. Personally, I find it hard to pee with a strange man behind me rubbing my shoulders. When you go to wash your hands, they will usually open the tap for you and hand you a hot towel. Don't forget to tip... these boys keep the toilets nice and clean, unlike the urine stained stink holes you get in other places.
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