The 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!

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 the West.

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