Risks of working at a private massage parlor
I wrote out this long body explaining my situation and everything and the page froze on me. >:(
SO. Keep this short, I found an add for a hostess position at a private massage parlor.
They say they do background checks on all the men.
They say the hostess' are not allowed to be touched by the men, but do not specify if you are supposed to touch the men.
They say the hostess' are there to serve drinks, flirt, and get men excited for their massage.
I'm in the US so obvi this is illegal.
So what I'm wondering is if anybody knows the exact legality behind something like this?
If I work for them for a month, don't get raided, but then 6 months later they get raided will I be in trouble - as a previously employee?
If I work for them and do get raided, is the maximum I could be looking at a felony for aiding prostitution or is google just scaring me?
What do you know about the legalities behind massage parlors?
What has been your experience working in a massage parlor?
Thanks in advance :)
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
@MadAvalon I don't have answers to your questions, but just out of curiosity what state/city are you located in?
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
Tucson, AZ. I've been a dancer for almost a decade here and not only do I hate it, but money sucks. That's why I'm thinking about expanding to "other sex work."
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
I'd be very careful. This is probably a cartel affiliated business if it's in Arizona.
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
That's something I hadn't considered! Thanks for bringing that up! They say they are based out of California and have expanded to Tucson, among other places. But I don't know much more about the business as it's all hush, hush.
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
I hear many aspects of sex work business in Arizona suck. For example, $10 dances.
As far as working in a massage parlor, I know that in some states it's a felony to practice massage without a license. I've thought about doing body rubs for half a minute but there are some types of sex work that do not appeal to me at all, with that being one and I think it would fall under massage. In NY, massage without a license is a felony. Not sure about Arizona. Maybe check if you require a license, and check if it is an additional charge if you are advertising as a masseuse without one.
As far as more risks, there was one thread on another forum that detailed a raid on one of those 'temple' places in Arizona. The so-called masseuses were having sex with the clients, but since the sessions were video-recorded, the defense was such that it would be protected by the 1st amendment, because it's essentially porn. This defense did not hold up, the owner went to prison for 25 years, and the ladies who were affiliated with the place were charged with a felony arising from associating with a criminal enterprise.
The punishment, in my opinion, is unreasonably severe to the point of being ridiculous. However, it does show that there are risks involved in our lovely country where a white rich boy from Stanford can get off with a slap on the wrist for "engaging in a few moments of action" (per his dad)/aka rape but consenting adults doing what they do get put away for years, especially when the police have too much free time on their hands.
As far as answering any sort of phone calls for a massage parlor, I think it would count as promoting prostitution. I've definitely seen ads for those but don't want the risks for 'up to $300/day.'
I'm just reiterating stuff I read online and do not claim anything I've said above as true, so I'd double-check your local and state laws.
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
Thanks for replying. I'd be working as a hostess so I don't think the licensing would apply, but being charged with a felony for associating with a criminal enterprise might. The shitty thing is, I would make more doing hostess work then stripping. That's how craptastic it is in Tucson.
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
Oh wow, it's too bad stripping is that bad there.
Maybe being a hostess at a nice restaurant would be a better option, with all considered. That, or live in AZ if that is where your heart is but travel two weeks out of the month, on average, to more profitable areas for dancing. Lots of girls in LA do that, and I did it for a very long time. If you can keep your expenses at home super cheap, there are areas that I'd imagine are within an affordable and easy reach of AZ that would make a commute for dancing worthwhile from a financial standpoint. Vegas, NOLA, North Carolina, and possibly NYC would be good for travel dancers. Traveling constantly, however, can get exhausting.
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
Also, if you're seriously considering working as a hostess at a massage parlous, I'd maybe check with a criminal attorney as far as the risks are concerned because I can't say that what I mentioned is correct. I'm simply reiterating what I've read online.
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
I would love to host at a regular restaurant, but they all want "experience." The job market in general just really sucks here. I'm pretty much stuck because I'm in school still and considering graduate school at the same Uni. So there's no time for travel as I barely have time to even work. At this point I'm considering fast food, because at least I'm likely to get hired, but it won't cover all my expenses. IDK. I'm probably not going to go for this massage parlor gig just because I'm too paranoid about the legality of it all, but it's nice to think there's something besides stripping I could do that would pay my bills, ya know? UGH, money.
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
Just take out loans...I did that and paid it back with my stripper money....but I didn't have too too much compared to the average nowadays.
Or maybe camm...if you're ok with that, although camming was definitely not for me.
Good luck with what you choose to do!
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
I emailed the MP yesterday night (out of curiosity) and this is what they said:
Thanks for responding to our ad. Sorry but we’ve received several hundred applications for Tucson and now have a six month waiting list so will not be able to help you at this time. Good luck on your job search.
The job market here is balls.
I do take out loans for school (so I can have a break from stripping) but I have some debt still from medical expenses and that makes my monthly budget higher than it should be for 1 person. So I usually have to go back to stripping at the end of the semester and during the summer when I can't get loans.
I might look into camming again, if I can find an agency that has built up a customer base. Last time I tried camming, I barely made grocery money because it's so difficult to build up a customer base. That shit takes time and I have none of that!
Thanks for listening and offering advice. I appreciate it!
Re: Risks of working at a private massage parlor
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MadAvalon
I would love to host at a regular restaurant, but they all want "experience." The job market in general just really sucks here. I'm pretty much stuck because I'm in school still and considering graduate school at the same Uni. So there's no time for travel as I barely have time to even work. At this point I'm considering fast food, because at least I'm likely to get hired, but it won't cover all my expenses. IDK. I'm probably not going to go for this massage parlor gig just because I'm too paranoid about the legality of it all, but it's nice to think there's something besides stripping I could do that would pay my bills, ya know? UGH, money.
I've worked in several restaurants and I can say from personal experience that the best way to get a job is to go to non-corporate restaurant and just act VERY outgoing and friendly on your interview. experience doesn't matter especially if you're an attractive female. the service industry is about warm personalities. there are plenty of people who have "Experience" but if they're miserable assholes no one is gonna want to hire them. you have to be personable