What do you think when you see the words "massage therapist"?
That's the question after Bay massage therapists revealed they are sometimes being mistaken for escorts because of confusion over the word "massage".
The sex industry has traditionally used the word - but genuine therapists in the Bay and around the country
want a change to the Yellow Pages differentiating between qualified massage therapists and sex parlours.
The call has come at Massage New Zealand's first national conference this week.
Jan Lawson, a Bethlehem massage therapist for the past 20 years, said she had learned to deal with callers requesting to book a "relaxation" or "sensual" massage.
"You get a few people trying to run the gauntlet ...
"Some even try to cross-over once the session has begun. I can usually tell though, from the tone of their voice on the phone and I say 'strictly only massages'."
Ms Lawson said she had never been compromised but had learnt to let clients know straight away what she offered.
Separating the two in the Yellow Pages would be a good idea, she said, to bring a standard of professionalism to massage therapy.
Yvonne Thomas, owner of Thomas Touch on Cameron Rd, said she had a group of three men walk into her business at one time.
"You learn to know the vibe. I just told them straight away that we did not have anything available."
Working in Tauranga for the past 4 1/2 years, Mrs Thomas said escort agencies should list themselves under something else. "Massage parlours should never have been able to use the word massage in the first place ...
"Nine times out of 10 I can guarantee you they aren't going there for a massage."
The change would let people immediately know if they were asking the right business for the right service, she said.
Sharon Webb, owner of Absolute Massage in Whakamarama, said she had only taken the odd call.
"I think it would be a very good idea to separate them completely."
Outgoing president of Massage New Zealand Barry Vautier said New Zealand should follow the lead of Australia by changing the heading to something such as adult services. _ with NZPA
