Massage therapy has been for a long time known as a way to relax and relieve some tension and stress in the body.
There have been spas and massage parlours opened in Harare over recent years. These parlours advertise their services mostly on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. There wasn’t much to note but recently some adverts have been raising some eyebrows.
I came across a flier on Twitter by a massage parlour called Paradise Bliss Therapeutic Massage Spa based in Harare Borrowdale. What’s so interesting about the flier? Some of the terms used had me wondering if I had a dirty mind or if there really are some suggestive clues behind the words they use to describe their services.
What caught my eye first was the tagline “Don’t think about it, like Nike just do it”. maybe they mean that one must not think too deeply about the cost of getting a massage? Then things got a bit interesting when I read the description of the services they offer.
The services were listed as follows: Massage, Scrubbing, Nail Cutting, Pedicure. Admittedly this was not strange at all. And then the list continues; NSA, Shower Massage, Full Package, Shaving, Nuru Massage, Double Delight. Firstly, I’ve never heard of a shower massage and a search on Google showed massaging showerheads that release water at high pressure for a massaging effect. Maybe that’s what’s offered at Paradise Bliss?
A Nuru massage is an erotic massage technique that originated in Japan where the massage therapist rubs their body against the client’s body when both parties are nude and covered with an odourless and colourless massage lotion. I don’t know about you but that’s some really close contact.
Other services offered like Shaving, Full Package and Double Delight can only be explained by the owners of the massage parlour. Another interesting thing is the line under the services written: “We also offer Greek Massage & Lesbian Show”. We won’t even mention the image of the woman on the flier.
Another interesting massage related service in Harare found on Facebook is a post by Lorraine Sharon captioned;
“Tine a dark and lovely therapist. Make a booking nesu nhasi and enjoy your weekend after a relaxing massage session. #darkberries”
The interesting part is the enjoyment of the weekend AFTER the massage. Is the word massage being used as a front for other activities? This is also interesting since Zimstat recently announced that sex workers will be considered gainfully employed during the upcoming 2022 census in April.