A "happy massage" is a massage that ends with erotic contact between the client and massage therapist. Usually, there are tip-offs that erotic contact is on the spa menuβfor example, an innuendo in the name of the spa. The spa menu also might be worded in such a way that seems off, such as treatments using terms such as "all-body massage," "tantric massage," "thigh massage," or "body-to-body massage.
In the United States, a happy massage is illegal and is not performed at legitimate spas. Under the law, happy massages are considered prostitution. Many spas that perform erotic massages are prostitution fronts and are frequently in the news for being raided by the police and shut downβwhich is something to keep in mind should you consider becoming a customer.
Customers who are present during a raid are at risk of being arrested. Another risk of seeking out a happy massage is being sent to a spa that intends to scam customers. Sometimes spas will advertise themselves using the tip-offs of erotic contact at spas and then charge customers a fee to get in, a drink fee, and a services feeβwithout ever performing the implied sexual actions.
Many massage therapists who are caught performing or offering happy massages face the risk of losing their license. Usually, however, this is only done after many sessions in which trust is built with a massage therapist. Regardless, if you feel uncomfortable during a massage, let the therapist know immediately. Happy massages are easier to find in overseas, especially in Thailand Bangkok and Indonesia Bali. However, just because they're easy to find, it doesn't mean that they're legal.
Cebu City in the Philippines is known for its lingam massagesβwhich end with a massage of the "lingam"βbut even that type of massage was made illegal in In Bali it is easy to find inexpensive, legitimate massages, but it is also fairly common to be offered a happy massage even if you weren't searching for one. Prostitution is illegal, though generally tolerated in Indonesia, however for the past few years Indonesian authorities have been shutting down parlors offering erotic massages and parlors operating without the proper licenses.
