Two in One

One of the surprising things I found about spa-ing in Asia is that it is common practice to book friends and acquaintances in the same treatment room. Here is the US we are so private that it would be considered a real breach in etiquette to do so. Yet I shared a room during all of my massage treatments, except when I arrived alone.

No, I didn’t like it much. I especially didn’t like the pre- and post-treatment times when I was in various stages of dress and undress. I felt awkward and it put some of the tension back into me that had just been removed in the last hour or so. Also, ever aware of maintaining my roommate's privacy, I sometimes felt at a loss as to where to focus my gaze.

But I also felt that my awkwardness was my problem, not theirs. In other words, part of entering another culture is that you expect to conform to it, not the other way around. I think Americans are especially guilty of fancying ourselves the center of a universe in which everyone and thing should revolve around us. So I tried to give myself an attitude check and as time went on each session got a little easier—and I got a little better at covering up strategically and at figuring out how best to allow my roommate as much privacy as possible. It started working out pretty well.

I think this is a really important point for all spa goers to consider, no matter if you’re in your home country or not: Not everyone likes what you like. What might be considered absolute heaven for someone else might turn out to be your particular nightmare scenario for you. That’s why—even though I know I have a hard time practicing what I preach—you’ve got to let your feelings be known so that the spa can do its best to accommodate you.

In fact, I have a rather funny story about that, which I will share in tomorrow’s post.