Rub 'N' Tug Mysteries Revealed
“If prostitution is the oldest profession, we were looking at its oldest boss.”
Chinatown looks different on a Monday night. The lack of food smells, crowds and assorted Asian chatter leaves the desolate blocks open for mischief. The trouble we sought was behind unmarked doors.
I won’t say it was all Victor’s idea, but without him I can’t imagine my search for a “massage” would’ve gone much beyond curiosity. Piqued by rumors of clandestine lairs concealed all over Philadelphia’s tiny Chinatown, we ventured to put the mystery of the late-night rub ’n’ tug to rest. Our first lead was an address on Cherry Street: White door, single white doorbell. We gave it a buzz.
If prostitution is the oldest profession, we were looking at its oldest boss. The overweight madam who greeted us stood in a lounge lined with couches—neat, nondescript and unmistakably Chinatown. There are a couple Asian women on laptops sitting near her. Our questions are to the point, as are her answers: 150 bucks gets you whatever happens in that room, whether it’s a massage, a wild orgy or discussing yard work—madam doesn’t want to know.
“How about if there’s no sex?” Victor bargains.
“Just a massage and a happy ending?” I chime in, making an unnecessary gesture.
She tells us massages cost 60 bucks, but insists on the upsell—$150 and whatever you want.
We bounce.
Convinced there are more of these spots all around, we press on. Research reveals another place just down the street. Again, plain white door, white doorbell. Buzz. We enter to a madam rushing us through a pink-lit lounge and into rooms. The lack of romance rubs us both the wrong way. Our discussion with her goes about the same as the madam before, but this one is much more pushy. We again try to bargain the “no sex” route, which gets us plum thrown out of the place.
Back on the street, we walk to the corner to take stock. We need information. Victor takes some initiative and starts a conversation in his native tongue with a couple guys walking past. I nod and smile as our map of possibilities suddenly opens up.
There are loads of these joints in Chinatown—many of them unmarked. White door, red door, green door, white doorbell, buzz. Pink walls, soft light, madam, girls, the deal’s always the same. Whatever you want, $150. By the time we tick off every place on our list of about seven, we thoroughly know the drill. Feeling like pros, we walk back to spot No. 1.
We’d told them we were running to an ATM an hour before, and our return prompts no conversation, just tea in a foam cup. We sit down on a couch and light cigarettes. It’s obviously a slow night. Madam blankly stares at the TV cycling an endless stream of commercials for Chinese restaurants in Vegas. The girls click away on laptops. Halfway through our smokes, madam is palpably impatient.
From across the room we each pick a girl, prompting them to look up from their screens and rise, awaiting us at the steps. They lead us upstairs into adjacent shower stalls, strip us down, and begin bathing us. My girl seems to be on a mission to finish this last little bit of work for the night.
Finally, Victor and I are led into separate rooms. Mine is the size of a walk-in closet and contains something between a massage table and a bed, a nightstand stacked with oils, and strategically placed mirrors on the walls. She directs me to lay back and begins the massage, a pretty standard one, albeit sans even a stitch of clothing. It isn’t long before I have to explain that I’m not willing to receive more than a tug from this fine lady. There’s surprise on her face, but she doesn’t seem disappointed. She got to work and pulled off the finale with 10 minutes to spare on the clock. The experience redefined the handjob for me. This was the work of a professional.
Shortly after, I find myself back in the lounge smoking—TV still blaring, madam snacking. One of her employees has to intercom Victor’s room before he comes strolling down the stairs with a look of bliss on his face. “Sorry man. Got carried away.”
Can’t knock a happy ending. ■
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1. K said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 01:58PM
“This is really gross. Congratulations on paying for sex from a most likely trafficked woman. I can't believe the Philadelphia Weekly pays their "reporters" for this. Yet another reason why this paper is trash.”
2. KAB said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 02:43PM
“The lack of romance rubbed you the wrong way? Seriously? This piece is truly repellant and disgusting.”
3. LVT said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 03:43PM
“I hope you lose advertising. Disgusting.”
4. MM said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 03:58PM
“I am speechless that this article is in print in this form. What could be a piece on human rights violations is instead a frat-boy essay with no evidence of thought on either the writer's part or on the editor's. Really abhorrent. Incredibly ignorant. How about at least a link to humantrafficking.org?”
5. deeney said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 04:18PM
“What's weird is that this doesn't even bring anything new to the table in terms of information about Philly massage parlors. Yes, there are massage parlors in Chinatown, no shit, the dudes who crash at Sunny B and OBP work Vine Street all night on the weekends steering dudes into the joints for a couple bucks, this has been happening for like 20 years. What mystery is being revealed?
Whatever, nice stroke piece, I guess. High fives all around, bro-hams.”
6. KE said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 04:24PM
“This is really disgusting. Guess this is where "journalism" as entertainment gets us - - an entirely embarrassing display of faux-inquiry with a paid-for blow job cheerily plugged in at the end. Ridiculous.”
7. Tenley said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 05:06PM
“Gotta say, this is a new low in publishing. And you guys sponsor our theater company! WTF, PW? Not only is there absolutely nothing being reported other than the going rate for an hour with a prostitute (making this article a total waste of time), you're basically shrugging your shoulders at a hugely exploitative institution without even attempting to justify your indifference. Pathetic.”
8. pete said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 05:18PM
“As a former user of these businesses I
was upset with myself when I found out
how these young ladies are hired, and
how visiting these brothels is border-
line gang rape. There is little choice for
these young women about whether
or not they are going to do full service
or deny service to a client. A madam
will back her girl up rather than appease
a clear danger to the business. None
of my exploits in the Asian brothels make
me a man, or more interesting at dinner
parties. You would be more interesting
if you had not held back and got the
full measure of your money, in the form
of full contact with the commodity you
purchased. If you are going to make a
mistake then do so with gusto. Why does
this writer think their story is useful?”
9. rcg said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 06:04PM
“This article boiled down to two facts, only one of them news:
"There are brothels in Chinatown. The Weekly paid someone to go."
No context, no insight. Just a new low.
No wonder the author wouldn't put his real name to it.”
10. @rcg said... on Aug 18, 2010 at 08:09PM
“@rcg How do you know the author wouldn't put his real name to it?”
11. Tug man Tom said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 06:44AM
“Way to go bro! I hit them spots all the times and the wimmens are top notch! You shoulda got some but secks going with your little oriental lady.”
12. I'm suspicious said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 09:05AM
“Bullshit story. Google/Facebook the reporter's name and you'll come up empty. No such person exists.”
13. Caroline said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 09:23AM
“This story reminded me that the Philadelphia Weekly takes money from prostitution establishments and in return promotes the trafficking and exploitation of women. It also reminded me that I tacitly endorse the use of women as commodities by reading your paper. I work in Chinatown, in an agency that helps men and women with AIDS. A lot of these women have histories with prostitution. And there's no "happy ending" for them.
I'm done with the Philadelphia Weekly.
”
14. Susie Madrak said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 09:46AM
“There's always been this hypocrisy in the newspaper business between exposing wrongdoing on the pages -- and advertising it in the classified section.”
15. M!ck said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 10:28AM
“Are the editors of Philly Weekly high? Seriously, what have they been smoking? This column is crap! Like it's news to anyone that you can go into Chinatown and pay for a handjob? And I guess it's funny if you're a 14-year-old boy. If slavery were still legal, would you run an article on two men going to get a blowjob from a slave? You do realize that many of the women who work in Chinatown massage parlors are indentured servants (i.e. slaves), don't you?
The next time you publish an article on massage parlors in Chinatown, why not publish one on how the women who work in those parlors are horribly exploited?”
16. rgl said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 11:15AM
“cool, exploitation of immigrant women. you are truly a shitty person and a shitty writer.”
17. Anonymous said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 11:39AM
“I'm puzzled by the reactions to this article. Yes, it's likely that the women working in these brothels are paying large sums to the snake-heads and would jump at more honest work.
But reminding us that these businesses exist and have patrons is useful.Prostitution does exist in our city- whether it's under the El, at a 'massage' parlor, advertising on Craigs's list or The Erotic Review.
If this is important enough of an issue, we could do something about it. These operations could be busted and their workers imprisoned or deported.
Or we could go on and ignore it. Which do you prefer?
”
18. rgl said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 11:48AM
“something tells me that the philly weekly could write about prostitution without fucking the prostitutes.”
19. Ben said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 12:48PM
“Is this a joke? Why would PW ever publish this? This article is morally bankrupt and devoid of any journalistic integrity. I just do not get how anyone could ever let this article run.”
20. mansei said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 01:17PM
“Hey, what's human trafficking, exploitation of women, and Asian stereotypes ("neat, nondescript and unmistakably Chinatown") compared to some frat boy's handjob. Truly a disgusting piece and a new low for Philadelphia Weekly.”
21. mansei said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 01:39PM
“@Anon: Reminding us about prostitution and paying for it are two wholly different missions. The "writer" isn't drawing attention to prostitution; he's using and exploiting it - which for the record is not only heinous but criminal.”
22. Tug man Tom said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 01:41PM
“You guys dont get it. These places are grate. It allows real men like me to take out are frustratoins and then go home and smile at the wife.
These girls arnt exploited. They actually like what they do. I consider it a public service.
Cutting edge jurnalism bro. Keep it up!”
23. Spagett said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 02:02PM
“SPAGETT!!!”
24. Juli Miller said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 02:05PM
“Most folks who live in the city know these places exist. However, glorifying and trivializing such a thing as human traficking and forced sex-slavery is deplorable and shame on you for subsidizing, supporting, and printing this vile filth. I can only hope your advertisers are as displeased and that you make some sort of mea culpa contribution to a reputable human rights organization to make amends for such a travesty. I am looking forward to a revealing editorial in your next issue detailing how you made right, or perhaps the forthcoming issues will be thinner due to lack of advertising revenue. Maybe both.”
25. Ned said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 02:07PM
“Someone should probably lose their job over this -- and not the prostitute.
”
26. Pointer Obvious said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 02:11PM
“I think if enough readers pass this story on to ICE (the federal agency most often dealing with human trafficking brothels and massage parlors) Philadelphia Weekly will reconsider commissioning staff members to participate and aid and abet felonies.
HSI Investigations, SAC Philadelphia
220 Chestnut Street, Room 200
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Main (215) 717-4800
Fax (215) 597-4200
To those without a clue, plenty of actual journalists can and do write about prosititution without having to be complicit in the crime. The only saving grace, and possible exoneration for the writer, is that the details on this story are so thin it's most likely bullshit.”
27. Anonymous said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 02:26PM
“re: "“something tells me that the philly weekly could write about prostitution without fucking the prostitutes.”
Absolutely. & Tara Murtha has reported, FOR PhiladelphiaWeekly, in fact, with intelligence, eloquence & sensitivity on the subjects of human trafficking and prostitution.
PW? FU.
”
28. Pointer Obvious said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 02:37PM
“I don't see how someone like Tara Murtha can write for a publication that will also publish this. We're talking massive credibility hole here.”
29. JN said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 02:52PM
“Wow. Wow. Two hack losers go get handjobs in ChinaTown and you post it under "Arts and Culture". Farreals, PW? Great exposé, assholes. Way to earn a Pulitzer. I won't be picking up your mediocre, unethical rag again. The only thing better than bigotry, classism, misogyny, and exploitation is bigotry, classism, misogyny, and exploitation of defenseless imported female slave-labor. Ooh, that's so journalistically edgy and post-modern of you! Not only didn't you write a decent story about how and why that system is in place [something actually newsworthy to Philadelphians], you became a willing participant IN the system! I second Ned, 'someone should lose their job over this.'”
30. Yolanda Solis said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 05:36PM
“I wonder how much of the money Mr. Nile and his friend paid actually went to the women.
I wonder if the women's employer holds on to their passports, restricting their movements.
I wonder if the women were trafficked and must remain working for their "employer" to pay off a trafficking fee whose balance never seems to go down.
How nice for Mr. Nile that he enjoyed his hand job.”
31. Ari Jewsteinberg said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 08:26PM
“the first asian stereotype i think of is a tug job masseuse tehehe”
32. C.H.U.D. said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 05:48AM
“TROLL'D”
33. NHM said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 09:59AM
“Where's the story? Where's the investigation? Did it even occur to this fake-named writer that it might be worth investigating how these women end up at the parlors? There's no purpose to this, except to flaunt a juvenile experience with prostitution in, shocking, Chinatown. Not only is this a wasted piece, but it's also poorly written. The writer is obviously very naive if he thinks this is newsworthy (and what was the editor thinking?). It's more like a bad diary entry to his fellow frat brothers. I suspect the whole story might even be faked. The details are lacking.”
34. Karl Popper Marx said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 10:13AM
“Okay, everybody. The writer is counting on you all to comment righteously about how sleazy he is so he can lean back in his chair and congratulate himself on how he's fearlessly pushing the buttons of all the PC hipster zombies out there.
To avoid giving him the satisfaction, try to focus future comments less on how sleazy he is for getting handjobs from sex slaves and more on how stupid he is for generating such blinkered, unimaginative, incurious prose about it. I mean, both points are valid, but only the second one is really productive.”
35. Stealing 3rd said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 12:11PM
“Not only is the article poorly written and in poor taste, it smells fake. Madams at Asian brothels are called "mamasans." There's no mention of the age or appearance of the girls, or any thoughts about the possibility of a law enforcement raid. Sounds more like a story cobbled together from rumors than an actual firsthand experience.
This isn't even bad journalism, it's more like a high school kid trying to boast to his friends. I'm calling BS here.”
36. Anonymous said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 01:00PM
“fake or not. handjob or not. moral or immoral. What this article is, without a doubt... poorly written. I think I've read better essays from 3rd grader.”
37. Pointer Obvious said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 02:31PM
“True on the writing quality. I'd love to see the "What I Did on my Summer Vacation" essay this writer had as his representative clip to get this gig. Does PW pay for writing anymore?”
38. Used to be Sad, now Pissed said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 06:18PM
“You guys removed my comment because I asked you to take a hard look at your motives for publishing this story? WTF”
39. Angela said... on Aug 23, 2010 at 02:20PM
“The overload of “wink, wink, nudge nudge” smirks and cliché ridden caricatures crammed into these two columns was nauseating. Two Good-time Sams are out on the town on a scavenger hunt through the “secret” brothels of Chinatown to bargain the best deal with the least guilt, all brokered by an old, cold, snack-nibbling, tv-watching madam. Hijinks!
Dear Nile,
please W A K E U P.
1. Their locations ARE advertised. As businesses that are set up to make money, they will make sure you know about them. Does cracking codes of colored doorbells replace the feeling of an actual pursuit? Why not just treat is as it is– a transaction? Tell me, did you expense it to PW?
”
40. Anonymous said... on Aug 23, 2010 at 02:21PM
“2. Your “girl” (previously referred to in the article as a “woman”–but somehow once you “bought” her she lost this association) “redefined the handjob” for you by performing the work of a “professional”. Slow down. She is not a professional. You paid her boss, not her. She herself was most likely forced or tricked into this line of work; read anything on this subject– you know this is true.
And your mild request is her “last little bit of work for the night”? How do you know she won’t be there until dawn (the sign says 24 hours) or, more importantly, right back in that little room tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, without any options, exits, or advocates?
2. “Can’t knock a happy ending?” THAT IS YOUR CLOSING LINE?
For who?
Not me, not most thinking people. It IS a complicated issue, and your puff piece does not ask any questions– it in itself is an “unnecessary gesture”.
”
41. Anonymous said... on Aug 23, 2010 at 02:21PM
“Our society does not protect sex workers, and clearly you are not suggesting that it should. Would you shake her hand first and negotiate the terms? Would you sign a contract ensuring your “practitioner” that you are free of any STI or be willing to take a test? Would she be protected if you were to assault her?
Or would that be a buzzkill, bro?
”
42. Larry Shaeffer said... on Aug 24, 2010 at 04:29AM
“the only rationale I could see for this pathetic piece is PW fabricating the article so they can jackup the ad rates for those very same brothels featured in the article. "Hey look, we planted a good article that's sure to pump up your foot traffic. A rough guide type travelogue to alleviate the trepidations of all those potential johns out there-'hey, don't be scared, they're all legit whorehouses. Yes, pushy madams but you won't get your wallet stolen'."
And get the preoccupied sex worker tapping away on her laptop-probably updating her facebook page and catching up on her email-"Hi Sis, slow night here, just 7 handjobs and a couple of facials, not too bad. You should come over. Next time that guy comes thru the village promising good paying waitress and hostess jobs you should sign-up. Sure, you'll have your passport taken away, be raped, beaten and sold two or three times but its just part of the training and you'll have this hellhole I'm in, awaiting you. luv, sis xoxoxo"”
43. Ray said... on Aug 25, 2010 at 11:25AM
“Thanks Nick. Is calling you a loser as stupid as your calling the girl who manually released you "the work of professional" These are trafficked sex slaves and your employer is complicit in this by accepting advertising from these places and then actually paying you to go there. Maybe you can be hired by CP to do the same thing, wouldn't that be great? LOSER!”
44. dispairing said... on Aug 27, 2010 at 12:09PM
“I don't have anything special to add except another voice to say: that was ridiculous. I wonder if the writer would show that to his mom, his sister, his daughter? How bout his girlfriend, his wife? Maybe that's why it's under a false name, cuz he knows that any woman with a jot of sense would immediately pull out the ole suitcase after reading that obnoxious, smug, unfeeling, juvenile, misogynistic and oh yeah, let's not forget CRIMINAL article.”
45. fake name - real cop said... on Aug 30, 2010 at 01:09PM
“I go to them places all the time. There are quite a few on the "D.L." in the northeast and eastern Montgomery county/Lower bucks county.
The nicer areas charge 160-200 but, the girls are much better looking and the environment is very clean.
Who cares. It's the only time I ever got my ass licked in America. When I was in the Marines, I had 6 girls at 1 time in Thailand. They were fighting each other to lick my ass. That was nice.
That cost about 200 for all 6 girls. I'm not even sure if they were 18. - I don' t think they were even 16”
46. Sarah said... on Sep 1, 2010 at 08:43AM
“this was a good news article. interesting and real, atleast, which philly could use some more of. Maybe a little too savvy for the some what oblivious general public who don't know what happens in the real world, which is caused by continiously printing pointless stories. So, kudos to you.”
47. feelin7up said... on Sep 5, 2010 at 08:08PM
“I agree, this was a poignant story that skillfully enmeshes everything that makes for a great read- romance, sex, money, tea. I was reminded of the first time I was introduced to real literature- reading "Wifey" in junior high school.
Oh wait, change that- PW sucks if it does not take SERIOUS action to remedy this incredible breach of its duty to exercise good stewardship over the slice of the media pie it's earned through actual journalism.”
48. likeitis said... on Oct 18, 2010 at 11:28AM
“Who wants to bet this was this silly frat boy's first sexual encounter?
Perhaps that is why it is written in tone of a glowing, prideful "wink wink, nudge nudge" amateur exposé. He got some, finally. He also had to pay for it. The woman did too, with her freedom. He so badly had to write this, even in light of exposing himself to be an emotional and mental imbecile.”
49. Q said... on Mar 25, 2011 at 01:10PM
“Sex slaves? You people havent a clue.
The women make more money than you.
Sex Slaves?
THAT is the biggest stereotype on this page.”
50. liberatesex! said... on May 10, 2011 at 10:56PM
“I worked in a center city bar not too far from Chinatown, and a lot of the girls used to come in. There is no such thing as "slavery" in Chinatown massage parlors. These girls are treated very fairly and according to their tipping habits, made more money than most suits in and around Philly. The folks that are trashing this article are either a) the wives of husbands that get hand jobs from massage parlors because their vaginas are too icey to keep their men happy or b) bleeding heart liberals (worse than the far right in my opinion) that watch way too much Dateline.”
51. Long John said... on Jul 7, 2011 at 08:28PM
“I check out rubmaps.com all the time to find out where the cheapest places to get laid are.”
52. James said... on Sep 1, 2011 at 09:18PM
“I think the massage polar is great!!!! I love those sexy very soft asian women they really know how to have fun!!! Keep up the Great Work ladies!!!!!!!”
53. billy bob said... on Sep 3, 2011 at 06:16PM
“There are many places that this happens at. If you want to learn more about the types, you can visit http://www.sensualmassages.info to learn about different massages, and massage reviews”
54. Anonymous said... on Nov 5, 2011 at 03:55PM
“All of you men who frequent these diease ridden places are beyond disgusting. Blacks are not why Aids spread. Asians and whites are.”
55. Anonymous said... on Dec 11, 2011 at 10:25PM
“Wow.. all these people saying how disgusting it is... get the hell over yourselves. Its disgusting? Dont read it. Pull the stick out of your ass and go get a rub and tug. You'll be much nicer.”
56. Anonymous said... on Jan 15, 2012 at 01:27PM
“what would you rather...the chineese kill them because they want boys or let them come here for a better future than death and some good money...I'd call that human relations. besides...if all you housewifes were not so damn bitter, we would not have to look elsewhere and the divorce rate would be much lower...gfy”
57. LuvaTug said... on Jan 19, 2012 at 03:14PM
“Great article! i love a good tug! nothing makes a small white penis look bigger than smaller yellow hands! yay for asian massage”
58. Ray said... on Jan 30, 2012 at 03:22PM
“Read:
http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/sex-trafficking-in-the-us/massage-parlors
From the first page of the link:
"Women found in brothels disguised as massage parlors typically live on-site where they are confined and coerced into providing commercial sex to 6 to 10 men a day, 7 days a week. These locations, often known as Asian Massage Parlors, or Korean Massage Parlors (AMPs or KMPs), operate as commercial-front brothels that claim to offer legitimate services such as massage, but they actually primarily provide commercial sex. The victims are most often Asian women, both documented and undocumented....."
”
59. Anonymous said... on Mar 5, 2012 at 08:53PM
“Not all of the girls are forced. I got to know one very well. She was in it for the money.”
60. Tony said... on Mar 6, 2012 at 12:55PM
“Or read: http://parlorguide.com/”
61. Anonymous said... on Mar 12, 2012 at 03:49PM
“Check out reviews of AMPs for free on rubmaps dot com”
62. Anonymous said... on Mar 19, 2012 at 05:06AM
“Going to places like this and receiving any type of sexual services..is RAPE. YOURE RAPING a girl that is being forced to be there. OF COURSE SHE IS GOING TO ACT LIKE SHE IS THERE FOR THE MONEY you idiot they'll beat her if she doesnt. How disgusting are you?”
63. Hugh Lampley said... on Apr 8, 2012 at 08:43PM
“Men of philadelphia: be careful, don't catch crabs. It is embarassing to buy the cream,the cream burns like icy hot and it is hard to explain to your wife why your dick smells like medicine.”
64. Spongebob said... on Apr 21, 2012 at 01:20AM
“I think a lot of the condemnation from the commentors reflects there own sexual shame. I thought it was an interesting article, and I would liked to have read more. Prostitution isn't going away. Legalizing it is probably the best way to reduce the exploitation and other ills associated with it. I don't think it is inherently unethical to pay for a sexual experience.”
65. Anonymous said... on May 18, 2012 at 09:44AM
“All I wanna know is do dey give happy endings 2 women?!?!”