well put Four

I feel sorry for the aforementioned provider.

I have had the SBE (stanky butt experience) more times than I care to remember, and it does result in a less than optimal session from me. It's hard to give a quality massage when you are trying to steer clear of noxious fumes emanating from someone's butt, especially for a gal like myself who really enjoys doing work on the lower back and gluteals. I give everyone a washcloth to use in the shower, but more often than not, the sad little washcloth is left all lonely and unused, which is a HUGE mistake if one is looking for attention to the nether regions.

On that note, guys, please use the mints and mouthwash that I know many providers make available to you. Deep breathing during a session is great, but not so much fun if we can tell you ate onions/garlic that day.

~Salena~

Like Nicole, I've had some very nice clients who nonetheless had SBE (smelly butt experience), as Salena called it...They would have been mortified to be told that things were less than great south of the border -- and straight-forward & forthright as I am, even I am reticent to broach this subject....

One of the best bits of advice I ever got was from a provider who said she reminds her clients to "wash their nooks & crannies" when they shower. This works like a charm -- when I remember to say it, but I slacked off after I heard it thinking that after all, guys know how to shower...

Remember how moms used to say "wash behind your ears"? I'm now planning a return to the nooks & crannies reminder, along with a mandatory shower for everyone (makes it less personal), and the rule of thumb is that if you can't see it, you especially need to wash it (behind the ears, and all the other nooks & crannies).

I do think that at least regarding one of the nooks and crannies (armpits), there are cultural differences -- but even so, we're here in the states, and the "antiseptic" American standard says to wash your pits and use deoderant. I have a Southern European client who either has extremely active sweat/adrenal glands, and/or skips the underside of his arm (I have to wonder about guys who rinse the outside bits but do not wash the inside bits that count). The next time I might have the courage to ask him or especially a SBE guy to shower *again* if need be. Here's the script I'm mentally rehearsing;

"I'm so sorry to say this, but I am really sensitive to aromas [I take the blame], and you seem to have been a little hasty/missed a few bits in the ____ area [name the prob with a gentle touch]. In order to give you the best massage [make it a win-win] -- and I know this is weird [I take the blame again] -- would you mind popping back into the shower & giving that zone a second pass?" Mind you, I haven't yet tried this, and it's gonna be awkward, for sure -- but maybe better a speech like this than skittering far out of the aromatic zone, and really hoping the session ends pronto!

Cheers,
Gigi

For feet or other minor grime issues, I will sometimes go grab a warm washcloth, soap it a teensy bit, and make a wet washcloth rub part of the massage. It feels good and makes everyone happier, and it's much more fun to play with the gentleman's body if he's fresh scrubbed (I like the manly smell of a little sweat, but I want to be the one who works him up to it).

I have to say I have had stellar clients and good luck; so far I've never had anyone foul my sheets with a dirty behind. Fingers crossed that my luck holds out!

And no, FA, you're *not* preaching to the choir--every skid-marker I've had has also been a Redbook poster.

this is the product I use, or the generic Walgreens or Longs versions.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/buyinprivate/cotmoiswip.html

Yes.

It's called "bleach, detergent, and hot water". Or "tossing it into the trash can".

Surely you're not suggesting that there are providers who simply recycle skid-marked linens for the next client's use?

LadyJ
Jacq of all trades, Mistress of quite a few

J

I know I always take even more care than usual cleaning that area when I am visiting a lady.