What just happened? AcuSpa
After my bad experience with the elderly, crippled massage therapist to the stars I decided to take a flyer on a place I've passed many times over the last few years. It's at 187X Union in midtown, and from the word go it was an odd experience. I called to set up an appointment and talked to 2-3 different ladies, none of whom spoke English good enough for it to work. I finally gave up and hung up, only to receive a text from a number that I hadn't called asking what time I wanted to stop by for a session. I set up a time and showed up a few minutes early.
Parking is tight, and I had to go in through the front door that's very exposed on a busy stretch of Union. I hate the COVID masks, but I popped one on for that. An older, kind of chunky Chinese lady met me and led me to a room separated by a curtain from the common areas and front door. I asked about a table shower and was told they didn't have one but I could use the stand up shower if I liked. I liked, so I wrapped up in a towel and followed the chunky lady to the shower. Which involved walking in front of the glass door I came in through that's about 15 foot from Union Ave. That was bad enough, but then I had to walk up some stairs to the second floor that were perfectly lined up with said glass door. Luckily once I got high enough to not be visible through the front door, I found myself in front of a window also looking out over Union.
Took the shower while the lady stood outside the stall (no curtain between us) and occasionally reached in to wash my back a bit. Then towel back on and walk down the stairs while I made eye contact with people sitting in cars waiting at the stoplight on Union. Back behind the curtain and face down on the table.
The massage was really good. Better than most you'll get. Lots of teasing too, but you're basically 25 foot from Union Ave with an unlocked glass door, a thin curtain, and 25 feet separating you from whoever might decide to pop in. I'm not sure what all is available, but I wouldn't be shocked if anything your heart desires could be had. I'd also not be shocked if you went for that and while you're chasing that dream a drunk hobo came in to pay you a visit. All that said, I'm certainly going back again. How could I not after that crazy weird experience?
Lavendar Massage (Southaven)
So I kept reading all these great reviews on Cici from Lavendar Massage in Southaven. Well apparently Cici is not there anymore and the new girl (Mia) gets agitated if you ask about Cici or make any reference about her.
Called to make an appointment. She was rather unfriendly on the phone. Should have been the first red flag. Asked if Cici was there. No, Cici no work no more. You want appointment. I'll call you back. Click! She just hung up.
So I tried texting from a different number just wanting to make an appointment since I was in the area and hoped someone else might be there. No, only one girl there working named Mia. Let me tell you, Mia is an angry one who definitely doesn't understand the line of work she's in.
Definitely avoid this place. It's right next to the Justice Network place. If you're ever been in trouble in Southaven, you know about Justice Network. So Mia keeps the door locked and stacks her appointment back to back so the next guy will be standing outside as you leave all the while these ladies from JN are standing outside smoking eyeballing every guy coming and going.
Next bad thing, she requires you to be draped with a sheet.
She's super unfriendly, uses mostly her forearms and elbows to massage which makes the massage mostly uncomfortable and definitely not enjoyable. Doesn't respond at all to any special requests or to use less pressure. I don't know if I caught her on a bad day or is she always like this.
Had to prepay before the session, but was very serious when she said you pay first, tip after.
She's very aggressive hounding you for a tip just like the women at Ocean massage.
Why would I tip you anything when you didn't do anything for me? I mean she was really aggressive as I was trying to leave basically holding the door saying you tip, you tip! I grabbed the door and told her to get out of my way.
Please don't patronize this place! You definitely will be wasting your money! I would never repeat!