Letters to the Editor

Editor's Special Note

Dear Visitors to our web site:

We listen.  We respond.  We're pleased to announce, we've begun introducing an exciting new level of service here at MassageAnywhere.com which we call Friends.  With Friends, you can draw your own line between the providers you like and those you don't with the click of your mouse.  But if judging for yourself is a tad too much for you, Friends comes to the rescue yet again, letting you hand it over to a trusted Friend of your choice to be your guide, to steer you clear of what you don't want, to what you do want.  After all, what are Friends for?  We invite you to check it out, as we say thank you to our valued supporters.

We also recently began offering its counterpart service to practitioners which we call PrudeGuard™ and PervGuard™.  These agenda filtering tools are specially licensed automated technology to mitigate and/or reduce contact between persons who may have contrary agendas.

We make no promises these features will solve your every problem, but may they make your experience at MassageAnywhere.com all the more delightful!

-- The Editor

Dear Editor:

I'm not interested in my business being associated with "Massage service provider is ready to provide full body massage to womens/girls" and "Relive your sexual need".  Might be legal in his country [India], but it's not in mine.  I guess it comes down to MassageAnywhere.com's definition of 'professional'.  You stated code of ethics says "to respect the client's reasonable expectations of professional behavior whenever offering/providing professional services".  Do you really think he fits a 'professional' standard?  I don't care if it's legal in India.  He shows up on California and U.S. browsers, and it makes actual professionals look bad.

Editor's response:

Thank you for your letter.  If a "bad" man and you each use the word "professional" in your ads, or, for example, you each have dark hair, please be assured that does not make all persons labeled "professional", or all persons with dark hair, "bad". To believe otherwise is to practice and participate in an ignorant prejudice.

Similarly, we did a Google search on "[name omitted]" and among the many that showed up in our browser, we saw you and also "[same name omitted] - hot young twink having college sex with other boys".  While there might be superficial similarities, there’s insufficient evidence to conclude that you are "[same name omitted] - hot young twink having college sex with other boys".

As to whether the man in India "respects the client's reasonable expectations of professional behavior", please note that's not referring to your expectations but to his client's expectations.  The man in India does not have to respect your particular expectations at all, and therefore you and his clients can have vastly different expectations in regard to professional behavior.  After all, you’re all different persons, in very different locations, different societies, different cultures and subcultures.

That brings us to your concern over the definition of "professional".  The dictionary offers some guide to the meaning of the word "professional" but it’s not authoritative, as in man is not a slave to the dictionary.  Nevertheless, the listed meanings include "undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain", "performed by persons receiving pay", and/or "expert".  The man in India identifies himself as "professional".  We can plainly see he advertises a monetary fee for his services, and using the dictionary as a guide, if he "possesses special skill or knowledge; trained by practice; skillful or skilled", he's an "expert".  In many respects, we're sure he knows what he does better than you do, and perhaps even has much more practice at it than you.

We hope that we’ve addressed your concerns.  At MassageAnywhere.com, we respect differences of opinion and the right to decide for yourself.  As a search and advertising venue, we're about giving people choices, including the choice to use our service or not.  We don't compel anyone to agree with us, and whether you agree or disagree, we like you just as much and no less.

Again, we thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

Wow, are we ever on different wavelengths.  Instead of responding paragraph by paragraph, I will just apologize for assuming that the 'massage' in MassageAnywhere.com meant professional, therapeutic, non-prostitution massage.  My mistake.

Editor's response:

Thank you for your apology.  Last we checked, massage means massage.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Our Terms of Service allows the advertisement of legal massage, and that includes "professional, therapeutic, non-prostitution massage", and that can include the services of a man in India.

PROFESSIONAL: It's been sufficiently established that the man in India's massage is "professional" under multiple definitions of the word.

THERAPEUTIC: What's "therapeutic" to you?  The man in India describes his services as affecting the condition of the person in multiple ways.  Of course, people also receive massages everyday for simple enjoyment, and not with intent to affect their condition.  We're unaware of any requirement to practice medicine under the name of massage, even if that's what you might appear to many people to be doing in your own practice.

NON-PROSTITUTION: There is no reliably objective indication in the ad that the man in India is offering prostitution.  If one interprets the man in India's ad as offering such a thing, that's one's interpretation.  Meanwhile, we've been informed by educated people in and from India that based on the limited information (and non-Western English usage) in the man's ad, it would be bigotry to insist that he's offering prostitution.  In charity, we choose to interpret his ad in the most favorable light.  Again, be mindful that the world has many cultures and not all cultures view "sexual need" as necessitating prostitution.  According to the dictionary, "sexual need" can mean any requirement, necessary duty, or obligation pertaining to sex -- including chastity.  Thus, even chastity (also known as sexual rectitude) can be described as a sexual need, and that is the case in many societies, cultures and religions.  For example, the Catholic Church teaches that "all the baptized are called to chastity", and that in the broadest sense, every need of the human person in the unity of his body and soul, including the aptitude for forming normal, everyday bonds of communion with others, is sexual (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2332 and 2348).  This is also true in the teachings of Hinduism.  Perhaps in your beliefs, that is not so.  Again, we choose to interpret in the most favorable light.  That is our "wavelength".

We respect that different people may have different beliefs.  Thank you for sharing yours with us today.

Thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

[NOTE: After this letter, the provider decided to join us.  Thank you!]

---

Dear Readers:

It's no surprise that we receive the occasional complaint about someone.  The following is a transcript of a dialog we (MA) had today with one of the providers we received a complaint about:

MA: This is to let you know we received a complaint that you're no longer at ____ Road, that you're not licensed and that you had something to do with an 80-year old man.

Provider: I'm sorry, but what??  A 80 year old man??

MA: According to the complainer, you "accidently" took an 80-year-old man into your room and tried to give him "extras" and he was "mortified", and the complainer has "gone to the health department to report" you.  We don't know what "extras" are. As far as we know, it could be free samples, day-old muffins, sexual solicitations or anything, but whatever the "extras" were, the old man was reportedly "mortified". According to our dictionary, the word "mortified" means "humiliated or shamed" or "enslaved to self-inflicted suffering".  Also, it was claimed that you're no longer at _____ Road, that you "lied" about your licensing, that you're "not licensed in ANY STATE", and perhaps strangest of all, "men would randomly show up saying they had booked an appointment" with you and you "just never showed up". That might be translated as meaning strange men showed up saying strange things but you weren't there at the time. Or, it might mean that you made appointments that you didn't keep.

Provider: I'm sorry, but I find all this too funny.  I know who this is coming from.  It's my ex business partner... No offense, but I'm not really worried about it.

MA: Funny or not, please make sure that everything in your ad, including your address, is true and that your ad complies with our Terms of Service and the law.

[NOTE: The provider's ad is currently suspended, awaiting the provider's action to correct her published address and affirm to us that her ad once again is in compliance with the Terms of Service.]

Dear Editor:

[Name omitted] sounded well schooled in massage until I reached the bottom of her ad where she offers a tantric massage, or tantra.  Although she words it quite well, I've studied massage, meditation and ancient religions/backgrounds.  Like I tell my clients, if someone is offering you a tantric massage for an hour it's nothing more than a well worded ad for a hand-job.  Tantra, or tantric sex is very hard to understand and definitely won't learn or achieve anything in a day much less an hour.  Tantra goes back to the most ancient of religions: Tibetan.  Tantra/Hinduism is actually older than Catholicism.  In 1500 A.D., a building was erected complete with figures of couples in yoga/sexual positions.  Of course, over the years, the complicity of this ancient "getting to be one with your partner and God, finding true depth and ultimately achieving a spiritually connected orgasm" is just a piece of the history.  For obvious reasons, decade after decade, people just picked out what they wanted.  Anything taboo is exciting.  When The great 70's Joy of Sex book came out, naturally a more wholistic kama sutra and tantric position books hit the shelf too.  The original book of the Kama Sutra is written much like the Bible.  A book with many books, unfortunately, the sex part is the only thing people remember.  She obviously knows something by the way she worded breathing techniques which would be something you'd learn.  But you'd be meditating and reading, and spiritualizing for years B4 you reached the heightened awareness of tantric.  Like I said, old fashion parlor trick for a hand job.  I believe orgasm is even mentioned in her ad.  I would like to link your site to mine, but I want to make sure the right people advertise and it's not just another craigslist? Or is it? Any info would help... Thank You

Editor's response:

Tantra and orgasm?  Why, 'twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe; all mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe.  O frabjous day!  Callooh!  Callay!  What does it mean to you?  Our policy is that the writer is the authority on what the writer writes, and the reader is the authority on what the reader reads.  If anything is not clear, contact the proper authority.  But some prefer a dictionary, so we looked up "orgasm" in a reputable dictionary and found that there are several "exciting" non-sexual definitions that are commonly used.  Is it taboo to pick one of those "exciting" but non-sexual definitions?  Or why did YOU "just pick out" the sexual definition?  Perhaps that's what YOU wanted?

Of course, you also mentioned Catholicisim and Hinduism, so we looked at what they teach too.  The Catholic Church teaches that "Sexuality affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul.  It especially concerns affectivity, the capacity to love and to procreate, and in a more general way the aptitude for forming bonds of communion with others. (Catechism, 2332)" That's a very broad definition of sexuality that would seem to say that most everything is sexual, whether's it's getting your hair cut, eating dinner, blowing your nose or most anything else.  After all, "sexuality affects all aspects of the human person," and thus even celibacy, frigidity, jealousy and insecurity would be "sexual" under the Catholic Church's use of the term.

The same is true in Tantra / Hinduism, where a person's actions are but manifestations of the divine One on the plane of humanity as the person enjoys the ever-inherent Bliss of the Self, which, divided into the Individual Self and the Universal Self, delights in the reunion to regain Its original Nature.  In other words, that's a 'full-body' (i.e. universal) "orgasm" for the history of the universe including the acts of people, don't you think?

So under these broad, religious definitions, "everything is sexual", and to quarrel with someone is but a lover's quarrel, a tiff with some aspect of your true self.  Indeed, Hinduism teaches that it's all One Self and that there are no "others".  What then can we say?  You are playing with yourself on this one.  After all, in the end as it is in the beginning, is not all just You and Yours, united as Oneself, living happily ever after?  Just food for meditation.  And note, ads for illegal services are always a violation of our Terms of Service.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe; all mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe.

Thank you, divine One, for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Love,
Yourself

NOTE: The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150 A.D.

Dear Editor:

As a therapist, I can honestly say I could care less about what anyone else is doing.  I would advise true "professionals" to do the same.  If people put half as much effort into personal marketing, and a true passion for their work, they simply wouldn't have time to scan others' ads and look for things to find fault with.  All these assumptions and play on words amount to nothing but social programmed paranoia and tattletale-itis.  It is a sad way to see other "professionals" in my industry act and likely the one-way, closed minded nature that keeps them from being successful.  They are simply too distracted to do their job effectively.

Keep up the good work in giving the industry of bodywork (as a whole) a place to be seen.  I, for one, appreciate that.  I simply cannot believe people are complaining about exposure and FREE exposure in many cases at that.

Just smile and know that some in the world would complain if they were one dollar short of a million dollars.  You may not be able to make everyone happy, but if they complain THAT much it's a good sign they don't WANT to be happy ;)

Great Job nonetheless MA.com ;)

Editor's response:

Thank you!  We are delighted.

Dear Editor:

I want to say "Thank you" for your website! I've been practicing massage therapy for many years and just a couple of months ago one of my friends, a massage therapist, had shown to me your website. And I really have had a pretty good amount of serious phone calls and appointments since I put up my ad.

Editor's response:

Thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

"Sensual" is not a massage modality, it is an offer of prostitution and illegal in the state of Texas.  As well as being an insult to Licensed Massage Therapy as a whole and to the professional therapists who strive to keep it decent.  Being a massage therapist in the Dallas area myself I find it very offensive that your site allows this type of solicitation.  I will be sending this complaint for all profiles of this nature.  Thank you very much for your time and assistance in keeping Massage Therapy a respectable profession.

Editor's response:

Thank you for your letter.  If you're a licensed Texas massage therapist, perhaps you can help us identify the Texas regulation on "sensual" massage.  We searched but did not find one.  We did find regulations regarding "sexual" but none for "sensual".

In the English language, "sensual" and "sexual" look and sound somewhat similar and are sometimes used interchangeably as you appear to be doing, but we checked several dictionaries and found that "sensual" doesn't necessarily mean "sexual".  For example, "sensual" can mean "giving pleasure to the body and senses rather than the mind," or simply "of the senses and the body rather than the mind."  Perhaps you're unaware of this.

We understand that some people may choose to hide illegal activity behind cleverly worded ads, but just as importantly, we also understand that people use words differently.  Your letter is a reminder of this and we thank you for it.

Thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

Thank you for your response.  I am very aware of the differences in words when it comes to the English language.  I will be more than happy to find and send to you any laws or regulations I can that will allow you to be comfortable in discontinuing the allowance of therapists using sensual or tantric as a description for anything but what is intended as sexual massage.

When it comes to massage therapy, it is not just an understanding of the the small discrepancies in definition that you must consider, but the meaning words take on after they are married.  You said you looked up 'sensual' in the dictionary, but did you look up 'sensual massage'?  You must also consider the layperson's interpretation of what is being advertised as they are the target of the service.  When i google 'sensual massage' i cannot find anything that does not carry a sexual description.  I also cannot find any schools that offer accredited certification in this supposed modality.  That in itself infers the illegitimacy of such a technique.

I appreciate that you offer a free listing service for massage therapists as we need to get the word out as much as possible. It is not a benefit though to the decent therapists (and i did see some whom i know) when their ads are intermingled with other such 'therapists', which is why I didn't sign up for the service.

When a therapist places their ad  on your site, are they required to enter their license# and insurance information?  If so, do you verify it's current validity?  Also, are the therapists required to send copies of the modalities they are qualified to offer or do you just let them post anything they want?  If they are allowed to post whatever they want without proof, would that not impose a liability to your site were the therapist to be involved in a lawsuit?  Just wondering.

I thank you again for your time and response and I will get any information on regulations I find to you as soon as possible.

Editor's response:

Thank you for your letter.  To answer your questions, our research included not only the word "sensual" but also "sensual massage".  The former is found in the dictionaries, the latter is not.  We use common everyday dictionaries published by established authorities who scour a wide variety of published material, including books, newspapers, magazines and electronic publications such as found through Google searches.

With respect to "tantric", we also consulted a variety of religious information sources and found that in practical terms it may mean most anything, in essence whatever anyone wishes, much like "religious".  Accordingly, it can at times have a sexual meaning, and for many people perhaps it does, but so can words like "male" and "female".  [Note, there are quite a number of people who would object to your use of the word "marry" in connection with words, who wish to restrict its meaning to the (sexual) union of a man and a woman.]  We recommend you always read providers' ads completely and carefully.  If anything is unclear or you need clarification, ask the provider.

With respect to "legitimate", every lawful service is "legitimate", whether called "Swedish", "Uruguayan", "sensual", "Vampire's Delight" or however, unless such name or service is expressly prohibited by law or by our Terms of Service.  However, we have no governmental authority, special ability, requirement or obligation to determine the legitimacy of any offer or service, and we do not imply, guarantee or warrant any offer or service to be "legitimate".

With respect to "decent", we leave decisions as to who or what is "decent" to each person to decide for him/herself.  At MassageAnywhere.com, we respect differences of opinion and the right to decide for yourself.  As a search and advertising venue, we're about giving people choices, including the choice to use our service or not.  We don't compel anyone to agree with us, and whether you agree or disagree, we like you just as much and no less.

The remainder of your questions are answered either in our Frequently Asked Questions or our Terms of Service.  In short, the answer is yes and no.  Each provider is required by the Terms of Service and any applicable law to conform his/her ad to the Terms of Service and applicable law, whatever that may be, and is entirely responsible for his/her ad and compliance with the law.  We are not responsible for their ads or for vetting their ads for compliance with the myriad of laws around the world.  It isn't reasonable to think that we would or could.  We are not licensed investigators and we have no police authority.  However, there are private investigators you can hire (at substantial expense) who might happily verify licensing, identity, credentials, references, claims, experience, insurance, abilities including language skills, politics, personality, hem and hair length, and whatever else may be of concern to you, if you are unable or unwilling to do so yourself.  We do not imply, guarantee or warrant any ad, offer or service in any way.  You use MassageAnywhere.com at your own risk and discretion.

In closing, we appreciate your concern.  Understand that MassageAnywhere.com serves many different people from all over the world, including people in the U.S.A. for whom English, particularly written English, may be difficult or not their best skill.  We are more inclined to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it.

Thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

Provider X is unlicensed in New York, which is necessary to provide bodywork/massage in Manhattan. I asked where she went to school for massage and she had no answer.  She claims to be "self taught".  This is illegal from a state that provides regulation to protect the public.  Sorely disappointed from a website that supposedly offers no illegal services.

Editor's response:

Thank you for sharing your concerns.  We do not offer illegal services or even massage.  Rather, the providers who post their ads offer massage or claim to.  We are not responsible for their claims or for vetting their claims against the laws around the world.  It isn't reasonable to think that we would or could.  We are not a licensing authority.  We do not rely upon hearsay or upon layperson claims that "self-taught" equates with illegal.  If you are knowledgeable about the laws of New York, we expect you have the contact information for the licensing authority there and that they would be equipped and empowered to handle your complaint.

If you have any further questions, let us know.  Thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

Hello! I am just curious as to why would you allow some male massage therapists to advertise on your site partially nude or showing their bare chest.  This is unprofessional and sends a negative message that continues to weaken the true meaning of this industry.  This makes it harder for legit guys coming out of school to make an honest living.

Editor's response:

Thank you for your question.  At MassageAnywhere.com, we respect opinions and the right to decide for yourself.  As a search and advertising venue, we're about giving people choices.  A dress code limits choices.  If the law allows pictures of bikini-clad women in massage advertising, then likewise we allow advertisers to use them in their ads.  We encourage and allow each advertiser to create the ad that best describes his/her services within the limits of the law and our Terms of Service.  We believe that gives the public the best opportunity to make the best choices.

If you find shirtless men to be "unprofessional," you may be pleased to know our system allows you to choose the ones wearing a shirt.  Systems which require men to wear shirts conceal this distinction from the public.  With our system, men who wear shirts can make themselves known for that fact and stand apart from others.  As you are someone who finds the shirt / no shirt distinction to be important, we're sure you'll appreciate how our system does not conceal this important distinction among men.

In regard to the "true meaning of the industry," a search on our system will quickly show it to be what it is.  It varies by location, over time, and according to each person who searches.  We offer a search engine.  We are not responsible for the truth.  We reveal it.  We offer an honest service with the opportunity for everyone who advertises to be honest about what he/she offers.  If anyone chooses to be dishonest, it's his/her own choice.  We do not make it "harder for legit guys to make an honest living."  We make it as simple as can be.

Thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

I choose to wear clothing appropriate to season and or event.  Example: A summer pool party or pool and massage.  Either way it's logical.  I choose to describe myself because I'm proud of myself enough to add text and pics.  I choose to remain on call 24/7 because not everyone has the same routine or schedule.  I do not meet in hotel rooms.  I have several stationary incall locations.  As far as prostitution is concerned, I have noticed my ad being solo in stating: "PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR ILLEGAL SERVICES."  Besides, I also visit Vegas.  Oops!  Did I say that?  Yes I did.  Why?  Because I felt like it.

Dear Editor:

I've been a professional masseur for over 20 years and after reading other "letters to the Editor" I have a couple of comments.

First of all, I'm amazed at how critical practitioners are of each other.  Massage and related body work are an art form and as such are interpreted differently by each individual.  What I feel is right for me may be deemed inappropriate by you... and that's fine.  Each of us should practice as we feel comfortable doing, and not worry about others.  If someone advertises that she does massage in a bikini, don't complain that you feel it's inappropriate.  Some people will agree with you and others totally disagree.  Just do your own thing.

Secondly, I often see ads stating "non-sensual" and I have to chuckle because some of the most sensual work I perform involves the feet, neck, and head.  Does that mean these individuals exclude these body parts from their sessions?  With regard to draping, ads often state that only the singular body part being worked on is exposed.  In my mind that is absolutely ridiculous.  Muscles do not end at the junction of a body joint.  The fact that they overlap a joint logically means that in order to provide a true massage session for example, a leg massage must include and extend to the glutes, abs, etc.

Everyone needs to get a life, live it, and not worry about others.  Massage has been practiced for thousands of years, long before licenses, regulations, exams, etc. became fashionable.  It's a beautiful experience for both giver and receiver, but it's an art form that needs to be kept in perspective.

Dear Editor:

[Name1] is obviously a prostitute, because professional CMT's do not remain on call 24 hrs a day and visit your hotel.  And why is [Name2], a "professional", explaining her looks if she is not seeking clients for sex?  You don't hear of mechanics, doctors, estheticians, hair stylists or legitimate massage therapists describe what kind of body they have in their ads.  That is something a prostitute or call girl puts in their ads.  She is not a massage therapist.  She is a prostitute!  Where is the REGULATION?

Editor's response:

The law permits a person to describe his/her appearance and to be on call 24 hrs a day.  And while that may be how you yourself define a prostitute, that's not how the law defines one.  It may also be a noble belief that personal appearance is unimportant, but your own letter clearly demonstrates that you yourself are concerned with the appearance of others.  True, few people are concerned with their auto mechanic's appearance, but you pay him to work on your car, not on you.  Meanwhile many physicians, estheticians, hair stylists, and yes, many legitimate massage therapists include personal photos in their advertising, and like the saying goes, a photo is worth a 1000 words.  But whatever the photo or words, it's information and with it, YOU choose your provider according to the criteria YOU set.  We don't choose for you and we don't limit the information available to you.  This isn't the Martha Stewart® collection where you pick your favorite colors from her favorite colors.  Here, you judge for yourself and make your own decisions.  After all, why should we decide for you?  Do we have some special gift that you don't?  We have specific, well-defined standards and policies in place.  And like you, we too have personal opinions.

Dear Editor:

What can you tell us about the masseuse involved in the _______ incident? Is she a member on your site?  Which ad is hers?  Has she removed her ad?  How can I find her ad?  Why are some ads hidden on MassageAnywhere.com?

Editor's response:

MassageAnywhere.com is not at liberty to reveal information beyond the limits of our Privacy Policy.  Not all ads are viewable to the public.  Members can choose to remove or hide their ads from publication at any time or make them available privately by direct link.  There are celebrities who use our website to find massage providers and even some who offer massage services through MassageAnywhere.com either privately or publicly.  However, we respect the privacy of all our providers and everyone who uses our service, and we abide by our Privacy Policy to protect everyone's privacy.  We are not at liberty to give additional information without their approval.

Dear Editor:

So - just to clarify, [do] you allow both professional massage therapists and people doing sexual and tantric massage to list on your site?  I went to your home page, and the first person there provides sexual education.

Editor's response:

All MassageAnywhere.com advertisers must agree to our Terms of Service.  Our Terms of Service prohibits advertisement of prostitution and requires compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in regard to advertisement as well as agreement to our Code of Ethics.  Our Terms of Service and Code of Ethics policies are available on our website.  If an advertiser is in compliance with our Terms of Service and charges a fee for massage, that is professional massage.  Our Terms of Service also permits massage providers to advertise "such other similar or closely-related services (e.g. personal training, diet / nutrition / exercise and/or health advisement, yoga, mind/body relaxation and/or conditioning, other holistic services, etc.) not otherwise prohibited," as long as massage is the primary service advertised.  We're unaware of any law which prohibits religious practices or education in connection with massage or massage advertising, and we neither presume "sexual education" is prostitution nor do we have police powers to investigate.  However, some advertisers may seek to push the envelope, and if an ad demonstrably violates our Terms of Service, we welcome you to use our complaint mechanism which may be found at the bottom of every ad.

We hope this clarifies your concerns. Thank you for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

"Sensual massage" and women posing in bikinis is NOT professional massage!  When advertisers call it massage, it is an insult to the trained professionals in the massage business.  The presence of such ads on your site makes me question the legitimacy of your site.

Editor's response:

We welcome your questions!  At MassageAnywhere.com, we respect opinions and the right to decide for yourself.  Remember, we're a search and advertising venue.  That means we're about giving people choices.  A speech and dress code limits choices.  If the law allows the word "sensual" and allows pictures of bikini-clad women in massage advertising, then likewise we allow advertisers to use them in their ads.  We encourage and allow each advertiser to create the ad that best describes their services within the limits of the law and our Terms of Service.  We believe that gives the public the best opportunity to make the best choices.

Dear Editor:

[Name omitted] is clearly selling herself.  I don't want my clients to look at these profiles and assume I do the same.

Editor's response:

Everyone who posts an ad is "selling him/herself."  That's what the ad is for.  You also say her ad is clear.  Great!  Make your own ad clear, and then there should be no confusion.  If you want to distinguish your work from hers, then you don't want her to use the same words you do and dress like you, because THEN the public might assume she does the same work as you.

P.S. Any ad which unquestionably solicits or promotes prostitution may be removed upon review if brought to our attention.  However, please also consider contacting your local police.  They have police powers to investigate.

Dear Editor:

Thank you for the opportunity to list on your site.  I think my profile came out really nice. Best wishes.

Dear Editor:

I'm really impressed with your site.  I'm glad it's available to me, thank you for making it so and doing a good job!

Dear Editor:

I just listed my ad on your site.  I want to thank you for a really nice environment for massage therapists.  Your site is truly remarkable.

Editor's response:

Thank you all for using MassageAnywhere.com!

Dear Editor:

If I am a student massage practitioner, can I post an ad, or must I be licensed?

Editor's response:

Our "volunteer" category might be appropriate for student practitioners, persons working on being licensed, persons not required to be licensed, and/or persons who do not wish to be licensed.  Volunteers, of course, do not charge a mandatory fee for services.  Also note, we say "might" because laws vary as the crow flies, and what might be legal in one location might not be legal in another, and vice versa.  We recommend you check with your state and/or local licensing agency for details.

Have something to say?  Let us know.