JOIN USUnsafe in a spa?
The security at Delhi spas becomes a matter of concern for women
The spa of a five-star hotel in Delhi would probably be the last place where a woman would fear for her safety. However, the recent incident of an NRI woman being molested by a masseur in the spa of the upmarket Jaypee Vasant Continental in South Delhi has shattered that myth too. The woman, who had gone in for a head massage, was allegedly made sleepy by pressing some nerves before being molested, making therapies like a full body massage sound scarier.
However, City women say that a spa experience need not necessarily turn into a horror tale if you take the right precautions. Metrolife finds out how.
Poornima Ahuja, a media professional has visited spas all across the world and taken full body massages too, but is wary of letting masseurs touch her body. She says, “I am a spa junkie. I have been to spas in Delhi, Udaipur, Thailand and many other places, but I have never allowed masseurs to attend to me. Once in a hotel in Udaipur, they offered me this special Kerala Ayurvedic massage technique which is traditionally done by men who have strong hands, but I declined and they arranged a masseuse for me instead.
After all, a massage is a very intimate process. I can’t let just anybody touch me.”
Others say that one must also be very cautious of the kind of oils and aromas being used. After all, one doesn’t need to necessarily press any nerves on a person’s body to make him or her sleepy. Even an incense stick can do the trick. Ahana Mukherjee, an advertising professional says, “Before they start with the therapy, you must unfailingly tell them which oils to use and how much pressure to apply on your body. If at any point of time you start feeling uncomfortable, you should walk out of the session.”
Spa frequenters also emphasise on the massage enclosures being comfortable. Arpita Vaidya, a film-maker informs, “Abroad, you have even beach massages, group massages and mostly rooms with plywood separations and curtains drawn. It’s good that in India, keeping in with our traditions, we have individual suites for each customer. I would say that a good spa is one which would be as open as I would want it to be and as closed as I would like it to stay.”
All spa customers agree on one point–the spa you go to must be very well reputed. Established spas give you a prior appointment and full details of the time and duration of your stay and the therapy you choose. “After all, while undergoing a service in a spa, your safety, dignity and valuables like bags, mobiles, watches and jewellery, is at stake,” adds Arpita.
Most well-known spas assure that they take complete care of women customers’ safety and dignity. Renuka Kaushik, marketing chief of the Asian Roots Spa at Safdarjung Enclave says, “We, in fact, entertain male customers at the full body spa only from 6 pm to 9 pm. The day time is reserved for ladies. Women can come in and just be themselves. After all, one visits a spa to relax and not walk out with harrowing tales.”