Finally, hard facts!

Handjob Parlours™ are not just tales told in hushed voices on serialdeviant.org(y): Face to face with a sex worker.

“Do you want Qiao Da Bei (body massage)?” Xia asked soon after she, with her boss’ nod, showed the reporter into a small backroom off the shabby salon and began massaging the reporter’s arms somewhat unskillfully.

…

To Xia, Qiao Da Bei can be more profitable than fondling or Da Feiji (helping customers masturbate) which are supposed to be done in the backroom which also doubles as a dining room for Xia and her co-workers.

…

But Xia is not entirely satisfied with the job. “It’s really boring staying all day in here,” she said. Apart from when work walks in from time to time, Xia and two other sex workers - who are 17 and 18 - spend the days chatting and watching an old TV in the salon.

Well, at least Shanghai and Xiamen are not so different in one aspect.

• 1 Jun 2004