Deeply Disappointing and Racist Experience…read more
Today, my niece, my friend, and I spent the afternoon in Chinatown. We stopped by Tianxiang to see the Chinese doctor for some herbs, grabbed a few plants, and enjoyed some slippery shrimp from Yangzhou. Afterward, my friend--who's been under a lot of stress--suggested we get massages. We found JJ's Massage and decided to give it a try.
Before going, we called to ask if they took credit cards since many similar places only take cash. They said yes. When we arrived, we were greeted politely and taken to our rooms--my niece and I shared one, and my friend was in another.
But here's where everything went wrong. After we had disrobed and were lying down, the lady came back and asked me to pay. I was confused because, at every other massage establishment I've been to, payment is handled before or after, never while you're half undressed. She insisted, so I had to turn on my flashlight in the dark room, find my card, and hand it over.
Then, while I was still disrobed, a man entered the room asking if the card should be charged for two people or three. This was extremely inappropriate and uncomfortable. If this was supposedly their policy, it should have been explained before we undressed--not after.
I couldn't relax for the rest of the massage. I know for a fact that their standard policy isn't to demand payment mid-session. I truly believe the only reason they did this was because we were Black.
Afterward, when I shared my concern, the man denied any wrongdoing and claimed it was "the policy for everyone." Then he pulled out a handwritten note that said "20% tip mandatory." I had already planned to tip, but the attempt to pressure and assume that we wouldn't was insulting.
Even my niece, who is younger, asked me afterward, "Are these people racist?"--and I had to tell her yes. As an educator of over 20 years, I teach students of all backgrounds equally, and I cannot stand to see discrimination modeled in front of a young person who looks up to me.
This experience left us disappointed, uncomfortable, and hurt. My friend later told me she also wanted to leave mid-massage but stayed because she thought I wanted to stay. None of us enjoyed it.
If you're in Chinatown looking to relax after exploring, skip this place. Save your money, your peace, and your dignity.
To the owner: Please remember to treat people the way you'd want to be treated--and the way you'd want your children to be treated. Discrimination is never okay.
