Tales from a Chinese Bathhouse
September 25, 2006
One aspect of chinese society that I find absolutely fascinating is the bathhouse culture. From what I can gather, the chinese bathhouse has been around for a long, long time and it doesn’t look to be going anywhere soon. Bathhouses range from completely scuzzy to extremely elaborate, and basically every city up in the north-eastern region of China has thousands of them. A bathhouse usually consists of a communal shower area, hot tubs, massage rooms, KTV night clubs, and many may have a little “red-light” zone up on the higher levels. One bathhouse in Kaifaqu is definitely on the higher end, and Magnus and I are regular visitors come the fall and winter time. Last night, the two guys went back for our first time since coming home and, let me tell you, it was wonderful to be back! Now, there is a strange on-going saga that follows us whenever Magnus and I frequent this particular establishment. Many times now (6-8 times), complete strangers (men) will walk up to Magnus, grab him by the family jewels (everyone is naked in the shower area), give his little guys a tug and then proceed to give Magnus a hearty thumbs up. It is truly bizarre and I can’t for the life of me understand why they do it, or, why they feel they can do it. I mean, if this happened in Canada think about what would happen. I try not to freak out in my intervention, because really, I just find it so interesting. A strange experience only in a chinese bathhouse, I suppose.
Well Craig, you vowed to get me into one of your bath houses before I left China, but you never were able to. Now hearing what goes on in there I think I’m glad! Hope Magnus isn’t too tramatized!
Comment by Kev — September 25, 2006 @ 10:09 am
Haha this is one of those pictures that magnus is going to kill you for when he gets older!
Comment by Kristy — September 25, 2006 @ 10:06 pm
I am tramatized!
Comment by Aunt Joan :-) — September 27, 2006 @ 12:30 pm
First - Sorry to Magnus for laughing so hard. Poor bugger. Second - I would like to share this with my Canadian staff friends however I am not sure if it is appropriate. — Ah what the hell, why not, a little contraversy is in true Schmir spirit.
Comment by Simon — September 29, 2006 @ 1:19 pm
Hi Magnus!
Why are you nude in a public swimming pool?
Jordy
Comment by mom — August 3, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
Hi Magnus!
Are you sure it’s okay if you’re nude in public in China? It just doesn’t seem right. So anyways, Did you like swimming in that pool? I bet you did! So I really have to go now. (IN both ways.) You get it? Ha ha! I crack myself up a lot! Love from, Saya )
Comment by mom — August 4, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Hi Magnus and family!
Hey, Magnus? Are you sure it’s okay for you to be nude in the middle of the pool in public? It just doesn’t seem right to me. CU L8er!
Love from, Saya ) (happy face) C=:{0 (a chef) Toodles!
Comment by mom — August 4, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
Hi Magnus!
Why are you naked in the middle of the pool? And why didn’t you wear a diaper or a bathing suit there? That’s all.
Jordy
Comment by mom — August 4, 2007 @ 12:22 pm