The answer to what to wear to a massage visit is simple. Wear whatever you would wear on a normal day. Nobody expects you to dress up, and you will not be wearing it for long.
There is no right way to turn up, but a few small things make the visit easier. They are all below, along with the questions people tend to feel awkward asking.
What to wear
A suit from work is fine. So are jeans, or whatever you slept in on the flight. Nobody at reception is judging your outfit.
A few practical points help:
- Clothes that come off and go back on easily. You change in a private room with an en-suite, and it is nicer not to wrestle with a lot of buttons afterwards.
- Leave the aftershave light. A heavy scent lingers in a warm, closed room. A little, on clean skin, is all you need.
- Bring as little as you can. Keys, wallet and phone are easy to keep together.
Should I shower before I arrive?
You do not need to. Every room at Ladybirds has its own en-suite shower, with laundry and toiletries. You are welcome to use it before you start.
If you are coming from the gym, a long journey or a hot day, you may feel more comfortable using it. That is what it is there for.
Eating and drinking beforehand
Eat normally, but avoid a heavy meal in the hour before. Lying down on a full stomach is rarely comfortable, at any massage.
Drink some water. After a flight or a long drive, you may have had very little.
Do not arrive drunk. Alcohol makes it harder to relax and harder to say what you want. If nerves are the real issue, our piece on first-visit nerves is a better place to start.
Grooming
You do not need to do anything special. Come as you are. The ladies notice whether you are relaxed and courteous far more than they notice anything else.
What to bring
- Cash. Ladybirds takes cash only, on every shift. There are cashpoints in Northenden village if you forget.
- Your phone, switched to silent. Useful for the journey, not needed once you are inside.
- Nothing else. Towels, toiletries and a shower are in every room.
Arriving discreetly
We are at 309b Palatine Road in Northenden, opposite the Esso station. There is no private car park, but there is a short parking strip for shoppers and plenty of side streets nearby. If you would rather not use the front, there is a discreet rear entrance off Mill Lane, open from 10:30am until 7pm. Many visitors do not realise it is there.
Our location page has the address and a short video of the route to the rear entrance. Watch it once before you set off.
Planning your time
Sessions run from 15 minutes to an hour, and the rates page lists each length. Add a little time either side for reception and the shower. Try not to book right up against a train, a meeting or a flight.
We are open every day, all year round. The day shift runs from 10:30am to 8:30pm, and the night shift from 8:30pm to 5:30am. The rota shows who is working on each one. After 7pm the rear entrance is closed, so plan for that if you want to use it.
We are 4.2 miles from Manchester Airport, about a ten-minute drive, and close to the M60. That makes a visit between flights realistic if you leave enough time.
The one thing to think about beforehand
Think for a moment about how long you would like to stay, and whether you prefer to chat or stay quiet. Think, too, about what you would like her to know: a firmer touch, a slower pace, a sore shoulder. A sentence in your head is enough.
Then leave the rest of the day at the door. For the length of your session, nobody needs anything from you.
That small bit of thought does more for a good first visit than anything you wear. Our step-by-step guide to a first visit explains everything else that happens on the day.
Quick answers
Do I need to book?
No. You are welcome to call in and see who is working that day. Book ahead if you want a particular lady.
Can I come straight from work?
Yes. The en-suite shower is there if you want to freshen up first.
Are towels provided?
Yes. Laundry and toiletries are in every room.
Can I pay by card?
No. Ladybirds is cash only, on every shift.
Is there parking?
Yes. There is a short parking strip for shoppers and plenty of side streets near Palatine Road.
If anything is still unclear, send us a question before your visit, or read more about Ladybirds.
