Or is it actually more like an escort agency or a swingers club?
A brothel (from Bordel or "wooden hut", synonym "House of Pleasure" or colloquially also "Puff") is the name of a building or part of a building where women, men or transsexuals offer sexual services. Brothels have a long history going back to early civilizations. In Pompeii for example, attributable remains of a so-called Lupanar brothel have been preserved, which was excavated from the ashes of Vesuvius. Frescoes from ancient Pompeii depict erotic representations on the walls of public baths. The sexual shenanigans in medieval bathhouses were generally tolerated as a basic human need of society.
The colloquial term "Puff" comes from the dice board game Puff, which is only slightly different from today's backgammon. Puff was played in the Middle Ages in guest houses where prostitutes offered their services. The running of brothels for teams or officers was also common in armies, such as in World War II when there were Wehrmacht brothels in Germany and also "comfort women" in Japan. Prostitution went across all segments of the population, there was both luxurious brothels like the One Two Two, as well as less glamorous establishments in which women from the lower class were forced into prostitution. Not infrequently, women from service occupations such as washerwomen were among the prostitutes.
Of course, the main reason that prostitution has always been a feature of human civilization right back to ancient times is the simple fact that the male sex drive is significantly higher as shown in this
comprehensive review by Baumeister et al. (2001). In simplistic terms, this means that even if all women were having as much sex as they wanted, a majority of men still would not be. Some of the most important conclusions of Baumeister et al. (2001) are:
- "All the evidence we have reviewed points toward the conclusion that men desire sex more than women."
- "We did not find a single study, on any of nearly a dozen different measures, that found women had a stronger sex drive than men."
- "premature to declare that a substantial part of the gender difference in sex drive is biologically
innate, but we think the evidence is pointing in that direction"
- "According to the principle of least interest (Waller & Hill, 1938/1951), social interactions will be shaped by the fact that the person who wants something more than the other is in a
dependent position and will usually have to offer the other some inducements. Hence many male–female romantic interactions will take the form of the man offering the woman some resources (commitment, flattery, food, entertainment, money, companionship) to
induce her to commence a sexual relationship."
- "the point that men want sex more than women is likely to become a focal issue in how most
couples negotiate their sex lives, from first dates to losing virginity to multidecade marriages."
Bearing all this in mind, it is difficult to understand why so many men put themselves in the silly situation whereby their generally lower sex drive wife or partner can and very often does shut down their sex lives by refusing sex either with her or anyone else.
But I digress. To return to the present, in Germany, Switzerland and Austria there are now numerous different variants on the brothel theme, including whorehouse, Eroscenter, Strassenstrich, appointment houses, Lovemobile, massage parlors, Domina studios, nude clubs and sex cinemas. A special form of a brothel is the Pauschalclub (also: flat-rate brothel), in which the customer incurs no further costs after paying the entry fee and can avail of unlimited sexual services. Larger brothels are organised as a commercial enterprise, that is with the legal status of GmbH, entry into the commercial register and have a catering concession.
Laufhaus
A laufhaus ("run house") is a brothel where prostitutes have rented a room. If they are free, the door of the room is open and they generally stand or sit outside. Visitors can walk through the corridors of the house (hence the name Laufhaus) to negotiate with the women outside their rooms and possibly agree what is effectively a verbal contract.
Escort agency
An escort agency offers women or men (so-called escorts) that for an agreed fee will provide their company for a specified period; usually it is also a form of prostitution. Escort agencies are a service provider and mediator between the escort and client. Unlike classical establishment prostitution (brothels, clubs and whorehouses), escort agencies do not provide a venue, rather the escort will generally visit the client at a specified location or event. Escort agencies are thus service providers both to the customers and escorts. For this, they generally get a fee that is included in the hourly rate and is discharged as a commission to the agency. The escorts are typically freelance and not direct employees of the escort agency.
Swingers club
A swingers club is a club where swingers meet. The term 'swinger' is derived from English to swing (vibrate, oscillate, reciprocate, to move freely). In the second half of the 20th century, swinging has become popular term for people who live their sexuality freely and without restrictions with various partners, beyond silly conventional morality and social taboos. In a swingers club, people have the possibility of exploring their fantasies in the form of partner swapping, voyeurism, exhibitionism and group action, among other things. A distinction is made between pure couples clubs, which are intended exclusively for couples, and swingers clubs, where even individuals have access. A swingers club usually features a dressing area with lockers, a bar, a dining area, showers and a separate area for sexual activities. This "sex sector" is usually divided into different subject areas, for example, a large play area for group sex, a small room where you can receive stimulation from outside ("Glory Hole"), a darkroom, a room with a gynecological chair and often also a massage table. Typically there are also porn movies playing on one or more screens. A flat rate is usually payable when entering a swinger club which covers entry, food and most drinks which may be 100 to 150 euros, although there are often discounts for regulars. Single women can be given free admission, this may also apply to couples in clubs with a surplus of men. Prior registration is often preferred especially by clubs outside major metropolitan areas to facilitate planning. Friday and Saturday nights are unsurprisingly busiest, midweek theme nights are also quite common.
FKK or saunaclub
An FKK or saunaclub (sometimes euphemistically called nudist sauna) combines the use of a sauna with
facilitation of sexual contacts. The girls in saunaclubs are typically
freelancers and generally have to pay a daily entry similar to the guys.
Admission usually includes non-alcoholic beverages and food in addition
to the use of the club facilities which in some clubs are very good,
even including a swimming pool. The food at some sauna clubs is also
very decent and can be ordered by guests on request. Alcoholic beverages
are mostly chargeable with a few exceptions, as well as massage
services of a certified masseur. This is a broad summary but the
specific details can vary from club to club. A good club combines all
the best amenities of a swimming pool, nightclub, restaurant, massage
parlor and cocktail bar. There are also plenty of private rooms
available for guys who want to spend some alone time with the dreamgirl
of their choice. What goes on in the room is for agreement between the
couple, employees of the club will only intervene if there's any
harassment of other guests or the house rules are being broken. When
entering a nudist sauna club, women as well as men get a locker. The
club provides guests with slippers, bath towels and bathrobe, although
some guests like to bring their own footwear which is recommended. Hygiene
is a big deal in these clubs. It is expected that every guest showers
after putting their clothes in the locker, even if no-one specifically
polices this. The club provides shower gel etc. Wearing either a robe or
towel, male guests are then welcome to stroll around the club and
admire the scenery! You can have a sauna, take a steam bath, swim and
even sunbathe in good weather. A nudist club is designed to allow guests
to unwind, relax and be pampered. In the evening, the music is turned
up a bit (often by a DJ) and at some clubs, there's a good party
atmosphere not unlike a nightclub, except with naked girls! A visit to a club can either be enjoyed alone or in the
company of friends.
If this sounds like fun, some
further details might be of interest!
