The New Intimacy

Is this a sexually oriented business?

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Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
A young woman in Texas has started a maid service that offers to clean house in lingerie or nothing at all. The conservative town she resides in is unhappy about it, and police are investigating because they say the woman does not have a permit to run "a sexually oriented business."

The young lady says what she offers is a "cleaning service." What do you think?

Is a naked cleaning service a sexually oriented business?

You can read more here and here if you would like additional details.
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Yes
vanilla&chocolate , Taylor , OhMy! , ghalik , MistressDandelion , Rossie , CoffeeCup , aliceinthehole , LovesAPoet , Melan!e , DiamondKoala , November , Gunsmoke , bayosgirl , Zombirella , K101 , Ansley , puppylove , padmeamidala , P'Gell , wrmbreze , MamaDivine , ChickenFeathers , mistressg , Kitka , Stinkytofu10 , roskat , corsetsaurus rex , Tangles , Honeybee , BabyL0ve , Missmarc , PeaceToTheMiddleEast , Falsepast , Various , Arch600 , Jordan B , DeliciousSurprise , jmex83 , Miss Anonymous , ViVix , married with children , darthkitt3n , Checkmate , Stagger13 , GonzoBoy , Passionate Pastor
47  (68%)
No
Entropy , dwblpen , Airen Wolf
3  (4%)
I'm torn
Raigne , Chirple , funluvinmama , Mwar , Secret Pleasure , loveshocks , Geogeo , unfulfilled , Ryuson , Ciao. , js250 , Tork48309 , polyemtgirl , Shellz31 , JessCee
15  (22%)
Other
Nazaress , Rin (aka Nire) , Beck , Valentinka
4  (6%)
Total votes: 69
Poll is closed
04/11/2012
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Contributor: vanilla&chocolate vanilla&chocolate
I would say definitely yes.
04/11/2012
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
Part of me says yes because societally, we are conditioned to group the naked body with sex and so the people who hire these naked/lingeried women probably ARE doing it to fantasize. But another part of me says that the naked form is not a sexual thing unless we MAKE it a sexual thing. Our naked form is beautiful and wonderful. And besides that, if they're not doing anything sexual, is it REALLY a sexually-oriented business? This is a tricky subject, indeed.
04/11/2012
Contributor: ghalik ghalik
I can't imagine anyone hiring a nude housekeeper unless they were sexually interested in that. Thus, its is sexual.
04/11/2012
Contributor: Entropy Entropy
I cast the first "no" vote. If she is naked, and not performing ANY sexual acts, then I say no. As Nazaress put it, being nude in and of itself is not a sexual act. But then again I'm very liberal, a nudist, and I've been wrong before.
04/11/2012
Contributor: Raigne Raigne
Sex and sexual acts aren't happening, but then, strip clubs and topless car washes are sexually oriented, right?

The permit isn't really that expensive, but I can understand why she would object to it on principal.

More importantly, am I the only one who is a little disturbed that the maids go to someone else's house *alone*? That doesn't seem very safe to me. =\
04/11/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Nazaress
Part of me says yes because societally, we are conditioned to group the naked body with sex and so the people who hire these naked/lingeried women probably ARE doing it to fantasize. But another part of me says that the naked form is not a sexual ... more
I feel pretty much the same way. Even though it seems like the obvious answer to this question is "yes," a part of me reminds the rest of me that it doesn't have to necessarily be viewed as such. I mean, nude models for art class aren't considered to be involved in a sexual business, right?

Though to be honest, I feel that the sex appeal angle is probably what the maid service is going for. A nude model is being hired so that the human form can be studied and appreciated without hindrance, while there's no real reason to clean someone's house naked (though I can't think of a reason not to).

Really hard for me to say.
04/11/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Raigne
Sex and sexual acts aren't happening, but then, strip clubs and topless car washes are sexually oriented, right?

The permit isn't really that expensive, but I can understand why she would object to it on principal.

More ... more
In an interview, one of the maids said she doesn't go alone, someone is waiting for her outside in the car. I guess there is some sort of signal she can give if there is trouble.
04/11/2012
Contributor: Raigne Raigne
Quote:
Originally posted by Petite Valentine
In an interview, one of the maids said she doesn't go alone, someone is waiting for her outside in the car. I guess there is some sort of signal she can give if there is trouble.
I suppose that's a little better. Is the person provided by the company, or just someone she brings along?
04/11/2012
Contributor: funluvinmama funluvinmama
This is one I am torn on, because if it is about the cleaning then there are all kinds of cute outfits she could have her employees wear.

I would have to say that having them go clean nude would make it sexually orientated.
04/11/2012
Contributor: funluvinmama funluvinmama
This is one I am torn on, because if it is about the cleaning then there are all kinds of cute outfits she could have her employees wear.

I would have to say that having them go clean nude would make it sexually orientated.
04/11/2012
Contributor: Mwar Mwar
I don't know...
04/12/2012
Contributor: Melan!e Melan!e
I think so...
04/12/2012
Contributor: DiamondKoala DiamondKoala
Initially my thought is yes just because it has that sort of feel to it, but overall I'm not sure what really defines the sexual connection to the business it just feels sexual.
04/12/2012
Contributor: Secret Pleasure Secret Pleasure
I lean more towards yes but I voted I am torn. I do think this kind of business should be allowed its not like shes doing anything wrong but if she needs a perm it to run it then she should follow the rules.
04/12/2012
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
It really depends, I can see a lot of politics at play here. If the "sexually oriented" part would be reported on employees records, I can see why she would want to keep that off - it hurts futures for no good reason other than misogyny (the men who hire them won't have trouble finding future jobs) when a person is engaging in legal work - sexual or not.

So I can see not doing it on principle of not wanting to be part of that system that hurts a largely female work-force for doing anything that could be construed as "sexual" in their work hours.


If no touching is adhered to and they're literally just cleaning, I can see her legal case being stronger.

It's certainly a grey area in this case, but I'm tired of workers being penalised and having their futures cut off because of "sex-related" work.
04/12/2012
Contributor: Sex Positivity Sex Positivity
Quote:
Originally posted by Nazaress
Part of me says yes because societally, we are conditioned to group the naked body with sex and so the people who hire these naked/lingeried women probably ARE doing it to fantasize. But another part of me says that the naked form is not a sexual ... more
I absolutely agree.
04/12/2012
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
I think so!
04/12/2012
Contributor: Incendiaire Incendiaire
It depends what it the primary function of her business. Is she primarily a cleaner, who also happens to titillate her clientèle by her choice of attire, or is she being hired foremost to arouse people, and the cleaning is almost incidental?
04/12/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Raigne
I suppose that's a little better. Is the person provided by the company, or just someone she brings along?
Going by the interview, I think it is someone she brings along.
04/12/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Nazaress
Part of me says yes because societally, we are conditioned to group the naked body with sex and so the people who hire these naked/lingeried women probably ARE doing it to fantasize. But another part of me says that the naked form is not a sexual ... more
Many strippers do not allow any touching or sexual activities. No one wold argue that stripping is a sexually oriented business.

Who is going to hire a maid in a lingerie outfit? Would you do it because you want your house really clean, or because you want to be titillated by the maid.

I have nothing against the idea morally, but of course, there would need to be restrictions. What if someone hired her and there are children or minors in the house? Is that appropriate? I have nothing against the human body in the least, but I certainly wouldn't hire a half naked maid to clean in lingerie in front of my kids.

I would also worry about her safety. How is she going to enforce a "hands off" rule? In strip clubs the dancers have bouncers who protect them. This woman will be alone in a strange house with people she doesn't know. What if someone invites all his friends over? How will she charge then? What if someone tries to attack her? How will she protect herself?

I think it's a poorly thought out idea.
04/12/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Unless what she's cleaning is someone's genitals, I wouldn't call it sexual. Still, there's a part of me that says, "Hey, she's likely fulfilling some kind of sexual fantasy for her 'boss' by being naked/scantily clad while cleaning, and that makes it inherently sexual." So I'm torn as well.

She's choosing her attire. If it's sexualizing herself, doesn't she have the right? She's not nude in public, per se. She's nude in the privacy of someone's home. And she should get paid for cleaning their toilet.

That said, like all "taboo" things, if you don't agree with it, don't use it. If you think it's unhealthy, don't do it. If you think it's a sin, don't do it. I wish people would stop telling others what's right and wrong.

Personally, I wear as few clothes as I can (depending on the weather) when I clean because I don't want to ruin my clothing with whatever chemicals; however, I do keep my bits covered because I don't want to get chemicals around those areas.
04/12/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I don't understand why she doesn't just get the permit. She says "We're fantasy maids." in the article. It's obvious that this IS a sexually oriented business.

The article also states, ...the city's ordinance requires all sexually oriented businesses to apply for a permit, which costs $650 a year, and to post a $5,000 surety bond or letter of credit.

Such businesses are defined as any commercial venture whose operations include "providing, featuring or offering of employees or entertainment personnel who appear in a state of nudity, seminude or simulated nudity and provide live performances or entertainment" intended to sexually stimulate or gratify customers "

It is clear what the ordinance is. Pay the %650.00, get a letter of credit or post the surety bond and run the business. When you run a business, you do it by the rules of the place in which you live. Simply saying, "Oh, it isn't sex." when the ordinance makes it clear that [italic]by their definition is is a sex oriented business] isn't going to work. You want to run a business, you have to play by the rules.
04/12/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
Many strippers do not allow any touching or sexual activities. No one wold argue that stripping is a sexually oriented business.

Who is going to hire a maid in a lingerie outfit? Would you do it because you want your house really clean, or ... more
I thought about the safety issues as well. But if it did happen, if she were attacked, would we be blaming her for offering a service where she was scantily clad or nude? Or would we be blaming the douche who attacked her? Just because a woman is being sexy or provocative or nude, doesn't give anyone the right to touch her without her permission. Let alone have sex with her.

Most would blame her... but it's his issue with power that's to blame.
04/12/2012
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
Quote:
Originally posted by Nazaress
Part of me says yes because societally, we are conditioned to group the naked body with sex and so the people who hire these naked/lingeried women probably ARE doing it to fantasize. But another part of me says that the naked form is not a sexual ... more
This, exactly. I don't think this should be necessarily viewed as a sexual thing, but I know that most of the clientele that will be purchasing this will see it as a sexual thing.
04/12/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
I thought about the safety issues as well. But if it did happen, if she were attacked, would we be blaming her for offering a service where she was scantily clad or nude? Or would we be blaming the douche who attacked her? Just because a woman is ... more
I'm not blaming her, I'm worried about her. From what I read, there were no safety FOR HER standards in place. It goes along with my statement "This is a poorly thought out plan." We can say all we want, "Men need to control themselves." And they do. But, IF she were attacked, it would be a tragedy. I think her best bet would be to rethink her business model.

Maids make pretty good money the way it is. She needs to either hire a security service or have a different plan.

BBW, your desire to clean in as little state of dress in your own home isn't really applicable here. Hell, I clean my bathroom naked, because I hate wet socks and bleach stained clothes. But, that is in our own homes, not in the homes of others. I get really hot when I do Lactation Consultations, I'm moving around, getting into difficult positions, contorting myself, but I still can't go to a professional consultation wearing whatever I "feel comfortable in." Business requires a certain standard. I wear a blouse and skirt, hose and scrubs. It's HOT. But, that's the way we have to dress to look professional.

If she wants to sexualize her housecleaning business, (because that is exactly what she is doing) ALL she needs to do is play by the rules and pay the fee. It isn't a big deal.

Also;

She has every right to run this business, but she has to play by the rules. NO ONE is saying she can't do this, but as it IS for sexually arousing purposes (she admits "We're fantasy maids.') she has to adhere to the rules that are set by the place she does business.

I've run a business, and I haven't always liked the rules I had to adhere to, but lying about what I do wouldn't have exempted me from having to do what everyone in the same type of business has to do in order to perform the service.
04/12/2012
Contributor: Raigne Raigne
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I'm not blaming her, I'm worried about her. From what I read, there were no safety FOR HER standards in place. It goes along with my statement "This is a poorly thought out plan." We can say all we want, "Men need to control ... more
I agree about hiring a security service. As was said earlier, one of the girls brings someone with her for safety, but in my opinion, she shouldn't have to provide her own protection. That should be the employer's responsibility. If she's cutting corners with properly establishing the business, I wonder if she's insured or provides her girls with health insurance...
04/12/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Raigne
I agree about hiring a security service. As was said earlier, one of the girls brings someone with her for safety, but in my opinion, she shouldn't have to provide her own protection. That should be the employer's responsibility. If she's ... more
It's her business, so she's "the employer." Yes she needs to provide security for her girls. That will probably double the cost of the hourly rate, which is already $100.00 per hour. Add insurance, and you're probably up to $250.00 plus an hour. She will price herself out of business at this rate.

As I said, it's a poorly thought out business plan.
04/12/2012
Contributor: ChickenFeathers ChickenFeathers
Quote:
Originally posted by vanilla&chocolate
I would say definitely yes.
Same here. It is sex toys, lingerie, and porn afterall.
04/12/2012
Contributor: js250 js250
I am torn. If the maids are legitimately cleaning houses with lingerie on then no. If they strip down to lingerie and set up scenes for the people hiring them yes. Either way, the safety of these women need to be addressed as does the financial aspects. Are these women individual contractors, employees or temps?? Who is paying their taxes, comp and maintaining their safety at each job? Oh, the many, many questions I have could go on forever....so I will leave it at that.
04/12/2012