Brothel manager explains 'eight second rule' and when the strict policy is used
Running one of Europe's largest brothels is not a job for the faint-hearted, often requiring an incredibly open mind about each client's personal tastes, as well as a good nose for danger to keep her workers safe.
That is the difficult task faced by Catherine De Noire, the manager of a major brothel who, at the age of 32, juggles her daytime studies towards a psychology PhD while operating a highly lucrative legal sex work business.
Although De Noire enjoys talking about her work and answering some of the burning questions that people have about one of the oldest professions in the world, she has previously said that she does not like being called a 'pimp', as many of her employees are more like independent contractors.
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But with clients dropping thousands in one night to have their desires met at her brothel, and hundreds visiting each day, De Noire has her work cut out for her. Which is why she uses an 'eight second rule' to keep everyone safe.
With so many clients to turnover in a day, De Noire's brothel employs a number of women who each can facilitate different desires. But, importantly, each one gets to choose what they do.
"We let each of the workers decide. We have women who've worked with us for many years, and they don't do the full service," she told VT.
This does not mean that her legal sex workers don't come across things they don't feel comfortable or safe doing. That's why they can say no to anything they don't want to do, a luxury not afforded to many workers around the world.
She explained: "I always tell the girls, 'Look, you need to decide, you're an independent contractor, and if the client looks weird, or if he wants to do something with you that you don't want to do with him, just tell him no."
This is where the 'eight second rule' comes in, as there is no guarantee that a client will take being turned down well.
What is the 'eight second rule'?
So, there are a number of security measures in place to make sure that each of De Noire's 'contractors' is safe in their place of work. A major benefit of working in her brothel, with reports indicating that around 80 percent of sex workers experience violence.
To ensure that this doesn't happen, each of her employees knows they can get help in just eight seconds.
"All rooms are equipped with panic buttons," De Noire told the publication. "Every worker knows exactly where the panic button is located in their room, and they are trained on how and when to use it."
Each contractor knows that 'if a situation becomes uncomfortable, threatening or escalates into an emergency', they can just smash this button and get security guards there in just eight seconds.
"The moment the button is pressed, a siren sounds in the security office and the room number is displayed immediately on our monitors," she added.
And if a crime is committed at her establishment, De Noire does not have to rely on bruisers to come in and knock seven bells out of any violent clients. She can just call the police and file a report, thanks to the legal status of her brothel.
The 'truth' about the type of people who visit
De Noire previously opened up about who really comes through the doors of her brothel.
Speaking to UNILAD, she revealed: "A lot of people think brothel clients are creepy weirdos, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
"You probably know several of them in real life — they’re your friends, colleagues, old classmates, doctors, or even your kid’s teachers. They just don’t talk about it because it is still so heavily stigmatized."
De Noire shared that she's seen people between the ages of 18 and 80 visit her brothel, all of whom had different types of careers.
"Some are doctors or lawyers, others are blue-collar workers, teachers, bus drivers, civil servants," she said.
De Noire went on to say: "We’ve had virgins wanting to have their 'first time' in a safe environment with a professional.
"Some men are extremely successful in their careers but don’t have the time or energy for dating or relationships. For them, a brothel is the most practical and cost-effective option.
"Others just like the atmosphere. Some are curious and want to try it once. And then there are the stag parties — places like this are very popular for that."
And when it came to married men, according to De Noire, 'most of them aren’t trying to hide it'.
"They’ll walk in wearing their wedding ring or flat-out tell the sex workers they’re married," she added.
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Life
William Morgan