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Need a Hand, or a Handjob?

 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
type
FeatureClass
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
label
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
page
NeedAHandOrAHandjob
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
comment
We were going to call this one "Solicitation Mistaken for Help", but this is snappier.
Basically, when a given character needs help (a place to stay, whatever), is approached by a prostitute who speaks with perhaps too much metaphor, and thinks her solicitation is an offer for assistance.
Usually Played for Laughs, but if the gal in question is a Hooker with a Heart of Gold, our hero may have just found a useful ally.
See also Platonic Prostitution and Accidental Innuendo. Sub-Trope of Comically Missing the Point. Not to be confused with "Need a hand? A job? A handjob?"

Examples
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
fetched
2023-03-26T04:14:37Z
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
parsed
2023-03-26T04:14:37Z
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
processingComment
Dropped link to GeniusBonus: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
processingComment
Dropped link to HandsomeLech: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_10bc0a19
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_10bc0a19
comment
Similarly, in Night Watch, there is an actual seamstress who is often confused for the other type. "To avoid confusion, let us say she's a needlewoman."
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_10bc0a19
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_10bc0a19
featureConfidence
1.0
 Night Watch (Discworld)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_10bc0a19
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_1fc7499e
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_1fc7499e
comment
In Reaper Man, Windle Poons, a newly resurrected zombie, is asked by a "seamstress" if he's looking for a good time. He's somewhat addled by the fact that he can see and hear clearly for the first time in decades, and accepts her offer without thinking about it. She runs away when she gets a good look at him, though.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_1fc7499e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_1fc7499e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Reaper Man
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_1fc7499e
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_22989f46
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_22989f46
comment
A variation happens to one of the main attorneys on L.A. Law when he's at a restaurant and an attractive young woman (an undercover cop) he talks to in order to get help dealing with the unfamiliar menu items arrests him for soliciting a prostitute when he was simply trying to get help with the menu. In a later episode he successfully defends himself against the charge when the transcript makes it clear he was innocent and results in the judge admonishing the police over their failure to recognize that from the start.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_22989f46
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_22989f46
featureConfidence
1.0
 L.A. Law
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_22989f46
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_261c8d3f
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_261c8d3f
comment
The Simpsons: Subverted in the episode "The Cartridge Family". When Marge takes Bart, Lisa and Maggie to a motel because Homer is acting Trigger-Happy, Bart is asked by a prostitute "are you looking for a good time?" He is (as always), but not in the manner she means, and Marge pulls him away before any hilarity can ensue.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_261c8d3f
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_261c8d3f
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Simpsons
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_261c8d3f
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_45d098f8
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_45d098f8
comment
Get Medieval: Asher, lost in medieval Avignon, has a girl come to him and offer him "a warm bed to spend the night in". Being a clueless nerd, he considers it an invitation to sleep at her place. The trope is subverted at a later stage, as when they meet again in different circumstances, she does offer her help.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_45d098f8
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_45d098f8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Get Medieval (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_45d098f8
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_468bebb0
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_468bebb0
comment
Discworld: Used to happen to men who approach the Guild of Seamstresses to have their socks darned. Eventually the Guild hired some non-euphemistic seamstresses to take care of that kind of request (plus it allows men to get their socks darned while they "get their socks darned").
In Guards! Guards!, a naive Carrot ends up living in a house of "seamstresses" due to this sort of misunderstanding. He mentions that his first night there one of the girls asked if he wanted anything, but they had no apples, so he said no. The madam encourages him to stay, since she's essentially getting full time security out of the deal.
Variant: In Feet of Clay, one character mentions that she was good at sewing, so she tried to join the Guild of Seamstresses.
Similarly, in Night Watch, there is an actual seamstress who is often confused for the other type. "To avoid confusion, let us say she's a needlewoman."
In Reaper Man, Windle Poons, a newly resurrected zombie, is asked by a "seamstress" if he's looking for a good time. He's somewhat addled by the fact that he can see and hear clearly for the first time in decades, and accepts her offer without thinking about it. She runs away when she gets a good look at him, though.
In Interesting Times, Rincewind is approached by several beautiful, scantily-clad women who explicitly say that all of their men have died out and they need his help repopulating their island. However, due to years of living alone on a desert island, Rincewind's mind has deteriorated somewhat and he thinks they're offering to make him some mashed potatoes. To be fair, they did promise him they'd satisfy all his desires, and at that moment, Rincewind happened to desire potatoes, having lived off coconuts and fish for far too long.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_468bebb0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_468bebb0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Discworld
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_468bebb0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5366345d
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5366345d
comment
Reversed in the movie The House Bunny. The policeman asks the Bunny to "blow" and... well... she doesn't quite understand that he's trying to check her alcohol content.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5366345d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5366345d
featureConfidence
1.0
 The House Bunny
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5366345d
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5a3533fe
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5a3533fe
comment
My Name Is Earl in the antique silverware episode. Randy was told to wait around the station and ask people if they had "the stuff"; a gay guy misinterprets this.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5a3533fe
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5a3533fe
featureConfidence
1.0
 My Name Is Earl
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_5a3533fe
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6ba673f9
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6ba673f9
comment
A possible slight variation — in New Tricks, a prostitute approaches Brian and asks him if "you've got the time," in a fashion that leaves little doubt as to what she really means. Brian, however, assumes she's literally asking what the time is, and proceeds to tell her, resulting in a frustrating back and forth for the both of them until he storms off in exasperation and she gripes to one of her friends, "Why can't they just say if they're gay?!"
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6ba673f9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6ba673f9
featureConfidence
1.0
 New Tricks
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6ba673f9
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c1d09b3
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c1d09b3
comment
In Fallout 3, one of the joinable NPCs is Clover, an insane killer prostitute that you can own as a slave. When you strike up a conversation, she asks if she "can do anything for... or to... you." Sadly your responses are entirely on the lines of tactics and gear management.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c1d09b3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c1d09b3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fallout 3 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c1d09b3
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c9193a1
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c9193a1
comment
The pilot episode of The Venture Bros. has a prostitute asking Hank and Dean if they're looking for some action. Being rather sheltered boy adventurers, they reply that they're always looking for action! And adventure!
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c9193a1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c9193a1
featureConfidence
1.0
 TheVentureBrothers
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_6c9193a1
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_740815bb
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_740815bb
comment
In Interesting Times, Rincewind is approached by several beautiful, scantily-clad women who explicitly say that all of their men have died out and they need his help repopulating their island. However, due to years of living alone on a desert island, Rincewind's mind has deteriorated somewhat and he thinks they're offering to make him some mashed potatoes. To be fair, they did promise him they'd satisfy all his desires, and at that moment, Rincewind happened to desire potatoes, having lived off coconuts and fish for far too long.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_740815bb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_740815bb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Interesting Times
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_740815bb
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_78c24385
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_78c24385
comment
Played with in Episode 3 of Manwhores when a woman pulls up to Kevin, newly starting out his career:
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_78c24385
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_78c24385
featureConfidence
1.0
 Manwhores (Web Video)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_78c24385
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7ab7da61
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7ab7da61
comment
Three's Company: Mr. Furley is arrested for solicitation when he pays a girl three dollars for information to help him find Cindy.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7ab7da61
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7ab7da61
featureConfidence
1.0
 Three's Company
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7ab7da61
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7c60fb0f
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7c60fb0f
comment
Happens in an issue of The Simpsons comics when Abraham is changing out of his "El Grampo" disguise in a phonebooth and has trouble getting his boots off. Might we add that he is dressed only in boots at that point.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7c60fb0f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7c60fb0f
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Simpsons (Comic Book)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_7c60fb0f
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_85c47924
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_85c47924
comment
In i am sam, Sam, a mentally handicapped single father, mistakes a streetwalker's mockery for a promise to help him raise his daughter. He is then arrested for soliciting her services.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_85c47924
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_85c47924
featureConfidence
1.0
 i am sam
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_85c47924
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_947e9e53
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_947e9e53
comment
The Sketch Show: Discussed and invoked in a sketch where a man approaches a streetwalker, rejects her offer of "company", and then rather bluntly asks for sex. His annoying obfuscation eventually causes the hooker to walk off.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_947e9e53
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_947e9e53
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Sketch Show
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_947e9e53
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_a257301f
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_a257301f
comment
On Not Always Right spinoff Not Always Learning, a Japanese exchange student fails to realize the purpose of "ads on TV telling you to call them if it’s late at night and you want to chat to someone" and takes it as an example of American friendliness.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_a257301f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_a257301f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Not Always Right (Website)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_a257301f
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b29621f3
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b29621f3
comment
Variant: In Feet of Clay, one character mentions that she was good at sewing, so she tried to join the Guild of Seamstresses.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b29621f3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b29621f3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Feet of Clay
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b29621f3
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b32ce8cf
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b32ce8cf
comment
Inverted in Bedazzled. Satan takes the form of a human woman and attempts to talk "business" with a lonely man. She wants to make a Deal with the Devil, but the man initially mistakes this as a proposition for sex.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b32ce8cf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b32ce8cf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Bedazzled (2000)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_b32ce8cf
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_bbe33e8a
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_bbe33e8a
comment
Inverted in the first episode of Northern Exposure, where Joel mistakenly believes Maggie to be a prostitute based on her offers of help. She does not react well to this, of course.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_bbe33e8a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_bbe33e8a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Northern Exposure
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_bbe33e8a
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_c11defff
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_c11defff
comment
In the softcore Young Lady Chatterley II, Cynthia's lesbian masseuse gives her hand relief when she gets a bit too excited describing the perfect lover she's seeking (though the masseuse doesn't look happy at hearing that "manly" is one of the attributes). Cynthia is a bit confused when the masseuse asks afterwards how her shoulder is (what she originally came there for).
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_c11defff
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_c11defff
featureConfidence
1.0
 Young Lady Chatterley II
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_c11defff
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ca777bd7
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ca777bd7
comment
"Crocodile" Dundee does this. Then he knocks out the pimp when he insults the lady's honor.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ca777bd7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ca777bd7
featureConfidence
1.0
 "Crocodile" Dundee
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ca777bd7
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_cac1f772
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_cac1f772
comment
The inverse happens on CSI, when during her evaluation Catherine complains to Grissom that because of her hours, she hasn't had sex in at least half a year. "How can I help?" Gil asks, and has to clarify that he doesn't mean THAT kind of help when Catherine raises her eyebrow at him.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_cac1f772
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_cac1f772
featureConfidence
1.0
 CSI
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_cac1f772
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_d8bf3121
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_d8bf3121
comment
In Into the Night, one coworker tells another that in Las Vegas there's a certain hooker who will do anything you ask for a certain price. The coworker, who knows what he's talking about but isn't really interested, responds "Will she buy me a pony?" in Sarcasm Mode.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_d8bf3121
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_d8bf3121
featureConfidence
1.0
 Into the Night
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_d8bf3121
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_e3c4fe80
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_e3c4fe80
comment
In RPG World, as explained in strip 12, this is how Diane ends up joining the party.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_e3c4fe80
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_e3c4fe80
featureConfidence
1.0
 RPG World (Webcomic)
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_e3c4fe80
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ed8b580
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ed8b580
comment
My Wife and Kids had a variation when the family goes to Las Vegas. Junior calls an escort service because he thought that it was a babysitter.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ed8b580
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ed8b580
featureConfidence
1.0
 My Wife and Kids
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ed8b580
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ee5582ae
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ee5582ae
comment
ReGenesis: Bob Melnikov, while in New York, goes in a back street to rehearse a speech he's about to give. A prostitute approaches him, and he doesn't understand for what reason. Fortunately for him, she's a Hooker with a Heart of Gold, and she does help him get over his stage fright.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ee5582ae
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ee5582ae
featureConfidence
1.0
 ReGenesis
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_ee5582ae
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f655ed11
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f655ed11
comment
Frasier stops to give a woman standing in the rain a ride home, and he doesn't realise she (or technically he) is a hooker until just before he's stopped by the cops. Turns out it's just a paranoid prediction of what might happen, since his good deeds have been backfiring a lot recently, but he rejects it and gives the woman a lift anyway.
In another episode, two characters talk about hiring a babysitter. One urges the other to carefully read the ads, because an ad's stating "has toys and willing to spank" doesn't means it's for a babysitter.
Another episode has Niles upset because his ad for his practice misprinted "Jung specialist" as "Hung specialist", making the followup "Servicing individuals, couples, groups. Satisfaction guaranteed. Tell me where it hurts!" especially irritating.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f655ed11
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f655ed11
featureConfidence
1.0
 Frasier
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f655ed11
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f6e3d1cc
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f6e3d1cc
comment
Played with in The Birdcage. Politician Gene Hackman needs to leave a building without the press recognizing him, so he's dressed in drag. He runs past his chauffeur and whispers "Meet me around the corner in ten minutes!" and leaves. The chauffeur shakes his head and says "Never in a million years, lady."
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f6e3d1cc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f6e3d1cc
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Birdcage
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_f6e3d1cc
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_fe5f7909
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_fe5f7909
comment
In Guards! Guards!, a naive Carrot ends up living in a house of "seamstresses" due to this sort of misunderstanding. He mentions that his first night there one of the girls asked if he wanted anything, but they had no apples, so he said no. The madam encourages him to stay, since she's essentially getting full time security out of the deal.
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_fe5f7909
featureApplicability
1.0
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_fe5f7909
featureConfidence
1.0
 Guards! Guards!
hasFeature
Need a Hand, or a Handjob? / int_fe5f7909

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
processingCategory2
Comedy Tropes
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
processingCategory2
Mistaken for Index
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
processingCategory2
Sex Tropes
 Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
processingCategory2
The Oldest Profession
 That Girl in Yellow Boots / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Homebody / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 i am sam / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Luxury Car / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 That Girl in Yellow Boots / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 The House Bunny / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Way of the Dragon / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Guards! Guards! / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Interesting Times / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 NeedAHandOrAHandJob
sameAs
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Benidorm / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 CSI / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 New Tricks / int_69eff45
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Northern Exposure / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 The Sketch Show / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?
 Get Medieval (Webcomic) / int_69f7765
type
Need a Hand, or a Handjob?