Massage etiquette
#1
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Massage etiquette
I'm going for a massage at a local spa, and noticed that on their website it says something like "Gratuity not included in prices". I always used to get massages by local people working out of their homes and just paid whatever the rate was. Since this is at a spa, is a tip expected, similar to barbers & hair dressers ??
If so, how much ??
If so, how much ??
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#2
Twincities MN
$10 is good for the hour. Very good I'd say. My massage therapist only charges $50/hr so all in I get a pretty good deal.
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15% minimum. I mean they are touching your naked body...it only seems fair to me! I usually tip waiters more than 15% and they can't even seem to refill my tea glass!
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depends on the service provided I'd say.
That to me is both with and without the wink-wink-nod-nod
obviously with the wink I'd say you better tip VERY WELL indeed
That to me is both with and without the wink-wink-nod-nod
obviously with the wink I'd say you better tip VERY WELL indeed
#5
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I frequently have massages- at least one every two weeks, but if I'm really sore, I'll bump it up to once a week. When I go to a spa, I tip 20%. As the other poster said, they are touching naked body- for that, they deserve a decent tip. Now, if they don't do a good massage, I'll just never accept having a massage from them again.
If you're worried about a tip, find a massage school in your area. They often charge less for the student massages, and they insist on _no_ gratuity whatsoever. There is usually a grad school and a student clinic. The grad school clinic will cost slightly more. I used to go to the student clinic, but these days- nah. I'm just too old to deprive myself of a good massage, and I can't guarantee that students will get the job done. But the grad school clinic is still cheaper than a normal massage, and with no gratuity to pay, it's definitely worth considering.
koffee
If you're worried about a tip, find a massage school in your area. They often charge less for the student massages, and they insist on _no_ gratuity whatsoever. There is usually a grad school and a student clinic. The grad school clinic will cost slightly more. I used to go to the student clinic, but these days- nah. I'm just too old to deprive myself of a good massage, and I can't guarantee that students will get the job done. But the grad school clinic is still cheaper than a normal massage, and with no gratuity to pay, it's definitely worth considering.
koffee
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Service providers (masseurs, restaurants, etc.) should declare their prices up front. I don't tip. If they want $60 instead of $50, then they need to charge that much.
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The minimum I'd consider tipping for an hour massage is $20 if a good one. That's one hour for a massage therapist, which is a good deal of work!
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#10
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i have been tipping 15%.
later.
later.
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Why would you tip just because someone has to touch your clean, naked body? It's not like they didn't know it was part of massage therapy before they got into it. Do you all think your naked bodies are so gross as to have to pay someone extra just for doing their job?
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#14
Twincities MN
It's like going to a bar. You don't tip the owner of the business.
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You're right, I agree that touching a naked body has nothing to do with it -- it's the kind of service provided that determines whether you tip or not (in the United States at least). You don't tip your doctor because he/she isn't providing a personal service.
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In the U.S., workers in the service sector are generally tipped, not anyone who "provides a service." That's why it's expected that you tip someone who cuts your hair or washes your car and not someone who fills your cavities or prepares your taxes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipping
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Last edited by mateo44; 06-17-08 at 03:37 PM.