Tipping is a fascinating phenomenon to observe. As customers, we are taught to tip for not only good service, but also for service in general, depending on the situation. Estheticians, hairstylists, taxi drivers, and wait staff receive gratuities, but not doctors, chiropractors, dry cleaners, or fast food employees. Have you ever needed a cab from a decent-sized hotel in a city? Make sure you have some singles on hand.
It appears that more and more establishments and professions value and even encourage tips. What about getting a massage?
Massage therapy is found in a variety of settings, including health care, pampering, personal service, and wellness. How do patients know how to handle therapists when the field as a whole isn’t sure where it belongs?
Massage falls into the “it depends” category when it comes to tipping. It is entirely dependent on the situation and the expectations or policies established by the therapist or the facility where the massage is given.
Tipping is almost never seen in a medical environment. You should not expect to be expected to tip if you receive massage therapy in a hospital setting. Aside from that, most massage therapy establishments encourage tipping. In fact, gratuities are an important part of many employers’ remuneration packages for their therapists.
What are therapists’ thoughts on tipping? Most therapists accept tips, and the effort required to provide a professional massage is an important factor to consider. “There are no shortcuts in massage,” is a phrase I like to repeat. An hour massage is exactly what it sounds like: an hour of bliss for you and an hour of work for your therapist.
Massage therapy is soul work; your therapist isn’t looking for a quick buck, but rather pursuing a career that feeds his or her soul while also paying the bills. Massage treatment can be a 40-hour week, but it’s virtually never just sessionssimply it’s too tough to do at that frequency. Massage therapists with the busiest schedules may work 2530 hours a week on sessions. As a result, earning potential is limited, and gratuities can be an important part of a therapist’s pay.
Tipping, whether for massage, dining, or taxi rides, is something I consider to be a thank-you for the effort. To receive a tip, service does not have to be exceptional, but if it is, I tip generously. “Thank you” is expressed through a gratuity. The standard thank-you for a massage is 15%.
Is it rude not to tip a massage therapist?
Because massage therapists are expected to receive tips, you should expect a 20% tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive). Always ask if you’re unsure, says Post, who adds that tipping is always appreciated.
How much do you tip for a medical massage?
If you’re able, leave a 15 percent to 20% gratuity, according to two etiquette experts we spoke with. 20% is generous to the massage therapist and gentle on the brain, which may be more relaxed than ever after a massage. The math is easy to understand.
How much do you tip for a 2021 massage?
Hao Meng, Senior Vice President of Operations at Soothe, a mobile massage firm, shared her observations on tipping.
“We propose tipping 15% to 20% based on the comfort and contentment of each client with the massage,” Meng said.
Fortunately for Soothe, its customers have raised the average tipping ratio from 18 to 20% in 2021.
Of course, the tipping amount is determined by the price and the client’s opinion of the massage’s quality.
Catie Morgan, a licensed massage therapist (LMT) at Amara Massage Therapy & Wellness in Fort Collins, Colorado, said tipping is “slightly developing” in her opinion.
“If a client is going to tip, I believe the appropriate amount should always be established by them,” Morgan added.
It’s alright to provide clients a tip chart, but it’s not okay for the massage therapist to set a predefined tip amount, according to her. Morgan, on the other hand, has enough experience in the service sector to tip any service provider.
“I personally tip between 25 and 40 percent to all service providers,” she stated. “I don’t set an appointment or proceed with the service unless I can give at least a 25% tip, but that’s just me!”
How much should I tip for a $50 massage?
For a $50 massage, how much should you tip? For a massage, the typical tipping amount is 20%. You can tip $10 for a $50 massage.
Why do we tip massage therapists?
To solve this, I offer my therapists a reasonable compensation that allows them to live comfortably. The cost of living in Dallas, where my practice is located, is relatively inexpensive, and recent graduates of Soma Massage Therapy earn at least $35 per 60-minute session. Our more senior therapists make significantly more money. This is more than double what most spas and massage studios in our area pay their therapists, relieving them of the financial stress of having to ask for tips and allowing them to focus solely on their clients. When payday arrives, our independent contractor therapists will know exactly how much they will be paid. There will be no more anxiety when good tippers cancel or when bad tippers appear at your table. Payday is constant, predictable, and just what a health care practitioner should anticipate.
Clients Stress About How Much to Tip for Massage
Our no-tipping policy also helps our clients relax and isn’t that what every massage session is all about? Massage can be costly for some people, and adding the cost of a tip can add to the burden. When our clients are in the middle of a session, we should create an environment that allows them to focus on releasing their trigger points rather than balancing their checkbooks and calculating how much to tip their favorite massage therapist. “Will she think she did a horrible job if I don’t tip her as much today as I did last time?” However, if I tip her more, I won’t be able to pay the follow-up appointment.
When It Was Time to Raise Rates….
Our rates of service were established after I figured out how to match my business overhead expenditures with my financial obligations to my family. Those rates, however, had to change at some point. After several years of running a small business, the cost of just about everything had risen from rent and supplies to our scheduling, billing, and card processing software and the raises I continued to give my talented employees dwindled my profit margin even further. We adjusted our charges somewhat to reflect the higher costs, but we made sure to inform our clients that we would continue to operate on a no-tipping policy.
The vast majority of our clients agreed and appreciated our honesty, which came as no surprise. I’ve always informed them that we won’t ask for a tip, but we’ll let them know if we need to raise our rates to keep the lights on. Because the majority of our clientele are also hard workers, they understood and respected our decision.
“Honey, it’s better that you raise your rates and keep your no-tipping policy than expect us to start tipping your therapists,” Maggie*, a retiree and long-time client of Soma Massage Therapy, told me. It simply devalues your brand and makes it more costly for us when we have to tip regardless. What you’ve done here is excellent.”
Sustainable and Beneficial
I’m not going to lie: it’s good to be able to leave work with a pocket full of cash in the short term. However, in the long run, I’ve been able to build a more sustainable business with long-term, committed therapists and a low staff turnover rate, as well as loyal clients who understand the health benefits of returning regularly and treating massage like any other wellness practice which is better for everyone anyway.
“If you wouldn’t tip your physical therapist or chiropractor, why would you tip us?” I tell everyone that walks through the door. Massage therapists belong in the health-care field, not the service industry, which is why my team refuses to collect tips and will never do so.
How much do you tip for a 30 minute massage?
Despite the fact that massages are meant to be soothing, many people are unaware of proper etiquette. Is it necessary to shave your legs? Should you strike up a conversation with the massage therapist? What’s the limit on how exposed you’re meant to be? We chatted to Shannon Merten, a registered massage therapist who works out of her house, about the dos and don’ts of massage etiquette to give you some peace of mind.
How Much Do You Tip a Massage Therapist?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to tipping your massage therapist. Because some spas have no tipping policy, it’s always a good idea to inquire ahead of time. However, if you were pleased with the treatment, a massage gratuity of 1520 percent of the total fee is appropriate.
How Clean Should I Be?
This isn’t only because it’s more convenient for the therapist, according to Merten. Your skin will absorb the lotions and oils used during your massage better if it is clean.
Should I Shave My Legs Beforehand?
“This is a frequently discussed topic,” Merten explains. “Hand-wringing is unnecessary when you don’t shave for a few days or even weeks… I’m not sure what the distinction is.”
What Kind of Information Should I Share With My Massage Therapist Before My Massage Begins?
Merten advises being as specific as possible with your health history in order to get the most out of your massage. Tell your therapist about any serious illnesses or problems you’re experiencing at the time. Information regarding your everyday activities, such as whether or not you are a runner, can also be useful. Do you travel for work on a regular basis? The more information your therapist has, the better she will be able to tailor your treatment.
Should I Get Totally Naked?
Merten allows the client to take the lead in this area. “I tell my clients that they can undress as much as they want and that they will be draped throughout the massage.”
Consider the advantages of being naked if you’re suffering from lower-back pain: “Because a glute massage is crucial for these types of illnesses, I recommend removing underpants. And, if you haven’t had your glutes and hips worked on before, I strongly advise it. There are so many thick muscles in these areas that go unnoticed, muscles that crisscross and cause major lower-back and hamstring disorders.”
During My Massage, Should I Be Quiet or Make Small Talk?
“If they ask a question or bring up a topic, I will respond or participate.” If they’re silent, I’m quiet as well. Some folks, I believe, are nervous, therefore they may be a little chatty.” According to Merten, most clients engage in small talk for the first 2030 minutes of the massage before zoning out for the rest of it.
How Do I (Politely) Let a Massage Therapist Know That What They’re Doing Doesn’t Feel Good?
“I’d rather my customers leave happy and content than unhappy,” Merten adds. “If you’re doing something that’s not fun, a good ‘that’s a bit too much pressure’ or ‘that area is too delicate to be worked on’ should get you satisfactory results.”
What Do I Do If Something Happens?
If you encounter any inappropriate behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe while using your bargain voucher, please contact the local authorities for assistance and report us as soon as possible.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673 if you’d like to speak with a qualified expert about your experience.
Is it considered rude not to tip a massage therapist?
When it comes to tipping your massage therapist, there are no hard and fast rules. You should always inquire before visiting a spa. Some spas do not allow gratuities. However, a tip of 15-20% of the total amount is a good idea.
Do you tip massage therapists who work for themselves?
If you have a massage from a self-employed therapist or a therapist who does not work for a company owner or firm, you are not required to tip. Although it is appreciated and frequently required, this suggestion is not obligatory.
Is it okay to sleep while undergoing a massage?
Any massage therapist will tell you that falling asleep during a massage is completely normal. It’s a perfectly normal and healthy response to a deeply relaxing stimulus.
http://blog.spacecoast.edu/how-to-wake-up-a-sleeping-massage-client.html
What should you not do during a massage?
- Request that your massage therapist accompany you to a movie or visit your home. We make every effort to maintain a professional relationship with our customers. That is to say, we like to visit you alone in a professional atmosphere. If your request is overly suggestive, we will decline the offer and recommend that you see a different massage therapist.
- Noises that are excessive. Noises are unavoidable. When something feels fantastic, you moan. Please don’t look at us while you’re doing it (yes, this has happened), and be aware that if you’re loud enough, the adjoining rooms may hear you as well. Please keep in mind that if that’s all you do the entire time, we could assume you’re attempting to get more value out of the massage than you’re paying for.
- Make a remark on our appearance. We are significantly more sensitive to certain praises as a result of years of deception in our field. While we are professional in every massage, we can’t help but question if you are attempting to change the professional relationship by commenting on how we appear.
- To let us know you’re ready, poke your head out of the room. We appreciate how fast you prepare for your massage. The issue is that we also need to be prepared for the massage. This could entail getting a drink of water, going to the toilet, or simply making sure you don’t feel rushed to get to the table. Also, yelling down the corridor isn’t soothing for our other massage clients, so please wait for your massage therapist to return to the room and begin your treatment.
- While we’re still in the room, start undressing. Again, we must leave the room before you begin disrobing in order to maintain a professional connection. To ensure that each customer is always at ease, we only reveal what we’re working on while we’re working on it. Disrobing before we leave the room exposes areas we aren’t currently working on, and it distracts us from listening to what you need for that session.
- Please get in touch with us. We put our hands on you. We don’t want you to get too close to us. That’s when things start to become strange. And it’s inconvenient. Again, we may believe you’re attempting to change the professional relationship.
- Expect us to offer you your whole time if you arrive late. This includes arriving up on time but taking a 15-minute phone call or talking to us about anything and everything, stopping us from getting started on time. We want to get you started as soon as possible. You should expect your full time if we start late due to the Massage Therapist’s tardiness, but not if you arrive late.
- Disregard our company’s policies and rules, as well as our limits. We appreciate talking to our customers and getting to know them. We genuinely believe that. And there are some topics about which we are hesitant to speak with our clients. We currently have no control on what we need to do to reopen after the COVID shutdown, thus we don’t want to hear your thoughts on it. We don’t appreciate talking about religion, politics, or other topics that can lead to conflict. It’s not that we aren’t capable folks with strong opinions. It’s because the relationship we’re forming with you is one of business. We want to keep it going by avoiding talks that take us away from our main goal of making you feel better.
It’s true that bringing these up can be awkward. No, we’re not calling anyone out, and if you’ve done one of these things, we don’t want you to feel uncomfortable in your next session. We just believe that outlining everything makes it apparent to both parties what is anticipated during a massage.
Now here is what our massage therapists promise you:
- During a session, we will pay attention to your needs and tailor the massage to meet them.
- We leave a 30-minute delay between massages to ensure that you get your whole time.
- We will preserve professional boundaries, resulting in a long-term professional relationship with you.
Professional connections may be hard, especially when you have a lot of in common with someone. We do want you to share whatever you choose about yourself and your life with us. We also want to keep a safe space between us and them. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions about massage etiquette or what not to say or do during your next massage.
Are you supposed to tip a physical therapist?
- Cash: You may feel that a small monetary gift to your physical therapist is appropriate after your rehabilitation is completed or when you are leaving the hospital after an injury. This is something you should avoid at all costs. Many hospital physical therapists are prohibited from accepting monetary gifts, and those who do must either return the money or donate it to a charity. A gift of cash to a healthcare provider is never a smart idea.
- After an injury or illness, your physical therapist works with you to help you move and feel better. He or she should show you how to maintain appropriate wellness and health by engaging in healthy lifestyle activities. A glass of wine now and then can be beneficial to the body.