Often, guys ask me "How much should you tip a masseur?" You should always tip for "great service", at least in a restaurant or coffee house. But a massage therapist? Many people believe that a "business owner" should not necessarily receive a tip, but I feel that a massage therapist works hard and if you get an excellent treatment and experience, then I feel that masseurs should get a tip.
For example, if my massage costs $100, I would typically tip $20 extra. It's just a small thoughtful way to tell the masseur "Thank you for a great experience."
What do you think? How much do you tip, or do you?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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Most of the time clients do tip, anywhere from $10 up to $50 depending on the services I offer :) and on how great the massage was for them - most of the time it was great for me too. When I get a massage, i usually tip too! It's good karma.
ReplyDeleteI think 10-15% is plenty. I am not going to nickel and dime the guy of course, but anywhere from $5 - $20 sounds fair. If I get an exceptional experience, of course I'll do the higher end.
ReplyDeleteMy two cents.
I think you should most definitely tip a masseur if you are visiting a place of business where they are sharing their wages with a company but I don't think it's necessary to extend a tip when you are visiting someone's home where they have zero overhead.
ReplyDeleteI don't tip- my feeling you should ask for how much you really want/expect. In other if you want 100 and charge 90, then charge a hundred, it's that simple. It's different in a restaurant as waiter's get paid low wages and like it or not can't make a decent living without tips. On the other hand I am shocked at how much people think they are worth here. Give me a break- $200 for a rub. Do you really think you are worth from $100 to $200 an hour? It is the really rare perso that is. Just my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteIf it is well-deserved, tip! Or you might end up rubbing yourself next time(having difficulty getting a second visit...heads up)
ReplyDeleteIf you can't afford it, don't go.
A good, competent massage merits 20%. The tip is scaled up or down fom there.
ReplyDeleteAt a spa, I always tip well since they are sharing the fee with the spa. When someone comes to my home, I DO NOT tip since they are keeping 100% of their fee.
ReplyDeleteWorking from home doesn't mean you have NO expenses: rent isn't free, massage oils and creams aren't free, laundering sheets and towels, water used by client for showers, personal hygiene products for the client, bottled water, cleaning products to keep work space and bathroom clean, electricity to heat massage table or cool the work space, and/or gas to heat the room. None the above mentioned are FREE for the hosting masseur. Some people have unrealistic beliefs about a masseur who works from home.
ReplyDeleteAND...advertising and professional photographs aren't free either.
ReplyDeletedon't you think 100$ and sometimes 150$ per 1 hour massage session is enough to cover all those expenses!
ReplyDeleteIf in a Spa, definatily I'll go for a good tip, but if at his place, I'll just pay what the fix rate is. if at my place, they already charge me more.. so fair enough.
When i book for a massage i always get my session as it is in minutes, no extra free minutes were offered, so why should i give tips or more money!
ReplyDeleteI am a masseur and I price my massage to be under most and I love what I do and it comes out in the massage and 90% do tip but some dont either way I have priced it so that I am covered. I sometimes get $200- $300 in a tip and I do the same massage on all my clients.
ReplyDeleteSon, if you're getting $200-$300 in a tip, then you're giving away a lot more than just a helping hand. It's called, "Being Escort".
ReplyDeleteNo hard fast rule here....In a spa, I always tip at least 20% (if the service is at usual spa levels), but for masseur working from his home, I feel he should price his service to cover his time and expenses like all other service providers. I don't tip my attorney, or my real estate agent, or my building contractor....I assume, as business owners, they have priced their services to provide themselves with an acceptable level of profit. The guy who cuts my hair owns the salon and told me expressly not to tip him...he keeps 100% of the fee and there is no revenue gap to compensate him for, so no tip is required. However, having said all that...if I feel great when I get off the table, when I reach for my wallet, I show my appreciation by paying higher than the asking rate.
ReplyDeleteI am a masseur and I keep record of all my appointments, the rate and the tip. I charge an even 100$ per hour but average all in all about 120$ since I do outcalls frequently, most people pay 140$ instead of 125$. On incalls it goes back and forth. Some people tip 10 or 20 while others tip none. Massage is my only source of income and I live in the most expensive city in the US. I manage to pay my rent and rent a seperate studio to work from. I know 2 others that do the same. I dont feel bad when someone doesnt tip. I even offer discounts to repeat clients. That being said if someone asks before hand for a discounted rate I often find myself giving a little lest then my best. Not sure how to avoid that mentallity. I think for the fortunate masseur who is professionally trained, advertises adquately, has average or better looks, works out a few days a week and trys to be available as much as possible, its easy to make over 75,000 a year. On that salary you should be able to pay for bottled water and lotion.
ReplyDeleteI found a regular massage therapist through this site. He is an amazing health/aesthetics practitioner and I conside myself a regular client of his. I tip routinely about $20 per session and as a regular service provider, I gave him a gift at the holidays as well. I mean, my goodness, if I am going to holiday tip my barber and my mailman, he deserves it too.
ReplyDeleteThere are many masseurs that just aren't that good. I'd pay their fee. But like any service, when the person goes beyond the average and really is good at what they do - that in my book deserves a good tip, generally 20%. You're paying for the top quality.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that some people can be so cheap when it comes to bodywork. Cheap people that don't tip for a great massage often wonder why the best masseurs don't return their calls. As a former masseur, I can tell you, it's because you're being flat out CHEAP. We work hard, and EARN our tips.
ReplyDeleteMasseurs, like anyone in the service industry, deserve a tip if they do a great job. 20% is standard if they massage was great, or if the masseur went above and beyond (same day/last minute scheduling, extra time on the table, especially good technique).
This is standard for ANY service industry, and masseurs are included. Anyone who disagrees is just plain cheap or does not respect the profession of bodywork.
I'm a masseur and never expect tip for my service. There are some clients who really enjoy my service. Soem of them say that there are a lot of bad service out there and when they find somebody special they wanna show treir appreciation with tip. I'd say 80% of my clients tip me between $20 $50 and sometimes $100 bucks. I love my job, probably it helps a lot
ReplyDeleteI would say depends on the masseur's rate. If it's low and the massage is good..tip them well. If the masseur has a high rate like $100 for the hour, I would tip 10%.
ReplyDeleteI think a tip is a client's way of letting a masseur know his feelings about the session. If the massage was flawless, I always leave a hefty tip because I know that I'll never miss $50 or even $100 bucks in the big picture of things, but it will mean so much to the masseur. I think it depends on how much money the client has and what message the client wishes to give the masseur.
ReplyDeleteThose in favor of not tipping will find themselves without a masseur to massage them the second time. The word spreads fast in the masseur community.
ReplyDeleteI'm a masseur, and honestly don't expect a tip. However, I can say alot of clients "claim" they are just wanting a massage, but then it changes to sooo much more, but for that same rate. Since when did the massage industry and escort industry become one in the same? When "SO-CALLED" massuers started basically "Cyber Walking instead of the streets! Some Clients want a whole lot for a lot LESS money. Us legit massuers do in-fact have over-head, no matter if you go to them or vice-versa. I do agree a massuer should request their desired fee upfront, and not try to nickel and dime a client. A true massuer is going to ensure his client is satisfied, no matter if he tips or not, after all, they are paying dam good money, usually twice as the spa. Same holds true for clients. If you want a massage, go to a massuer, if you want escort services go to an escort.....Some of you need to STOP EXPECTING ALL massuers to sell their body for 80 or 100.....
ReplyDeleteHere's the deal, for those of you who are not familiar. When a person owns their own business, i.e., an independent contractor (masseur who is self-employed), they set their rate and that is that. No tipping required. If you are in a spa and the masseur is working for a wage, like a waiter, a tip is expected and standard. The same goes for haircutting: you don't tip the owner. Ever.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I always like to be a little generous, rounding things up IF it's a good massage and there is nice chemistry, and if the masseur has not done things like answered calls during the session (some do).
So for an $85 massage I would give $90, and for $90 I would give another $10 to make $100. BUT that is entirely at the client's discretion and should never be asked for, suggested or bargained for. When you are naked and literally vulnerable, it's not fair being hit up for more cash. Oh, and negotiating for more money for extra services like a HJ or whatever -- forget that. I say, a deal is a deal.
When the massage is exceptional, I tip 15% or so. I want to tip more for those few massages that are truly incredible, but frankly cannot afford it. I really want a massage every week, but at $200 a visit ($800 a month) even more expense is prohibitive. Economy has hit hard. BL
ReplyDeleteSome comment that there is a difference in tipping whether it is in a spa or home. I look at massage as any personal service, never mind where it takes place. I don't think anyone is getting rich doing massage work. My tip is often around 20%, sometimes lower. I think this site does allow the therapist to list his services and I would always respect that. I know what I want in a massage and make sure we negotiate that up front. I don't consider getting 'relief' to be prostitution. Some oriental massage therapies include a 'total relaxation'. Anyway, this site is great and has the cutest guys on the web.
ReplyDeleteI do full bodyrubs in my spare time here in Rochester, NY and my rates are so reasonable at $70/hr. for an incall and $80/hr. for an outcall. I'm sometimes in disbelief at the outrageous rates of over $100/hr. many of them charge! Most of their clients don't earn near that rate per hour on their own jobs. I'm a fit middle aged guy and in better shape than most of my clients. But just because some of these adonis boys and bodybuilders have a great physique, does not justify off the chart rates.
ReplyDeleteI am opposed to the practice of tipping no matter what the situation: restaurant, hair stylist, etc. As far as leaving a tip for a massage therapist, I do not go to spas or chains because I do not appreciate the "pressure" via signs and comments to tip. A tip should be totally voluntary. I do go to private therapists and assume that they set their rates to cover the total of their costs and how they value their skill and service plus make a comfortable income. Therefore, I usually do not tip. Yet, when the massage is clearly superior, I do not hesitate to tip. I have been known to tip an amount greater than the hourly rate being charged. But then, that was one fantastic massage.
ReplyDeleteThe moral of the story is generosity is not a virtue all possess. I suppose the smart thing to do is price high so you don't have to expect a tip; to relieve the pressure off everyone, esp. at the end of a service. The less stress the better for the client.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed many people saying that if they receivee great service, they tip accordingly. That doesn't make sense to me since just the fact that you are paying for a service means you should get great service. I am in the service industry, albeit, in the accounting/financial field, not one that requires physical labor. I get paid a fee for my service. I strive to provide the very best service possible. Isn't that what each service provider do? Given the rates you pay for a massage, I don't think tips are necessary. It's not like these people are being paid minimum wage like food service ees.
ReplyDeleteI would love to tip well if I had the money, but I just scrape by to get a massage once every few years. I am unable to get a massage therapeutically through my insurance for my Fibromyalgia, which would be beneficial more often. I'm not being cheap, its just what I can afford really. I guess I would prefer the an upfront fee (only/no tips) for the services. Therefore everyone is clear what their going to get for payment and service.
ReplyDelete