How much do you tip a massage therapist for a 60 minute massage?
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Anonymous
| I am surprised to read though, that individuals will not give their best work based on the fact if someone tips or not... That is ridiculous, a massage therapist does not work for the tips, they work for the Well being of their clients. If you are in it for the tips and alter your performance based on tipping, you should go into food service. |
Anonymous
I'm sorry, but as a server/ bartender making minimum wage, we rely on our tips to make ends meat. And if your too cheap, stay home and eat for yourself. We also get taxed on our sales with the assumption that we're getting 15% tips, and all tips must be claimed and we get taxed on that as well. So if we get stiffed, we'te paying taxes on money we didn't get. FYI! If your service sucks, I get it. But don't be a cheap. |
Anonymous
| I have read close to every post and all I can say is "wow." First and foremost, I agree with the person who said that tipping has gotten way out of control. There is a HUGE difference for tipping wait service providers with tipping- they work for $2-$3+change per hour (at least in the U.S.). I type on the level of service: 20% for excellent service, 15% for average service, 10% for ok but somewhat mediocre service as well as buffet style, and zero for subpar or terrible service at all. I believe that tipping for terrible service only allows mediocre service to continue and give the server the belief that their crappy service is acceptable. Let's not forget hair salons....tip the person who washes your hair...and then the hairdresser....and how about when on vacation and traveling, first the taxi driver at the airport....then taking you to the hotel, the tip for bell hop taking out your luggage and bringing it to the lobby....then of course the other bell hop bringing your luggage to the room and a standard rate of at least $1 per bag (at each "drop off" spot). Before you get to your room.....you have tipped a total of $15! Again....OUT OF CONTROL. I have heard the majority of the MT's on this forum complain about the lack of income and most industry practices. I agree with the person that asked if you looked into all this prior to going to school to get licensed, etc. What ever happened to the love of your industry and feeling great about what you do and accomplish. I am not opposed to tipping at all and I do tip when I get a massage but it can get out of control. My "wow" is over some of the comments that I just won't extend great service to those who don't tip me what "I THINK I DESERVE." I worked as a heath care provider in the optical industry for many years which requires state licensing taking 2-3 to acquire and CE as well. The going rate is anywhere from $15 -$30 per hour depending on what state you live in (cost of living) and experience. Try this out for size: standing on your legs and walking for 8-10 hours a day, touching people behind their ears and hair all day (and many not smelling so great), children screaming yelling and at times even vomiting, people changing diapers in the office, cock roaches running out of their purses, etc. (yes - too true), changing out filthy lenses and nose pads filled with years of perspiration, patients complaining about poor vision (bad Rx from doctors most of the time), and some cursing at you. And you know what.......there was no tipping. Once should ask why someone would stay in an industry in which they had to put up with such things.....and answer would be because you love what you do. I agree with the person that said, then change your circumstances. If you don't like nasty bodily fluids - DON'T BE A NURSE......if you don't like working long hours behind a steam table or heat- DON'T BE A CHEF. Stand up to the hotel you work for or the salon and force them to make a change. Tipping is not an absolute and should be offered if and when the patron wants to show appreciation for services rendered. |
Anonymous
| Here's what I would like to say to folks who work in this industry since the thread is pretty much derailed, you have to keep records people. Don't rely on the clinic or spa to do it for you when they present your 1099 or W2 at the end of the year. Plug in your numbers daily, get your weekly, monthly and yearly averages so you know what you're making an hour and how many hours you're working on average, when your busiest and slowest times are, etc. It's very helpful, it takes less than 5 minutes, and there is likely an app for it. Since everything balances out to an average and once you know those numbers you can budget so deviations aren't any more stressful than relying on overtime availability in an hourly job, or trying to predict your year end bonus at a salaried job. Also, while gratuity is a big chunk of our income, you don't make your money off of gratuity, you make your money off of staying consistently busy. Even in a private practice where the therapist charges $100/hr. It's only worth $100 if they have someone willing to take it. |
Anonymous
So you're paying 180 to 240 for a 60min massage? Sorry, but I doubt that. They usually get about 50% of the price you pay, so if it's a 60min massage for $60 then they made about $30 for that hour. Also since they usually don't get any hourly wage, if it's a slow week, they may only make a hundred or so w/o tips. |
Anonymous
| I never tip less than $20.....people are so cheap its disgusting. Get to g a massage is like getting your hair cut or a manicure. What do you not tip them either? Smh |
Anonymous
[quote=Anonymous]I guess it depends if ya get a blow job at the end!  [/quote]
Yep, that would definitely warrant a tip ....... otherwise they are merely doing what you are paying them to do. |
Anonymous
| People in America are tip crazy. You should only tip those who work for tips. Everything else is work like the rest of us are doing. I don't get tipped to schedule freight for delivery. Why should I tip someone that is already making a higher hourly rate than I make? |
Anonymous
| I am a highly educated teacher. I make a little over $120 a day for 8 hours of work. Think that maybe I should do massage instead! |
Anonymous
| I had been going to the same small Oriental massage place in a mall for a couple of years, every week or two, for a half hour seated massage. During that time, no one had said anything to me about tipping, so I never tipped, not knowing it was expected of me. Then, one time, a massage therapist, who I had not had before, looked down at the money I handed her, and rudely said "What!!!?? No tip??!!". Needless to say, I did not tip that day, and have not returned. Part of giving a service is making a customer feel valued, and constantly nagging and pestering a client for tips will drive them away in droves. |
Anonymous
| Some malls have armchairs that give massages. You just put the appropriate amount of money in, sit down, and enjoy the massage, no being nagged about tipping. Also, it is inexpensive..3 minutes for a dollar, so a half hour back massage is a third or even less of the cost of a massage therapist, even before a tip is factored in. The bottom line of my two posts is that a massage is supposed to be a relaxing experience, and being nagged about tipping, or being made to feel like dirt for not tipping, or not tipping enough, takes away from what should be a beautiful experience. Just m two cents...take it or leave it. |
Anonymous
I have been going to the same masseuse for years - about once a month. I never tip and the day I feel the service has deteriorated in any way - whether tip related or otherwise - I will go elsewhere. The incentive to provide good service is not a tip but my continued business. |
Anonymous
| Also, at the mall massage place, one of the employees said that they receive half the cost of each massage they give as pay. 50%. |
Anonymous
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I had a hallmate in the dorm in college who never tipped on her food deliveries. Her excuse was, "I am a poor college student". I explained to her that the delivery person was also a poor college student which is why they took a job as a delivery person.
Tipping is a social norm. So if you can't afford the tip then I would have to think that the service is also a stretch for you and perhaps there are better ways to spend your earnings. I work in a office therefore I of course do not get tipped. But I am not a child therefore I would never not tip someone else simply b/c I don't get tipped at my job. And is has nothing to do with how much money I now make. When I worked summers at Gap and Gap kids as a teenager I also didn't get tipped but I tipped service people. I agree with a PP who mentioned it is mind boggling how cheap folks are. The last time I moved, I tipped the movers, the furniture delivery guys (I purchased some new things for a couple of stores) and the cable installer. Moving is expensive but that is no reason not to tip folks for good service. |
Anonymous
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Im a massage therapist at a big company. the place i work pays 18 for each 1 hour plus tips and Most places don't pay the therapist much and tipping is generally half the pay for 1 hr massage. If you want to save some tipping ask your therapist to be a private client. If you were rating your massage as A+ is 25 A=20 B=15 C=10 D=5
I so id say try to stay 15-20 as not be insulting. |