Reply to How much do you tip a massage therapist for a 60 minute massage?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]i am both an employed massage therapist at a five star spa in a five star hotel - and - i also have my own massage practice.  i have been practicing for 11 years - and i have a bit to say about all of this : 
whereas - as a whole - massage therapy is very rewarding career - here are a few facts : 
--the average yearly salary for a massage therapist is just over $35,000.  seeing hundreds of clients throughout the year - people skimping $5 or $10 on their tip adds up over time - and can equal a mother or father's ability to pay for a child's schooling, or a well-deserved vacation.  
-- the average career span for a massage therapist is 5 - 7 years.  the burnout rate is high.  repetitive motion takes its toll.

at the hotel - i receive roughly 30% of what the hotel is charging (minus taxes, etc - b/c i am also considered an "employee" - for their own tax purposes)
(we used to be "contractors" - but they decided to switch us to employees - and we now receive about 15% less per paycheck - a huge savings for the hotel - not so great for the massage therapists)
i now get about $30 / hour massage.  as a result - i often LIVE off of my tips.  as do most massage therapists.  if a client tips $20 - i am still only receiving $50 / massage.
for those who think that making $50 / hour is a lot - see average massage income (above)

in my own personal business - i charge less than the going local rate (average is roughly $75 - $90 /hr - i charge $65) and i don't even think twice about a tip.  
given that my clients know that the hotel charges TWICE as much as my personal massages - they tend to tip.  but i do not expect it  
i do expect it at the hotel.  and it boggles my mind when people do not - as a rule - tip at least 15 - 20%.  especially when they receive a massage that is above average.  
if i'm at a restaurant - and the service is above average - i will drop 30% - no problem.

summary - if you are going to a local business to get a massage - the massage therapists are generally NOT getting paid nearly as much as they would be if they were working for themselves.  
tip them WELL - they work really hard.  if you can tell they're not working hard - tip them 15%.  if they're knocking it out of the park - drop 30%.  [/quote]

You say...  "if you can tell they're not working hard - tip them 15%"

So you are saying... if I get someone who is obviously NOT giving me anywhere near their best... they should still get 15%???

That is INSANE!  They do NOT deserve a Reward for sub par service!!!  In many other jobs you get fired for that!

You say...  "tip 30%"

You have lost touch with reality for 95% of your customers!!![/quote]

This is the problem with the tipping culture. It reaches a point where some tip is given irrespective of whether there is good service. So PP recommends a 15% tip for sub-par service because some sort of tip is expected.

One sees this even in restaurants where some advocate a tip even if the service was deficient.

Ridiculous!![/quote]

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