To tip, or not to tip - Aquarium Advice

Meredith · 02-11-2006, 12:44 AM

I am going in for a back and neck massage tomorrow and I don't know if I should tip. Is it more like a salon thing where a tip is expected, or is it more like a doctor/chiropractic thing? The office had a clinical feel, but also an earthy/new-agey feel too.
And if tip is expected, how much is the usual amount. I don't want to leave the girl 3 bucks and have her be offended.

TCTFish · 02-11-2006, 06:23 AM

The typical tip use to be about 10% of the cost (at least to a waiter or waitress at a resturant), but have no idea what it is now. Could be doubled, but to me...you tip what you can afford up to that amount. If someone got offended with a $3 tip, they'd be lucky to get another from me. They should appreciate just having you as a customer. If for whatever reason you cannot afford to tip, this should never come between their business with their customers. It'd be poor customer service to get offended by any tip....unless it's obviously a sign of dissatisfaction (like the penny deal in an upside down glass of water...LOL).

Enjoy the massage and tip what you feel is right.

**lando** · 02-11-2006, 10:31 AM

Here is the general rule for massages/salons...
If the person performing the service is the owner of the business then there is not need to tip. If they are an employee then a tipis appropriate. I tip $10 on a $60 hour long full-body when I go.

**Zagz** · 02-11-2006, 10:55 AM

That is interesting, here almost all of the massage studios with the exception of the ones in a spa are like medical clinics and tipping is actually refused! They are covered by health insurance companies and want to be treated as medical professionals. They all display their degrees on the wall. The ones that are in the spas are the only ones you can tip at, but they generally aren't covered by any health insurances either.

Meredith · 02-11-2006, 01:31 PM

I guess I can just ask them. I always feel weird about that though.
I am SO excited! This is my first massage by a professional.
Hooray!

Rondory · 02-11-2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zagz

That is interesting, here almost all of the massage studios with the exception of the ones in a spa are like medical clinics and tipping is actually refused! They are covered by health insurance companies and want to be treated as medical professionals. They all display their degrees on the wall. The ones that are in the spas are the only ones you can tip at, but they generally aren't covered by any health insurances either.

I work at a hospital that also offers massage therapy.

It is actually against hospital/clinic policy to accept any type of gift or it is atleast at our hospital. If you are caught accepting something from a client/patient then you could potentially lose your job.

They might have this policy at this medical clinic as well.

Rondory · 02-11-2006, 07:11 PM

BTW....Enjoy your massage!

The last one I had was from this hunk of a man and I couldn't relax. (yes, I'm a girl)

talloulou · 02-11-2006, 07:55 PM

Call and ask the receptionist what the "norm" is.

rubysoho · 02-11-2006, 08:10 PM

yeh, if you call, they will never know who it was so you don't need to be embarassed or nervous

Meredith · 02-12-2006, 01:36 AM

Well, it was GREAT! The lady I saw was very nice and the massage was very relaxing. I asked my mom, who also had a massage there, if she tipped and she said she did. So I gave the girl 5 dollars and she was very appreciative.
I made another appointment for next week

02-11-2006, 12:44 AM	#1
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	To tip, or not to tip I am going in for a back and neck massage tomorrow and I don't know if I should tip. Is it more like a salon thing where a tip is expected, or is it more like a doctor/chiropractic thing? The office had a clinical feel, but also an earthy/new-agey feel too. And if tip is expected, how much is the usual amount. I don't want to leave the girl 3 bucks and have her be offended.

02-11-2006, 06:23 AM	#2
TCTFish Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 1,470 Images: 20	The typical tip use to be about 10% of the cost (at least to a waiter or waitress at a resturant), but have no idea what it is now. Could be doubled, but to me...you tip what you can afford up to that amount. If someone got offended with a $3 tip, they'd be lucky to get another from me. They should appreciate just having you as a customer. If for whatever reason you cannot afford to tip, this should never come between their business with their customers. It'd be poor customer service to get offended by any tip....unless it's obviously a sign of dissatisfaction (like the penny deal in an upside down glass of water...LOL). Enjoy the massage and tip what you feel is right. __________________ http://www.tricitytropicals.com ------------------------------------ We, as a people, know so much more about outer space than we do about our own oceans. This lack of knowledge can very well spell the dangers that lay in wait for us. The oceans surely would swallow us before a rock comes down to smite the planet of it's life. Nov/2004

02-11-2006, 10:31 AM	#3
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,669 Images: 46	Here is the general rule for massages/salons... If the person performing the service is the owner of the business then there is not need to tip. If they are an employee then a tipis appropriate. I tip $10 on a $60 hour long full-body when I go. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

02-11-2006, 07:55 PM	#8
talloulou Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 2,092 Images: 17	Call and ask the receptionist what the "norm" is. __________________ http://talloulou.smugmug.com/

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02-11-2006, 01:31 PM	#5
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	I guess I can just ask them. I always feel weird about that though. I am SO excited! This is my first massage by a professional. Hooray!

02-11-2006, 07:11 PM	#7
Rondory Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 250 Images: 3	BTW....Enjoy your massage! The last one I had was from this hunk of a man and I couldn't relax. (yes, I'm a girl)

02-11-2006, 08:10 PM	#9
rubysoho Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,539 Images: 3	yeh, if you call, they will never know who it was so you don't need to be embarassed or nervous

02-12-2006, 01:36 AM	#10
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	Well, it was GREAT! The lady I saw was very nice and the massage was very relaxing. I asked my mom, who also had a massage there, if she tipped and she said she did. So I gave the girl 5 dollars and she was very appreciative. I made another appointment for next week

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