KeepItReal

A Monopoly Game with a “ get out of jail free” card.

For years, the agreements between merchants and the card associations, Amex, and Discover did not allow merchants to charge a fee for card use. That's not to say merchants didn't do it, but if they were reported they would get penalized. If a merchant repeatedly violated their agreement, they would be prohibited from accepting cards. 
I believe a recent court ruling found that card issuers could not prohibit merchants from charging extra for card use. Of course, that ruling will be appealed. It will be a strange mix of card issuers and consumer groups working together on that issue.
Several states allow a cash discount, which does not violate the merchant agreement.
 

Okay. Stop. Now you are just confusing everybody with jibber jabber. In the USA we use Consumer Price Index (primary) and Personal Consumption Expenditure (secondary) to measure inflation. We do NOT use core price indexing to measure inflation...at all. 

Would be my assumption that most of us would like this standard gratuity fee to be disclosed ahead of time. I usually tip so the amount of the fee included wouldn't be a big deal for me. Haven't run across this yet, but no doubt I will eventually. My bigger concern is whether the "gratuity" is now reaching the staff or if it is being shared with the business/owners/managers.

I agree. @jmichaeliii Take him by his word. He knows you are aware of boundaries since you asked the question. He will tell you to stop if he is uncomfortable. That is my take. 

I agree. @jmichaeliii Take him by his word. He knows you are aware of boundaries since you asked the question. He will tell you to stop if he is uncomfortable. That is my take. 

I’ve mentioned before I consult and work in the F&B industry. It’s tough right now, and really tough in California with a new minimum wage JUST for fast food workers.
That said, I deplore the idea of the tip added in like that. California is also working on legislation that would prohibit “service fees” which are becoming popular in many restaurants. Watch your dining check!

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

It is uncommon for a masseur to ask for a picture. That is the kind of thing you can expect on Grindr. And it is a warning sign in my book - I am happy to provide stats but pics...and how does a pic provide protection? Is he going to send it to his mother with a note "if you don't hear from me, this is the dude who abducted me"?   
Don't take it as an insult - move on, find someone else. It is supposed to be a relaxing experience - if it stresses you out, it isn't worth it. 

Oh no! This topic again…pick a side 🙂.
All I will say is that some of my clients tip generously, most don’t. I have no expectations of being tipped but it’s nice when it happens. For those clients who I know tip generously I’m more inclined to say yes to their requested day / time even if it’s not convenient for me. If he’s a generous tipper I’m much more inclined to put myself out to meet him. 

Providers charge what the market in their area will bear. A terrible:mediocre therapist is going to charge the same as the guy giving an amazing experience. I tip the amazing experience bc I want to reward that person for the extra effort and I want him to be able to make a living and keep providing me great service. It’s that simple. 

I  am in NYC,  Here is how I compensate my regulars:
Masseur 1 -  charges 180 for an incall massage,  Athletic, mediterranean look,  Hands down the best massages I have gotten so far.  The guy has superior technique.  He loves eating my ass which he excels at,  He either fucks me or fingers my hole.  I would see him more often than I do but he has a 9-5 job and travels a lot.  I give him 300 f for the hour and sometimes a small gift, like a bottle of scotch.
Masseur 2 - charges 180 for an incall massage.  He does have an ad on rentmen as well,  Muscular boy next door type,  I book him for 45 minutes massage and 45 minutes playtime.  His massage is very good and he lets me do whatever I want in bed.  He is not a clock watcher and never says time is up.  I usually  end up spending 2 hours with him, ending our fuck session naked in bed or on his couch with a drink.  He is a sweetheart kind of guy who likes keeping in touch via text to talk about work and life in general in between our sessions. I give him 400 which he seems very happy with,
Masseur 3 - charges 180 for incall massage.  He is not really my type but I find him cute  - sorta..  He spends 15 minutes grooming my pubic area, followed by 45 minutes therapeutic massage which is very thorough.  Although therapeutic, he is naked during the session and says often that 'more' is available.  I give him 240.
Masseur 4 - charges 160 for incall massage.  Cute white guy who conveniently lives in my area.  I have been seeing him for a very long time.  His massage skills are not the greatest, but he is sensual and has a great attitude.  He is always available to me and his just my convenient option  when I need a quickie,  We have never fucked, but he is good at hand jobs.  I give him 200-220.
There are others, but those are my main providers at the moment.  I feel fortunate working with these guys, all depending on my mood and time availability.  They seem happy with the compensation  and I have no problem scheduling repeat appointments.

Dentists, Lawyers and Contractors are generally viewed as well-paid professionals. So correct, no one thinks of tipping them for service.
Masseurs aren't typically viewed as being in this category. You may find their fee to be high for the hour but many people forget that this isn't the kind of job where you're seeing clients all day/ every day
So that $ 250 for the hour may be the only hour he/she is paid for that day.
So tipping for this type of provider is ( in the United States ) fairly common.  Although as I stated previously, if the provider is taking the whole fee, you aren't technically obligated to tip for ordinary service.

Easy - I do it every day. Frankly, the idea of polluting the aroma of freshly made coffee with the smell of cigarette smoke appeals to me about as much as a visit to the DMV. 

Whatever the Sears & Kmart do you mean?

Take a look here for context:
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-05-21/column-it-wasnt-just-the-endless-shrimp-red-lobsters-corporate-owners-drove-it-into-bankruptcy

Take a look here for context:
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-05-21/column-it-wasnt-just-the-endless-shrimp-red-lobsters-corporate-owners-drove-it-into-bankruptcy

Take a look here for context:
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-05-21/column-it-wasnt-just-the-endless-shrimp-red-lobsters-corporate-owners-drove-it-into-bankruptcy