wbtravis

I’m a big fan of these forums. It’s an awesome way for us to share helpful information and points of view with each other. I often find insight and sometimes humor in the posts. I’m grateful for that.
 
I don’t quite understand the hostility in this thread and I’m glad it’s uncommon.
 
I think this forum (and our country at large) would benefit from more kind, thoughtful and open opinion sharing.

Sometimes I hand my masseur the tip. Sometimes he just "takes" the "tip." Terp

In the Kaiser PrEP program, you don't have to see your doctor 4 times a year; it is handled by a nurse-practitioner who reviews your lab tests (which do have to be done 4 times a year), but that is done without your presence being required.
 
The copay for PrEP under Kaiser depends on which of the many flavors of contracts Kaiser offers. For me, it costs $25/month, *or* if I get a 3 month supply sent via US mail instead of picking it up in person, $50 for 3 months, and I don't pay anything for the lab tests.
 
An interesting moral dilemma is that Kaiser is billing medicare for $630 of the $1500 / month, and a fair fraction of the lab tests. While Kaiser has decided that it is going to save money (statistically) by putting as many people on PrEP as it can, I feel conflicted about having the taxpayers subsidize it.
 
(For the record, I have an undetectable HIV+ boyfriend who urged me to go on PrEP, even though we're both aware of the undetectable = un-transmisable research).

How can anyone (provider and clients) think this is acceptable behavior? Even checking once is to much! Don't put it on vibrate, don't put on silent- turn off your fucking phone for an hour. The world will not end if you miss a text message or a call.

Obviously if a masseur is working for a spa, a tip is totally expected and should be given (Unless the service was terrible) because the spa takes a large cut of the fee. But if the masseur is working out of their home, taking the full profit, which these days is way more than most people make an hour, usually cash, I don’t feel obligated to tip. It’s got to be completely mind blowing to give more than $160 for a massage in my opinion. If someone’s flat rate was around $100, then I’d likely throw in some extra.

I choose to tip. That's how I am. However, if the rate is already sky high and/or if the session did not go well. then just a small one or none in a few cases. But a guy has to make a living. That's my motto.

Well, not surprisingly, the answers varied. I am probably guilty of over-tipping, which seemed harmless... but I do think it becomes an expectation. Some of the guys may even over-estimate their value as a result.
 
I think I will pay attention to how many times they check their phone, and adjust downward accordingly. My favorite guys do not do this - but quite a few do. One guy (Mikey Chen) even left the session three times to “pee”. Three times??

As a therapist, I never expect a tip, so it's appreciated when I get one.
 
As a client, I usually tip even if the service wasn't great. I always feel like it's expected.

Wow. You have quite a system! Have you ever picked up the tip money on your way out because it did not work out?

I guess that was better than finding wet tissues, an empty box of wine, and a VHS of The Notebook tho?

Wow. You have quite a system! Have you ever picked up the tip money on your way out because it did not work out?

I always put the required pay 200 or 300 on a visible spot when he walks in the room, then in the corner of the same desk or dresser I place two 20 dollar bills that he will get if he goes beyond my expectations
They always get the idea and go the extra for the tip

"In demand?"

I really like Durex Real Feeling. They're more expensive and their use-by date is a lot shorter than other condoms but they feel really nice, both for the top and bottom. They feel softer and smoother and seem to have much less friction.

If they are "plain ole prostitutes" what does that make us?

That guy might need a prostate exam!

Based on many similar threads, one might think many clients have serious self-esteem issues.

Cow-toe? I’ve heard of camel-toe, but never cow-toe.

Phones during the session is a no-no. I may overlook it if it is a rare event (a family emergency). In general I consider it unprofessional. You wont find me on the phone during a session. Call of nature? No problem. But 3 times during a session???
 
If you tip more than 20% I would say you are probably taking the tipping thing too far.
 
On a different topic, if he upcharges, I may accept the upcharge (I am not a fan, but it does happen, usually when I travel and the guy is unknown), but I wont tip either way.

Well, not surprisingly, the answers varied. I am probably guilty of over-tipping, which seemed harmless... but I do think it becomes an expectation. Some of the guys may even over-estimate their value as a result.
 
I think I will pay attention to how many times they check their phone, and adjust downward accordingly. My favorite guys do not do this - but quite a few do. One guy (Mikey Chen) even left the session three times to “pee”. Three times??

I am sure most of them have an expectation to be tipped for good service - such is the culture. #chedda
Have not asked them about it.
 
I will gladly add a reasonable tip for good service. Has my regular guy come to expect a tip? Sure. Just like I have come to expect A+ service!!

I guess that was better than finding wet tissues, an empty box of wine, and a VHS of The Notebook tho?

I guess that was better than finding wet tissues, an empty box of wine, and a VHS of The Notebook tho?

Sometimes the investment has limited returns. Had many visits with a guy who did therapeutic. He had a very resonable rate, and after a couple of years, I got up to tipping $50 a visit. He would always make time for me, but the massage never progressed beyond therapeutic.
 
On one of my later visits, I was surprised when I used the bathroom after he postponed our appointment because the client prior to me was late, and there was a used condom in the bathroom trash can. Not long after, his life, and day job circumstances changed, and he stopped advertising. Hope he is doing well.

Was the service good? Consider a tip. Was it lousy? Pay your fee and look for someone else next time.
 
I will point out, though, that if you are an independent business person and relying on people to pay you more than your advertised prices....well, then it's possible that isn't always the best approach to take.