Jump to content

CuriousByNature

Members
  • Posts

    3,320
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by CuriousByNature

  1. Well @pubic_assistance, with all due respect, if your re-read the OP's post, he does not mention anywhere that the massage service is either exceptional or basic. He says that this is a masseur he sees regularly. And that he wonders if the masseur may not be as easy to schedule now due to annoyance over the lack of tips. He asked the forum for opinions and I simply gave mine, and subsequently noted in reply to your reply that my restaurant analogy was not perfect. It seems I might have inadvertently hit a nerve, which was not my intention. I'm happy for you that you are able to dine at 5-star restaurants where the bill exceeds the weekly pay of a minimum-wage worker. But thinking a masseur that has done a good job (which I assume is the case since he's a regular) should not receive some sort of tip because they keep 100% of their fee may be be short-sighted and based upon the assumption that masseurs make considerably more money when all is said and done. It's a physically demanding job which many clients may not appreciate. A masseur has additional supply and equipment costs, and possibly overhead, that a waiter would not have. There is the cost of advertising, and most masseurs probably have fluctuating incomes from week to week. There may not be any clients for days, especially in the beginning. If a diner cancels his reservation there are usually other diners already there to take the spot. Even if the table is empty the waiter still gets paid, but absent the tip. If a client cancels a massage, there goes the entire fee. And possibly the entire day's income depending on how busy the masseur is. Also, a waiter does not need to be alone with a stranger in a potentially intimate setting. Consequently, masseurs may have to put themselves in uncomfortable and possibly threatening situations, depending on who is on their table. This is not normally an issue for waiters. I expect all of these considerations, and others I am ignorant of, come into play regarding massage fees. That said, I see a tip as an appreciation of good service, or a way to help someone out without them feeling awkward. It would not be something that should be expected, nor should it be given for sub-par service unless exceptional circumstances warrant it. And in reply to @aiseeya, I do not tip my lawyer because it's a different sort of service that is provided and tipping a lawyer is neither common nor encouraged, but I do send her flowers periodically to express my appreciation for her work, and for sometimes not billing me for a quick call or email. I do the same for my doctor, but with the currency of chocolate or gin. I don't have a pet, so no tips for a vet. And while I have been told MANY times to see a therapist, I have not yet done so!
  2. I agree from that perspective, and I know it isn't a perfect analogy by any stretch (pun intended). But my comment was meant to highlight a customer or client's attitude, not the effect tipping or not tipping has on the employee or masseur. The idea that because the product is already pricey, there is no need to give an extra tip for good services. This sort of attitude does not make much sense to me, but maybe that's just me.
  3. It's too bad he doesn't have any face pictures on his profile - it can be hard to visualize the whole person otherwise, but I respect his discretion.
  4. It's a subject that many may not want to think about, but it's a good thread! Your contributions are appreciated
  5. I think it's a Monarch butterfly. Charles is a monarch too. And I think he also used to be a caterpillar.
  6. I was very tempted to attend this year, but then our dollar began crashing. It's becoming prohibitively expensive to vacation in the US for a lot of us Canadians. I ended up arranging a quick 7-day trip to Europe in May for significantly less than the four days in PS would have cost. Even though the Euro exchange is not good either, the exchange has remained pretty stable and the hotel and food prices are considerably lower than in the US. I'm using air miles for the flights, so that was not a factor in either case. Hope to get to the desert again one of these days - it's a beautiful part of the country! Enjoy your time together!
  7. I'm not a provider, but maybe it depends on whether or not you are able to afford a tip. If you can afford to give a tip but are not doing so because you think he's getting enough at his regular rate already, to me, that is like going to a fancy restaurant and not tipping because the dishes are already expensive. In that case perhaps it is bad form. But if his normal rate is at a level that makes tipping a financial burden, that is a different story. You could let him know that you feel bad that you cannot afford to tip because it's too difficult financially for you. And that not being able to provide a tip is no reflection on the quality of his massages or the time you get to spend together. Maybe bring something along for him that you have made yourself, like something you cooked or baked just for him, and tell him that while you are unable to tip him financially at this time, you really want to express how much you appreciate him and his services. His response to that will tell you a lot. Just make sure you don't give him anything he is allergic to, so that you don't inadvertently kill him 🤣 That wouldn't be much of a tip....
  8. Phew. I thought you meant he comes over wearing one of these...
  9. Is that what people are calling it these days?
  10. Poor circulation to the lower extremities?
  11. That's exactly the thing - attractiveness is almost 100% subjective - so no one should be personally offended or defensive if others don't agree with one's preferences. To be clear, this is not meant as a criticism of you
  12. It's true, there is a lid for every pot. But some us pots can't seem to get out of our own cupboard! LOL I appreciate the supportive words - I've gotten to the point of acceptance, which is why I can share what I do with anonymous people on a message board - hahaha. I don't want my comments earlier to shift the focus from the topic of the thread, though But I really appreciate your kindness!
  13. Could be - lol. I've heard that some schools even offer classes about Taylor Swift... 🤷‍♂️
  14. My only thought is that if he comes up to Canada for a visit, he'll need to change his name to Kilometres. And he might appear about 40% shorter than he is in the States.
  15. I mean this respectfully, but it seems like every post you have made (unless I have missed some) appears to relate a very negative experience. And in at least one instance you ended up deleting some of the comments and retracting what you said, stating that it was incorrect. Credibility can be easily challenged in these circumstances, so I'm just wondering if everything is okay?
  16. I completely agree. I am one of the few adults who has never seen another's genitalia in real life, except when I was in primary swimming lessons and the others in my class changed in front of everyone. At that age everyone is pretty small. So my only context has been what you see online, which is not healthy from a self-confidence perspective. If I need to use a public restroom I will always choose a cubicle over the urinal, unless the restroom is empty and there is no expectation that anyone else will come in. While this might make it seem like I'm a prude, I'm only a prude with myself - and only because I have this deep held belief that I would never 'measure up' compared to others. Insecurity, especially insecurity rooted in ignorance, is a real bitch.
  17. That's horrible. Hopefully he's just spewing nonsense due to the drugs or a personality disorder, but these days you cannot be too careful. Trying to reason with someone who is mentally unwell usually won't bring the desired results. I agree with @Pensant - speak to a lawyer and get proper advice. And take good care of yourself!
  18. At least you won't need to pay the airline for any checked bags.
×
×
  • Create New...