Tipping the Masseur

[wbtravis]

Curious about your views on tipping protocols on independent Masseurs. What are their expectations?

[+ Just Sayin]

I think you always want to be perceived as a generous client in these transactions; I believe it is a good investment!

[wooly]

I think you always want to be perceived as a generous client in these transactions; I believe it is a good investment!

Oh, it is important to cow-toe to those guys who are just plain ole prostitutes. Thoughts like this are what got us paying $300 and more. I completely disagree.

[bnm73]

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.

[+ bashful]

I think you always want to be perceived as a generous client in these transactions; I believe it is a good investment!

 

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.

[wbtravis]

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 he postponed our appointment because the 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.

 

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

[Guest]

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.

 

A good point. But, if that person is good, their book will grow and there will come a point where their time/access needs to be rationed. I’d want to already be in a position of “priority response” to them when they need to choose between client a and client b. Of course, if they’re not good, it won’t matter...I’d not be calling them.

 

I think many folks say “I’m worth x/hr” but that’s moot if they’re not getting bookings. To build their following, they may need to start “cheap” and then raise their prices when their hourly schedule starts to max out.

 

Oh, it is important to cow-toe to those guys who are just plain ole prostitutes. Thoughts like this are what got us paying $300 and more. I completely disagree.

 

If you’re good, the world will build a path to your door. When that happens, your price will go up or you will wear yourself out to grow your income. The best should expect to be rewarded...in anything and everything...so, using your logic, there are a lot of professions where the participants are just “plain ole prostitutes”....mine included...for which I will not apologize.

[+ FrankR]

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!!

Edited August 21, 2018 by FrankR

[wbtravis]

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!!

 

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??

[Kenny]

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

[+ FrankR]

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??

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.

[MiamiLooker]

Oh, it is important to cow-toe to those guys who are just plain ole prostitutes. Thoughts like this are what got us paying $300 and more. I completely disagree.

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

[bnm73]

One guy (Mikey Chen) even left the session three times to “pee”. Three times??

 

That guy might need a prostate exam!

[+ Nakedchi]

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

[bnm73]

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

"In demand?"

[JamesMorris]

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

[wbtravis]

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

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

[JamesMorris]

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

Only once

[ScottLMT]

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.

[+ EVdude]

Curious thread... as pretty much a bottom price feeder when it comes to choosing a masseur, I typically tip non-spa guys 20% if they are under $130. Above that, I don’t typically tip, or just round up to the nearest 20 unless it’s really amazing and beyond what was advertised.

[+ E.T.Bass]

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.

[Jasonmathison]

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.

[EastbayMike]

 

I think I will pay attention to how many times they check their phone, and adjust downward accordingly.

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.

[Terpmaniac]

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

[Jeff1970]

I think you always want to be perceived as a generous client in these transactions; I believe it is a good investment!

Wrong. You only need to tip lower wage earnings and/or those that pay a significant chunk to someone else to work. You don’t have to tip masseurs.

 

Massuers, especially gay borderline escorts, are getting paid a lot and don’t have to pay someone else. They are business owners. They make per hour akin to that of lawyers and doctors. It doesn’t matter that they aren’t giving 40 massages a week because that’s not the point of tipping. You never need to tip someone who is self-employed.