BaronArtz Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 17 minutes ago, DunwoodyGuy said: In matter such as these, I ALWAYS ask myself, "What would BaronArtz do?" LOL You can't possibly be serious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwine56 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 6 hours ago, Hyattsville said: I believe that if you want continued great service (or increasingly better) service, tipping is a wise choice. I was chatting about tips with a local masseur who was honest that while everyone gets a great base massage, those who tip regularly get better service with scheduling preference and "extras" on the table. Just keep that in mind. Also with masseurs who work for themselves, know that they are probably paying at least 5% if you us a credit card or other electronic payments. I would think that it is important to tip when you are late, early, shower at their place, rescheduled your appointment or have any special requests like "keep the room hot" or "wear x clothing" or "I need to remain anonymous" or "no oils or scents" or music requests etc. I remember reading a bad review years ago from a client who apparently showed up 30 mins late (due to traffic and parking) showered at the masseur's home before the massage and was offended that he only got 75 mins on the table instead of 90 mins (even though he had now taken up two hours of the masseur's time). All I could think when I read that was it was the masseur who should be writing the bad review about the client and you know the guy would not have tipped either. We know that shit happens but that type of behavior is very inconsiderate of the masseur's time schedule. Did that client think that only his fee would pay the masseur's rent? I've been to doctors & dentist offices where they will refuse to see a patient if they blew past their scheduled appointment. Tactile Daddy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typical Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 5 hours ago, newdad said: I think this goes back to the comment above by @OZP on whether the masseur and business owner are the same person. Traditionally in the USA, tips go to the waiters as their wages (sadly) and the business owners get the payment for food. Similarly for local masseurs who don't own their businesses, they get tips while their employers the the full payment for the massage. Now for those Masseurs on RentMasseurs or RentMen, that would be different because they're both the business owner and masseur. And if they're trying to provide bad service because you didn't tip them last time despite them getting the full advertised payment, I'd be happy to switch masseurs. Right. The comparison to restaurant servers to justify tipping private masseurs is wrong. Waiters often get paid minimum wage by their employers because tipping is expected in the business model. And waiters aren’t getting a cut of the restaurant revenue. And waiters don’t set their own schedules. And waiters aren’t generally being paid $150-$200 an hour. It’s not a legitimate comparison. If you “tip” because you get additional services or hope to get additional services in the future, that is a different matter. That’s less of a tip and more of a payment for the additional service! Anyway, people should do with their money as they wish. It’s no one else’s business, but I believe most clients don’t tip private masseurs for the advertised service at the advertised price. Redwine56 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyattsville Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 So earlier today I asked my favorite self employed masseur the percentage of people who tip him. He claims 98% (and yes, he told me he keeps track of each client and how much they tip or don't). He also sent me a link to a blog for helpful information. No idea how old this is, but it was definitely interesting... ADVICE FOR A GOOD EXPERIENCE BEFOREYOUCOME.BLOGSPOT.COM Tactile Daddy and Saabster 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bokomaru Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 @MmM and others who tip at a spa but not for a private masseur… serious question, not trying to attack you or be a hater. I agree each person can do what works for them. My question: Does this mean you would never tip a provider for escort services when it’s an in call? After all, they are self employed as well. In my mind a tip means “thanks, that was good,” full stop. I don’t really understand the rationale of not tipping based on where the service happens. Not that your approach is wrong of course, since tipping is optional anyway. A masseur who has a private business out of their place has gone to more trouble than a spa employee: setting up a website or online booking service, dedicating a space in their home to the activity, having a table, having to deal with the dirty towels, etc. Sure, they don’t have to give a cut to the house but that’s because they went to some extra effort. Don’t they deserve a tip if the experience itself was good, just like a spa employee? Tactile Daddy, Hyattsville and GHart 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmM Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 12 minutes ago, Bokomaru said: @MmM and others who tip at a spa but not for a private masseur… serious question, not trying to attack you or be a hater. I agree each person can do what works for them. My question: Does this mean you would never tip a provider for escort services when it’s an in call? After all, they are self employed as well. In my mind a tip means “thanks, that was good,” full stop. I don’t really understand the rationale of not tipping based on where the service happens. Not that your approach is wrong of course, since tipping is optional anyway. A masseur who has a private business out of their place has gone to more trouble than a spa employee: setting up a website or online booking service, dedicating a space in their home to the activity, having a table, having to deal with the dirty towels, etc. Sure, they don’t have to give a cut to the house but that’s because they went to some extra effort. Don’t they deserve a tip if the experience itself was good, just like a spa employee? It's because the workers at a spa get 1/3 of what you pay. They deserve at least the going rate for providing a good massage. If more is provided , then I tip accordingly. In the end I pay close to what I would pay a private masseur for a service well executed. It's not my concern what their business model is; my concern is whether I'm paying equitably for the service I get. Some private masseurs charge 300 for their masseur service; would that still demand a tip? The market rate for a good massage is 120-150 for 60 min. For me, anything else above that would be a 'tip' based on what else transpires. A 200 fee for a massage is a $150 rate and a built in $50 tip because of the expectations beyond the massage (including eye candy). Again, my 2 cents. Take it or leave it. Bokomaru, Typical, pubic_assistance and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saabster Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, Hyattsville said: So earlier today I asked my favorite self employed masseur the percentage of people who tip him. He claims 98% (and yes, he told me he keeps track of each client and how much they tip or don't). He also sent me a link to a blog for helpful information. No idea how old this is, but it was definitely interesting... ADVICE FOR A GOOD EXPERIENCE BEFOREYOUCOME.BLOGSPOT.COM This blog is great. Thank you for posting it. It should be required reading by all clients. Tactile Daddy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bokomaru Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 2 minutes ago, MmM said: It's because the workers at a spa get 1/3 of what you pay. Only one third? I’m genuinely surprised. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmM Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Also, a lot of these "masseurs" aren't even real masseurs. They are escorts in the guise of a masseur, so what am I tipping for? Their escorting capacity? newdad, EastbayMike and pubic_assistance 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newdad Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 5 hours ago, Zimby said: A tip is "to insure proper service." I guess, there are different philosophies to go by, and each person/client has to operate on what they're comfortable with. I totally understand clients who would want to ensure proper service, so they tip the masseur. On the other hand, I can also understand that there are clients who expect a good massage irrespective of the tip as long as the asked rate was met. And should the masseur provide a mediocre massage due to lack of tips, these clients will be happy to take their business elsewhere. There's no right or wrong along as everything is done respectfully. They're just different philosophies. MmM, Redwine56 and Typical 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmM Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, Hyattsville said: So earlier today I asked my favorite self employed masseur the percentage of people who tip him. He claims 98% (and yes, he told me he keeps track of each client and how much they tip or don't). He also sent me a link to a blog for helpful information. No idea how old this is, but it was definitely interesting... ADVICE FOR A GOOD EXPERIENCE BEFOREYOUCOME.BLOGSPOT.COM This is clearly a lopsided blog. newdad, BaronArtz and Typical 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmM Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 (edited) 18 minutes ago, newdad said: I guess, there are different philosophies to go by, and each person/client has to operate on what they're comfortable with. I totally understand clients who would want to ensure proper service, so they tip the masseur. On the other hand, I can also understand that there are clients who expect a good massage irrespective of the tip as long as the asked rate was met. And should the masseur provide a mediocre massage due to lack of tips, these clients will be happy to take their business elsewhere. There's no right or wrong along as everything is done respectfully. They're just different philosophies. Agree. Do what works for you. Edited February 20 by MmM newdad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typical Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 1 hour ago, MmM said: Agree. Do what works for you. And that should be the final word on the topic. It’s your money. Use it as you wish. Is it a tip? Is it payment for extra service? It’s what ever you want it to be! Enjoy. Redwine56 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeezifonly Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 My hires are always masseurs, some of which also offer escort. Love massage+ I’m a generous tipper, in general. For a massage, the tip reflects accurate advertising, skill and intuition, listening for needed adjustments to the process, hosting amenities and kindness. For the + the tip additionally reflects attractiveness and sense of humor. The actual percentage is all dependent upon whether their house is nicer than mine. Redwine56 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 I always try to tip at least 20%, sometimes more if the experience was really good and I want to round it up a bit. I think 20% is the standard for most things in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennisPro35 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Just my 2 cents. Or what I do now. I’ve read and contributed to various “tipping” threads here in the forums throughout the 2-3 years since I’ve joined. I usually tip earlier when this hobby was new to me, but lately, it’s just the advertised/quoted rate now. I’m located in Los Angeles, if that matters. The $120/60min has ballooned (I started late 2021) to $150 (2022/2023) and now $160/$180 and even $200 for your basic 60mins. At a spa… a masseur that does not advertise on RMasseur of Masseurfinder (or any other gay massage site) - I would tip them almost to the level of an independent. Since they get only a % of what I actually paid at the lobby. At a spa … but he advertises in M4M websites and all the independent sensual/erotic masseurs (real masseurs and the rub-and-tuggers) —- their published and quoted rates only. I have a good paying job but $180/$200 an hour … i am not a lawyer or a doctor or whatever job out there that pays this much per hour. Rent and supplies, yes it’s the masseur’s overhead but for me (for me, my opinion)… the high price now is maybe due to inflation and it might be because I have paid $180-$200 for their $150 price tag then, which makes them energized to now basically pricing themselves at $200 Since they already get it and most are paying. long post made short - I only pay the independents their advertised/quoted price. GeoMitch and Redwine56 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lohengrin1979 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 5 hours ago, Bokomaru said: @MmM and others who tip at a spa but not for a private masseur… serious question, not trying to attack you or be a hater. I agree each person can do what works for them. My question: Does this mean you would never tip a provider for escort services when it’s an in call? After all, they are self employed as well. In my mind a tip means “thanks, that was good,” full stop. I don’t really understand the rationale of not tipping based on where the service happens. Not that your approach is wrong of course, since tipping is optional anyway. A masseur who has a private business out of their place has gone to more trouble than a spa employee: setting up a website or online booking service, dedicating a space in their home to the activity, having a table, having to deal with the dirty towels, etc. Sure, they don’t have to give a cut to the house but that’s because they went to some extra effort. Don’t they deserve a tip if the experience itself was good, just like a spa employee? In response to your last paragraph, no, all of those work related expenses(overhead) should not warrant an automatic tip. As the sole proprietor of their enterprise, independent masseurs should be baking the cost of those expenses into their primary fee. Relying on tips to offset overhead is a recipe for disaster and not a client’s responsibility. We are paying for a product, not operations. I trust the masseurs I hire to charge a fee that allows them to operate their business and tip them if they’ve gone above and beyond the promised deliverable. As others have said though, to each their own. Marc in Calif, Saabster and TennisPro35 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoMitch Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Wouldn't it make sense for a massage therapist to just raise his fee and not accept tips? Typical 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennisPro35 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 (edited) 21 minutes ago, GeoMitch said: Wouldn't it make sense for a massage therapist to just raise his fee and not accept tips? And that is what I am seeing in the Los Angeles market (in general/not all) — fees are now astronomical (in my eyes). This is just from a Rentmasseur/masseurfinder POV. I do not know the escort/Rentmen side, i have not (yet?) partaken in that sub-branch. Edited February 21 by TennisPro35 Lohengrin1979 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lohengrin1979 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 3 minutes ago, TennisPro35 said: And that is what I am seeing in the Los Angeles market (in general/not all) — fees are now astronomical (in my eyes). This is just from a Rentmasseur/masseurfinder POV. I do not know the escort/Rentmen side, i have not (yet?) partaken in that sub-branch. This is true. I hadn’t hired in about four months and came back to some significant sticker shock. I am also in the LA market. Thankfully my regulars hadn’t deserted me nor raised their prices on me yet but I won’t be trying out new stock any time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typical Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 56 minutes ago, Lohengrin1979 said: In response to your last paragraph, no, all of those work related expenses(overhead) should not warrant an automatic tip. As the sole proprietor of their enterprise, independent masseurs should be baking the cost of those expenses into their primary fee. Relying on tips to offset overhead is a recipe for disaster and not a client’s responsibility. We are paying for a product, not operations. I trust the masseurs I hire to charge a fee that allows them to operate their business and tip them if they’ve gone above and beyond the promised deliverable. As others have said though, to each their own. Ha. Exactly. When I buy bread I don’t think, gee, I should pay more because they had to build an oven. That implicit in the price. My doctor must rent an office and pay a staff. Should I tip him? No: He charges for that in his fee. And so does your masseur. But, again, it’s your money. Give as much of it away as you like. starman05, TennisPro35, Hyattsville and 3 others 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typical Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 And one last thought: You big tippers produce price pressures that will eventually bring about hyperinflation and destroy world order. So stop it! Bokomaru, TennisPro35, Hyattsville and 1 other 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyattsville Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Out or curiosity, I looked up what Massage Therapists make in the DC area: Massage Therapist Salary in Washington Metro Area, DC – $31,500 | Mint MINT.INTUIT.COM The average total salary of Massage Therapists in Washington Metro Area, DC is $31,500/year based on 103 tax returns from TurboTax customers who reported their... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MmM Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 That's not the typical male spas. Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bokomaru Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 11 hours ago, Typical said: When I buy bread I don’t think, gee, I should pay more because they had to build an oven. That implicit in the price. The assumption is that the final price includes everything that went into creating the product. I’d argue that’s not so, in this case, because a self employed masseur has to compete with the spas. This can keep the price suppressed even though he has extra expenses like self employment tax (that’s 8% right off the top, assuming he claims the income). Sometimes prices are so high that everything does seem baked in though. I agree that it can make me feel reluctant to tip in that scenario. I hope we get to hear from OP on how he will proceed. No right or wrong here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now