Tipping - if so, and how much?

[Bruciej]

Let me start off by saying I tend to tip pretty well for services such as my house cleaners, dog groomer, restaurant staff, etc..  But for some reason, tipping for escort or erotic massage services is something that I have trouble navigating. I guess I feel that if someone is getting paid $300-400 per hour, and most likely is not claiming this income on their taxes, that perhaps tipping isn’t necessary? But I have to say that I have always tipped for these services, and probably will continue to do so, but would like to hear everyone’s opinion. 

[Gilfson]

I never expect tips from my clients 300 for the hour is more than enough! I have some clients that will tip me like 50 bucks if we go over time

[Bruciej]

Thanks for the info. What percentage of your clients tip you?

[Gilfson]

1 minute ago, Bruciej said:

Thanks for the info. What percentage of your clients tip you?

Not many maybe like 10 percent. And tbh that’s typically cause we go over time. I’m not a clock watcher so it doesn’t bother me but they like to make it worth my while 

[Bruciej]

Wow, I’m surprised that only 10% tip you, I would have thought it was much more frequent than that. 

[Gilfson]

2 minutes ago, Bruciej said:

Wow, I’m surprised that only 10% tip you, I would have thought it was much more frequent than that. 

Like I said I don’t expect it we agree on a rate that’s what I value my time at. It’s always nice to receive but not necessary 

[Bruciej]

Appreciate you sharing your experience! 

[+ Jamie21]

Only about 10% of clients tip me but I’m in the UK and the tipping culture here isn’t like the US. 

This topic has been covered ad infinitum previously….it appears there’s no answer. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.

Also don’t assume that because someone charges say $300 for an hour that he’s making $2400 a day, $12k a week, $600k a year on an 8 hour a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year gig. All tax free. Some years I only make $500k…
 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

11 hours ago, Bruciej said:

but would like to hear everyone’s opinion. 

 

 

 

As the escorts have said: 

9 hours ago, Jamie21 said:

This topic has been covered ad infinitum previously….it appears there’s no answer. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.

 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

11 hours ago, Gilfson said:

Not many maybe like 10 percent. And tbh that’s typically cause we go over time. I’m not a clock watcher so it doesn’t bother me but they like to make it worth my while 

This 👆

We can read pages and pages of repeated comments by clients: Some always tip, most never tip, and their reasons for doing so.  But the response above is directly from an escort and is consistent with other responses provided by escorts.

[italianboyph]

I’ve stated before I’ve never expected tips, as a lot of times it never happens, so when clients do give me a tip I’m usually floored and grateful. I think it also varies too from massaging vs escorting.

Edited July 14, 2025 by italianboyph

[Bruciej]

Are you thinking it’s more appropriate to tip for a massage? I’m very intrigued by this tipping conversation, appreciate your insight!

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

34 minutes ago, Bruciej said:

Are you thinking it’s more appropriate to tip for a massage?

Many echo this sentiment: 

Quote

-- I never tip the owner of the business. Thus, escorts are tipped, if deserved, only when sent by an agency, which never happens anymore.

Edited May 7, 2021 by John

It is customary to tip at a massage parlor or brothel or strip club where you pay the house at the rate the house charges, but it is not customary to tip an independent masseur or escort who sets his own rates.  Offering extra to compensate when time goes over is polite, but also not expected.

 

 

Edited July 14, 2025 by Vegas_Millennial

[+ Jamie21]

My massage work sometimes merges into escort work (there’s hardly a definitive line between the two). I think it’s in those instances where clients are more inclined to tip me. 

[Walt]

With wait staff, cleaning people, hotel staff, barber, etc I generally tip 20%-30% -- but I tip providers the same amount I tip my lawyer, physician, medical specialists, architect, psychiatrist. business consultant, private coach, etc. Once you get an hourly rate in excess of $200 per hour, tipping is not necessary (unless you have money to burn). 

[realestateguy75]

On 7/13/2025 at 10:19 PM, Bruciej said:

Let me start off by saying I tend to tip pretty well for services such as my house cleaners, dog groomer, restaurant staff, etc..  But for some reason, tipping for escort or erotic massage services is something that I have trouble navigating. I guess I feel that if someone is getting paid $300-400 per hour, and most likely is not claiming this income on their taxes, that perhaps tipping isn’t necessary? But I have to say that I have always tipped for these services, and probably will continue to do so, but would like to hear everyone’s opinion. 

What someone claims or doesn't claim 9n their taxes is irrelevant. I think deciding to not tip because they may or may not claim it on their taxes is an excuse. If they did a good job, if you hired a quality provider, show them you appreciate them with at least $100 extra. The service fee is what they charge for you to see them. If they are extraordinary then show them with extra. That is my opinion. I could be wrong. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[Pepper Young]

This topic is evergreen, but my two cents. I don't tip. Escorts fall into the same category as other professionals: lawyers, doctors, accountants, etc. That is, well compensated professionals that are hired for a specific job and are well-paid for it. I mean, $300/hour? How many people at Walmart, or at a restaurant, would love to make that? Whether they claim it on their taxes is irrelevant and frankly, none of my business. 

[ReynST]

Situations for tipping: 

1. Your provider accommodates your irregular requests.

-  ...

2. You are high maintenance. 

- If you need to be strangled and spat on to cum, you should probably be tipping

3. You have a reason to apologize.

- If you've made same day cancellations, untimely reschedules or arrive late 

 

A good 2/3rds of my clients tip. Most 10-20 bucks.  I think it's because it's become national habit and because my rates are very reasonable.

An interesting amount pay the standard rate online and tip higher than the nude rate in person. I also get newer clients who tend to be wide-eyed after a session and like to empty their wallets ... 🤷🏾‍♂️ 

Under regular circumstances you should never feel obligated to provide a tip and you SHOULD NOT tip if it lowers the frequency for which you can get a massage.

Please read that again, because if you're calculating the tip to meet budget costs it's counterproductive. 

 

Tipping is also useful for making a lasting impression on your provider. But only outrageously high ones, so this should never be used as a tactic ... unless you're attempting to hire someone for a Diddy party in the future and want them open to it 

[Existinguser]

@ReynST I love the way you worded that. More than a decade in to hiring masseurs, I believe the tip is perhaps more for my sake than anything else in that I'm older, prefer evening massages in my home and I live in the suburbs. From the pool of 130 masseurs advertising on RM in my area, maybe 5 that I'm interested would be willing to accommodate that service, so I understand tipping well is important.

That said, I'm often the wide-eyes client after the first massage for I typically hire the same masseurs repeatedly and upon discovery of one that I really like, it's like damn, struck gold, pay the man and make it worth his while so he'll be agreeable to the next session. 

I've also read commits on threads regarding tipping masseurs in that they're comparable to other well-paid professionals as in doctors, lawyers and CPAs where tipping is not the norm. I would dispute in that every lawyer and CPA I've worked with has always padded their billable hours and my last two primary care physicians recently began charge concierge fees between $3-5k a year which isn't cover by insurance nor accessed to my annual out of pocket. Point being, gratuity has established itself in every service profession in this country but simply referred to in sectors by another name. 

[Veryshyone]

I have had a few sensual massages and tend to tip well. Last session was 90 minutes, he was really good! The cost was $280, I tipped $60. I'm very appreciative of a good massage with extras. I am an older guy, in good shape, and really like it when a masseur takes care of me!

[mrkileen]

On 7/13/2025 at 10:19 PM, Bruciej said:

Let me start off by saying I tend to tip pretty well for services such as my house cleaners, dog groomer, restaurant staff, etc..  But for some reason, tipping for escort or erotic massage services is something that I have trouble navigating. I guess I feel that if someone is getting paid $300-400 per hour, and most likely is not claiming this income on their taxes, that perhaps tipping isn’t necessary? But I have to say that I have always tipped for these services, and probably will continue to do so, but would like to hear everyone’s opinion. 

I dont understand how you would factor in what another individual may or may not pay in taxes. If you tip other service based providers it might be a good idea to tip these guys too. 

[Nightowl]

2 hours ago, Existinguser said:

More than a decade in to hiring masseurs, I believe the tip is perhaps more for my sake than anything else.

Yep.  I tip generously because I want to make sure the provider/masseur will see me again since I’m no longer the hot young hunk I once was (or thought I was).

[realestateguy75]

On 7/13/2025 at 10:20 PM, Gilfson said:

I never expect tips from my clients 300 for the hour is more than enough! I have some clients that will tip me like 50 bucks if we go over time

You are very good looking. You are young. You are blonde with blue eyes. Saying that 300 is more than enough is aiming pretty low. That is the standard fee and the fact that you are in So Cal. You should charge more. You are a rarity. Don't let guys tell you otherwise. You are a gem and should hold yourself much higher.