Do people not understand correct tipping etiquette?

Question

I work as a massage therapist and we do not make as much money as people think. Before tips, I make $15.00 an hour. Therapists are only able to work a maximum of 30 hours a week because the work is so physically demanding. Physically, I am only able to work 25 hours a week, which is a normal amount for the majority of therapists.

My question is, do people understand this? I seem to get several clients in that either do not tip at all or tip very poorly...like $2.00 for a one hour massage. We put a lot of physical and mental energy into our work and genuinely care about our client's problems. In turn, they should tip accordingly. Is this new information to most people? Do people just really not understand how to tip massage therapists correctly?

Answer 1

Do you consider yourself a health care specialist?  If yes,  then you should not be taking tips at all.    (Have you ever seen a doctor, nurse, physical therapist or lab technician work for tips?)

On the other hand if you are just saying "message therapist" as a fancy way of saying "masseuse"  then I would suggest you raise your rates so you do not have to rely on tips.

Answer 2

uve seen the gas and food prices.  ppl dont have the extra money u wish they had.  and u can say, "well if u cant afford to tip, u shouldnt be gettin a massage anyway."  which may have truth to it, but the fact is the massage cost 15 bucks, and if they didnt come at all, u wouldnt get anything.  the tip is just that, a tip.  all they really owe u is to pay for the service.

Answer 3

tipping someone is not required, so you get what you get..

Answer 4

Man, I wish I could get $15 an hour and then get tipped on top of my hourly pay!  I've never understood why people get tipped on top of their hourly pay.  I could see it if you didn't get that $15, but that all goes to you, right?  So what is the tip for?  You've already gotten paid.  If that's not enough, charge more per hour.  My understanding of a tip was that it was a nice bonus, but not required, if you're requiring it, that makes it a hidden charge, so just charge more per hour and you get the money for sure.  Now wait staff, I understand, because they get like $2 an hour or something ridiculous like that, but someone who's already making more than I do anyway?  Nah.

Answer 5

i never knew about the tipping for massage therapist. i'm glad i've never been to one now lol. is there anyway you could add a service charge onto their bill like some restaraunts do?

Answer 6

I got a massage for the first time ever last week.

It cost 70$ for an hour, and it wasn't as great as I had expected.  I think I need a deep tissue massage.

I was wondering if I needed to tip her, but when she finished 20 minutes early and said, ok your done, I decided not to.  As a first-time client, I think I should have been better taken care of, and specific needs could have been adressed.

I don't know how physically demanding your job is, but I know that I load semi-trailors 5-6 hours a night mon-fri, and my entire body hurts.  O, and for a whopping 10.00 and hour.

So, that massage I got, (which I couldn't really afford, but NEEDED because my back hurts so bad)--  was about a day and a half of work.  Like loading 5,000 packages into a 100 degree trailor.  

You don't have it that bad girl.  Really.

Answer 7

Most people don't tip enough and can't multiply to do so.  Maybe they make less than you and that's all they can afford after the cost of the massage.  I tipped my masseuse $20.

Answer 8

Why does everyone feel entitled to a tip nowadays?  I thought tipping is STILL optional, not mandatory.

Answer 9

Most of the people I know don't have to worry about tipping for massages, but I would guess most people genuinely don't know what's expected of them. There should be at least a few signs up around the place of business letting people know that tips are appreciated.

People probably aren't being rude or undervaluing your services. My guess is that they just don't know, and they don't want to tip too much and look foolish or far too generous.

Answer 10

The Big Book Of Etiquette says you should tip your massage therapist at least 20%

Peace & Love :)

Answer 11

I never knew that until I read your question.

I think the usual etiquette (which I follow) is to try and tip at least 15% of whatever bill you have... hair salon, restaurant, etc... However, depending on the quality of the service, you could adjust and tip more or less. I do feel that a $2 tip is a bit low... hopefully people read your question and are more knowledgeable about massage therapists!