When To Tip -- And When Not To Tip -- After Getting A Massage

Booking a massage appointment is the first step toward seeking pain relief or a reduction in your stress. As you relax on the table, your therapist is hard at work to ensure you're pleased with the outcome of your session. If you're happy with the massage you receive, you might be tempted to give a tip to the therapist at the treatment's conclusion. This method of conveying your gratitude is appropriate in some circumstances but not necessary in others. Before you book your next massage, it's important to understand not only how much you should tip for the service, but when it's better etiquette to keep your money in your pocket.

Tipping Vs. Not Tipping

It's appropriate to tip if you receive your massage in a setting such as a spa or a hotel health club. Just as tipping is customary for many spa-style treatments, you won't offend the therapist by handing over a tip at the conclusion of your visit. It's generally not proper etiquette, however, to tip for a massage that you receive in a medical setting, such as a doctor's office, physiotherapy clinic or a medical center. After all, you don't generally tip a medical professional. If you're not sure of the category to which your massage location belongs, there's never any harm in asking if tips are accepted when you book the appointment or arrive for your session.

How Much To Tip

If you're receiving your massage in a setting in which tipping is appropriate, you aim to tip about 10 percent of the cost of the massage. Although you can often add the tip amount to the bill you pay with your credit or debit card, it's generally easiest to just have the tip ready in cash to hand to the massage therapist at the end of your treatment. Pair giving the tip with a verbal expression of your gratitude. It's poor etiquette to view tipping as an alternative to being polite to the person from whom you've received a service.

Influencing Factors

It's acceptable to tip beyond the 10 percent guideline if you're exceedingly happy with the quality of the massage. Several different factors can warrant a higher tip. If the massage therapist is friendly and professional, extremely adept at his or her job or responds positively to the feedback you provide, consider tipping beyond 10 percent. For example, if you ask for deeper pressure and the massage therapist does so while checking in with you to ensure the pressure is comfortable, you might feel encouraged to tip generously.

To learn more, contact a massage therapy clinic like Health Atlast Fountain Valley. 

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