August 7, 2020byTherapeutic Body ConceptsinMassage Etiquette
Massage therapy is becoming more popular every day, and for good reason. Whether you’re getting a massage for relaxation, pain relief, health benefits, or another reason, massage can help just about everyone!
Although we receive many questions about massage services at Therapeutic Body Concepts, one question often asked is whether or not you should tip your RMT. And, if so, how much should you tip?
This blog post will cover tipping etiquette for massage therapy so you can lay back and enjoy your massage without stressing about how much to leave at the end of the appointment.
The Correct Way to Tip Your RMT
Tipping is a common practice for many service-based jobs. For example, you may tip your waitress, your hairdresser, or your nail technician. In these situations, you’re paying a base rate for a service, which in turn pays out a wage to the person providing the service. However, adding a tip can improve the quality of life of the service provider and add an extra incentive to go above and beyond in the service provided.
Why Is It Important?
As with many jobs, tipping is a great way to thank the individual offering you service. That little bit of extra income can go a long way, and it’s never a bad thing to ask if you can tip someone for their service. If they’ve done a great job with your massage, be sure to let them know with a tip!
How Much Should You Tip for a Massage?
The short answer is that it depends. Many clinics suggest a 15%-20% tip.
If you have a coupon or gift card, or if you’re paying for your massage through benefits, the 15-20% should be calculated based on the original price, not the discounted one.Some massage clinics have a no-tipping policy, in which case a simple thank you will suffice!
Whether or not a business allows tipping, a great way to help out the clinic and therapist is to share the great experience with others. Tell your family and friends about it, review the business online, get someone a gift card, or shout them out on social media.
Note: Tips are not expected at Therapeutic Body Concepts, but we do offer the option if you like.
Do You Always Need to Tip?
Unless your RMT has a specific no-tipping policy or otherwise refuses tips, etiquette often is that you should provide a tip.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but if your experience wasn’t great, it is still often customary to tip. A better way to let someone know that you didn’t fully enjoy the experience is to talk to them about it directly or speak to a manager at the clinic. You can always book with another therapist in the future if you’d like, or you can provide feedback and give the original therapist the opportunity to learn what you’re looking for in massage services.
Not Sure? Ask Your RMT
Unless stated explicitly by the RMT or clinic, it can be hard to tell whether tipping is standard etiquette at a business or not. The best thing to do if you’re unsure is to ask, and your RMT or the receptionist taking your payment will be able to tell you if tipping is a common practice at their business. This way, you’ll be able to relax at your massage without worrying about how much to tip.
At Therapeutic Body Concepts, we want you to get the most out of your massage and we do not expect tips. Whether you’re looking to relax or relieve pain, we have plenty of options for you to choose from. Contact us today to book your ideal massage appointment, and if you have questions about
