client birthday gift- offensive?

[leftyL]

Can you believe this:  I've started sending out a client birthday gift one week before their birthday consisting of a small oil burner, pack of tea-lights, and 5ml lavender, and a coupon for 15 free minutes added to a one hour session.  One of my regulars brought the gift back and told me she was highly offended since she is a Jehovah's Witness and they do not recognize birthdays or holidays.  Wow.  I always considered the client's religion as none of my business and would never ask.  Hope this doesn't happen again.  Everyone else has been so happy with their package.

 

[BEAUTYTHANG7]

client birthday gift- offensive?

i find it interesting that your client said she was offended, as if you were completely aware of the JW's views on this matter.she's overreacted, imo. she should have brought the gift back and said, "my religion does not allow me to accept this gift. but thank you for thinking of me."

 

[Shark bait]

Boy, that's one client I would refer out.  I would understand if you knew and understood her religious beliefs, but she should not have become upset with you.  BTW, what a great idea.  I am going to think about doing this myself.  Do you mail them their gift or give it to them when they come in for a massage?

 

[doppler]

client birthday gift- offensive?

Wow, even as an atheist I don't get offended when people give me religious gifts. If they know my beliefs (or non-beliefs for this matter) and they still give me the gift, I'll politely tell them 'no thanks' and give it back, or tell them about my feelings and ask if they'd like it back or for me to give it to my partner. If they don't know my beliefs, I will usually inform them then to stop any future confusion. But to put it like she did, ugh... It's not like you sent her a peneforum.xxxram pendant... I like your birthday gift ideas. Don't stop sending them, just make a note on her file not to send gifts.

 

[NO6664ME]

client birthday gift- offensive?

Unfortunately, some people will get offended no matter what you do. It was a nice gesture, and should have been recieved as such, regardless of her beliefs.I am doing the fishbowl drawings. Last week when I phoned one of the winners the lady's husband answered the phone, and when he said she wasn't there I told him who I was and why I was calling he yelled at me and demanded to know how I got the number and said that his wife did not enter anything. So, what can ya do...

 

[jake long]

I have a friend who is Jehova's Witness (sp), and they get offended if you mention their birthday, it's just the way it is although I don't necessarily agree.  One way to avoid this is to have a question on the intake form that asks: "Do you celebrate birthdays?'  with a space to check 'yes' or 'no' and then a line for them to put when their birthday is.Also, when calling someone about an appointment, I never say what it's for, esp. since I call many clients at their workplace to confirm appointments.  For whatever reasons people don't want spouses and/or co-workers to know they get massages.  That's none of my business why but I don't want to make things uncomfortable for them.

 

[Annabell C.]

I'm asking this question because I do not know the answer.  DO NOT BE OFFENDED.Can Jehovah's witnesses get massage therapy?Robyn

 

[cjw08]

Robyn,  Yes, I guess they can get massages, at least this lady does.  She's been a once-a-month regular for 1 year.  I just started doing this new marketing thing and before this I never knew she was J.W.  She'd never brought me a "Watchtower" or anything. ha ha.  Well, anyway, I don't know if she'll return or not.   Good thing I've got a pretty thick skin; I don't get hurt feelings much like when I was younger.  It's just not worth it.Thank ya'll for the input!

 

[dull_sux]

client birthday gift- offensive?

Well, anyway, I don't know if she'll return or not.

Wow. Imagine if people who didn't celebrate christmas got offended hearing people say "Merry Christmas (TM)" to them. Sheesh.

 

[thejanith]

I'm curious to know what your response was to her?  Of course, after she was gone for 3 hours, you probably thought of 20 different things you could have said.  If you apologized and explained that you didn't know she didn't celebrate birthdays and that your intention was not to offend........if she then continued to be offended or think you were out of line.....then she obviously has some sort of big chip on her shoulder.I agree with everyone else and don't think you did anything at all that was offensive.  It's not like you sent a beautiful photograph to someone who is blind.  You made a nice gesture......for an occasion that MOST people in the U.S. celebrate.  This client is a little ridiculous to expect that everyone knows her beliefs.  If you've already apologized, I wouldn't spend any more time thinking about it.  If you lose her as a client, then so be it.  

 

[~JYP <3 Gail Kim]

The encounter happened so suddenly that I was still speechless (except for a weak "I'm so sorry") when she turned and walked out.  Since reading these posts I'm so over it.  I'm just glad she brought it back because I'll just rewrap and re-gift it to someone who may enjoy it!

 

[troubled?]

client birthday gift- offensive?

way to think about the positive on this one--it CAN be recycled to someone else who (hopefully) will have a more appreciative reaction.I must add that I think our practice is definitely unique in that I only hear of massage therapists thinking of their clients on their birthdays/anniversaries/etc.I have never rec'd any commemorative tokens or discounts from any other service provider (i.e., dentist, doctor's offices, chiropractor's office, etc.).Be well,Jen

 

[MisterMentalNny]

Most of my immediate family are Jehovah's Witnesses. And so I was extremely surprised to hear about this lady's reaction to your thoughtful gift. Maybe she thought she had already told you about her beliefs and so found your gift offensive....  in any case, her reaction was clearly an overreaction. But at least now you know not to send her b-day and christmas gifts Sending gifts is a great way to keep clients (plus they tend to refer you out more to their friends). Perhaps instead of sending b-day gifts, you could send them a promo pack ( or something) on their birth month and say something like " I thought of you today... or Just a little something thank you...."

 

[Blame it on tha BooGie]

client birthday gift- offensive?

I must add that I think our practice is definitely unique in that I only hear of massage therapists thinking of their clients on their birthdays/anniversaries/etc.

I have never rec'd any commemorative tokens or discounts from any other service provider (i.e., dentist, doctor's offices, chiropractor's office, etc.).

I've received bday cards from Chiro,Dentist,Retailers, & Real Estate Agent.  No "freebies" mind you but the greetings.  Great customer service.

Robyn

 

[cameronissim...]

I think it was a beautiful gesture. Perhaps the lady in question was having a week vexed with other issues...like people not answering the door? And it just so happened that you were the person who unknowingly gave her an outlet for that stress against the "unsaved". I'm glad you are so over it, anyway *lol* Seforum.xxxg, you mean no one liked the peneforum.xxxram necklaces I sent out last year?  ;D(JK)Seriously, Kathryn brought up an especially good point which makes me think. There are many who do not want spouses and co-workers to know they are getting a massage. I have no idea why either, it may be a complex of little things. But as Jujubean innocently found out for sure, some spouses may object.I offered a home comp for the spouse for weekly regulars (every 5 visits)...some took me up on that. I think adding: Do you celebrate birthdays? with a space to write in the date (if its not already asked on the intake form) would be a great idea. Maybe a step further...Would you like occasional mailings of specials? Would be a good way to find out if they want things sent to home or office...or not.I used to make up little bundles or baskets of goodies for client birthdays as well. I eforum.xxxged the upcoming birthdays and gave it to them on their closest appointment. Always with a tiny gift card, never with advertising.  Birthdays were always half hour comps, it was a given, and people could claim them whenever, so I never had to notify them.

 

[prettypinklucy]

"Highly offended"? It wasn't even sent ON her birthday.  touchabilities, it's obviously an overreaction to what was a thoughtful act on your part please don't be offended. As satxrmt has said, making it a "I was thinking of you" sort of gift should ruffle no feathers regardless of one's personal beliefs. But as others have suggested you should just attribute it to her having a bad day and leave it at that. I am so sorry that your act of generosity was not appreciated for the kind and loving act it was.If she comes back to you as a client, and I hope she does because I hate to see you lose a regular client, I would not bring it up.  But I most sincerely hope she realizes she overreacted and apologizes to you.

 

[DAYZII]

That's ridiculous, she could have handled it so much better.  One year, I sent holiday gifts, a bay leaf threath that you could hang in your kitchen and take bay leaves from when cooking.  I thought it was cute and many of my clients liked cooking - a universal thing, I thought.  I had a jewish client get offended because it was shaped like a threath as the one worn by Christ at his crucifixion and considered it Christian.  I told him, oh, sorry and that was that.  There was no intention but greetings and thanks and I didn't feel possessed to even apologize.  Joe E.  

 

[Jack 890]

client birthday gift- offensive?

*lol* Seforum.xxxg, you mean no one liked the peneforum.xxxram necklaces I sent out last year?  ;D

(JK)

You kidding? I LOVED the peneforum.xxxram necklaces. I hung it up in my office, but for some reason I don't have any clients anymore...  ??? *shrug*

(also, JK)

 

[Pompal 09.]

client birthday gift- offensive?

*LOL* Didn't you kill the chicken over them first? ;D

 

[Boris]

client birthday gift- offensive?

Well, I didn't have any live chickens, so I just used an egg. Same thing, right? ;D