Gratuities

[Pompal 09.]

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on taking tips/gratuities.  Since the discussion was brought up about name changing from massage to something that would further convey our professionalism, I thought I'd mention what I do and toss it up for discussion.  In my brochure I  asterisk Payment options:  *As a health care provider I do not accept gratuities.My first time clients are amazed when I return the extra cash or offer to deduct it from their next massage.  One recent client said that had never happened to him before.  When they insist,  I remind them, 'You don't tip your chiropractor, do you?"I believe it's yet another way to foster our image as health care providers and I'll tell you, my clients appreciate knowing that the cost of their massage is the cost of their massage.

 

[Janet R]

Yes, I do accept tips.  Some clients tip, some do not.  I provide different types of "therapy".  The clients who tend not to tip are the clients coming in for treatment.  The clients that come in for stress relief and relaxation do frequently leave tips.  I appreciate tips but never do I expect them.  I go out of my way for every single client that walks through my door.  I pay extra attention to their specific needs and frequently exceed their alloted time for their session.  I take appointments when it's convenient for them, not me.  I send them with home-care (stretches, treatment, relaxation exercises, even biofreeze, cold packs and any other product I have that they may not)  If they would like to thank me for going above and beyond, I graciously accept and always let them know that I appreciate it.  Some may not agree but this is how I feel about it.  We are providing a unique service.  It's a service.  I'm not a doctor and I don't run my business like one.  If a doctor ran his business like I do mine, I probably would tip him!  

 

[`??????]

I'm with terab. Very well said!  ;DI don't expect them, but I do accept them if a client wants to give it.If they feel I give exceptional service and want to show their appreciation with a tip, it would be rude of me to refuse them, IMO.They say TIPS means:ToInsurePromptServiceI work hard to ensure that my clients receive an exceptional massage.  I nearly always book the massage at their convenience.This month I had a client return to me for a massage, looking me up on the internet... 4 years later to tell me it was the best massage she'd ever had and she'd like to book another one while on vacation here.   And yes... she tipped. LOL

 

[destinbury]

Gratuities

I think this is another of those good threads for the Business Boards!  We have a tip thread there somewhere that this could go hand in hand with.  At our office, we don't take tips, though some clients still feel like they want to give one.  When they state they want to do this, I decline, and when they say it again, I accept.  There is no reason in going 'round and 'round with them if they are adamantly inclined.  Some will graciously thank me for not accepting it and others will push an extra bill at me anyway.  I do appreciate tips, but I believe that it would be better (when the facility is owned by the therapist) to let clients know, as you said, "at this office, the cost of the massage, is the cost of the massage".  

 

[Peace Loving Hippy Chick]

Gratuities

I agree w/ Terab and Maestra. I am not a Dr, and like Terab mentioned, provide a variety of therapeutic services not limited to one modality nor environment. I also do not expect tips but graciously appreciate them when they are offered.Here is something to consider...does a Dr or chiropractor spend an entire hour plus on your treatment? Does a Dr or chiropractor offer the same services that we offer for the benefit and comfort of our clients? Do we, as massage therapists garner the same wages as either a Dr or chiropractor? No.I will say however, that as a massage therapist practicing in a "medical" environment, tips were quite rare and next to none. The mind set was in a different place. However, most other environments I've worked, tips were an integral part of the service that the client chose to offer.

 

[coldplay24]

I agree with Terab and Maestra too.  I think the comparison between massage therapists and medical doctors is a huge stretch.  I am not a medical doctor and I don't run my practice like a medical practice.  I don't think professionalism is a reflection of whether one receives tips -vs- one who chooses not to receive tips.  I know quite a few salon owners who are at the top of their game, very professional, who are given tips by their clientele because the clients choose to tip them for incredible service -- and you can believe the salon owners gratefully accept the tips.One other thought to consider, there are many medical practices where the staff and doctor are constantly brought "goodies" by their patients and medical reps.  Doctors who are given excellent tee times or special rates/rentals from clients who were grateful for their care.  IMO, these are tips and yes, the doctors and staff accept them gratefully.  

 

[Pompal 09.]

Gratuities

This is an interesting thread...there are so many different kinds of tipping. There is the kind that is expected of you when you're in a restaurant and the server is satisfactory (or above). There is the kind that is anticipated (but not necessary expected) like when your bags are brought up to your hotel room or the valet retrieves your car.Then there is us. It isn't exactly expected nor is it anticipated. In my case, I'm always pleasantly surprised when tipped (it doesn't happen all that often) because most of the folks that come to see me aren't made of money and are already treating themselves to what they consider out of the ordinary healthcare. It's always the wealthier ones that tip me and I do accept and appreciate their attempt at letting me know they appreciate exemplary service. Be well,Jen

 

[haunted_horse]

Gratuities

I agree with jen. I know that my waiter probably makes about $3/hour in their paycheck, so I tip pretty well. My clients know that I make $40/hr but that I don't work full-time, so some of them tip pretty well. I don't expect it though. If I truly thought that I need to be making $45 per massage instead of $40 per massage, I wouldn't expect a $5 tip, I'd raise my rates.

 

[just me]

Gratuities

Having worked in a pain medicine clinic where the dispensation of injections and meds were neck and neck, all the Drs. received 'goodies' (like theatre tickets, and other big-ticket items) and drug reps were always scheduling 'demo' lunches at least once or twice a month.As much as we may value ourselves and consider ourselves to be professionals, we are not doctors nor chiros (I don't know a single MT who would even dream of diagnosing a condition).While we may have a number of things in common with a Dr. - specialized education and malpractice insurance (to name but a few) - there are a number of differences.When I work on a Client (even though I'm still in school), my goal is to help them live their life in as complete and fulfilling a manner as possible. Not only do we treat the muscles of a person. And, I think, we do it because we truly care for our clients.When we work on someone, we're hopefully able to give them back at least a part of their life. Tips are often perceived as a 'thank you' for this. It would be rude and disrespectful not to accept.If you feel uncomfortable accepting a tip for doing something that you really love to do, you might consider telling them to donate the money to worthy charity in your name (or theirs).

 

[Kayt5]

I have to say I'm a little surprised at how tips are so defended.  I own my own business, and run it out of a home office, by the way.I was in the restaurant business for 11 years before massage therapy.  Many of those years on Kauai where employees at McDonalds put out a tip jar (if you've lived there or visited you know what I mean).  Terab seems to imply that all the "extras" are worthy of tipping.  All I'm suggesting is that it's what we do. Couldn't we charge what we should for all those extras and then remind them that we are health care providers.  I mentioned not tipping a chiropractor, by the way, not MD. I really don't even want to be compared to the AMA.  I don't have to fend off my clients who try to tip.  It's been my experience that my practice of offering to apply it to their next massage is a breath of fresh air.  You'd be surprised how many people feel that work well done needs to be rewarded even though subconsiously they're thinking, this isn't a $50 massage, it's a $60 massage and I can't afford that twice a month. Am I really all alone in this?

 

[destinbury]

I don't understand with what's so wrong in accepting tips. آ We are in a SERVICE industry. آ We provide a SERVICE. آ The definition of gratuity is; a gift of money, esp. for a service. آ  I don't TELL people they HAVE to tip me. آ When someone doesn't tip, I don't get mad. آ There is no policy on my wall that says they must tip. آ I don't treat people better if they do tip. آ All of my clients are treated with special, individual care. آ And sure the "extras" are worthy of tipping. آ Why not? آ I would beg to differ that it's "what we do". آ I can almost guarantee that other's do not do what I do.  I go out of my way for clients.  I know a lot of other therapists that wouldn't do the same.As tracey stated, how long is the chiro in the room with you? آ Seriously, sometimes they do an adjust and are out of the room in less than 5 minutes. آ The client doesn't pay for it, their insurance does. آ I'm sure we could go on forever debating this issue. آ Accept tips if you wish, or don't. آ Either way it's not a big deal.

 

[XxhollyxX]

I would just like to correct a couple of things.  I didn't say we were in the medical profession. I said, "health care providers" and I didn't say there was anything wrong with taking tips. What I'm just suggesting, is that if we as a profession want to take another step away from the "masseuse" connotation as so many of us declared when the sensual massages emailed recently, it may be a way to ally ourselves more with the health industry, that's all.What I'm hearing seems to be fear based. I'm suggesting that it can be liberating for both therapist and client.As a more positive, I hope, "alternative" to the AMA approach, I'm thinking let's reinvent ourselves.  When a new name for massage therapists was suggested, I didn't detect an outcry.  Hmmm....

 

[Pompal 09.]

Gratuities

I don't want a new name.  I really like being a Massage Therapist.  It's what I am.  I don't want to be called a body worker (sounds way more weird than massuese), a myo-whatever, a body practioner or any other name.  I'm a massage therapist.  Why confuse people even more.  I think people put way too much energy into the meaning of a name.  A garbage man is a garbage man, a waitress/ a waitress, stay-at-home mom is a stay-at-home mom, janitor=janitor.  Why do we get so worked up about a "title".  I'm even willing to go so far to say that I really enjoy receiving tips.  I don't ever count on it so when I add my tips up at the end of the day/week/month whatever, I'm surprised and pleased (and very thankful) that people go out of THEIR way to show me that they appreciate ME and what I do ~ Massage Therapy.

 

[Ana C]

Gratuities

When I started my business I debated the topic to accept tips or not. The conclusion I came to is not to accept tips. Instead I decided to ask my clients to refer a friend to me if they thought the massage was worth a tip. This way I get a new client instead of a few dollars and my clients do not feel like they can only come in when they have enough money to pay for the massage and tip.

 

[I <3 Pomeranians]

I don't know about you but when a massage therapist works over the allotted time, I feel like I should pay her for her/his extra time.  Maybe my clients don't feel that way, because I can tell them it was my choice to go over and since I don't take tips they don't feel that twinge to remunerate me.  All those tips that add up over the year get reported on your taxes, right?Great idea, Hurtsogood.  I like that idea.  And, your clients will want to refer because of it.  

 

[Conrad]

I'm not sure that the referring thing instead of tipping would work. Half the time, the client gets caught up and too busy to remember to talk to so-and-so about a massage they had. And even if they did, that individual they told may already have their own therapist or never has or takes the time to set up an appointment.  Even business cards get lost in the shuffle sometimes (if they were handed to a friend). I don't acquire enough tips throughout the year to report it. Wish I did though  Be well,Jen

 

[Agent: Yip]

I know that asking for referrals in lew of tips works.  Thats how I started my practice.  When a client tried to tip I would just state "I appreciate the offer, but if you feel like my service was worthy of a tip, please take a couple of cards to give to your friends."  It didn't take long for people to start coming in as referrals.  Look at the numbers.  If you have a client that comes in every two weeks and tips $10 every session (26 x 10 = $260).  But they refer one person that comes in once every month (12 x $48 (national average) = $576)  It doesn't require many new clients to make this work.  You just have to stick to it.  It really worked for me.

 

[priv828]

I don't think this is a matter of right or wrong, just different opinions.I love what AnneGS tells her clients when they offer her a tip.  I can't imagine ever being insulted by someone graciously turning down my tip or offering to deduct it from my next massage.  I like the way you compare yourself with other health care providers - I think it sends a great message for our profession.I also agree with Terab and the others about how we're NOT like chiropractors and that we provide so much more time, energy and personalized attention.  I would also feel very honored and appreciated were I to receive a tip.  I don't think our field has gotten to the point where people feel obligated to leave a tip so if they feel lead to do so, I wouldn't discourage it.  I would probably let them know that it's not necessary for them to do so but if they were persistant, then I would graciously accept.Yes, I am speaking as one who has never been offered a tip (but hey, I've only had one paying client so far   )And BTW Terab, I also love being called a "Massage Therapist" - my suggestion of "myopractor" was a little tongue-in-cheek (guess I wasn't clear on that!)But that's just my 2 cents!

 

[jayant]

I haven't read this thread in a few days and I still think Admin should move it over to Business.  I sent them a post, but I have noticed Admin hasn't been getting many of mine lately.  Oh, well.  Hopefully anyone who frequesnts "Business" will travel over here.A few replies in order of the thread, so as not to confuse myself.Jen -

Then there is us. It isn't exactly expected nor is it anticipated..

Nice thought and hopefully what you have found on a regular basis.  I think things are just different in different parts of the country.  In the city where I live, and especially with spa work, tips are VERY much expected AND anticipated. Just adding this so people don't get a one shot thought of what's going on here in Texas, everybody.AnneGS -

Am I really all alone in this?

Not exactly.  I thought my post was at least moderately agreeable to what you suggest in your own place, though not exactly the same.terab -

I can almost guarantee that other's do not do what I do.  I go out of my way for clients.  I know a lot of other therapists that wouldn't do the same.

I think the key words are you don't do what you do to get the tip, you do it because you care.  So, it doesn't matter if others give the same service or not.I agree we are a service industy, and since you don't expect tips, you are certainly not under any scrutiny.  You made a nice post earlier.  I am seeing that maybe what AnneGS is leaning toward, or if not, might be considering is that, we are not only a "service" industry, but a "healing" industry, and when the general public, not just the clients we help see this, massage therapy will begin to move in a more validated direction.  If the public has a lot of therpaists out there who consistently don't say, "hey, you don't have to tip", then maybe they will always see us as a lesser profession than we really are.  At least, I get the idea that this may be where she is coming from, from what I can read.  It doesn't mean you don't have a right to the tips sent your way, in my opinion either.  I do hope that made sense.

As tracey stated, how long is the chiro in the room with you?  Seriously, sometimes they do an adjust and are out of the room in less than 5 minutes.  The client doesn't pay for it, their insurance does.

Many do this, but not all.  I know a lady down the stree from me, who does not take insurance and spends an hour, every time with her patients.  Just want to confirm that insurance does not pay for all people who go to the chiropractor, and as well many people still don't have insurance.  Not trying to start something, just commenting as my brain is waking up this morning.   :-*AnneGS -

What I'm just suggesting, is that if we as a profession want to take another step away from the "masseuse" connotation as so many of us declared when the sensual massages emailed recently, it may be a way to ally ourselves more with the health industry, that's all.

I see I was thinking correctly that this was where you were going with this thread. hurtssogood

Instead I decided to ask my clients to refer a friend to me if they thought the massage was worth a tip.

Thanks for adding this.  I had forgotten to say that we tell clients this frequently.  It is a nice time to remind the client that new business makes a healthy business.  They usually smile!AnneGS -

I don't know about you but when a massage therapist works over the allotted time, I feel like I should pay her for her/his extra time.

I agree with you here.  There is a thread somewhere on the Business boards about this too, I think.  Just a brief input:  when I have to go overtime due to an issue of some sort, I always ask the client if they mind I go over, tell them why and that it is no extra charge, and when they agree, then I do.  Just an added bit to this comment you wrote.Jen -

I'm not sure that the referring thing instead of tipping would work.

It's worked for us on numerous occasions.  People are reminded: If you liked what we did for you, please tell a friend, that would be a wonderful tip... when they are pushing an extra $10 or $20 over the counter.  Sometimes they take it back and smile and say "Sure!  Thanks!"  other times, they say, "I'll definitely refer you and please keep this to."  Once I even had someone ask, "I didn't know you needed or wanted more clients.  Good to know."  Of course, why they didn't realize this is beyond me!   Pete - you make some good points that I didn't get from AnneGS comments.  I tend to agree with you, if she was coming at it from that standpoint.  I didn't get the holier-than-thou connotation from it though.  Just adding this in for anything that it may be worth.Looks like that is the end of my post.  Hope it all made sense and I didn't step on any toes this morning.  I love our boards!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Gratuities

Texas-gal,  Once again you put eloquence in your post.  Just because some do and some don't.  It does not mean that the other postion is wrong, its just different.  I have a dear friend who has a sign in her business"TIPPING IS NOT A CITY IN CHINA"