Why I don't accept tips for massage therapy.

Opinion Piece

Before we get into this, I have only ever had experience receiving tips for massage therapy and sewing. I will be basing all of my opinions on massage therapy exclusively because I have almost 20 years experience in receiving tips for MT.

So, why do we really tip? And, why do massage therapists need tips? If you read my blog Tipping Etiquette you'll understand that its income that a lot of people rely on to pay their ever growing cost of living expenses. Let's just get into it...

What's the tipping experience from the perspective of the customer?

• Guilt/obligation

• Fear of looking cheap.

• Fear of looking cringy if you tip too much.

• Knowing an employee is underpaid and feeling obligated to help them because their employer is a cheapskate.

• Hopeful that your next service will be better.

• That's just what you're supposed to do.

• Its awkward.

• good service? At least, that's the reason you tell yourself to make it make sense.

• It makes you feel good.

• You're helping someone feed their family.

• You're letting someone know they are really good at their job.

• You're making sure the massage therapist knows you value their work and time.

The origins of tipping are somewhat controversial. Upon closer examination, you will discover accounts suggesting that tipping is tied to classism, racism, and elitism. For instance, white male business owners initially avoided paying newly emancipated Black women, leaving it to the public to compensate them. In the Middle Ages, masters might give their serfs a gratuity for exceptional work. Additionally, America adopted tipping to emulate an aristocratic lifestyle, which is ironic given that the country sought independence from European aristocracy. Overall, the practice is associated with class distinctions, providing the wealthy with a means to feel superior. Since massage therapy is a skill-based service, it allows for rewarding a particularly good massage experience.

I really want to deep-dive the origins of tipping later.

Unfortunately, we cannot escape tipping in our society, because the foundations of many professions were built around expecting it as part of their income.

Accepting a tip for a massage can feel quite awkward and now you know its roots are classist or racist. How do you decide if a massage deserves what you consider a good tip? You need to establish your criteria for what constitutes a good massage, and that list can be extensive. As a result, most people end up giving an average tip due to the discomfort of the situation.

Based on a 1 hour massage:

$0 Bad tip: aw man, was I horrible? were they uncomfortable? were they unhappy with their massage? what did I do wrong? are they cheap? are they poor and my massages cost too much? should I lower the prices of my massage? Etc...

$10-$20 Normal tip: nice.

$25-$30 Good tip: awww heck ya!!

$50-$100 Great tip: Um, are they coming on to me? are they expecting more than a massage? What the heck.

Consider this aspect of tipping: what if you initially feel the service wasn't worth it and leave a small tip, but then, a few days later, realize the massage was actually perfect and you feel amazing? Conversely, what if you give a large tip for an average session and later regret it?

To contribute to positive change and eliminate outdated practices like tipping, I set my rates to ensure I earn a living and cover my business costs. My clients appreciate this approach as they have a clear idea of what they will be paying. I hope more massage therapists will charge a little more and simply do away with tipping. If we want our profession to be respected, as many massage therapists do, we need to abolish tipping.

<3 Thanks for reading!

Cheryl