I've been talking about massage therapy a little bit more on my IG page (@lalalalauralee), if you are interested. Below is a short bit of writing about tipping from a recent post.
I am in a privileged place in my massage therapy career where tipping is ‘never required but always appreciated’. Maybe you have no nervousness around tipping. But in case you do, let's talk about it.
Tipping in the massage industry stems from its association with spa and chain massage business culture, where massage therapists are often hired at low hourly rates or make only a fraction of the ticket price of the massage service. In this context, tipping is both expected and extremely helpful to the massage therapist’s total income. Tipping in this context is similar to tipping at a restaurant or other service industry job. Often $20 or 20% of the service fee is the expected rate.
What do I mean when I say tipping is 'never required'? I mean that as a self-employed person with lower overhead, I am lucky to be able to set my rates to what is needed to run a business and pay my bills without the need for tips. I am very fortunate to be in this position. I cannot stress that part enough. It allows me a little bit of wiggle room to consider finding cost-effective solutions to help folks afford massage therapy services.
I have tried to do away with tipping, but the fact is that some of my clients want to tip. And I am appreciative! This allows me to offer services at lower rates than I could otherwise. I see tipping in this private practice context as a kind of ‘paying it forward’. Nice, if you can, but not necessary. I have clients who have never tipped me. And this is totally fine!
If tipping is the determining factor between whether massage is affordable for you or not, I would personally much rather you get a massage than avoid it because you cannot afford to tip.
Likewise, if massage feels a little out of reach even at the base rate price, I would rather you talk to me about a solution (barter, sliding scale, payment plan, etc.) than simply not receive massage!
I do not speak for all massage therapists, obviously. Some love tips, others won’t accept them. If you are not sure about the policy of someone you are interested in working with, just ask. But at least on my table, know that you are welcome to do what feels best for you.
I just want you to get massage if you want to, and enjoy it!