How much tip for massage?

[Drtgirl]

I'm clueless when it comes to tipping. What pecentage would you recommend for a massage?

[OakLeaf]

I usually tip 20%.

[alpinerabbit]

Whoa. I am glad we are not supposed ter tip over here in old Europe. Massages being as bloody expensive as they are.

[bounceswoosh]

I'm probably doing it wrong, but --

When seeing a self-employed MT with whom I have a standing client relationship, I don't tip. I figure they set the rate, and my "tip" is in the long-term business. (Sometimes I wonder about this though because ...)

If I see someone at a spa where they are an employee, I do tip, but I don't do that often enough and not exactly sure how much is "right". I tip because I figure the spa is getting a fairly big fraction of the payment.

Would also like to know about any etiquette =)

[bluebug32]

Free! My boyfriend's almost done with his chiropractic degree and always looking to practice.

I do occasionally cook him dinner and buy him bike parts though :p

[makbike]

I use a student clinic in town and by law we are not allowed to tip. I also use the MT at the chiropractor's office and again since my insurance pays for it I don't tip (I hope that is okay).

[imdeanna]

I have massage coverage in my medical....so I just pay a 25$ co-pay...I've never even thought of 'tipping' her.....maybe because I get it done for 'medical' purposes that I never thought it would be needed? (like tipping your doc after a pap!!) LOL ;) :D

She seems to really like me....and is very cheerful on my return....so she must not be too offended or 'used' to being tipped!! :)

[Dianyla]

Usually about 10%. More if I had gas. :eek:

[Mr. Bloom]

No gas here, but I still do 15% to 20%...I'm always left with the impression that I'm comparatively generous...but I usually give any service provider a tip in that range...

[crazybikinchic]

Someone once said that they do not tip if they pay cash because the person does not have to report it.

Me being a broke college student, I do not get massages, but this was a dentist that said it.

[smilingcat]

I tip about 20% but then its southern california. Some restaurant's expect 20% minimum on tipping :( somewhere the term gratuity is lost.

smilingcat

[Mr. Bloom]

Ah, I knew there would be one of these out there on the www

http://www.tipping.org/tips/

[bounceswoosh]

Ah, I knew there would be one of these out there on the www

http://www.tipping.org/tips/

Except the US one doesn't mention massage ...

[activediva]

My mother is a masseuse. She says if the person is in their own practice, no tipping is usually done. If the person works for a spa, $10-$20 is fair depending on the treatment. That's in the Seattle area. Although, she does get big "tips" around the holidays from standing clients.