Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Gee, thanks. [/sarcasm]

If you're getting a massage while massively congested due to a nasty cold (which, I reiterate for probably the thousandth time, I do NOT recommend), and not only do I considerately dispose of your nasty snot rags, but give you my very last cough drop, the least thing you can do is leave me a tip. Especially if, as you said, you LOVED your massage.

Thank you. Enjoy your flight back to Australia. Where they apparently don't tip.

6 comments:

Mauser*Girl said...

I don't know about Australia in particular or massages in particular, but ... in many countries, tips are part of the final bill (so you end up tipping whether you liked the service or not). Some people, especially from foreign countries, may not tip separately, thinking that the service includes a tip or that you don't tip massage therapists.

Christina RN LMT said...

*sigh*

I know, I know. BUT, when you travel someplace, doesn't it make sense to do a little research into the local customs? I mean, Las Vegas practically runs on tips. A little online research would reveal that, I'm sure.

Captain Tightpants said...

OK - reason #408248 I could never do your job - I am quite particular about who's snot I will deal with, and it is pretty much limited to that of my children!

He doesn't owe you a tip, he owes you a new gorram car for that one...

Christina RN LMT said...

Sean, what can I say? It was either dispose of them or have snot rags lying about everywhere in my room. DISGUSTING. Ugh, no thanks!

It was a she, and she doesn't really owe me anything, she did pay for the massage, after all. But it would have been nice...

Julie said...

Sorry Christina, we really don't tip in Australia - and no, "service charges" or tips are not added into the final bill (except in rare situations).

Yes, they could have done some research and found out that tips are 'usual' but then you have the problem of not knowing how they work ... do you tip the person who does the job or do you tip when you pay the final and bill - and how much??? and sometimes it just gets all too much - especially if you've got a cold :)

Christina RN LMT said...

Julie, I understand, believe me. It was just that I GAVE HER MY LAST COUGH DROP. That's what really fried my bacon, so to speak. I needed that cough drop. *sigh*

As far as tipping here goes, 10% is fine, more is better! ;)
We have several options for tipping: all staff members have a tip box, with his or her name on it, for cash tips.
When the client signs his or her ticket after the massage, there's a line on the ticket for gratuities, then the total (so it's pretty self-explanatory), that's for credit card or room charge.
Plus, there's always simply handing the service provider cash after the service.
I have a lot of understanding for the confusion people go through when traveling, so I'm not surprised when I don't get a tip, or when it's a very small tip (like you said, people simply don't know). It was just that cough drop...