Massage Tips

[2long]

What pay structure do regular massage ladies in Bangkok get? I'm talking in massage parlours which normally only cater for traditional Thai massage, serving locals. NOT massages with extras or serving foreigners.

I got to places which charge 150-180B per hour, and I like to give a tip of at least 10%, sometimes 25%. I have no idea what is normal practice, or what these ladies work for? Minimal salary/commission and need tips or what?

[NeverSure]

Just put whatever you feel like doing in the lady's hand.

[Will2011]

Really depends on places and massages that professionals perform. Between 20 to 40 thb is a reasonable tip. Keep in mind that most Thais and Chinese don't tip.

[Semper]

only cater for traditional Thai massage, serving locals

I wonder if the locals are tipping them? Somehow I don't think they do, the tipping thing seems to be restricted to tourist places.

[edwardandtubs]

Just put whatever you feel like doing in the lady's hand.

He said NOT massages with extras.

[loong]

As far as I know, most of these places, the pay is commission only.

The person giving the massage will recieve between 30 and 50%, but will be required to be available for maybe 10 hours per day.

No customers - no pay.

[TomTao]

At the place I get a regular massage in Chumphon the people doing the massage pay the manager 30% of what they earn (120 Baht/hr) and they keep whatever tips the customers give, no happy endings allowed. My wife and I have been to a couple of places in Bangkok that operate in a similar way.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect App

[robblok]

only cater for traditional Thai massage, serving locals

I wonder if the locals are tipping them? Somehow I don't think they do, the tipping thing seems to be restricted to tourist places.

i definately dont live in a tourist place but the locals tip when getting a massage, often more then a farang would think.

[Beetlejuice]

Just put whatever you feel like doing in the lady's hand.

I did that last time and nearly got arrested.

It depends.

Some massage establishments give 50% of the massage fee, others pay less and some do not pay they`re staff anything at all, but make them rely on tips. There is no standard wage rules or practices within these massage parlours and it depends on what sort of work conditions the girls are prepared to tolerate.

[1bbcd5]

I also very much agree with this view.

[Semper]

only cater for traditional Thai massage, serving locals

I wonder if the locals are tipping them? Somehow I don't think they do, the tipping thing seems to be restricted to tourist places.

i definately dont live in a tourist place but the locals tip when getting a massage, often more then a farang would think.

Well, I've never had a massage. However, I've had several haircuts in barber shops aimed only at locals, and I've never seen a Thai give any tip. So I just assumed it was a Farang thing.

[Dancealot]

If your nearly bald there is no sense in 'tipping the barber' because you can hardly see the result and makes it too difficult to see if he did a good job or not.

Does the same apply for massages ?

[noob7]

If your nearly bald there is no sense in 'tipping the barber' because you can hardly see the result and makes it too difficult to see if he did a good job or not.

Does the same apply for massages ?

A smile can tell stories....!

To the OP:

40 or 50 baht max. I would say. Doesn't matter, if 1h or 2h! At a price of 180, I probably would give 200.

(That's maybe the reason, the price is 180/h)

Have in mind, most of them getting about half of the charged price. It's about 80 to 100 baht, afaik.

They getting food for free, place to sleep, mostly too.

They do not pay taxes

The minimum salary in thailand is 300 baht.

A good massage lady, at a good (frequented) massage place is having more as 3h work, every day!

If she isn't earning enough, she will change the location.

And in case, they 'doing' extras, they making enough money, to keep their brothers away from a job!

[dominique355]

Why "NOT massages with extras or serving foreigners." ?

What exactly do you have in mind? Why would you exclude a traditional Thai massage given to a foreigner? Strange...

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

I understand at that place the "mo nuat" (massage lady) gets THB 180 form the price of THB 300.

The service includes washing feet (at the entrance), a fresh set of cloth, hot tea (twice) and a hot towel.

Does that help?

[robblok]

only cater for traditional Thai massage, serving locals

I wonder if the locals are tipping them? Somehow I don't think they do, the tipping thing seems to be restricted to tourist places.

i definately dont live in a tourist place but the locals tip when getting a massage, often more then a farang would think.

Well, I've never had a massage. However, I've had several haircuts in barber shops aimed only at locals, and I've never seen a Thai give any tip. So I just assumed it was a Farang thing.

I always thought the same, but even Thais tip other Thais, gf works as a guid for both Thais and foreigners. Both tip and i seen Thais tip at a barber shop.. but not often (then again i only go there once every 1,5 month)

[mogandave]

Two hours of hard work? I usually tip 100.

20 to wait-staff, bell-staff and taxies. Real nice restaurant or hotel I'll go 50.

I only tip for good service, poor service I give them nothing.

[NewlyMintedThai]

In the places where I've asked, the masseur is not on salary. They take half the massage fee, and pocket the tips of course.

I usually tip 50 baht for a one-hour massage, 100 baht for a two-hour massage.

Naturally, some people will tip more and some less.

Some won't tip at all.

[spacedcowboy]

I think it is also dependent on the scenario, if a Thai's tip. For example I go to a street side barbers I pay a 120 baht for haircut & wet shave and the guy never accepts a tip from me, ever. the Thais I've seen there never offer a tip but probably pay less.

My ex-boss Thai boss would take us out for dinner and would always tip the staff 50 baht at a restaurant, he explained that he felt compelled to because of his status Hotel Manager amongst his staff who watched the whole process and felt he was "Jai Dee" for being kind.

Whenever I've gone out to eat with collegues both Thai and Farang normally female, I will if the service is good also tip, but only if the service is good. I normally round up the bill leaving 50-100 baht tip. Thai women normally always comment on the fact that you are leaving a tip.

In Thailand esp Bangkok you'll often get taken to restaurants, the person your with know's

(you won't be told this), there on a secret/silent commission to get you to spend at there friends restaurant the person your with with normally pick-up a kick-back the following day a % of whatever you've spent. Fish is normally ordered and can get quite expensive when drinks are added into the equation.

Thai's I've been with normally tip 50 baht for a 1 hour massage and 100 baht for 2 hours.

[mogandave]

I think it is also dependent on the scenario, if a Thai's tip. For example I go to a street side barbers I pay a 120 baht for haircut & wet shave and the guy never accepts a tip from me, ever. the Thais I've seen there never offer a tip but probably pay less.

My ex-boss Thai boss would take us out for dinner and would always tip the staff 50 baht at a restaurant, he explained that he felt compelled to because of his status Hotel Manager amongst his staff who watched the whole process and felt he was "Jai Dee" for being kind.

Whenever I've gone out to eat with collegues both Thai and Farang normally female, I will if the service is good also tip, but only if the service is good. I normally round up the bill leaving 50-100 baht tip. Thai women normally always comment on the fact that you are leaving a tip.

In Thailand esp Bangkok you'll often get taken to restaurants, the person your with know's

(you won't be told this), there on a secret/silent commission to get you to spend at there friends restaurant the person your with with normally pick-up a kick-back the following day a % of whatever you've spent. Fish is normally ordered and can get quite expensive when drinks are added into the equation.

Thai's I've been with normally tip 50 baht for a 1 hour massage and 100 baht for 2 hours.

People that take me to dinner usually buy.

[LaoPo]

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

If you have to pay 300 back home (in any currency) , do you tip 200 as well?

You are killing the normal Thai standards because what YOU do is not done and you spoil the gratitude from the masseur for the next client to your massage shop since they will grow in their greed and in the future they will consider a tip of more than 66% as normal.

DON'T do it, you spoil it for the next clients!

[NewlyMintedThai]

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

If you have to pay 300 back home (in any currency) , do you tip 200 as well?

You are killing the normal Thai standards because what YOU do is not done and you spoil the gratitude from the masseur for the next client to your massage shop since they will grow in their greed and in the future they will consider a tip of more than 66% as normal.

DON'T do it, you spoil it for the next clients!

Surely it's up to each of us what to tip.

[LaoPo]

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

If you have to pay 300 back home (in any currency) , do you tip 200 as well?

You are killing the normal Thai standards because what YOU do is not done and you spoil the gratitude from the masseur for the next client to your massage shop since they will grow in their greed and in the future they will consider a tip of more than 66% as normal.

DON'T do it, you spoil it for the next clients!

Surely it's up to each of us what to tip.

Oh absolutely, but if you go to a hairdresser in your own country and you have to pay GBP 20, do you pay him than GBP 33,20 ?

You see, it's insane!

Thai are not used to receive such huge tips and the whole tipping system was brought into Thailand by the Farang, spoiling the old system forever but paying Baht 300 and tipping 200 is absolutely insane.

Where is the end?

You have to pay a garage bill of GBP 300 and you pay the guy GBP 200 tip?

really?

[bonobo]

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

If you have to pay 300 back home (in any currency) , do you tip 200 as well?

You are killing the normal Thai standards because what YOU do is not done and you spoil the gratitude from the masseur for the next client to your massage shop since they will grow in their greed and in the future they will consider a tip of more than 66% as normal.

DON'T do it, you spoil it for the next clients!

Surely it's up to each of us what to tip.

Oh absolutely, but if you go to a hairdresser in your own country and you have to pay GBP 20, do you pay him than GBP 33,20 ?

You see, it's insane!

Thai are not used to receive such huge tips and the whole tipping system was brought into Thailand by the Farang, spoiling the old system forever but paying Baht 300 and tipping 200 is absolutely insane.

Where is the end?

You have to pay a garage bill of GBP 300 and you pay the guy GBP 200 tip?

really?

I tip what I want, period. I am not "spoiling" anyone else. I've seen guys in the US tipping three or four times the price of their dinners when i was a busboy, and that did not "spoil" the waiters and waitresses for the more normal 15%.

I get a 90 minute massage for 350 baht. My masseuse gets 50% of that. I tip her 100 baht and have been doing that for 8 years now. On Songkran and New Years, I tip 500 baht. And when she had her first kid, I bought a baby stroller. So what? It's my choice.

I brought an American client there once while we were killing time, and he tipped 650 baht. The other masseuses thought that was great, but no one started demanding that I tip 650 baht each time.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

If you have to pay 300 back home (in any currency) , do you tip 200 as well?

You are killing the normal Thai standards because what YOU do is not done and you spoil the gratitude from the masseur for the next client to your massage shop since they will grow in their greed and in the future they will consider a tip of more than 66% as normal.

DON'T do it, you spoil it for the next clients!

Surely it's up to each of us what to tip.

Oh absolutely, but if you go to a hairdresser in your own country and you have to pay GBP 20, do you pay him than GBP 33,20 ?

You see, it's insane!

Thai are not used to receive such huge tips and the whole tipping system was brought into Thailand by the Farang, spoiling the old system forever but paying Baht 300 and tipping 200 is absolutely insane.

Where is the end?

You have to pay a garage bill of GBP 300 and you pay the guy GBP 200 tip?

really?

What does "your own country" have to do with anything.

People do and should tip what they want, wherever they are. To tell some otherwise is an incredible conceit.

[LaoPo]

Yeah sure...Farang always know better than the Asian....

Farang change the system and people who know nothing about Asia and culture jump in and say "I tip what I want"

Go ahead and tip but at the same time I'm entitled to comment it as insane.

[NewlyMintedThai]

Yeah sure...Farang always know better than the Asian....

Farang change the system and people who know nothing about Asia and culture jump in and say "I tip what I want"

Go ahead and tip but at the same time I'm entitled to comment it as insane.

Where ya from, anyway?

[noob7]

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

If you have to pay 300 back home (in any currency) , do you tip 200 as well?

You are killing the normal Thai standards because what YOU do is not done and you spoil the gratitude from the masseur for the next client to your massage shop since they will grow in their greed and in the future they will consider a tip of more than 66% as normal.

DON'T do it, you spoil it for the next clients!

Surely it's up to each of us what to tip.

Sure, but don't complain, in case the shop owners are rising the prices to 300/400 baht, like they did on Phuket, already, next time.

In 'better spas', you pay already 5-600 baht/h.

Only because people had no problem, to double pay the 200 baht, some years ago, with tips!

Also that was in a time, the Europeans got 50 for 1.

[noob7]

Anyway, I (a foreigner) regularly visit a spa kind of health complex, which also offers traditional Thai massage. The price for a 2 hours massage is THB 300 and I usually give an additional THB 200 tip.

If you have to pay 300 back home (in any currency) , do you tip 200 as well?

You are killing the normal Thai standards because what YOU do is not done and you spoil the gratitude from the masseur for the next client to your massage shop since they will grow in their greed and in the future they will consider a tip of more than 66% as normal.

DON'T do it, you spoil it for the next clients!

Surely it's up to each of us what to tip.

Oh absolutely, but if you go to a hairdresser in your own country and you have to pay GBP 20, do you pay him than GBP 33,20 ?

You see, it's insane!

Thai are not used to receive such huge tips and the whole tipping system was brought into Thailand by the Farang, spoiling the old system forever but paying Baht 300 and tipping 200 is absolutely insane.

Where is the end?

You have to pay a garage bill of GBP 300 and you pay the guy GBP 200 tip?

really?

A lot of people are tipping even twice:

Paying service charge and on top extra tips!

Who can get angry about the owner of a business, who sees a chance, to make a bigger cut, himself?

So much money around, so less taken care off!

[LaoPo]

Yeah sure...Farang always know better than the Asian....

Farang change the system and people who know nothing about Asia and culture jump in and say "I tip what I want"

Go ahead and tip but at the same time I'm entitled to comment it as insane.

Where ya from, anyway?

I'm a world citizen

[bonobo]

Yeah sure...Farang always know better than the Asian....

Farang change the system and people who know nothing about Asia and culture jump in and say "I tip what I want"

Go ahead and tip but at the same time I'm entitled to comment it as insane.

And I am entitled to comment that it is rational.

As far as a "westerner knowing better than an Asian," how in the heck did that come up?

I have never taken the low end massage with any of my Thai friends, but we have gone to the high end ones together. Each time, I have been reminded (by the Thais) what to tip (1000 baht), and each time, they have confirmed that I tipped that after. The wait staff who bring us drinks each get tipped 100 baht, and the person who seems to organize our visit gets 1,000 baht. This is all instigated by Thais, not westerners.

Except for the masseuse, who gets her tip from each of us personally, all the staff are asked to line up where he dishes out the 100 baht bills. I personally think this is a bit excessive and showy, but once again, this is a personal choice. My point is that this is instigated by Thais, not westerners. So I guess not all Thais know "the system" or "know better than Asians?"