Masseuse Tips

[Microwave]

I'm curious as to how much of a tip people give a masseuse after a traditonal Thai massage, not the happy ending variety of massage : )

Length of time of the massage, type of massage (foot massage vs, traditonal body massage), location of the massage (in a massage parlour or a masseuse who visits one's home) as well as the quality of the massage and friendliness of the masseuse I reckon are all to be considered. I've had massages where I didn't give a tip because the masseuse seemed to spend much of her time talking into her mobile phone and therefore not giving her full attention to my tired limbs. I've known people who tips as a percentage of the massage price and others who give a standard amount.

So out of curiosity I'd like to compare how much of a tip, if any, people give a masseuse? Thanks in advance.

[puukao]

I've heard of people tipping about 50 baht after a 2-hour massage. I do it much differently, as I am super happy tipping isn't directly in the thai culture (In America, worst service ever and I'm giving 10%. average service and higher, 15-20%). Here I offer to buy food, help them with English, and bring fruit, etc....I've done all three. most give me their phone number, but that usually turns me off. and that is still after I don't tip. If you want the most out of the "mcc nuat" หมอนวด then make it seem like you will come every-other-day for months. they will really do a good job the first time. and then decide if you want to come back. I've done this 5 times...I know, i'm bad. If I didn't hate tipping so much, I think the "right" thing to do is tip 50 baht per 200. it's not the percentage, and we are talking less than $2 USD. It's all about the chemistry. But once you tip, you must always tip. they will remember a book on how to speak English.....but i'm sure right now they would rather have the cash. ah, i'm weird on this.

[mania]

I tip 25-35%

But I am not a big massage person

Go once in awhile if I have an ache

Rarely go for foot massage but have a couple times

Mainly full body massage & if I have an exercise related

ache I ask for oil or thai balm

[Sparkles]

Keep in mind that ,for example a 1 hour body massage might cost you 350 baht. The massuese will be lucky to get 100 baht from the owner/s and mostly less so "tips" are a major source of income for them especially in the low season. I would not imagine the 300 baht min wage per day would apply !!

[circusman]

350 for a massage? You must go to a SPA. In Hang Dong, 140 an hour with 20 baht tip.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

I usually tip 20 baht if I am not annoyed by it being a bad massage.

If its really good then I will tip 40 or 50

This is for 150 to 200 baht per hour Thai or foot massage.

Being a past massage therapist in the states I have to say the quality in Thailand is often not so good.

Talking to much, taking phone calls, getting distracted, half efforts, often zero diagnostics. It's surprising how many Thai massage people when asked say they don't even like doing massage. That's a bad sign.

I like Thai massage done well but don't feel it helps them to not get some quality feedback and the tip or lack of speaks volumes.

[hellodolly]

I just tip 20 baht and don't worry about it. It is not a great deal of money to me and is a lot to them. Unless they are in the 350 baht an hour Spa's.

Most of the Masseuses only get 60% of the cost so a tip helps a lot.

[doggie888888]

Keep in mind that ,for example a 1 hour body massage might cost you 350 baht. The massuese will be lucky to get 100 baht from the owner/s and mostly less so "tips" are a major source of income for them especially in the low season. I would not imagine the 300 baht min wage per day would apply !!

Maybe that's the criteria you use for tipping. But for me it is strictly a performance related issue, and very little to do with the income of the service provider. To answer the OP, I usually tip zero for "not satisfied" to 60 baht for"very satisfied". Tipping and charity are different matters with different criteria.

[rene123]

My experience is that Aussies and Kiwis don't tip because of their tradition of not tipping in their home country. North Americans tip because that is how we were brought up. I don't know about people from the UK. I may tip up to 100 baht if I think the woman has done a good job for a full body, hour long massage. For me I don't follow the rules of percentages. I look on it as a form of charity for people who are just barely breaking even. Being female, I don't expect a "happy" ending. I have no idea what they charge for that. I have a friend who is a cheap charlie and he goes to Sinookville for long time periods because he thinks he gets more of everything for much less than he pays in Pattaya. I wouldn't know because I've never been there.

[hellodolly]

I really believe that the magority of them, are happy with a 20 baht tip.

Perhaps in the higher end places more is expected but I don't visit them. If I want a full body I will go to the blind clinic and tip them 20 baht they are happy with it.

Tip if you are into pain go there and ask for the medium massage. I can not imagine what a hard one would be like. I learned my lesson the hard way and now ask for a gentle one. Of course there is still a bit of pain involved but as they say no pain no gain.

[eyecatcher]

I often get asked the question “how much should I tip the girls” and my answer every time is “its up to you”

Tipping can be quite a contentious issue; and if I suggest that the girls would be extremely happy with 50bt per hour; I always follow up by saying that I never ever tip anyone….therapists, restaurants, taxi drivers; but that’s because I am a Brit and tipping is not in our culture, and I am tight anyway.

Let me tell you, that a tip is not expected by anyone, but of course they are hoping;… they know now who will tip (Americans, Japanese, Thais) and those who rarely tip (Brits, Aussies, Chinese, Koreans, Europeans)

Tipping is an optional “thankyou” and I frown if I see my therapists “lingering” at the point of sale with the customer. I will say that the ones who get the most tips are not around at this point, they are either preparing the rooms for the next customer or usually getting their clothes and bike keys together and rushing out to the next job.

Tips are certainly appreciated; lets say for the 10 seconds the note is about to hit their hands, then you are forgotten exactly the same as if you left no tip at all.

I know the ones who will not receive a tip (or should I say shouldn’t) but I often wonder why as a service provider they don’t question their own level of service and improve their own standards and work towards a tip….a generous tip however is met with a level of suspicion please remember that, and for us that therapist will not be back.

So tip however much or however little you feel comfortable, especially in this economy and don’t feel embarrassed or kee neo if you don’t leave anything. My therapists receive generous salaries, they are not living on tips, and keep in mind the ones working in the city “shops” are getting 80bt an hour, I am paying almost double that. If they cant make a good days salary from a happy ending or two then chances are they will be working the bars. Believe me, the un qualified massuers in the city places are making a lot of money and the professional therapists in spas also a lot of money with heads held high and great reputations, with or without tips.

If treating yourself to anything; spa, restaurant whatever and you have a budget, then treat yourself to that budget; in most service/hospitality industries we are focused on taking care of guests and not what the guests give us.

So bottom line: Up to you, but only tip on a service delivered over and above your own personal standard.

ps Dolly; you want some home truths about blind masseurs? All i will say for now, be very very very careful, being blind takes away their most important assett. most people come away from them with more injuries than enjoyment.

[mesquite]

I always tip 100 baht for a 150-200 baht foot or Thai massage. Jesus F*cking H. Christ it's only 3 bucks and the girls are dirt poor. Those types of massages can be painful to give, especially if they have a big fat guy who demands a "strong" 2-hour Thai massage.

I know one girl who gave a man a Thai massage and he thought it was great and he emphatically listed the three reasons it was great. He then tipped her 10 baht. A few days later he tipped her 20 baht and told her to go buy herself a meal (as if 20 baht would do that). She gave him a big smile, wai, and thank you. I'm sure the guy left thinking he had saved her from starvation. If he ever tips her 50 baht, he'll probably tell her to go buy herself a Ferrari.

The massage girls will always graciously thank a customer for any tip, but as soon as he leaves they talk to each other about what a cheap b*stard he was. A 10 or 20 baht tip, especially one given in a pretentious manner, is an insult.

[hellodolly]

I always tip 100 baht for a 150-200 baht foot or Thai massage. Jesus F*cking H. Christ it's only 3 bucks and the girls are dirt poor. Those types of massages can be painful to give, especially if they have a big fat guy who demands a "strong" 2-hour Thai massage.

I know one girl who gave a man a Thai massage and he thought it was great and he emphatically listed the three reasons it was great. He then tipped her 10 baht. A few days later he tipped her 20 baht and told her to go buy herself a meal (as if 20 baht would do that). She gave him a big smile, wai, and thank you. I'm sure the guy left thinking he had saved her from starvation. If he ever tips her 50 baht, he'll probably tell her to go buy herself a Ferrari.

The massage girls will always graciously thank a customer for any tip, but as soon as he leaves they talk to each other about what a cheap b*stard he was. A 10 or 20 baht tip, especially one given in a pretentious manner, is an insult.

Cant say as I agree with you on the 20 baht being an insult. When I get a massage the wife generally knows most of the girls and insists I tip 20 baht. I suppose if I said no 50 baht she would be OK with that. Being as Thais are all about looks I tend to believe that is an excepted amount with them.

It is not like the girls are starving. they get 60% on a 200 baht one hour that is 120 baht not bad really. They do earn their money how ever. Ask your selves how long your hands could do it. Day in and day out and they are not normally strong to begin with.

[elektrified]

I'm not a big massage fan but when I do go because of a sore neck or something, I usually go to the big school in Tambon Pakrabong (on the way to San Kamphaeng). The people who give the massages are not students but the teachers. I have observed the Thais there and they almost always give a 100 THB tip after a 2 hour massage. I think I have only ever seen maybe 3 other farangs there in 6 years time.

Those that think Thais don't tip -- they are wrong.

[howzat]

I go to a well known very reputable Thai massage where the girls are Wat Po trained and whilst drinking my green tea before leaving I watched last week how much the tips were given to the girls by many nationalities including Japanese, Europeans men and women and I noted that it varied from 20 to 50 Baht and sometimes zero from westerners. The women tippers seem to give less.

I personally give 50 Baht for 1 hour foot and 50/70 for 2 hour Thai. Thats it.

[Microwave]

Thanks for the lively discussion to my query, my question has certainly been answered!

[montrii]

I go often, have for many years, though that has led to accusations of my being a massageonist . . . anyhow the average of the answers here comes out about right. I always give at least 20b per hour, and often 50-60 for 2 hours. For the best ones, people I go back to regularly, I tip 100, partly because the service itself is so cheap and they only get a percentage of it, and partly because they've really put themselves into it, which isn't easy. They really appreciate it, it makes them happy when I come, which makes for better service, and what is it to a Westerner? about 3.50 American. Not a fortune.

[iainiain101]

I have a lot have foot massages at street side venues that usually cost around 120 to 150 Baht an hour. I have allways watched the Thai customers, and almost all of them tip 100 Baht. So I do the same.

Iain

[Puccini]

HealthLand, Sathorn Road, Bangkok. Oil massage, 1 hour. Tip 100 Baht.

I don't know how much the massage costs because I use a voucher from my wife's booklet, and a tip of 100 Baht is what my wife suggested and what she gives when using that spa. Always satisfied with the service, so far.