Is 20 a good tip for a 90 minute massage?

The $20 Question: Is it a Good Tip for Your Massage Therapist?

So you just finished a blissful 90-minute massage, feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Now comes the moment of reckoning: the tip. Youre staring at your wallet, wondering if $20 is enough. The short answer? Generally, yes, $20 is a perfectly acceptable and even a good tip for a 90-minute massage. But like many things in life, theres a bit more nuance to the situation than just a simple yes or no.

The commonly accepted guideline for tipping service professionals, including massage therapists, hovers around the 15-20% mark of the pre-tax service cost. Therefore, if your 90-minute massage cost you somewhere in the ballpark of $100 (prices can vary greatly depending on location and the therapists experience), a $20 tip comfortably lands you within that recommended range. It signals to the therapist that you were satisfied with their service and appreciate their effort.

Think of it this way: massage therapy is a physically demanding job. Therapists are working hard to ease your aches and pains, often putting their own bodies through stress in the process. A good tip acknowledges their skill, dedication, and the energy they invested in your well-being.

However, the 20% guideline shouldnt be treated as gospel. There are definitely scenarios where you might want to adjust your tip, either upwards or downwards.

Reasons to Tip More:

• Exceptional Service: Did the therapist go above and beyond? Were they particularly attentive to your needs, knowledgeable about your specific issues, or just generally created a truly relaxing and therapeutic experience? If you felt like you received service that was truly outstanding, consider tipping a little more to reflect that. Perhaps you felt particularly comfortable and relaxed under their care.

• Special Requests: Did you request extra time on a specific area, or have any specific conditions that the therapist expertly addressed? Tailoring the massage to your individual needs often requires extra effort and expertise, which deserves to be acknowledged with a higher tip.

• Limited Income of the Therapist: While harder to know, if you learn the therapist is an independent contractor only receiving a portion of the total price, a slightly larger tip may be appreciated.

Reasons to Tip Less (or Discuss Concerns):

• Unsatisfactory Service: While rare, sometimes a massage just doesnt hit the mark. Maybe the therapist was distracted, didnt listen to your concerns, or the massage itself was poorly executed. In these instances, its often best to speak to the manager or the therapist (in a polite and constructive way) before deciding to tip less or nothing at all. Communication can often resolve the issue and prevent similar problems in the future.

• Pre-existing Gratuity: Always double-check your bill to see if a gratuity has already been added. This is common in some spas, especially for larger groups or special packages. You wouldnt want to accidentally tip twice!

Ultimately, tipping is a personal decision and a way to show your appreciation for a service. While $20 for a 90-minute massage is generally considered a good and standard tip, use your judgment and adjust based on the quality of the service you received and your own financial circumstances. And remember, a sincere thank you goes a long way, too!