At least some of the Chinese workers here have limited English, which affected my experience for the worse. However, the massage cubicle was clean and neat. I choose a 60-minute full body massage for $65 + $4.55 in New Jersey tax.
My masseuse Annie spoke limited English, but was a good masseuse. When she led me to the massage cubicle, she said, "Take off" and indicated where I should lie down and put my head on the massage table. She left, and I undressed but left my shorts on, and I got underneath a thin blanket on the table. When Annie returned (she asked "Ready?" before she entered the cubicle) she took the blanket off of me and had me lie down on top of it and then put a different blanket on top of me (this was the beginning of the poor communication between us).
Annie began with a deep tissue massage, and after a short time I said, "Softer." But she made it so soft that she simply traced little patterns on my back with her fingertips with hardly any pressure at all. After a while, I realized this was not a part of a particular technique, so I said, "Harder." Eventually, Annie massaged me with the Swedish-type pressure I prefer, and I told her that this pressure was good. But at some point, Annie went back to very hard pressure again, so I said "Softer" and she did the fingertip thing again. Also, at times I thought she was pressing too hard on bony areas.
The business has a large poster at the entrance that mentions about half a dozen different massage therapies that are available, including "Swedish." I probably should have told Annie that I wanted "Swedish." Maybe she would have understood that better than "Softer," but I am not sure.
Annie kept the blanket on me for the front body massage and did my legs, arms, and hands. But she also unexpectedly pushed down hard against the side of my knees, which was uncomfortable.
It was difficult to rate this massage. Annie had very strong hands, so she can give a good deep tissue massage. When she found the middle ground of pressure (the "Swedish" style pressure), she was very good.
I did get the full 60 minutes in this massage (Annie had a timer of some sort set, but I only heard it when it went off at 60 minutes). However, the lack of clear communication made this massage less than enjoyable. In fact, the few aches and pains I had when I went in became worse (especially the left side of my neck) after the massage because perhaps I waited too long to say "Softer."
Annie did her best with her limited English skills, and she worked hard, so I gave her a very good tip (she is trying to earn a living, after all). But the company needs to help its workers improve their English, at least a little, to ensure clients get the best massage the therapists can give.
I give Annie 3 stars for her skills. My overall rating is also based on the communication difficulties that resulted in me getting a less satisfactory massage than I believe Annie is capable of. I would go back only if I were sure the therapist would give me a Swedish pressure throughout the massage. Since that is not a certainly, I would not go back if I am ever in this area again. read more
