It's very unfortunate I have to rate them 2 stars. Let me start off by saying this was my first ever experience treating myself to a massage. I'm very unfamiliar with the industry and I decided I wanted to give it a go as I've been dealing with a lot of muscle aches from work. This one was conveniently about 17 minutes away from my home and reasonably priced. I paid for a combo online $55 for 40 minutes back massage and a 20 minute foot massage.
Now I'll summarize my experience. My appointment was for 5pm, I came in a little early, about 15 minutes, to maybe learn some expectations in this practice or get welcomed in at least. I met a man who was kind, offered me a water, no real guidance as to what I should expect, but he asked if I can wait for my appointment time at 5pm and sit on one of the chairs. No problem, I'm a patient guy so I have a seat and wait.
From 4:45pm to 5pm, the time comes and passes, my massage eventually begins around 5:15pm. English didn't seem to be the teams main language and that is totally okay, I'm not the kind of person who feels this is some requirement but I did feel somewhat disassociated from the experience as they would talk mostly only to each other in their language, even while massaging. This unfortunately lead to the experience feeling less personable / personalized. No one even exchanged names with me or asked me what brought me in. The masseuse didn't even introduce herself to me or give me her name, just a hello and straight to the room with a curtain. In total, my masseuse asked me 2 times in the entire hour if I was good. It was fine. I figured they just get straight to business so I'll let them work.
The massage was good, they use a cream, and massage all across the back of your body, from neck, to legs, to arms, and ofc back. They use good firm pressure to kneed out your muscles. Some hot towels used, and at one point there was a brief use of hot stones which was nice. And a brief head rub/scratch which was satisfying.
Anyways, when the massage finished, my first of potentially many sessions as I'm looking for a place to return to potentially monthly, I probably would've given them 4 stars. Even with my appointment starting 15 minutes late and not receiving a particularly personalized experience. When it came time to pay, I was charged $60 and not the $55 that was shown online. I figured it may just be a fee for using Apple Pay. No problem. I sign the receipt and hand it back. The lady laughs and points to the tip portion on the receipt. While I wasn't necessarily amazed by the experience, I offered to put something in as I'm not familiar with tipping culture in this industry and also, my price already went up from what I originally was quoted. I wrote in $5 so now my total is $65. $10 more than I thought it'd be.
Then her face went very serious, maybe even upset, and she began reaching at the desk. I asked if everything was okay and she hadn't said a word. I'm confused at this point. She then takes out multiple receipts, and flips through them in front of me showing other clients who tipped $20 - $30 for their sessions. Embarrassing. I did not intend to insult her with my tip, I tipped what I felt was fair considering my experience and figured maybe if I returned I'd have a better experience. I had the decency in my heart to add a 1 before the 5 to make my tip total $15. I don't however appreciate tip shaming. Had this experience been more personalized, they might've discovered that this was my first experience. I'm rarely one to treat myself to anything in the service industry but when I do, I'm very generous for outstanding service.
My total went from $55 to $75. No problem, I gave her a smile and a thank you and went off on my way, she couldn't do the same for me. It looks like they're doing okay for themselves, but I likely won't be returning. To whom I tipped, I apologize if I offended you. But please understand that shaming and or demanding anything of your clients is very inappropriate and tarnished an overall experience that at the very least was good. Not outstanding, but not bad and I would have considered returning to become a familiar face. But that shame at the end won't have me returning.
For anyone familiar with this industry, I would say you'd enjoy the experience but if you're new, you may want to consider more options. read more