how much should I tip for a real massage (no-sex)? The massage cost 250 baht. But how much should I tip?
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how much should I tip for a real massage (no-sex)? The massage cost 250 baht. But how much should I tip?
50 baht is fair though not generous for indoors.
On some beaches where supply greatly outstrips demand, it appears that the price is fixed and the massager, masseuse or maseur (sp) is happy to get the business even if no tip.
You don't say where or for how long it is. I know many find this a vexed question. In some places the masseurs are on staff, in other places they get a proportion of the amount you pay at the desk. I usally go for the two-hour job at one of the traditional places in Bangkok (330 baht), and find they're exceedingly well please if I give them 150 baht tip; I've seen Thai customers give 100 baht, and I've only ever once, in having massages a couple of times a week for the past 15 years, ever been asked for or even seen a masseur hovering as if they expect a tip. 50 baht is, I'd say, barely acceptable for a two-hour job, but probably acceptable for one-hour (which is what 250 baht sounds like). At least you're not asking the usual stand-by - "How much tip for a boy" - and in most cases the masseur is working a damn sight harder and longer (although slightly less intimately)
Satisfactory - 100 Baht
Good - 150 Baht
Very good - 200 Baht
Outstanding - 250 Baht
Not much really for a good massage is it. If it was for two hours I'd add about 50 Baht.
You all almost sound gleeful to be able to pay more money than the service costs. Go ahead and pay it. Us more frugal will have clearer heads when its time to settle up.
put it this way, a proper Thai massage (1 hour) in New Zealand will cost me 1,550 - 1850 Baht. Paying less than 1/3 of the cost of that for one in Thailand is clearly a bargain, and one that Farang should be able to easily (and gladly) afford.
just as a point of comparison, male sex-workers in New Zealand (prostitution/homosexuality is legal in New Zealand) arranged through an escort agency will charge around 4130 Baht an hour. A tip on top of that would be appreciated.
Some will work for just a few treats.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJWIc5cxJEU&search=thai%20massage
I usually have a foot massage at supermarket like Big C, Tesco Lotus and Carrfure, etc. The massage costs 100 baht per hour. I tip 20 baht ( that's 20% !!! ). The masseurs are very pleased.
I have a traditional Thai physical massage in Bangkok twice a week.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott123
The massage lasts 2 hours and cost 250Baht, I always tip 150Baht which seems to be the acceptable norm in most reputable genuine massage establishments.
I've had good massages (and I'm familiar enough about massage techniques to be able to tell a professionally-trained one from an in-house-trained one) at Candle T Spa, sanctuary, etc. They usually cost something close to 1,000 baht for 90 minutes, so I'm pretty sure the therapist is well-compensated from that price. Naturally, it being Thailand some tip is still expected if nothing else, at least a token to indicate a gesture of thanks. As far as I recall, at these places, I'm always at least moderately satisfied - they are quite consistently good - and so I tip at least 100 baht. If I'm truly happy with the work, I tip about 200-300 baht.
yike! This was my first time getting no-sex massage in LOS, I tipped 200 baht...I guess I tipped too much (after reading all the posts here).
Anyway..it was a one hour thai massage, cost 250 baht, at a massage house in Silom (massuers are in-house). The massage itself is quite satisfactory.
Another false comparison, often used by those who want to over-tip a bar boy on the basis that the work is comparable to what they'd get back home so they should pay the same price. A similar hotel room varies widely in price between countries but I'm prepared only to pay the going rate in that country and not by reference to another oneQuote:
Originally Posted by Aunty
I would have tipped the same. If the shop is charging only 250 baht, it means the masseur gets rather little for an hour's work, unlike the shops that charge 700 - 900 baht per session. The latter can afford a more generous salary for the boys. So, yes, I too would have tipped about 200 - 250 baht if going to one of the shops along Silom Road, but that is provided the service was good. My experience is that the quality is very variable in those places.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott123
Oh jeez!
How much do you think Thais tip for such a massage?
Either NOTHING because tipping is really not part of the culture (for example, Thais almost never tip haircutters), or a small token.
By overtipping and referring to your own culture, you just perpetuate the culture of double pricing, and change the local culture.
For a two hour massage that cost 300 or 400 baht in a LEGIT traditional massage outlet, 50 to 60 baht is more than adequate.
I suggest you try this and see if there is anything but a grateful wai in response.
Now, if this is really a cover sex place, that is totally another story.
Do not get legit masseurs and masseur whores confused!
I know what you are all going to say, call me a cheapskate and mean etc. That I am punishing the legit massage worker.
Nope, the sex worker deserves the extra money to have sex with disgusting strangers and engaging in a black market activity.
The legit masseur is an employee.
When you hire a maid do you tip 100 percent?
I think this liberal overtipping is a sign of white man's guilt over injustice in the world, so you think you are a better person because you throw your money away, enjoy it.
I also think in the common farang mind, massage is a semi sexual activity (and I would agree with that) and thus even legit masseurs are borderline whores. Another manifestation of Western sex guilt. I don't think Thai people think that way.
Really? In my 15 years of living here in Bangkok I have found it to be ubiquitous, and often when I am out with Thais in a Thai context (and I'm paying) I am prompted to tip the appropriate amount. I notice they always tip if they are payingQuote:
Originally Posted by Thaiquila
Really? A friend of mine's boyfriend is a hairdresser with a 100% Thai clientele. He boasts he can live off his tipsQuote:
Originally Posted by Thaiquila
I tip the shampoo lady, not the hair cutter (as he's the shop owner).
I agree, though, that tipping is common in Thai society. Not up to the exalted 15-20% levels in the US, but it is common.
Well that (cheap) is your choice, I however choose differently. And as to it been a 'false comparison' that is a matter of opinion and quite frankly I fail to see anything that qualifies you as the recognised authority to pass definitive judgment on such matters.Quote:
Originally Posted by homintern
Tipping at the end of the day is all about making a discretionary payment to someone for a service they have performed. How much you give is entirely up to you. That is after all the whole point of tipping.
Perhaps if you were a more traveled person you would see the folly of comparing costs at home to those in Thailand. Don't worry, you not the only one over tipping. But I'm not one.
I am extensively travelled thank you very much, and I have also live in multiple countries. But please don't let any of that get in the way of your wonderful stories and self-delusions.Quote:
Originally Posted by goodlad
Aunty darling you live in the country at the arse-end of the world, the country where the local population is so well-balanced only because they have a chip on both shoulders, the country where anyone with get-up-and-go has got up and gone
http://upload3.postimage.org/37228/pleasecomehome.jpg