Did you guys see the October 5th on-line article by Liz Pulliam Weston?  The author had a massage at a national massage chain, which she enjoyed, and wound up tipping 41%.  She felt coerced into that by a sign at the checkout desk stating a minimum tip was $10 and a good tip was $20. Wow!!!  This type of sign is apparently the new tip jar.  The new rude tip-jar economy is the article if you want to check it out.

Now massage therapists do use a tip jar.  However, in my experience, this has been at chair massage events only.  Event coordinators often advise you to bring along a jar for tips, especially if you are working the event for free instead of charging the customary $1 per minute fee.
 
You will never see a sign asking for tips at my two locations because I think it is inappropriate.  My work speaks for itself.  If a client wants to give a tip, they can give what they like.  If they don't give a tip, that's fine.  For me, the best tips are compliments and referrals.   Having someone verbally thank you for a wonderful massage is priceless.  Having someone send you more clients is probably the best tip of all.
 
Please....never ever feel that you must give a monetary tip.
 
One of the nicest tips I received this year was a box of blueberries and I enjoyed those in my smoothies for a couple of days.  Yummy!

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