Disagree strongly - she deserved a tip
[QUOTE=LexLuther;2068540]Serpico,
I have to agree with you. These places and the women who work there have to be aware that their male customers, while they may appreciate a great massage, are really after the "after-massage" extras. If they give a great massage and can find a way to graciously reject your advances, then perhaps they are due a tip. But if she walked out on you, she doesn't deserve it. I'm not sure about the remuneration structure at a Chinese massage establishment. But I would have to assume that she's getting something for her time and effort. And I would have to guess that a good percentage of them are un-documented. So if she's getting $20 per hour, that's a nice salary for someone who would not be able to earn minimum wage outside of the establishment.
LexLuther.[/QUOTE]According to Serpico's post, she completed the massage, did a great job and didn't walk out early. So just like any massage therapist (Asian, non Asian, or whatever) she provided the service and reasonably expected a tip. Massage therapy is a service profession, just like waiting tables, and tipping is customary and expected unless the service provided is poor (which Serpico stated was not the case). According to all the circumstances as I understand them, she deserved a tip and was understandably miffed when Serpico refused.
I have absolutely no idea what he means by "Chinese syndicate operation" but it's important to remember there are plenty of legit Asian massage establishments where extras are not ever on the menu. Since Serpico said this was a brand new place, there's no way he could have known beforehand what type it was. So he took his chances and TOFTT, which is great for the board because now we have the benefit of his report. But the fact is that this place appears to be completely legit and the therapist deserved to be treated like any other legit massage therapist.
I also don't get the logic of saying that the "place needs to do more to compete" or his attempted justification that "too many of these Chinese syndicate operations are popping up," If a waitress provides great service but doesn't offer you a free dessert, would you say she doesn't deserve a tip because they (the restaurant owners) need to do more to compete and too many of those types of restaurants are popping up?
Bottom line: legit masseuse + great massage = deserves a tip. Doesn't matter if she's Asian, Martian, undocumented or papered up one side and down the other!
Agree with JS - 15 - 20% on a good quality legitimate massage
[QUOTE=JmSuttr;2068734]According to Serpico's post, she completed the massage, did a great job and didn't walk out early. So just like any massage therapist (Asian, non Asian, or whatever) she provided the service and reasonably expected a tip. Massage therapy is a service profession, just like waiting tables, and tipping is customary and expected unless the service provided is poor (which Serpico stated was not the case). According to all the circumstances as I understand them, she deserved a tip and was understandably miffed when Serpico refused.
I have absolutely no idea what he means by "Chinese syndicate operation" but it's important to remember there are plenty of legit Asian massage establishments where extras are not ever on the menu. Since Serpico said this was a brand new place, there's no way he could have known beforehand what type it was. So he took his chances and TOFTT, which is great for the board because now we have the benefit of his report. But the fact is that this place appears to be completely legit and the therapist deserved to be treated like any other legit massage therapist.
I also don't get the logic of saying that the "place needs to do more to compete" or his attempted justification that "too many of these Chinese syndicate operations are popping up," If a waitress provides great service but doesn't offer you a free dessert, would you say she doesn't deserve a tip because they (the restaurant owners) need to do more to compete and too many of those types of restaurants are popping up?
Bottom line: legit masseuse + great massage = deserves a tip. Doesn't matter if she's Asian, Martian, undocumented or papered up one side and down the other![/QUOTE]I agree with JS. IMHO for $60 list price, $10 - 15 is reasonable. Not high, but not nothing. Even when I get Groupons for regular massage (at places where I expect no extras), I typically leave at least 15% on what would be the regular retail rate...
Your therapist didn't write the ad
[QUOTE=Serpico99;2068858]If they are trying to be a "legit" place, having a description like:
"With beautiful professional friendly asian female therapists." is not required. I have gone to "legit" massage places (staff by both Asian and non-Asian therapists) where there is no reference to how pretty the therapists are. This place is set-up to service male clients.
Again referencing their ad: SPECIAL PRICE IS OFFERED JUST FOR $49. This was not offered to me. This is similar to the other Chinese operations where they lure you in with a low price than charge you the regular Chinese AMP rate of 60/ hr. I seem to recall a couple of posters griping about the "special" price at the Hunter Mill Rd. Chinese AMP location.
I highly doubt the therapist I had, works only for the tips. She is probably the co-owner. And she probably doesn't declare cash tips to the IRS, just like a restaurant's wait staff. LOL.[/QUOTE]But she did give you a great massage, by your own admission. A great massage for which you tipped her not a single cent.
As far as the price is concerned, 60 per hr is pretty standard, even for legit shops, so I have no idea what your beef is there. If you had a problem with the price, you should have complained to the manager when you paid, which I'm guessing was BEFORE the massage. And as far as her being the co-owner, that's nothing more than your imagination working overtime to try to justify the fact that you stiffed her.
And the bit about not declaring her tips is a complete non sequitur. Whether she does or not is between her and the IRS. Are you also saying that you regularly refuse to tip waiters and waitresses because of the possibility they may not be declaring all their tips? Oh, and how do you know whether the waiter who serves you is a co-owner or not?
What's crystal clear is that you were pissed that you didn't get your HE and you took out your frustration on a masseuse who had done nothing but give you a great massage and politely refused to do anything more. Hey, you're human and that happens from time to time.
In your first post you halfway admitted that you screwed up when you said you thought you should have tipped her but you talked yourself out of it. Better stop while your ahead because these rationalizations are starting to sound pretty silly.
Just a couple of final points, wait staff also don't work exclusively for tips. So your analogy once again falls flat. And about the special price at Hunter Mill, I have personally gotten the 49/ hr price on multiple occasions because I specifically asked for it (it wasn't volunteered). But even if I hadn't, it wouldn't have been the masseuse's fault and I wouldn't deny her the tip she deserves.
Not like Game of Thrones....
Stopped at the mixing-bowl place that makes you feel like royalty (or so they say).
I've stopped before -- and was happier on those visits -- but there was not much "wrong" with this one -- just a bit below average.
Kim was provider. Typical in appearance and stature (typical age, build, etc).
Most of the visit was polite / distant.
Parts were sensual, if not really friendly.
Standard rates and tip.
Will likely not repeat for a while -- allow for natural turnover.
YMMV Alot.
Addendum: happened to drive by same place during the weekend. I noticed a motorcycle group was there with several members outside (but several bikes empty..you do the math). I would not characterize them as a motorcycle gang. But perhaps their visit resulted in weary staff today?
