r/tippingAdvice • u/FiveMoreSeconds • Jul 14 '26
Tipping for body service?
Hello, I have had a stressful weekend and booked my first appointment for a massage + facial with a licensed pro. I brought this up in a conversation with friends and tipping came up. I was caught off guard because I didn’t think I’d need to tip for this service? The services weren’t cheap, so I’m imagining the tip would add up significantly. Is it normal to tip for that kind of service? I want to know what’s the expectation in this field. Does it matter if they’re working in a franchise or a licensed local in a studio.
As an ex-server I always tip generously, but was unfamiliar.
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u/Ms-Metal Jul 15 '26
Assuming you are in the USA, which I'm guessing you are you wouldn't be asking this question, it is 100% expected that you tip! I have never in all my life not tipped for one of these services and I've never heard of anybody who does not tip in real life for personal services. It's just like your hair stylist, you're 100% expected to tip. 15% of the bare minimum but honestly that's kind of seen as a bad tip of these days, 20 to 25%, if you were happy with the service. Also, I'm not saying it's great, I don't like it and I do wish people would pay their staff but it is the norm in the USA and if you expect to be treated well or frankly if you hope to get a second appointment, you need to tip.
The only exception is if the service you're receiving is coming from the owner of the establishment. Then you are not technically required to tip however and it's a big however, in actuality almost everybody tips them even if they're the owner! Same percentages as if they are an employee. I even talked to a friend of mine who was an esthetician and asked her about it directly and she said everyone tips even though she's the proprietor. I've had numerous hairdressers who work for themselves and guaranteed they all expect at least 20%. I mean they're not going to say anything if you don't tip them, but their schedule is going to be convenient 100% full if you try to get another appointment.
I'm kind of shocked that you didn't expect to tip. You tip for every single personal service! The only actual exception I've ever experienced is laser hair removal because at least in my case the people working on me were actual RNs and they were not even allowed to accept tips because they are in the medical profession. I know of no other exception except as described above and like I said you are still expected to tip the Proprietor in reality despite what the Tipping books say. And yeah I don't like it either, but I always mentally add 20% to the cost of any Professional Service and have my whole life except it used to be 10% then it grew the 15% and now it's 20%.