Is it just ME??

[Random Hangman]

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In general in our society, I dislike the practice of tipping.  I feel like the practice allows us to underpay people who wait tables, drive cabs, cut our hair, etc. and then people in those jobs have to walk on eggshells trying to pry their full deserved wages out of their customers.  That said, though, tip-culture is a reality and as Mimi pointed out, it seems like it can totally depend on the therapist's work setting . . . personally I'd rather my clients didn't tip me, but I'm in private practice and get to keep all the money so it's a luxury to make that call.  Also, when a client DOES tip, I'm not going to embarass her by giving her my tip lecture!  I just accept it with what I hope is a gracious "Thank you."  One client in particular is used to going to spas and twice added what I thought was a very generous tip to the total -- half the price of the session -- and I was inspired to say, "You know, I love your generous tips, but if you like, it's OK to just pay the price of the session and then use that money to come see me more often.  It's like three sessions for the price of two!"  Fortunately she found this funny and is treating herself to more frequent, tip-free massages; I don't feel comfortable addressing this with everyone.As far as school "payment:"  in our state it is also TOTALLY illegal to accept ANY form of payment/tip/trade/etc in exchange for practice sessions.  My school had an twofold excellent suggestion for responding to generous offers of reimbursement during schooling:  One, that we always use the term "practice session" so it sounded like obvious practice; and two, that we say something like "That's so nice of you to want to give/pay me something; the fact that you're letting me make all my mistakes on you while I learn is so valuable that I'll be giving you a free thank-you session when I graduate to pay YOU back and I hope you'll really see the difference."

 

[greengirl]

Here in NJ we were told the same thing."Doctors don't get tips".....{no I am not a Dr.}We get tips in the form of gifts all of the time in the OR.According to policy we have to give the gift to the department.I do send my dentist, PMD, PT and Chiro a small token of appreciation during the holidays.I tip when I feel I have gotten wonderful service.I accept tips if offered.  I would accept a small gift.  I think I would draw the line at lets say tickets to a game or something elaborate.Robyn

 

[GORGI]

A-sorry i didn't read all of what everyone said cause i didn't want to forget my point.. so sorry if it was already covered and i am repeating... at my school we have a student clinic and they charge $35 for and hour massage.. they also take part of the cost of running the STUDENT clinic from the student tuition.. there is a tasteful sign posted right under the one that says you pay if you cancel at the last minute, and above the one that says any sign of sexual anything is not to be tolerated that says "imi students appiciate tips"we are strongly urged to get "student insurance" for while we are practicing for school, and your insurance is null and void if they find out that you are charging for massages.. also according to our teacher, it isn't ethical for a student to accept payment for a massage since it is part of our hours in school.. but we love tips.. but then again michigan doesn't have any licensing requirements yet either.. so legally you can charge..  but yeah.. sorry i lost my train of thought..