What I wish every client knew before they walked in the door

Some of these are commonly asked questions by my clients. Some of them are just good to know. They're in no particular order--just all about massage. :)

• I get paid per massage so no, I won't go "extra" long for you. If I go over for you, I have less time to work on other clients which means less money for me. If you want a longer massage, book and pay me for a longer massage.
• Yes, I clean my hands and change the sheets between every massage. The other option is just gross.
  
• If you come to me at my job, I cannot work on you anywhere else. I signed a contract with my employer. No, I won't "fudge" it. (Family is excluded--it's an exception in the contract).
• The foot soak is really more for me than for you. Dirty feet are NOT fun to massage.
  
• Speaking of dirt, PLEASE COME CLEAN!!! It's not really pleasant to massage someone and spread dirt around or smell your bodily odors. You may not notice some of the odors that I will notice. Just trust me.
• Yes, I like getting tips. But I won't complain if I don't get them. I'd rather have a regular client who never tipped than a client who came in once in a while and gave me a big tip.
  
• No, my hands don't hurt a lot at the end of the massage. They train us how to use them properly and I'm careful. If you had a $1,000,000 piece of equipment at your work place, you'd be extra careful with it. My hands are my million dollar equipment. If they go out, I can't massage.
  
• I prefer being called a massage therapist. If you call me a masseuse I won't be offended, but some people equate masseuse to sensual massage, so I focus on the "therapist" aspect. Plus, licensed massage therapist makes me sound more professional than masseuse.
  
• I adjust my table for lots of reasons, including but not limited to: your body size, the type of massage I'm giving, and whoever used the table before me. Table height is critical in order for me to not wear out my body. If you see me adjusting it, don't make assumptions.
• I think the body is amazing and wonderful. I haven't seen an "ugly" body yet.
  
• Yes, I am a petite girl. No, that does NOT affect how deep of a massage I can give you. Don't judge your massage therapist by their size.
  
• Male therapists can be just as good as female therapists. Female therapists can be just as good as male therapists. Don't judge your therapist by their gender--judge them by their skill.
• If you don't like the pressure, tell me. I can adjust my pressure
  
• Matter of fact, if you don't like anything about the massage, tell me. You will get a better massage if you'll let me know what you do and don't like. Every body and every person is different. I won't be offended.
• If you've had ANY surgeries, major injuries, medical conditions or are on any medicines, PLEASE TELL ME. I don't pass on the information or judge you. If you do tell me, I can make sure to customize the massage to your body and it's specific needs.
• Erections can happen. Most males DO NOT have them, but they're not something to worry about (for you or for me--I'll ignore it and massage like normal) unless there are other indications that you're turning my massage into something sexual. I do NOT do sexual massages. I will end the massage early and charge you full price if you make the massage sexual.
  
• I don't mind if you talk to me, but I'm not going to start the conversation. If you want to talk, talk, and I will talk back. Otherwise, all you'll hear from me are questions about how the massage is going.
• If I massage you at the spa I work at, all you get is "spa" music. If I massage you anywhere else, I'm cool working to almost any music. Don't hesitate to ask me if you want different music. I get sick of spa music.
  
• I don't mind massaging big guys or hairy men. And women, your leg hair doesn't bug me either. Dirty is gross, hair is not.

There's probably more, but I figure this is a long enough list and covers the basics. There's my "rant" for the day. :)