massage and bodywork professionals
Male Massage Therapist
Aloha. I've been working as a professional massage therapist in a day spa for about five months. During that time I became aware of a preference male and female clients have for female therapists. Here I am raising two questions:
First, what is the question your receptionist asks to determine the client's gender preference if at all and how she approaches this matter?
In our spa the receptionist asks, "Do you prefer a male or a female therapist?" or "Do you have a gender preference?" One time I heard her asking "Are you OK with a male therapist?" I believe that all the questions above put male therapist in a great disadvantage and in my opinion they are as ridiculous as the questions: "Do you prefer a tall or a short therapist? Do you have a religioun preference for your therapist? Are you OK with a Jewish therapist? You get the idea.
Second, what is the booking procedure in your place of work that insures fair work load distribution between male and female therapists? What is your booking procedure?
In our spa, assignments are booked using a booking order rather than seniority. The opener that has a few morning shores comes earlier and gets the first appointment. Of course, if the opener is male, between female requests and specific requests for therapists, he may not get anything that day…and I am speaking from experience.
I’d love to hear some ideas so I can go to management with specific solutions rather than only complaints. Thanks in advance.
Chris Reynolds
I have experienced the same issues. I have found that in smaller towns I have had more difficulty with this problem as opposed to bigger areas I've worked in the past and it was never an issue. I think everyone here has hit the nail on the head. The receptionist should say something to the effect of, "Mike is available at that time and he gives a great massage" or in my case, my name is Chris, the owners name is Christina so the receptionist has to word it, " I have Chris available at that time and HE gives a great massage". If people are asked if they would prefer a male or female in the small area I practice in, 75% of the time they state they would prefer a female. Try and get them to take the gender question out of the appointment setting process.
I have also had clients come in before when their appointment was scheduled, the client thought they were getting Christina our owner, thinking that Chris was short for Christina. I've had that happen several times. After sitting down with the client and explaining to them the process of massage, draping procedures, even demonstrating it for them, I haven't had anyone say No.
I hope these recommendations help!
Feb 23, 2013
Relax & Rejuvenate
What preference for female therapists?
Almost exactly 50% of our clients have no preference on the gender of their therapist or request a male.
We know this because anyone who asks a client anything other than "Do you prefer a male, female or does it not matter the gender of your therapist?" gets beaten about the head-and-shoulders with an axe handle.
"do you prefer a male or female" = WRONG. If you just lay out the two choices, you are still making the client choose one or the other and put the burden on the client to volunteer "does not matter".
If you offer Door # 3 -- "no preference" -- nearly 50% will choose it, where as if you just give the two options, only about 20% will come back with "it does not matter to me"
one of my former managers just could not help himself and kept saying "I can do that time if you are OK with a Male therapist" A major reason for his departure -- lazy language and did not listen or take instructon well.
The proper answer when only a male is available is "I have John available at 4 or 5" No other comment required, and 99% of any other possible commentary is detrimental to the conversation.
Having no preference on the gender of the therapist gives the business the maximum flexibility in generating the most number of appointments -- keeps the bottom line happy and the employees. Any business not offering the "no preference" language to every guest is doing everyone -- including the clients who can't get appointments -- a dis-service.
Mar 4, 2013
Marcus Brewer
In my opinion the disdain for “male” massage therapist comes from within the massage therapy realm. I think a majority of clients will not go as far asking for a certain gender right when they make the initial call to set up an appointment. As some of you mentioned, if brought up, of course a client will select a gender. People get massages for a particular reason or another and yet they want bodywork from someone qualified and capable of fulfilling their needs. If “Sussie” is on vacation or sick and only Johnny is able, I doubt the client will say no to Johnny. You go to see a professional, not a certain gender. We have legal and ethical business practices in place, all of them are objective. Sure there are stereotypes, but not one guideline starts off with, “Since male therapists are more likely to….” If you want sports massage done, you go to someone that is qualified to give a sports massage, same for reiki, and same for Swedish, etc…. All guidelines and principles use the words professional, practitioner or therapist. The stigma of a male massage therapist is just like any racial or sexual preference. If you make it an issue then there will be an issue. That doesn’t mean a client may ask for a certain gender, but it’s how you handle the question. If businesses are not careful it can fall under sexual discrimination. EVERY male and FEMALE I’ve told that I was studying to become massage therapist a pretty much game response: A gasp with WIDE eyes and a comment along the lines of when and how do I get a massage.
It's not really answer the two questions, but I wanted to give my view. Also, I'm curious to if things have changed for you Ilan! Fill us in!!!
Mar 6, 2013